To promote the natural environment of the Niagara Escarpment, and minimize the impact of development, particularly in the Beaver Valley and at the Talisman site. This will protect significant environmentally sensitive ecosystems within a UNESCO-designated biosphere, preserve agricultural lands, protect the Beaver River watershed, allow for low-impact recreational opportunities for the public, and support local business.

Funding is required for a variety of mission critical and interconnected purposes: Grassroots awareness building Scientific research and studies Planning legal, and professional services All board members serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.

Our volunteer board members are: Kate Lazier – Emergency physician and past municipal policy advisor who loves to hike, ski, and cycle in the magnificent Beaver Valley Jeanette Parry - Enthusiastic amateur naturalist and full-time resident for the last 17 years Jane Pyper - A community services leader who enjoys the trails, views, and activities of the very special Beaver Valley Stephanie Warner – A marketer and fundraiser, Stephanie has been enjoying time in the Valley for more than 50 years

There are many not-for-profit organizations doing incredible work - research, conservation, education, recreation and much more - all across the escarpment. While there is much that binds us together PTLA is unique as it is focused on keeping the Beaver Valley green and natural and in upholding the character of the Grey Highlands and the Niagara Escarpment. We have partnered with Escarpment Corridor Alliance, Friends of The Beaver Valley and the Niagara Escarpment Foundation to support the local community’s fight to stop inappropriate development on the escarpment.

Yes! As a project of Small Change Fund, donations to PTLA are eligible for a tax receipt. Donations can be made online or by cheque. We encourage any donations of more than $10,00 to be made via cheque. Make cheques payable to “Small Change Fund” with “Protecting the Beaver Valley” in the memo and mail to: Small Change Fund 747 Manning Ave, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M6G 2W5 Donations of securities are also possible. Donors who wish to speak with a board member directly or who wish to discuss larger donations are asked to Contact Us and PTLA board member would be delighted to meet with you.

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Spreading the word to friends, family and community members you work and play alongside can make a huge difference! Got an idea? Please get in touch… many hands make light work!

Donations can be made online or by cheque. To save processing fees, we encourage any donations of more than $1,000 to be made via cheque. Make cheques payable to “Small Change Fund” with “Protecting the Beaver Valley” in the memo and mail to: Small Change Fund 747 Manning Ave, Suite 200 Toronto, ON M6G 2W5 As a project of Small Change Fund, donations to PTLA are eligible for a tax receipt. Donations of securities are also possible. Donors who wish to speak with a board member directly or who wish to discuss larger donations are asked to email us at : TalismanLands@gmail.com and PTLA board member would be delighted to meet with you.

To view the history of the Talisman Mountain resort, click here. To view a gallery of the old resort and the abandoned lanscape, click here.

The Talisman properties frame the brow of the escarpment and drain into the Beaver River, a treasured natural resource and salmon spawning ground fed by numerous streams on the escarpment hillside. Irresponsible development on these lands would set a dangerous precedent for desecration of similar properties along the entire extent of the escarpment corridor. The importance of continuous, healthy corridors to sustainable biodiverse habitats is now widely accepted. The upper 59-acre parcel is partially home to the Bruce Trail. Conserving this incredible ‘brow of the escarpment’ parcel contrasts the stark options available: create a permanent home for the Bruce Trail OR hike through a subdivision.

Far too many people believe that nothing can be done to stop inappropriate development. Not us! And not lots of others as well. Want to get inspired? Read a few of the Ontario “success stories” that we plan to emulate. Mega Quarry, Orangeville Mega Quarry; Muskoka Epping; Beaver Valley

Biosphere reserves represent the world’s important ecosystems and are divided into three zones: a protected core, a buffer zone and a transition zone that sustains sustainable economic and cultural activity. Biospheres are designated by UNESCO to help conserve biodiversity, demonstrate sustainable development and build the local community’s capacity to deal with human and environmental issues. There are 686 UNESCO World Biosphere’s of which 18 are in Canada and 4 in Ontario.

Yes! The area that PTLA is focused on is among the most conspicuous and most visited parts of the Niagara Escarpment which was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere in 1990.

The Niagara Escarpment is the most prominent topographical feature in the province of Ontario. It is the longest continuous natural corridor in densely populated south-central Ontario and boasts spectacular scenery and unparalleled hiking and recreation experiences along the Bruce Trail. The Niagara Escarpment is home to the oldest ecosystem and trees in eastern North America and has some of the greatest biodiversity and highest numbers of species at risk.

Yes. The UNESCO framework provides for reviews every 10 years. According to UNESCO, 45 sites across 9 countries have been withdrawn from the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (up until July 2018). None have been in Canada. The next review is in 2024.

Yes, it does. However, the PTLA believes that Niagara Escarpment Plan designations on the site are overly permissive and no longer appropriate because they relate to a recreational use (ski hill) which is now gone. In addition, there are serious concerns about the effectiveness of the NEC as outlined in the 2022 auditor general’s report.

PTLA’s mission is completely aligned and supportive of the Bruce Trail’s mission of “Preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever’. Moreover, we actively encourage everyone of PTLA’s supporters to become a paid member of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and support their remarkable work. Two areas where PTLA’s work differs from the BTC are (i) our willingness to engage in debate regarding what we believe to be inappropriate developments across sensitive escarpment lands and (ii) our geographic focus.