The Preserve the Escarpment coalition represents hundreds of farmers and seasonal and permanent residents who oppose large-scale development in the region due to its threat to local communities, farmers, and the Escarpment’s environmental heritage.
As a UNESCO-recognized biosphere, industrial-scale attractions and growing commercialization in the region threaten the escarpment’s importance to Ontario’s natural heritage.
As agritourism along the escarpment grows exponentially, industrial-scale attractions like big lavender farms damage local agriculture, harm the escarpment’s ecosystems, and create a danger on local roads from the rapid increase of tourists looking to find their best photo at all costs.
The Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) governs the escarpment, including the Niagara Escarpment Plan – Canada’s first large-scale environmental land use plan. The NEC is currently debating a proposed plan wide amendment (PC-225) of agricultural policies and land use along the escarpment.This would open developments that prioritize secondary use instead of agriculture first, such as attractions and events.
Tourism, planning, and development along the Escarpment has always been rooted in the spirit of respecting its environmental heritage. Large-scale attractions will draw in thousands of visitors per week, set up ticketed farm businesses, and put the Niagara Escarpment and local communities at risk.
On-farm diversified use involves converting land into non-agricultural uses; the proposed amendment seeks to extend this to non-prime agricultural land. Overall reducing the amount of land available for food production. This can have long-term consequences for farmers, food security and sustainability.
Non-agricultural activities on farmland can have negative environmental impacts, such as increased water usage, soil erosion, and pollution. These impacts can affect the health of local communities, ecosystems, and wildlife.
On-farm diversified use nearly always involves increased traffic and congestion in rural areas, which can impact rural residents and their businesses. A by-product of this can also lead to increased pollution.