April 21, 2006
Media Advisory

ESCARPMENT GROUP UNVEILS BIOSPHERE RESERVE ROAD SIGNS IN THE REGION OF NAIGARA

The Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE) and local dignitaries will unveil one of the new Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve road signs in the City of St. Catharines.

Twelve signs have been erected by CONE at key entrance points to the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve in the Niagara Region, bringing the total up to 67.

CONE has erected the other 55 signs in five upper- or single-tier municipalities along the Escarpment: Hamilton, Dufferin, Peel, Halton and Simcoe. Eventually CONE hopes to have signs in place from Niagara Falls to Tobermory.

As a companion to the signs, CONE has published a full-colour brochure about the Escarpment and the biosphere reserve that will be available throughout the Niagara Region.

Joining CONE President Andre Rudnicky and Executive Director Bradley Shaw will be:

• The Honourable Jim Bradley, MPP for St Catharines and Ontario Minister of Tourism and Recreation
• Niagara politicians
• Michael Collins, Regional councillor & NEC commissioner
• Donald Alexander, NEC commissioner
• Mark Frawley, NEC director
• A representative from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

UNESCO awarded the biosphere reserve designation to the Niagara Escarpment largely because of the existence of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, the provincial land use plan that controls Escarpment development.

CONE is a non-government, non-profit coalition of conservation organizations, community groups and concerned citizens dedicated to the protection of the Niagara Escarpment, a World Biosphere Reserve. Founded 28 years ago, our work includes promoting Escarpment protection, monitoring development proposals, carrying out educational projects and fostering public appreciation of the Escarpment. The Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve road sign project is one of our most important educational initiatives.