St Catharines university, Niagara Parks join forces to save local parkland

Brock University in St Catharines and Niagara Park are joining forces for a good cause – preserving the parkland along the Niagara River and Niagara Falls.

The university and the parks group signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on environmental stewardship of the site, which is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

Niagara Parks Chair Janice Thomson said the agreement will work out well for both groups but more importantly, the parkland they are now working in tandem to protect.

“This partnership reflects Niagara Parks’ steadfast commitment to the environment and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Brock University and its team at the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre in further advancing and promoting our shared goals,” said Thomson.

Under the agreement, Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre will share expertise with the Parks authority and take part in collaborative events and research projects.

The agreement is also a boost to students, who will benefit from co-op and other work-integrated opportunities in the 1,700-hectare park.

Professor Ryan Plummer, the Director of Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, said, “Meaningful impacts for the environment and for people will be realized from this initiative through innovative research, hands-on experience and start-of-the art practices.”

He added, “Engaging Brock faculty and students directly with staff from (Niagara Parks) is sustainability science in action.”