Synod Votes to Sell Land

A portion of the Canterbury Hills property, some twenty-five hectares of environmentally sensitive land in Ancaster, will now become an important piece of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area.

A motion was passed with strong support by the Synod of the Diocese of Niagara on April 5 to allow the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) to purchase the land.  “This mutually beneficial arrangement ensures our ongoing connection to this land and that its uniqueness will continue to be protected and enjoyed by many,” said Bishop Michael Bird.The Diocese will retain two smaller parcels of land; one includes the summer camp and educational facilities and the other contains the conference centre. More information about the report to Synod can be found here.

“We are extremely happy to have acquired such an important and beautiful natural area.  HCA has had interest in the property for two decades and it’s exciting to be able to add that area to the Dundas Valley. The Diocese has been a very good steward of the land and we will continue their work and protect it for the public for generations to come” said HCA CAO Chris Firth-Eagland.

The Diocese’s summer camp and outdoor education programs will continue to run on the property with the Diocese and HCA working together as joint stewards of this natural area. To learn more or to register for the summer day or residential camping programs, visit: http://www.canterburyhills.ca

The Canterbury Hills property is a part of the Dundas Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area, and the Provincially Significant Sulphur Creek Valley area.  It’s home to a wide variety of plants and animals, many of which are provincially and nationally rare.  As a part of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area, it will also be a part of the Niagara Escarpment Parks and Open Space System.