The Niagara Escarpment Commission has made impressive strides in developing its mandate for preserving and protecting Escarpment lands. A new venture for the NEC in the field of ecological restoration is the next logical phase of these developments. Many provincial and federal government and non-government organizations, conservation authorities and municipalities have already identified restoration as a priority conservation initiative.

The goal of the Niagara Escarpment Plan is, "to maintain the Niagara Escarpment and land in its vicinity substantially as a continuous natural environment..." However, many forests were fragmented or degraded prior to the establishment of the Plan. Restoration can be used as a tool to reconnect these fragments and increase and protect "interior" habitat for significant bird species. This concurs with the NEP objective, "to protect unique ecological areas".

Stream restoration projects on the Escarpment work towards the NEP objective of maintaining and enhancing the quality and character of natural streams. Restoration also contributes to enhancing the open landscape character, natural heritage and diversity along the Escarpment.

Through partnerships with various organizations, the ONE Monitoring Program has been involved in several habitat restoration/rehabilitation projects:

Forest Interior & Oak Savanna Habitat Restoration in the Dundas Valley

Forest Restoration on Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Lands

Kolapore Creek Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation of Little Red Wing Creek

These projects support the Escarpment's designation as a biosphere reserve by conserving ecosystems and biodiversity and providing the opportunity for research, monitoring, education and training.