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About Us | Teacher's Kits | Arts and Photography Series | Newsletters | Research | Links | Contact Us | |||
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*NEW* Hiking Program | Maps | Galleries | Director | President | Waterfalls | Events
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BruceDuncan
Memorial Lecture Series All lectures will be now held at the former Parks Canada Discovery Centre now administered by the 57Discovery Drive Hamilton, ONHamilton Waterfront Trust The 9thSeries 2012- 2013 Memorial Lecture Series Schedule 
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The Giant's Rib Discovery Centre is a not-for-profit organization created to tell the story of the Niagara Escarpment; to promote uses that will ensure retention of its natural state for future generations. We offer public educational lectures and tours to interpret the Niagara Escarpment through geographical, geological, historical, agricultural, and cultural experiences.
Lookingfor Information about the Niagara Escarpment ?
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Check out our Facebook page for the latest news and all the new photos from the Giant's Rib !! Want to help protect out Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere reserve?Volunteer Positions AvailablePlease contact us if you are interested in volunteering for the Giant's Rib!
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The Giant Rib Discovery Centre is staffed only on weekends .. the Trail Centre hours are below: | |
 Have you ever wondered how the Niagara Escarpment a.k.a "The Giant's Rib" came to be ? <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< | |
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Lower Westcliffe Falls is located on a tributary of the West Chedoke Creek at the Chedoke Civic Golf Course in Hamilton. Lower Westcliffe Falls is considered a Complex Classic Cascade, with a Plunge section, type waterfall. This waterfall has year round flow, thus can be viewed at any time. Its total height is 9 m (30 ft.) and its width is 6 m (20 ft.).
This is the second waterfall on this branch of the West Chedoke Creek as the first waterfall is located approximately 75 m upstream of Lower Westcliffe Falls and is called Westcliffe Falls.
In addition, Lower Westcliffe Falls is actually the west half of the Double Waterfall at the Chedoke Golf Course, with Lower Cliffview Falls being the east half of this Double Waterfall. The two waterfalls are located on two separate branches of the West Chedoke Creek which fall over the escarpment almost side by side, forming two separate waterfalls. At the bottom of these two waterfalls, the two creeks join together to become one creek.
To visit Lower Westcliffe Falls is fairly easy. From Hwy 403, take the Aberdeen Ave. exit, then travel for less than 1 km and turn right onto Studholme Rd. (towards the Chedoke Civic Golf Course), then turn left onto Beddoe Dr. and follow it to the golf course. Park in the parking lot. The waterfall is located west of the steel staircase (going up the Niagara Escarpment) and just west of Lower Cliffview Falls. It can be viewed through the chain link fence located beside the paved walkway west of the steel staircase.
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THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE The Directors of the Giant's Rib Discovery Centre form a Committee of the Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. Their basic responsibilities are directed to helping ensure that the Niagara Escarpment continues to meet the three basic criteria of a biosphere reserve: Contribute to conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation; Foster economic and human development which is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable; Provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local national and global issues of conservation and development. GIANT'S RIB RECEIVES RECOGNITION Richard Murzin, President of the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association, announced on Thursday, June 21, 2007 that the Giant's Rib Discovery Centre (GRDC) has been recognized as a local biosphere committee for the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve. The Association considers that the Giant's Rib is already fulfilling many activities for the Niagara Escarpment, which reflect the Escarpment's designation as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. They are pleased to acknowledge this and to thank the GRDC for their support for research, education, training and encouragement for sustainable development related to the Niagara Escarpment. A biosphere reserve draws its strength from active involvement and cooperation within a community of interest. The GRDC is exemplary in this regard and the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve is honoured to recognize the Giant's Rib Discovery Centre as a biosphere committee. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Designation The biosphere is all of the land, water and atmosphere that support life.  A biosphere reserve is an international designation of recognition from UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) for an area in the world which is deemed to demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere. By this is meant that collaborative efforts among people in the designated area serve to promote the sustainability of local economies and communities, as well as the conservation of the terrestrial/or coastal ecosystems they are in.
A biosphere reserve designation gives an area international recognition for the important ecological and cultural values in an area. It also provides a mechanism, based on local commitment and local ability, to apply sound stewardship (and protection, where necessary) to use of resources in an area to support present and future generations. UNESCO named Ontario's Niagara Escarpment a world biosphere reserve in February 1990. Ontario's Niagara Escarpment is one of 16 reserves in Canada and is part of a network of 580 reserves in 114 countries. The Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve conserves the Province of Ontario's natural and social capital by protecting prime agricultural lands, forests, wetlands, heritage properties and recreational spaces. Biosphere Reserves strive to conserve the diversity of plants, animals and micro- organisms which make up our living biosphere and maintain healthy natural systems while, at the same time meeting the material needs and aspirations of an increasing number of people. Before UNESCO designates a biosphere reserve, local people and organizations must have demonstrated their commitment to these principles. CANADA'S BIOSPHERE RESERVES The sixteen biosphere reserves in Canada are located in eight provinces, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. They include a variety of ecosystems. In each one, activities are coordinated by a community- based organization or committee. Beginning with its first reserve in the 1970s, Canada's biosphere reserves were established as follows: | |
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About Us | Education | The Arts | Newsletters | Research | Links | Archives TheGiant's RibDiscoveryCentre Box 1469, Waterdown, ON, L0R 2H0Visit the Centre's displays and presentations at theTrail Centre, Dundas Conservation 650 Governors Road Dundas Ontario ©www.giantsrib.ca 2013 | |
The Giant Rib Discovery Centre is presently located in The Dundas Valley Trail Centre, a replica of a Victorian train station, and the hub of the valley's trail network.