History

The preservation of these lands is a testament to the power of citizenship involvement.

Only since 1998 has the Eramosa Karst landscape, south of Highland Road in Stoney Creek, come to be appreciated and protected for its natural features.

This is an escarpment area of limestone with underground drainage, cavities and passages. It's considered the best example of a karst created in Ontario after the last glaciers retreated. Its features include sinkholes, vertical shafts, springs, disappearing streams and the 335-metre long Nexus cave, 10th longest in Ontario.

Before FOTEK was formed, a small group of people became involved in a citizen advisory committee initiated by the City of Hamilton to review development plans for the area. It was at that time the idea of expanding the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area to include the adjacent 80 acres feeder lands was born.

In October 2007, FOTEK was formed by those citizens and a growing number of others, with a mission to engage the public and lobby the Provincial Government to preserve these lands.

For six years, FOTEK hosted public events with hands on educational components such a guided hikes, an annual dinner and dance, presentations to partner groups, educational resources on the web site, family BBQ's and cave clean-ups.

Whilst engaging the public, the group also lobbied elected officials of all levels of Government. The early supporters of the concept were the Hamilton Conservation Authority and the City Council of Hamilton.

Community members and supported became involved through letter writing and post card campaigns.

In the intervening years, discoveries were made which have clearly proven that the lands held significantly more scientific and natural interest that had originally been understood. Combining the public support and environmental significance compelled the government to reassess its development plans.

As a result of the efforts of FOTEK, this community is now able to enjoy the meadow lands as a natural space for generations to come.

June 2012

On behalf of the Board of FOTEK (Friends of the Eramosa Karst), I would like to thank everyone who has shared the vision of an expanded Eramosa Karst Conservation Area, finally becoming a reality.

With the inclusion of the adjacent feeder lands, the complete Conservation Area will encompass 270 acres. The new lands include the entire Nexus Catchment, which is one of the last undeveloped sub-water areas in east Hamilton. This will allow for the hydro-geological integrity of the Eramosa Karst lands to remain intact.