MEDIA RELEASE: 20 April 2018 – R00084

A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) promoting closer cooperation between The Niagara Parks Commission and Brock University was signed today by Niagara Parks Chair, Janice Thomson and Brock’s Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic, Tom Dunk.

Niagara Parks and Brock have a history of collaboration that goes back decades. This new MOU is designed to enhance the stewardship and conservation practices of both organizations, while providing tangible results and educational/research opportunities for Brock students and faculty through their work with Niagara Parks and its staff.

The MOU proposes creating an Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Initiative (EESI) that uses the expertise and resources of both organizations to increase environmental stewardship for the public, through open events, and for students through co-operative education, course projects and research. For instance, staff and researchers can study public perceptions of the natural environment in a setting like the Niagara Glen, which attracts 130,000 visitors a year, to better understand which stewardship activities work best and which can be improved upon.

The agreement also promotes the pursuit of mutually beneficial opportunities such as grant proposals and community forums, as well as joint efforts to promote environmental stewardship not only within Niagara Parks and Brock, but by developing local, national and international networks to share and promote these efforts.

“With the recent launch of our new 10-year strategic plan, which places a major emphasis on our environmental stewardship responsibilities, the timing of this new collaborative agreement with Brock University is ideal,” stated Niagara Parks Chair Janice Thomson. “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.”

Professor Ryan Plummer, Director of Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, said the MOU will advance the understanding and practice of environmental stewardship.

“Our partnership with the NPC in the Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Initiative addresses this two-fold challenge and does so in an iconic landscape,” said Plummer. “Meaningful impacts for the environment and for people will be realized from this initiative through innovative research, hands-on experience and state-of-the-art practices. Engaging Brock faculty and students directly with staff from the NPC is sustainability science in action.”    

About Brock University‘s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC)

Brock University’s ESRC advances environmental sustainability locally and globally through excellence in research and education. The ESRC encourages research excellence in environmental sustainability by faculty, librarians and students; enables enriching educational experiences in environmental sustainability; and, engages in knowledge mobilization and fosters knowledge impacts about the environment. The ESRC is a research centre within the Faculty of Social Sciences as well as one of five transdisciplinary hubs at Brock University. 

News media, for more information contact:

Maryanne Firth, Brock University Communications

maryanne.firth@brocku.ca  (905) 688-5550 ext. 4420

About Niagara Parks

Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. Today, Niagara Parks boasts gardens, a horticulture school, recreation, golf courses, restaurants, heritage and historic sites, gift shops and, of course, Niagara Falls. In short, natural landscapes, history, family fun, hiking, culinary delights, attractions and adventure. 

For more information, please visit niagaraparks.com or contact:

Tony Baldinelli, Senior Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
tbaldinelli@niagaraparks.com            (905) 356-2241 ext. 2206