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Beloeil, February 23, 2023 – Nature-Action Québec (NAQ) is proud to announce the protection of natural environments in the Fonrouge woodland in Longueuil through the acquisition of an additional 1,140 square metres. When combined with the 17 properties protected by NAQ, this land brings the total surface area of protected woodland to 2.27 hectares. The acquisition was made under the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project, under which the NCC received financial assistance of over $53 million from the Quebec government. Since 2020, NAQ has stepped up its efforts to strengthen the protection of this area through donations and acquisitions.

The newly protected property preserves a portion of the critical habitat of the western chorus frog, a species designated as vulnerable in Quebec and threatened in Canada. The Fonrouge woodland serves as a significant breeding ground for this at-risk species. The property is made up of wetlands (treed swamps and marshes) and forest sites that also provide a habitat for many other species. With a total area of approximately 47 hectares, the Fonrouge woodland is one of the last natural environments in the borough of Vieux-Longueuil and creates a green corridor with the Roberval and Du Tremblay woodlands.

Project partners

This acquisition was made possible through the financial support of our valued partners. We would like to begin by thanking Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service for their support through an agreement to protect the habitats of at-risk species in the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and its surroundings. We would also like to thank the Nature Conservancy of Canada for its support through the Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project, for which the Quebec government has provided over $53 million in financial assistance.

Quotations

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“I thank Nature-Action Québec for its efforts and commitment to the conservation of healthy and resilient ecosystems. The protection of natural environments is essential to the survival and recovery of the Western Chorus Frog. Together, we continue to make progress in halting the decline of this endangered species while contributing to our goal of conserving one quarter of Canada's land and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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“I am pleased to see that NAQ is continuing to make progress in protecting the Fonrouge woodland, which is home to many species including the western chorus frog. This property has many wetlands that we must conserve because they deliver a range of ecological benefits. Their preservation is especially important in light of their urban location. The positive effects are therefore even more significant. Thank you to all the partners involved in this acquisition!”

– Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region

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“The efficient cooperation between NAQ and the Ville de Longueuil led to the protection of this natural environment. Among other things, these efforts will enhance the long-term resilience of western chorus frog metapopulations in Montérégie. The COP15 Conference that was held in Montreal last december reminded us all of the importance of protecting biodiversity. It goes without saying that this acquisition is part of an urgent agenda of protected area consolidation.”

– Romy Bazo, Director of Conservation, Nature-Action Québec

About

Conservancy of Canada

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner, NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares, including nearly 50,000 hectares in Quebec. NCC is a registered charity. With nature, NCC builds a thriving world. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.

The Projet de partenariat pour les milieux naturels

The Projet de partenariat pour les milieux naturels (PPMN) is a four-year grant of more than $53 million from the Government of Quebec to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It provides support for voluntary conservation initiatives to ensure the protection of natural areas of interest by establishing financial partnerships with conservation organizations in the province. The PPMN thus aims to develop and consolidate Québec’s network of protected areas located on private land.

Nature-Action Québec

For thirty-five years, the non-profit Nature-Action Québec has had the mission to guide individuals and organizations in applying better environmental practices. The organization works with municipalities, businesses, community organizations and citizens to carry out concrete projects that contribute to improving Quebecers’ environment, health, well-being and quality of life.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canada Nature Fund

The Canada Nature Fund supports the protection of Canada’s biodiversity through the creation of protected and conserved areas and through initiatives that help to recover species at risk. The Fund is available to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations, provinces and territories, and others. To learn more : https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/nature-legacy/fund.html.

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Informations :

Sarah Touchette
Chargée aux communications
Nature-Action Québec
sarah.touchette@nature-action.qc.ca
450 536-0422, poste 534