Mont Rigaud’s natural environments have been extended by 19 hectares, providing a larger refuge for living species that will be protected in perpetuity!
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Beloeil, August 22, 2023 – Nature-Action Québec (NAQ) and its partners are thrilled to announce the protection in perpetuity of an 19.39 additional hectares (ha) of natural environment on Mont Rigaud. In collaboration with other conservation organizations, including the Fiducie de conservation du patrimoine naturel de Rigaud (FCPNR) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), NAQ is helping to safeguard nearly 360 ha of the hill, which extends into the municipalities of Très-Saint-Rédempteur, Sainte-Marthe and Rigaud.
This acquisition is part of NAQ’s ongoing efforts to preserve this pocket of biodiversity in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges Green Corridor, a project that impacts all natural environments in the RCM. Since 2011, NAQ has been acquiring properties on Mont Rigaud to protect in perpetuity. This new agreement will help preserve the habitat of various plant and wildlife species that associated with to Mont Rigaud’s iconic maple groves, including the Eastern Wood Pewee and several spring ephemerals that are sensitive to disturbance.
These three new lots, totalling a combined area of 19 hectares, are now protected in perpetuity thanks to the generosity of Yvon Quesnel, who has owned the land for fifteen years. We commend his outstanding efforts, which have greatly contributed to the conservation of Mont Rigaud’s natural heritage. We are delighted with this acquisition, which adds to the checkerboard of protected areas in the RCM of Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
Acknowledgements
The power of collaboration is undeniable. This acquisition was made possible thanks to the invaluable contributions of several partners. We would also like to thank the Nature Conservancy of Canada for its involvement in the Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project, which received over $53 million in financial assistance from the Quebec government. Environment and Climate Change Canada also provided financial support through the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Priority Places initiative. Needless to say, the cooperation of lot owner Mr. Yvon Quesnel was essential to this acquisition. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the logistical effort and moral support provided by the Fiducie de conservation du patrimoine naturel de Rigaud (FCPNR).
Quotes
”“Hills like Mount Rigaud are true natural gems. Every time a piece of land is acquired for conservation, it’s a triumph for safeguarding biodiversity in southern Quebec. The presence of endangered species on Mont Rigaud only highlights the significance of preserving this crucial habitat. This acquisition was made possible thanks to the combined efforts of NAQ and our partners, and I would like to express gratitude to each and every one of them for their participation.” - Romy Bazo, Director of Natural Environments Conservation at Nature-Action Québec
”“As for my properties on Mont Rigaud, which are highly valued for their ecological significance, I’m very pleased to have sold them to <em>Nature-Action Québec</em> so they can continue to be protected in perpetuity as part of Quebec’s natural environments.” - Yvon Quesnel, former landowner
”“It’s thanks to initiatives like the one at Mont Rigaud, among others, that we’ll be able to significantly enhance Quebec’s network of protected areas in the coming years. In fact, $200 million has been allocated in the <em>Plan nature 2030</em> toward conserving private land in southern Quebec. I’d like to thank all the partners involved in protecting our natural environments because it’s by working together that we can reach our next goal and preserve our rich natural heritage.” - Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region
”“I’m thrilled to hear the great news about Mont Rigaud, a must-see attraction in our region. This is an important issue for me and all Soulanges residents. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished on this project. I would like to thank <em>Nature-Action Québec</em>, Mr. Yvon Quesnel, my colleague Benoit Charette and all the partners who contributed to this wonderful achievement.” - Marilyne Picard, MP for Soulanges
”“I would like to thank <em>Nature-Action Québec</em> and its partners for their unwavering commitment and dedication to protecting and maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems. We’re proud to support this ecologically significant initiative, which not only ensures the sustainability of Mont Rigaud but also promotes biodiversity and enhances the well-being of the community. Together, we’re taking action to achieve our goal of conserving a quarter of Canada’s land and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.” - The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
”Over the past eight years, we’ve been working in partnership with <em>Nature-Action Québec</em> to strategically acquire a large area on Mont Rigaud for conservation purposes. This joint effort aims not only to preserve biodiversity but to improve the well-being of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges community.” - Peter Schiefke, Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges
About
The Nature 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 milieu 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.
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, as well as others.
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.
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Informations :
Sarah Touchette
Chargée de communications
Nature-Action Québec
sarah.touchette@nature-action.qc.ca
450 536-0422 poste 534
