Seven additional hectares protected on Mont Yamaska
La version francophone est disponible ici.
Beloeil, April 25, 2023 – Nature-Action Québec (NAQ) and its partners are pleased to announce the acquisition of two new properties totaling 7.27 hectares (ha). This is in addition to the 16.58 hectares already protected by NAQ at Mont Yamaska, for a total of 23.85 hectares.
This project is part of an important initiative to protect Mont Yamaska. This mountain stretches out across approximately 1,640 hectares located in the municipalities of Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford and Saint-Pie. The acquisition of these lands by NAQ is therefore a continuation of the efforts already made to ensure the area is preserved and to create leverage for future conservation projects.
Preserving habitats
The acquisition of these properties allows us to continue protecting the sites of great ecological value on Mont Yamaska. They include part of an exceptional forest ecosystem and several mature forests. These natural environments contain several habitats that are home to a great deal of biodiversity, including species with protected status: the eastern wood pewee, designated as special concern under the Species at Risk Act of Canada, as well as the wood thrush and the Canada warbler, also designated as threatened under the same Act. Two other species found there, the ringneck snake and the milk snake, are likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec.
Mont Yamaska is a forested area that is part of the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s (NCC) biodiversity targets in its Richelieu-Yamaska Natural Area Conservation Plan (2015). It is also a priority site for the « Protecting Wildlife Habitats » program of the Fondation de la faune du Québec. It is also identified as a multi-target site of interest in the Atlas of Sites of Conservation Interest in the St. Lawrence Lowlands.
Project partners
The protection of these properties was made possible thanks to Mrs. Denise Laflamme, who donated the 3.70 ha property, as well as the acquisition by NAQ of the adjacent 3.57 ha lot. These projects were also made possible through the financial contributions of several partners including:
- Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Nature Fund of Canada’s Target 1 Challenge program to help create new protected and conserved areas to maintain ecosystems and protect species at risk;
- Nature Conservancy of Canada, through its Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project, for which the Quebec government has granted them over $53 million in financial assistance and which provides for the redistribution of a portion of this financial assistance to third-party conservation organizations, including NAQ. The PPMN aims to develop and consolidate Quebec’s network of protected areas located on private land.
- The Fondation de la faune du Québec through the financial assistance program Protéger les habitats fauniques – volet Protection.
Quotations
”“Another step towards protection! Nature-Action Québec and I are delighted with these new acquisitions of property on the ecologically valuable territory of Mont Yamaska. Each additional lot is a natural environment that will be preserved for future generations and where many fauna and flora species can continue to live.” – Romy Bazo, Director of Conservation, Nature-Action Québec
”“Mont Yamaska is an environment rich in biodiversity. It shelters species in precarious situation and has great ecological value. Our government is committed to doing more to protect our natural environment and it is through actions like these that we will achieve our goals. I want to thank everyone involved in this project!” – Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region.
”“The conservation of natural environments on private land is vital to the maintenance of biodiversity in southern Quebec. And this project is a fine example of collaboration between a private landowner and a conservation organization to conserve an exceptional environment for wildlife,” says Maxime Brien, program manager at the Fondation de la faune du Québec.
”“I enjoyed working with NAQ to provide a happy ending for this land. The team offered me good advice and made me feel confident. If we want to leave a ‘greener' future to future generations, it's high time we act,” says Denise Laflamme, who donated the 3.70 ha land located in Saint-Paul-d'Abbotsford.
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.
Fondation de la faune du Québec
The mission of the Fondation de la faune du Québec is to promote the conservation and enhancement of wildlife and its habitats. Thanks to the contributions of more than one million Quebec hunters, fishers and trappers, thousands of donors and numerous private companies, the Fondation has supported more than 2,000 organizations throughout Quebec since 1987, creating a true wildlife movement.
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 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 open to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations, provinces and territories, and other stakeholders.
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
