Where agriculture meets conservation: an unprecedented approach in Montréal

Montréal, July 15, 2026 – The Fiducie agricole UPA-Fondaction and Conservation de la nature Québec are proud to announce the joint acquisition of the Île-Bizard site, 84 acres (34 hectares) of farmland located in the borough of L’Île-Bizard-Sainte-Geneviève in the City of Montréal. The newly conserved lands will support the next generation of farmers while protecting an ecologically significant landscape.

This project introduces an innovative model for conservation in Quebec. Two organizations, each with a different goal, have come together to purchase the same piece of land — one focused on keeping it in agricultural use, the other on protecting its diverse habitats. By combining their expertise, both organizations achieve their goals, and the land itself comes out ahead: its ecological value protected, its natural habitats restored, and its role in supporting biodiversity, pollination and climate resilience secured for the long term.

Fiducie agricole UPA-Fondaction’s purchase of the farmland removes it from the market, making it more financially accessible to the next generation of farmers.  

Through its involvement, Conservation de la nature Québec will steward and restore the landscape, ensuring it continues to provide valuable ecosystem services for the residents of Montréal. The property’s wetlands and wooded areas play a vital role in providing habitat for several species, including farmland birds and pollinators like the Monarch butterfly while supporting crop pollination, reducing runoff and helping protect water quality. The natural areas within this project strengthen the landscape’s overall resilience to climate change.