For over 30 years, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has been working to protect the islands and shores of the St. Lawrence River, while giving the public the opportunity to discover them up close.
Nearly two kilometres of boardwalks have been installed on Île à l’Aigle, Bonfoin, Beauregard, and aux Cerfeuils to allow the public to explore them without compromising their ecological integrity. Accessible by kayak, canoe and other non-motorized watercraft, these islands also feature walking trails, observation platforms, and interpretation panels highlighting the archipelago’s natural heritage.
These four islands, true jewels nestled in the heart of the river, offer a rare balance between wilderness and urban proximity. They constitute a privileged environment where an astonishing diversity of species coexists, attracting both ornithologists and outdoor enthusiasts. Among the species found here is the least bittern, the smallest heron in the Americas, which is classified as vulnerable in Quebec and vulnerable in Canada. Threatened by habitat loss and water quality degradation, this bird finds essential refuge on these islands.
The St. Lawrence, renowned for its size and abundance, is a true emblem of Quebec. More than 80 per cent of Quebec’s population live along its shores and tributaries, and more than 45 per cent depend on it for their drinking water.
To this day, NCC remains one of the largest landowners on the St. Lawrence, protecting and managing over 2,000 hectares of island and riparian natural environments. More than half of these hectares are located on islands in the Lac Saint-Pierre archipelago (a widening of the river), where 40 per cent of the St. Lawrence’s wetlands are concentrated.
In addition to conserving our natural heritage, protecting the St. Lawrence contributes to the achievement of ambitious conservation objectives, such as the 30×30 goal, a multi-national commitment to protect 30 per cent of the world’s waters and lands by 2030.
In Quebec, the conservation and protection of the St. Lawrence is one of NCC’s flagship projects, and the organization is seeking the support of its donors and partners to secure new acquisitions and ensure the restoration and long-term management of properties along this important waterway.
Help us protect the St. Lawrence!
Quotes
“Considered the beating heart of Quebec, the St. Lawrence is much more than just a waterway. It provides us with water, nourishes us, and is home to unique biodiversity. Its ecological richness is our most precious asset, and protecting it is more than just a responsibility: it is a commitment to the future. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is proud to have contributed to the protection of the St. Lawrence over the past 30 years. These achievements inspire us and encourage us to continue our efforts. We renew our commitment to maintain, and even intensify, our actions to ensure the preservation of this natural and heritage gem.” — Claire Ducharme, Vice-President, Quebec Region, The Nature Conservancy of Canada
“The St. Lawrence River is more than a waterway; it’s a vital artery for biodiversity, drinking water, and Quebec’s cultural heritage. Protecting its shores and islands means preserving an irreplaceable natural legacy for current and future generations and ensuring public access to these natural spaces is key to fostering a deeper connection with our environment. We’re proud to partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to ensure the resilience of this unique ecosystem.” — Dax Dasilva, Founder and CEO of Lightspeed Commerce and Founder of the Age of Union Alliance
“At Loisir et Sport Lanaudière, we believe that access to nature and its preservation go hand in hand. By joining forces with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we are helping to protect exceptional natural environments—such as the islands bordering the St. Lawrence River in our beautiful Lanaudière region—while making them accessible. This type of project embodies our vision: to provide places to walk, breathe, discover… and actively engage in sustainable recreation, a healthy lifestyle, and a natural heritage for future generations.” — Lynda Fleury, Executive Director of Loisir et Sport Lanaudière
Acknowledgements
The Nature Conservancy of Canada thanks the Government of Quebec, through the Accélérer la conservation dans le sud du Québec project, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Loisir et Sport Lanaudière, Age of Union, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, and Ville de Montréal for their support.
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada 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 country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. In Quebec, NCC partners regularly with Conservation de la nature Québec, a non-profit organization that is distinct from NCC, to conserve Quebec’s richest natural areas. Together, the two organizations have conserved more than 55,000 hectares of natural areas in the province.
The Accélérer la conservation dans le sud du Québec (ACSQ) project is a co-funding agreement between the gouvernement du Québec and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), benefiting Quebec conservation organizations. The project aims to protect and conserve natural habitats of ecological interest, notably through the acquisition of private land, for protected and conserved areas and the establishment of ecological corridors. Through this, the ACSQ will promote the development and sound management of the network of protected areas on private land, as well as public access to nature. The funds invested by the gouvernement du Québec over five years must be matched by NCC and its partners with other funds not provided by the gouvernement du Québec.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues. The department’s programs focus on minimizing threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on weather, water and climate conditions; and conserving and restoring Canada’s natural environment. Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk Program support initiatives in priority places where there are opportunities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitat through conservation action.
Age of Union is a non-profit organization committed to uniting humanity with nature. It supports and makes visible a global community of changemakers working on the ground to protect the planet’s threatened species and ecosystems. Launched in October 2021 by tech leader and environmental activist Dax Dasilva in Montreal, Canada, Age of Union seeks to ignite a flame within every person through conservation efforts, film, and immersive experiences that hope to solve critical environmental challenges around the world and inspire high-impact change by showing the positive impact that every individual can make.
The Trame verte et bleue is a recreational network that protects and showcases the natural environments, landscapes, and heritage of the Greater Montreal area for the benefit of its citizens. Funded by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), the Quebec government, and municipalities, the Trame’s many projects promote active and public transportation and contribute to maintaining biodiversity, mitigating the impacts of climate change, improving citizens’ quality of life, and enhancing the attractiveness of the metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.cmm.qc.ca.
The Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports provides a network of major parks and sports facilities. Its goal is to protect, rehabilitate and enhance natural environments, the urban forest and public spaces. The Service also promotes a physically active lifestyle by developing and upgrading sports facilities and supporting regional, national and international sports events.
Photos and videos can be found here.
Contact
Ania Wurster
Communications Manager, Nature Conservancy of Canada – Quebec Region
C: 514-415-4124
ania.wurster@natureconservancy.ca