June 29, 2020, Eastman, Quebec – Appalachian Corridor is proud to announce the acquisition of most of Mount Foster for the purpose of establishing a protected area. The protection in perpetuity will allow future generations to enjoy this exceptional natural environment. Completing this project means that the most sensitive species and ecosystems are protected forever. The Appalachian Corridor team has worked very hard to achieve optimal conservation gains. We also doubled the effort to tie up the financing package. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all partners and donors who supported the project until the end. Together, we moved heaven and earth and saved the mountain!

The protection of Mount Foster benefits everyone, thanks to the simple beauty of its landscapes all well as the many ecological services it provides to local communities. The conservation project provides access to a site of high ecological value through a trail network leading to the Scout Tower. This being said, the 3,5 km loop is not quite ready for us to enjoy: we have to wait until summer 2021 for the inauguration. Appalachian Corridor is committed to plan, develop and maintain the trail network with as little ecological impact as possible, and this takes time.

The Mount Foster project has truly rallied the local communities. Nearly 250 donors contributed towards the acquisition of the property, an unprecedented mobilization in the history of the organization. The deadline was tight since the transaction had to be concluded by December 31st 2019. The communities responded quickly, generously and enthusiastically! Appalachian Corridor warmly thanks everyone who made this project possible, especially the municipalities of West Bolton and Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton, who have been involved throughout the process. Appalachian Corridor applauds their exemplary work in this regard.

Let’s recall that the real estate project originaly planned on Mount Foster had raised the ire of local citizens and Appalachian Corridor. A high number of houses was planned in this ecologically rich and diverse area. After years of negotiation, Appalachian Corridor reached an agreement to protect the land in September 2018.

Sensitive Species and Habitats

Strategically located in the heart of the Northern Green Mountains, the protected area is another step towards the preservation of unfragmented natural habitats for mammals with large home ranges (ex. moose, bobcat, black bear, fisher), meso- and micromammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Amongst the many species, stream salamanders, including Spring Salamander and Northern Dusky Salamander, find quality habitats on Mount Foster. The Spring Salamander is designated vulnerable under the Act Respecting Threatened Or Vulnerable Species (Québec), while being designated as threatened under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) (Canada). The Northern Dusky Salamander is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable under the Act Respecting Threatened Or Vulnerable Species. Other species in a precarious situation were confirmed on site: the Pickerel Frog (likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec), the Canada Warbler (threatened under SARA), the Wood Thrush (threatened under SARA) and the Eastern Wood-Pewee (a concern under SARA). A total of 53 bird species have been identified.

This conservation project was made possible thanks to the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques’s fund granted to Nature Conservancy of Canada’s “Ensemble pour la nature” (PEPN) project. The Government of Canada helped finance the project through its Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) funded by the Canada Nature Fund and the Land Trust Conservation Fund. Appalachian Corridor also highlights the contributions of the following funding partners: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Echo Foundation, Fondation de la Faune du Québec and Sweet Water Trust.

CITATIONS

“The team worked very hard to achieve optimal conservation gains. We rolled up our sleeves to get all the funds necessary. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to all our funding partners and generous donors who have supported the project all the way through. Together we moved heaven and earth and saved the mountain!”
– Mélanie Lelièvre, Executive Director, Appalachian Corridor

“We are extremely touched by the exceptional commitment to the Mount Foster project. Our deadline was very tight, we didn’t have quite two months to raise the $500,000. The communities responded quickly, generously and enthusiastically: we would like to thank all those who made this larger-than-life project possible.”
– Marie-José Auclair, President, Appalachian Corridor Board

“I would like to congratulate Appalachian Corridor for conserving Mont Foster here in Quebec. This forested landprotects biodiversity and ensures that Canadians can connect with nature—now and for generations to come. Through the Canada Nature Fund’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program, we are working with partners across the country on conservation projects like this one to achieve our goal of conserving a quarter of Canada’s land by 2025.”
– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“More than ever, protecting the environment is at the heart of our priorities. Congratulations to the Appalachian Corridor organization for all its work that led to the protection of 215 hectares of wooded land in the Green Mountains. The proof is in the pudding: it is by working together that we can ensure the protection of nature and the species at risk that depend on it. Brome–Missisquoi is lucky to be able to count on such a dynamic organization that really makes things happen.”
– Lyne Bessette, Member of Parliament for Brome–Missisquoi

“Thank you to the Municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton for agreeing to include a large area of its territory in this conservation project and to the Appalachian Corridor team and the owners of the land. However, I would like to give a special mention to the people of West Bolton who spoke in favour of this wonderful project that we are celebrating today. Many thanks!”
– Jacques Drolet, Mayor of Bolton-Ouest

HIGHLIGHTS

• The new protected area covers 215 hectares (531,28 acres) in the heart of a forest massif in the Green Mountains, representing three quarters of the area initially targeted by the real estate project;
• Communities will have access to a site of high ecological value through hiking trails and access to the Scout Tower;
• The project consolidates a broad cross-border conservation initiative from Vermont to Mount Orford;
• This conclusion ends a long-standing conflict by reconciling real estate development and the conservation of natural environments.