20 Oct More than 148 acres (60 hectares) protected in the Glen–Foster forest
The Nature Conservancy of Canada and Appalachian Corridor partner to protect more than 148 acres (60 hectares) in the Glen–Foster forest. Over 148 additional acres (60 hectares) in the Green Mountains are being conserved. It is one of the last regions in southern Quebec where extensive tracts of relatively untouched wilderness can still be found. The property is located around thirty kilometres west of Magog in the township of Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton, on the eastern slope of Mont Saint-Étienne. Protecting these lands will help preserve the region’s biodiversity and natural heritage.
“On behalf of my colleague Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I congratulate Appalachian Corridor, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and their partners for the conservation of more than 60 additional hectares of forest at Saint-Étienne-de-Bolton. Climate change has repercussions on wildlife species and their habitats throughout Canada and around the world, and protected areas such as these are essential for conserving biodiversity. Through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, our government works closely with organizations to conserve and protect Canada’s natural spaces,” states Denis Paradis, MP for Brome-Missisquoi.
A key conservation area
The property is situated within a large undisturbed tract of forest of more than 10 km2 that represents a key conservation area for the Green Mountains Natural Area. The forests that cover 90% of the lands, along with many permanent and intermittent streams, are home to many at-risk species.
The streams provide prime habitats for northern dusky salamander, a species likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable under the Quebec Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species (ARTVS). It is also home to spring salamander, a species designated as threatened according to Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) and vulnerable according to ARTVS. “Appalachian Corridor is particularly proud to have collaborated with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and numerous financial partners to preserve this property at the heart of a core conservation area. Strategically adding to the network of protected areas ensures connectivity that is essential for the survival of several species on our territory, notably wide-ranging mammals such as moose, black bear, lynx and fisher. The creation of this new protected area strengthens our transborder conservation strategy by linking some of Green Mountains’ natural features,” states Mélanie Lelièvre, Executive Director at Appalachian Corridor.
A winning collaboration
NCC and Appalachian Corridor worked hand in hand to realize this important project, which extends the network of protected areas in the southern Quebec Appalachians.
“NCC managed to secure this magnificent territory thanks to the significant collaboration of Appalachian Corridor and the generosity of individuals, foundations and government agencies on both sides of the border, all united for the same cause. We are proud to have helped preserve this jewel of biodiversity!” states Joël Bonin, associate vice-president of the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Quebec.