{"id":6176,"date":"2026-06-01T15:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T19:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corridorappalachien.ca\/?p=6176"},"modified":"2026-06-01T15:47:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T19:47:59","slug":"three-new-protected-areas-120-hectares-of-biodiversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corridorappalachien.ca\/en\/three-new-protected-areas-120-hectares-of-biodiversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Three New Protected Areas: 120 Hectares of Biodiversity!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eastman, May 26, 2026 \u2014<\/strong> Appalachian Corridor and Conservation des vallons de la Serpentine (CVS) are proud to announce the creation of three new protected areas totalling more than 120 hectares. These projects were made possible by the commitment of private landowners and the support of funding partners. Conserving these natural areas in perpetuity increases ecological connectivity while protecting biodiversity and species in precarious situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Appalachian Corridor\u2019s co-executive director, Caroline Bisson, \u201cThese new protected areas represent undeniable ecological wealth. Every conservation project carried out by private landowners makes a huge difference to regional biodiversity. The Appalachian Corridor team would like to sincerely thank the landowners who contributed to these projects.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF 44.76 HECTARES IN LAC-BROME<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most significant recent additions to the region\u2019s network of protected areas is the 44.76-hectare Foster protected area gifted to Appalachian Corridor by Val\u00e9rie Chaouche-Ramdane and Hubert Streicher-M\u00e9llang\u00e9. This vast property is home to several species in precarious situations, making it a site of major interest for biodiversity. The owners get to ensure the ecological integrity of their land forever, through a conservation easement that is adjacent to the Quilliams-Durrull nature reserve. The value of their ecological gift is estimated at $120,000. Thank you to the funding partners \u2014 namely, the Fondation de la faune du Qu\u00e9bec and Environment and Climate Change Canada, through Canada Nature Fund. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important ecosystem <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Foster protected area is mainly made up of wetlands, including marshes, as well as treed and shrub swamps. It stands out for the presence of vulnerable plants and wildlife, which give the site its ecological importance. Species of interest include the silver-haired bat, the hoary bat and the little brown Myotis. The site is also home to sensitive amphibians and reptiles, including the pickerel frog and the wood turtle. The bird diversity is remarkable: 52 species have been identified, including the Canada warbler, a species at risk of being classified as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec and threatened in Canada, and the eastern wood-pewee, a species whose status is of special concern in Canada. These two bird species are recognized as indicators of a rich environment. Finally, the presence of the chain pickerel and the bridle shiner in the aquatic environments confirms how important this area is for maintaining biodiversity and water quality in Brome Lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW 38-HECTARE PROTECTED AREA IN BOLTON-EST <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Choquette and Mr. Laporte protected 38.1 hectares in the heart of the Mount Chagnon forest in Bolton-Est. The landowners opted for an easement conserved in perpetuity, and the project was carried out by CVS and Appalachian Corridor. According to Fran\u00e7oise Bricault of CVS, \u201cThis property plays a strategic role in the sector\u2019s ecological connectivity.\u201d Thank you to the funding partners who made this project possible: the Gouvernement du Qu\u00e9bec and the Nature Conservancy of Canada through the Acc\u00e9l\u00e9rer la conservation dans le sud du Qu\u00e9bec (ACSQ) project, and Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Canada Nature Fund. The value of the donation associated with this project is estimated at $190,000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remarkable diversity <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This protected area is dominated by maple and balsam fir trees and includes many wetlands, such as swamps, marshes and ponds. It is home to a remarkable diversity of plants and wildlife. Forty-three bird species have been identified, including the wood thrush and the Canada warbler, both in a precarious situation in Quebec. The property\u2019s wetlands are also home to a wide variety of amphibians and reptiles, including the pickerel frog, the northern dusky salamander and the four-toed salamander, three species in a precarious situation in Quebec, as well as the wood turtle, which is threatened in Quebec, and the painted turtle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NEW 37.95-HECTARE PROTECTED AREA AT PARKER LAKE IN EASTMAN<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In collaboration with Conservation des vallons de la Serpentine, Appalachian Corridor is pleased to announce the protection of a new natural area totalling 37.95 hectares along Parker Lake. This land donation, valued at $285,000, combined with financial support from several funding partners, consolidates a core conservation area in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Thank you to the funding partners who made this project possible: the Gouvernement du Qu\u00e9bec and the Nature Conservancy of Canada through the ACSQ project, Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Canada Nature Fund, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important ecological asset for the lake <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The protected area includes treed and shrub swamps, wooded peatland, an open peat bog and red maple groves. The presence of ponds and marshes completes the whole, forming a mosaic of wetlands that supports biodiversity of significant ecological value. The site has several species of interest, some of which are in a precarious situation in Quebec, including the little brown Myotis, the Canada warbler and the fourtoed salamander. It is also an important feeding, hunting and nesting ground for aerial insectivores around the lake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNature is central to the Canadian identity and our approach to conservation is founded on collaboration. We are proud to support local efforts, such as those led by Appalachian Corridor and Conservation des vallons de la Serpentine, to preserve the natural areas we value and fulfill our commitment to protect 30% of Canada\u2019s lands and waters by 2030.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe creation of these three new protected areas, led by Appalachian Corridor and Conservation des vallons de la Serpentine, represents a major step forward for the Estrie region and protecting the land. It will strengthen biodiversity and community well-being while demonstrating the power of collaboration between private landowners, communities, conservation partners, and governments. Together, we will achieve the goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese three new areas join the network of protected areas in southern Quebec and are in line with the goal of conserving 30% of the land by 2030 and ensuring an ecological corridor for biodiversity. These are unique, incredibly biodiverse natural areas and we are honoured to be protecting them forever,\u201d said Caroline Bisson, co-executive director of Appalachian Corridor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAdding to the network of protected areas in southern Quebec captures the essence of our vision for Quebec as a place where nature is valued and accessible to all. This initiative is helping protect ecosystems of great environmental value while giving citizens special access to quality natural areas. Thank you to the private landowners who contributed to the preservation of one of our greatest collective riches: our natural heritage,” said Pascale D\u00e9ry, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A non-profit conservation organization, Appalachian Corridor <\/strong>has been working since 2002 to protect the Northern Green Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountain chain that extends into southern Quebec. Its mission is to conserve adjacent tracts of land to create a vast, natural area that will be protected in perpetuity. In response to the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, Appalachian Corridor works with its conservation partners to implement a conservation strategy that, to date, has protected nearly 20,000 hectares of ecologically valuable land. corridorappalachien.ca <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Acc\u00e9l\u00e9rer la conservation dans le sud du Qu\u00e9bec (ACSQ)<\/strong> project is a co-funding agreement between the Gouvernement du Qu\u00e9bec and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), benefiting Quebec conservation organizations. It aims to protect and conserve natural habitats of ecological interest, notably through the acquisition of private land, to create protected and conserved areas and to establish ecological corridors. In doing so, the ACSQ promotes the development and sound management of the network of protected areas on private land, as well as public access to nature. The Gouvernement du Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s investment over five years must be matched by funding from non-governmental sources, to be secured by NCC and its partners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 1962, the Nature Conservancy of Canada<\/strong> has brought people together to protect the lands and waters that sustain us all. As an environmental charity working hand in hand with communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and businesses, it delivers nature-based solutions at a scale no one else can. Its conservation work safeguards clean air and water, stores carbon and reduces the risks of floods and wildfires \u2014 protecting our health, strengthening local economies and building more resilient communities. It works collaboratively to unlock nature\u2019s power, so life can thrive. Learn more at natureconservancy.ca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Canada Nature Fund<\/strong> supports the protection of Canada\u2019s biodiversity through the creation of protected and conserved areas and through initiatives that help to recover species at risk. To learn more, visit: Canada Nature Fund at Canada.ca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fondation de la faune du Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong> is dedicated to conserving and managing wildlife and its habitats. With contributions from over a million Quebec hunters, anglers and trappers, as well as thousands of donors and many private companies, the foundation has supported over 2,000 organizations across Quebec since 1987. The efforts of all these stakeholders and actors together have helped create a groundswell of support for wildlife protection. fondationdelafaune.qc.ca <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For nearly 40 years, Nature-Action Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong> has been dedicated to guiding individuals and organizations in the adoption of best environmental practices. The non-profit organization works with municipalities, businesses, community groups and citizens to carry out concrete projects that help improve the environment, health, well-being and quality of life of Quebec\u2019s population. Nature-Action Qu\u00e9bec manages a financial contribution allocated by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) allocated through the Canada Nature Fund. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ecological Gifts Program<\/strong> provides a way for Canadians who own ecologically sensitive land to protect nature and leave a legacy for future generations. Made possible by the terms of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the Quebec Taxation Act, it offers significant tax benefits to landowners who donate land or a partial interest in land to a qualified recipient. Recipients ensure that the land\u2019s biodiversity and environmental heritage are conserved in perpetuity. https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/environment-climatechange\/services\/environmental-funding\/ecological-gifts-program.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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