Conservation Lakefield
Saving land in Quebec - on protège les espaces naturels à Gore, QC
Conservation Lakefield protects 35 hectares of forests and wetlands in Gore
Conservation Lakefield now holds over 152 hectares (375 acres), the largest protected area in the Township of Gore and one of the largest in the entire MRC of Argenteuil.
June 20 2024, Gore, Québec – CONSERVATION LAKEFIELD is extremely proud to announce the acquisition of 35 hectares (86.5 acres) of natural lands in Gore. This purchase, completed in December 2023, is the organization’s second major acquisition in Gore, bringing the total area of protected natural forests and wetlands in Domaine Lakefield to over 152 hectares (375 acres). The properties owned by Conservation Lakefield make up the largest protected area in Gore Township and one of the largest in the entire MRC of Argenteuil.
This conservation project was made possible thanks to financial support from the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), the Government of Quebec through its Natural Environments Partnership Project (Partenariat pour les milieux naturels, PPMN) managed by the Fondation de la Faune du Québec, the Echo Foundation and the immense generosity of many local citizens. This new acquisition makes it possible to protect ecosystems that are home to species listed under the Species at Risk Act: the Canada warbler, a threatened species, and the eastern spotted seatrout and eastern painted turtle, two vulnerable species.
QUOTES
We are immensely grateful to the many volunteers and donors whose dedication and generosity has safeguarded this remarkable property from the imminent threat of residential development. Additionally, we thank the municipality of Gore, biologist Mathieu Madison, and the Domaine Lakefield homeowners association (SPDL), all of whom provided invaluable support for this project. Without the financial and logistical support of federal and provincial programs, the NHCP, PPMN and FFQ, this important purchase would not have been possible
- Patrick Demars, President and founding member of Conservation Lakefield
The areas Conservation Lakefield has acquired are situated strategically within the ecological corridor of the southern Laurentians, as outlined in the MRC d’Argenteuil’s conservation strategy. The rich natural habitats in these wild areas harbor diverse flora and fauna, including certain species at risk. Safeguarding these lands will fortify regional ecological connectivity and safeguard the biodiversity of the southern Laurentians.
- Louise Caouette-Laberge, Vice President and founding member of Conservation Lakefield
The Township of Gore is committed to preserving the environment and ecosystems within our region. We are proud of our citizens’ commitment to environmental stewardship, which embodies the spirit of community collaboration and a tremendous dedication to preserving our natural heritage. On behalf of our municipal council, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Conservation Lakefield.
- Scott Pearce, Mayor, Township of Gore
Conservation initiatives driven by citizens and conservation organisations are invaluable and contribute significantly to achieving our commitment to protect 30% of Quebec’s territory, particularly in southern Quebec. I sincerely thank Conservation Lakefield and the Township of Gore for their commitment to preserving nature in our beautiful region. Their success is a testament to their dedication to nature – the heart of Argenteuil’s territorial identity.
- Agnès Grondin, Member for Argenteuil, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (protection of water and biodiversity)
By collaborating with Conservation Lakefield, we are helping to protect habitat in the Township of Gore in Quebec. The conservation of forest and wetland will expand a protected area while helping to protect species at risk like the Eastern Wood-Pewee and the Eastern Painted Turtle. Through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030. Only by engaging in a whole-of-society approach can we meet our conservation goals.”
- The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
About Conservation Lakefield
Conservation Lakefield is a registered charity recognized by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. Its mission is to preserve, protect and conserve in perpetuity the natural environments, ecosystems and landscapes of great ecological value in the Gore, Mille-Îles and Wentworth regions.
About the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP)
The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that supports the creation of protected and conserved areas through the acquisition of private land and private interest in land. To date, the Government of Canada has invested more than $440 million in the Program, which has been matched with more than $870 million in contributions raised by Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the country’s land trust community, leading to the protection and conservation of more than 700,000 hectares of ecologically sensitive lands.
About the Projet de partenariat pour les milieux naturels (PPMN)
The PPMN is a grant of more than $53 million spread over four years, awarded by the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) to the Nature Conservancy of Canada in partnership with the la Fondation de la faune du Québec. By establishing financial partnerships with conservation organizations in the province, this program provides support for the implementation of voluntary conservation initiatives to ensure the protection of natural environments of interest. This agreement is primarily aimed at the direct acquisition of private properties of ecological value (through purchases or donations) as well as the establishment of real and perpetual conservation easements on private properties that qualify within the meaning of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act (LCPN) and are listed in the Register of Protected Areas in Quebec.
About the Fondation de la Faune
Created in 1984 by the Quebec government to acquire wetlands along the St. Lawrence River, the Fondation de la faune du Québec is a parapublic organization under the authority of the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. Recognized as a registered charity since 1987, the Foundation is authorized to issue tax receipts. Since 1988, the Foundation has secured stable, recurring funding through contributions from all Quebec anglers, hunters and trappers. The Foundation provides financial and technical support for projects that protect and enhance wildlife and its habitat. Each year, it supports just over 700 projects throughout Quebec.