View from Les Sommets toward Lac Sir John (early spring)

Help Us Preserve The Summit

Help Us Preserve “The Summit” in Lakefield Estate!

Conservation Lakefield has launched a campaign to protect the last undeveloped area in Lakefield Estate—48 acres (19.4 hectares) of pristine forest known as “The Summit.” Currently zoned for development, plans for The Summit include a new road and 16 new lots.

But there’s hope. Conservation Lakefield has reached an agreement with the developer, G.S.L.L., to purchase this land and preserve it forever. If we meet our fundraising goal, we can halt the development before it begins.

“The Summit” is a stunning landscape of steep, tree-covered slopes surrounded by forest, marshes, and wetlands. This area is traversed by hiking trails with magnificient views of Lake Sir John and the Mirabel plain to the south, and offers a natural haven for birds and wildlife.

Conservation Lakefield has already preserved 375 acres (152 hectares) in Lakefield Estate. Acquiring “The Summit” will be the final step in stopping any further large-scale development here.

LEGEND: On left, a satellite view of the area, showing the south end of Lake Kenny at the top, and Lake Sir John on the bottom right. The area of “The Summit” is shown in the image on the right, in pink.

We need your help. Our fundraising goal is $640,000. While we are seeking much of this funding from federal and provincial agencies, private donations are essential to unlock this government support. Lake Sir John homeowners are also committed to protecting this land, recognizing its impact on their quality of life and on the environment.

Join your neighbors and make a donation or pledge to Conservation Lakefield. Every contribution counts, and tax receipts will be issued.

Together, we can save this precious land for future generations.

DONATE NOW!

Have questions?

Email us at info@conservationlakefield.ca. We’re happy to connect with you by email, phone, in person, or via Zoom.

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View of SUMMIT from LSJ_crop 2

Outing Oct 28 with Matt Madison_EN

Conservation Lakefield invites you to discover the richness of the area we want to preserve in 2023!

Join us for a guided tour with Mathieu Madison, biologist!

DATE :  Saturday, October 28, 2023
TIME :  10 a.m.
Meeting place: rue Tour du Lac
On SPDL lot, adjacent to the proposed conservation area

Refer to the map below to find the meeting point (x) and the areas we want to conserve.

Register today! info@conservationlakefield.ca

IMG_2481_heron-lake-trees

Land acquisition project in Domaine Lakefield Coeur, English

IMG_2481_heron-lake-trees

Let’s preserve the “Heart” of Lakefield Estate! 

Conservation Lakefield has launched a fundraising campaign to purchase and protect the “Heart of the Estate”. Shown in the map below, this beautiful forested area is zoned for development, including a new road and new homes.
Conservation Lakefield has already amassed significant funds from federal, provincial and private donations. We have a total of $883,000 but we are still $103,000 short of our goal. 
We need your help to halt further development in the beautiful Heart of the Estate. Please, join your neighbours and make a donation or pledge to Conservation Lakefield before October 31. All amounts are welcome and tax receipts will be issued. Help us save this valuable land for future generations.
Still have questions? Email us at info@conservationlakefield.ca for more information. Our team will be happy to interact with you personally, by email, phone, in person or by Zoom, just let us know!

DONATE NOW!

Thermometre_mise a jour Oct 18 2023_EN
affiche-2023-An-2023-10-13

We are grateful to the growing list of donors.

$10,000 and more: 

Manon Beaulieu and Éric Drouin
Anne-Marie Boisvert and Benoit Robert
Christine Gosselin and Hugh Clarke
Renée Charron and Guy Corcoran
Catherine Coutu and Mathieu Barbeau
Sylvie and Patrick Demars
Michelle Durand and Claude Rivard
Cheryl Hayes and Hugh Mitchell
Christine Locas and Martin Chagnon
Patti Munce and Shannon Deegan
Catherine Peeters and Dominik Jacques
Louise and Jean-Martin Laberge
The Laberge Family
Mathieu Madison
Morag Park and Alain Nepveu
Diane Tassé and Olivier Fraticelli
G.S.L.L. Inc.

Anonymous donations (1)

$5,000 – 9,999

Émilie Lavigne et Benoit Aubin
Maude Choquette et Martin Bourget
Marthe Durand
Christiane Héon et Réjean Prud’homme
Catriona MacDonald et Don Van Meyel
Michel Roy
Chantal Tétrault et Michel Racicot
Mary Margaret Tjosvold
Philippe Trudel
Ruth Williamson et Salah Mansour
Anonymous donations (1)

$2,000 – $4 999

Claude Beausoleil
Josée Bergeron et Richard Daneau
Marie-Pierre Chartrand et Pascal Royer
Yvanne Chenel et Sylvain Fournier
Manon Choinière et Philippe Gravel
Pascale Descary
Josée de Sève et Yves Boisvert
Yves Berthiaume
Amélie Van de Wynckele et Dimitri Bossut
Marie-Claude Durand et Richard Quesnel
Blandine Piquet-Gauthier et François Fassier
Michel Hébert
Andrée Labelle Geleyn et Pierre Geleyn
Carole Lafrance
Judith Gibb et George Lowenfeld
Sylvie Duceppe et Marc Perreault
Claudine Piché et Jean-François Proulx
Pauline et Gerry Phelps
Nathalie Poudrette et Antoine Lamarche
Andrew Plank
Renée Nadeau et Gilles Théoret
Edita Stepita-Poenaru et Dan Poenaru
Chantale Richard et André Pelletier
Marie-Alice Urvoy et Jeff Schectman

Anonymous donations (2)

$1,000 – $1,999

Suzanne Gratton et Gavin MacLeod
Michelle Laverdière et Denis Roberge
Isabelle Madore et Alexandre Morin
Jocelyne Vo et Philippe Nguyen
Chris Poenaru
Diane Robillard et René Parent
Jean Servant
Catherine-Julie Vézina et Greg Malakhanian
Anonymous donation (1)

$500 – 999

Céline Desbiens
Rachel Spino
Anonymous donation (1)

Other gifts

Nancy Gonzalez et Ian Dion
Maryse Bernard
Denis Faubert
Anonymous donation (1)

Corporate donation (Employer matching gift program)

Lenovo

Promised gifts

2023 and 2024: $111,000

About the Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project (PPMN)

The Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project (PPMN) is a co-funding agreement established between the Ministere de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Quebec Region from 2020 to 2023. The PPMN aims to develop the network of protected areas located on private land through protection and knowledge acquisition activities, the establishment of nature reserves and the enhancement of natural environments.

About the Natural Heritage Conservation Program

The Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a public-private partnership designed to advance privately protected areas in some of the country’s most cherished landscapes. Launched with a $100 million investment from the Government of Canada the program is administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), with contributions from partners like Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trusts. Wildlife Habitat Canada administers the land trust portion of the program, the Land Trust Conservation Program. NCC will work with the program partners to identify land for conservation and raise the funds to match the government’s investment 2:1. 

Elementor #1668

January 31, 2023, Gore, Québec – CONSERVATION LAKEFIELD has just completed a major acquisition to preserve 117 hectares (289 acres) of natural areas in Gore, Quebec. The two areas purchased are characterized by rich forests and exceptional wetlands. On the market for development, these lands will instead be kept in perpetuity in their natural state.

This is the largest protected area in Gore, and one of the largest areas ever protected in the MRC d’Argenteuil.

This conservation project has been made possible with funding from the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP), part of the Canada Nature Fund, and financial support from the Partenariat pour les milieux naturels (PPMN) from the Government of Quebec, the Echo Foundation and the immense generosity of many local citizens.

QUOTES

We are so proud of our volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect this magnificent property from the serious threat of development. We could not have completed this project without the support of the municipality of Gore, the expertise of biologist Mathieu Madison, the collaboration of the Domaine Lakefield homeowners association (SPDL) and the dedication of those who supported our fundraising campaign. We thank G.S.L.L. Inc. for their trust, and for agreeing to withdraw these properties from the market while Conservation Lakefield raised the funds needed to proceed with this transaction. We are extremely grateful to all of our financial partners, including government donors through the PPMN and NHCP programs, the Écho Foundation, and above all, the many generous donors without whom this very important purchase would not have been possible.

  • Patrick Demars, President and founding member of Conservation Lakefield

 

These large areas are strategically located within the ecological corridor of the southern Laurentians, and in the sectors targeted by the MRC d’Argenteuil in its strategy for the conservation of natural environments. All of the old forests and other forest stands, marshes, swamps, peat bogs and the Eastern River provide a mosaic of habitats for flora and fauna, including certain species at risk. Their protection in perpetuity will help consolidate the ecological connectivity of the region and protect the biodiversity of the southern Laurentians.

  • Louise Caouette-Laberge, Vice President and founding member of Conservation Lakefield

 

The Township of Gore is proud to support its citizens in their efforts to protect the environment and ecosystems of our region. Our community supports initiatives to safeguard Gore’s natural attractions. On behalf of our municipal council, I warmly congratulate Conservation Lakefield for its important contribution to the preservation and protection of these important natural areas.

  • Scott Pearce, Mayor, Township of Gore

 

Citizen-led conservation efforts are extremely important to protect and restore nature across Quebec. It is with great respect that I recognize the diligent work of the dedicated volunteers of Conservation Lakefield and the representatives of the Municipality of the Township of Gore for this extraordinary ecological project: a project that contributes to preserving the health and quality of the environment in Argenteuil. Let’s hope that this project sets an example!

  • 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)

 

Although the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss both have unique obstacles to overcome, we must tackle them together. They are two sides of the same coin. We are helping to protect the natural environment in Quebec and across the country by working with partners like Conservation Lakefield, and with the generosity of community members. Protecting more land is one of the ways we’re working to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and support the recovery of species at risk. Through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its goal of conserving 25 percent of land and water in Canada by 2025, working toward 30 percent of each by 2030.

  • 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.

LEARN MORE

Visit conservationlakefield.ca 

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Information

Patrick Demars

President, Conservation Lakefield

514-894-3792

info@conservationlakefield.ca

 

Land acquisition project in Domaine Lakefield

Preserving nature around us – It’s now or never!

Conservation Lakefield is pleased to announce that in July 2022, our organization has signed a purchase offer to acquire two areas of great ecological value in Domaine Lakefield. This acquisition will protect 117 hectares in perpetuity and preserve a mosaic of habitats, including old forest and wetlands.

Conservation Lakefield was successful in securing government grants through the programs of the PPMN (Partnership Project for Natural Environments) and the NHCP-FPOC (Natural Heritage Conservation Program – Fund for Conservation Organizations). We also obtained funding from the Echo Foundation. It’s a great start!

Conservation Lakefield must also collect private donations to qualify for grants like these and to reach the amount needed to complete the land purchase. Good news, private donations have already been received, thanks to the generosity of some twenty owners of the Domaine. However, the amounts received so far are not sufficient to complete the purchase of the targeted lands. The organization is fundraising with all the owners in the Domaine. We are counting on YOU to make this purchase a reality and to help save other undeveloped areas of the Domaine.

Fundraising campaign

On Sunday August 21, 2022, Conservation Lakefield launched a fundraising campaign for the Domaine Lakefield Land Acquisition Project. More than 40 owners attended in person or via Zoom. 

 –  View the complete presentation on YouTube

 –  View the presentation as a pdf (25 pages) :  Domaine Lakefield_conservation project_2022

Your questions and comments about this campaign are welcome. Please reach Conservation Lakefield at info@conservationlakefield.ca.

DONATE NOW!

Thermometre image_Nov 6_EN
Domaine Lakefield_Conservation project_2022_EN_Oct b

We are grateful to the growing list of donors.

$10,000 and more: 

Manon Beaulieu and Éric Drouin
Anne-Marie Boisvert and Benoit Robert
Christine Gosselin and Hugh Clarke
Renée Charron and Guy Corcoran
Catherine Coutu and Mathieu Barbeau
Sylvie and Patrick Demars
Michelle Durand and Claude Rivard
Cheryl Hayes and Hugh Mitchell
Christine Locas and Martin Chagnon
Patti Munce and Shannon Deegan
Catherine Peeters and Dominik Jacques
Louise and Jean-Martin Laberge
The Laberge Family
Mathieu Madison
Morag Park and Alain Nepveu
Diane Tassé and Olivier Fraticelli
G.S.L.L. Inc.

Anonymous donations (1)

$5,000 – 9,999

Émilie Lavigne et Benoit Aubin
Maude Choquette et Martin Bourget
Marthe Durand
Christiane Héon et Réjean Prud’homme
Catriona MacDonald et Don Van Meyel
Michel Roy
Chantal Tétrault et Michel Racicot
Mary Margaret Tjosvold
Philippe Trudel
Ruth Williamson et Salah Mansour
Anonymous donations (1)

$2,000 – $4 999

Claude Beausoleil
Josée Bergeron et Richard Daneau
Marie-Pierre Chartrand et Pascal Royer
Yvanne Chenel et Sylvain Fournier
Manon Choinière et Philippe Gravel
Pascale Descary
Josée de Sève et Yves Boisvert
Yves Berthiaume
Amélie Van de Wynckele et Dimitri Bossut
Marie-Claude Durand et Richard Quesnel
Blandine Piquet-Gauthier et François Fassier
Michel Hébert
Andrée Labelle Geleyn et Pierre Geleyn
Carole Lafrance
Judith Gibb et George Lowenfeld
Sylvie Duceppe et Marc Perreault
Claudine Piché et Jean-François Proulx
Pauline et Gerry Phelps
Nathalie Poudrette et Antoine Lamarche
Andrew Plank
Renée Nadeau et Gilles Théoret
Edita Stepita-Poenaru et Dan Poenaru
Chantale Richard et André Pelletier
Marie-Alice Urvoy et Jeff Schectman

Anonymous donations (2)

$1,000 – $1,999

Suzanne Gratton et Gavin MacLeod
Michelle Laverdière et Denis Roberge
Isabelle Madore et Alexandre Morin
Jocelyne Vo et Philippe Nguyen
Chris Poenaru
Diane Robillard et René Parent
Jean Servant
Catherine-Julie Vézina et Greg Malakhanian
Anonymous donation (1)

$500 – 999

Céline Desbiens
Rachel Spino
Anonymous donation (1)

Other gifts

Nancy Gonzalez et Ian Dion
Maryse Bernard
Denis Faubert
Anonymous donation (1)

Corporate donation (Employer matching gift program)

Lenovo

Promised gifts

2023 and 2024: $111,000

About the Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project (PPMN)

The Partenariat pour les milieux naturels project (PPMN) is a co-funding agreement established between the Ministere de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Quebec Region from 2020 to 2023. The PPMN aims to develop the network of protected areas located on private land through protection and knowledge acquisition activities, the establishment of nature reserves and the enhancement of natural environments.

About the Natural Heritage Conservation Program

The Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a public-private partnership designed to advance privately protected areas in some of the country’s most cherished landscapes. Launched with a $100 million investment from the Government of Canada the program is administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), with contributions from partners like Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trusts. Wildlife Habitat Canada administers the land trust portion of the program, the Land Trust Conservation Program. NCC will work with the program partners to identify land for conservation and raise the funds to match the government’s investment 2:1. 

Gore Express_propsed images_thank you fundraisers

Conservation Lakefield thanks our enthusiastic local fundraisers!

Anthony Battah and Anne-Marie Boisvert

We would like to share our gratitude for the wonderful members of our Gore community who are raising funds to help Conservation Lakefield. 

This month, distance runner Anthony Battah as inspired by the beauty of the wooded trails created by Les Sentiers de Gore. Anthony set up a fundraiser on Facebook and raised over $2,700 to help protect our natural environments! 

We are also honoured that local artist Anne-Marie Boisvert will offer proceeds from selected works in support of Conservation Lakefield. An incredibly talented painter, teacher and nature lover, Anne-Marie shares our passion for preserving and protecting valuable natural lands in Gore. Visit her virtual art gallery on Instagram, annemarieboisvert2.0.