The Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion would like to remind citizens who would like to take part in the biodiversity islands pilot project that it is still possible to register.

In an effort to promote biodiversity and protect the habitat of the monarch butterfly and pollinating insects, the city has launched a brand-new pilot project for biodiversity islands, with two components: residential and municipal.

In 2024, this initiative will enable 30 single-family homeowners to ecologically manage their urban spaces, i.e., to allow vegetation on a section of their property to grow beyond 30 cm, with the aim of encouraging the establishment of native flowers and grasses conducive to pollinating insects and increasing urban biodiversity, while respecting established criteria and maintenance standards.

The pilot project will be carried out in the following areas: Des Chenaux (south of Highway 40), Vaudreuil-centre (bounded by Saint-Charles Avenue, the Quinchien River, the exo railroad line and du Manoir Street) and the Floralies district.

Residents will have to agree to comply with pre-established criteria, including respecting a two-metre cleanliness strip with property lines and controlling invasive exotic plants that are harmful to health. Project participants' properties will be inspected throughout the summer by environmental awareness officers.

"Grassed areas play a major role in Quebec cities. These green spaces have little ecological value, consume a lot of water and require a great deal of maintenance. What's more, they don't contribute to the fight against heat islands during heatwaves. Converting grassed areas into islands of biodiversity will reintroduce nature into the city, creating new habitats for flora and fauna and promoting the development of ecological corridors. In the long term, this will also reduce the maintenance effort required for green spaces," explains Anne-Sophie Lemay, Environmental Coordinator - Conservation and Awareness.

This type of development will also be created on certain municipal properties, as demonstration islands. The aim is to raise public awareness of the need to protect pollinators, and to promote the various techniques available for setting up such biodiversity zones.

Biodiversity islets will be set up in the spring and fall of 2024 on the grounds of the municipal library, in Parc des Narcisses, Parc de la Canardière and Parc Félix-Leclerc, and on the grassy islets of Avenue André-Chartrand.

For more information on the pilot project, visit the Biodiversity Islands page at ville.vaudreuil-dorion.qc.ca or contact the Environment Division at [email protected] or 450-455-3371, option 1.