On Friday, October 11, the Ville de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot (NDIP) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced the acquisition of four lots in the Pointe-du-Domaine area. In all, 11 hectares of woodland will be preserved for the benefit of the local population.

Two of these lots, protected by the Ville de Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, cover a total area of 6 hectares. Their acquisition, at a cost of over $3.5 million, was made possible thanks to the financial support of several partners, including the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), the Quebec government, through the Greater Montreal Green and Blue Network program, the federal government, Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Age of Union Alliance.

“I seem to realize today that it's true. We really do have this great piece of land that's going to be protected for life. There's no going back, and for a town like NDIP, that's a great privilege. It's a legacy of our time for future generations, and one we're very proud of. For the Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot council, the conservation and enhancement of our green spaces are at the heart of our actions. For NDIP, it's a minimal investment, since we're privileged to have partners like CNC with whom we've worked extensively. For us, investing $150,000 is nothing, considering the magnitude of the legacy we're all making together. With the creation of the Parc-nature and the acquisition of the lots in Pointe-du-Domaine, we are continuing to promote access to nature for the entire Perrotdam community,” emphasized NDIP Mayor Danie Deschênes.

The newly acquired lots will be encumbered by a perpetual conservation easement. As owner of the land, the Town of NDIP will be required to comply with certain rules aimed at maintaining the integrity of the natural environment, for which CNC will be the guardian.

These two lots will be combined with two other 5-hectare lots acquired by NCC in 2022, thanks to a total financial contribution of over $1 million.

Thanks to financial support from the Quebec government, as part of the Accelerating Conservation in Southern Quebec (ACSQ) project, NCC has begun inventories, drawn up a management plan and carried out follow-up visits to the Pointe-du-Domaine woodland.  

A highly valuable ecological woodland

The woodlands and wetlands of the Pointe-du-Domaine area were identified by CNC because of their high biodiversity. The forest is generally undisturbed and at an intermediate stage of maturity.

The site is rich in shade-tolerant hardwoods and mixed stands. Several plant species have been observed, including the American conopholis, a plant with threatened status, and three plants likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable at the provincial level. To the south of the woodland, two wetlands and an intermittent stream provide occasional habitat for the western chorus frog, a species designated as threatened in Quebec and Canada.  

“Despite the challenges encountered and the patience required to carry out such a project, it's a pleasure to work for the protection of this woodland so prized by the residents of Île Perrot. We look forward to working with them to care for this beautiful natural environment and the wonders it harbours,” says Annie Ferland, Project Manager at the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

For his part, Peter Schiefke, Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil-Soulanges, announced an investment of $920,000 for the purchase and protection of land at NDIP. The funds come from the Climate Solutions Fund and the Nature Trust of Canada, both administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“Local communities like Vaudreuil-Soulanges play an essential role in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, and together we are building a cleaner, stronger and more resilient future for our children and future generations,” he said at a press conference.

Present at the announcement, Mercier mayor and CMM executive member Lise Michaud noted: “Projects like the Pointe-du-Domaine project demonstrate the relevance and mobilizing effect of the Green and Blue Fabric in protecting the metropolitan region's ecosystems and the species that make them up. Thanks to it, and to all the partners involved, the population of Greater Montreal will be able to enjoy the benefits of this woodland with its high ecological value, as well as benefiting from an almost untouched natural environment in an urban setting.” 

“Pointe-du-Domaine is a rich natural environment on Île Perrot. The acquisition of these four lots will help preserve its biodiversity. I'm proud to see that, as part of Greater Montreal's Green and Blue Network, the partnership between the Quebec government, the Montreal Metropolitan Community and the Town of Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot is making it possible to carry out projects to protect woodlands of importance to the local population and those of neighbouring regions,” adds Marilyne Picard, MNA for Soulanges.

“As a beneficiary of the Nature Canada Fund granted by ECCC, Nature-Action Québec is pleased to participate financially in the project, thereby consolidating the protection in perpetuity of the Western Chorus Frog's essential habitat on Île Perrot, in an area where it is still very vulnerable. Collaboration between all stakeholders is an essential factor in the success of recovery projects for this endangered species,” added Jérôme Maurice, Director of Restoration of Natural Environments at Nature-Action Québec.

“Protecting the woodlands and wetlands of Pointe-du-Domaine, in Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, so close to Montreal, is a priceless opportunity. We are privileged to have this natural jewel so close to home. Age of Union is proud to be associated with this initiative to preserve our biodiversity and combat climate change. Actions like today's demonstrate how collaboration plays a key role in protecting nature, which is essential to our survival,” concludes Dax Dasilva, Founder of Age of Union.

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