CONSERVATION MANITOU Helps Create the First Wildlife Crossing in the Laurentians
August 19, 2019 (Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Quebec) – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce that it played a key role in helping to create the first wildlife crossing in the Laurentians by securing 66 acres (27 hectares) of land at the entrance of a tunnel passing under highway 117 in Ivry-sur-le-Lac. Thanks to steps undertaken by CONSERVATION MANITOU, this property will be called the Ivry Wildlife Crossing and will be protected in perpetuity by Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Other partners involved in the project include Eco-Corridors Laurentians, MRC des Laurentides, P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park Corporation, Woodcock Foundation, Trans Canada Trail, Fondation de la Faune and Hydro Quebec.
“I am very proud that the Ivry Wildlife Crossing has become a reality” stated Stephen Takacsy, president of CONSERVATION MANITOU during a press conference today attended by Quebec’s Minister of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change. ”Three years ago, we were exploring ways to connect the natural areas protected by CONSERVATION MANITOU on the south side of highway 117 with those protected by the NCC on the north side. The municipality of Ivry-sur-le-Lac and its residents have been leaders in environmental protection for generations, and Ivry’s strategic location for the creation of an ecological corridor makes it an ideal place for the first wildlife crossing in the Laurentians.”
“Connectivity projects such as the Ivry Wildlife Crossing help consolidate the ecological network in the Laurentians and allow regional conservation initiatives to expand their reach.” adds Stephen Takacsy. “CONSERVATION MANITOU’s main goal is to protect Lake Manitou and its watershed which have high ecological value. Complementary projects help achieve a more global objective of protecting our natural heritage. They also attract public and private funding into the area which ads value to our natural capital.”
CONSERVATION MANITOU continues fundraising efforts to endow its Stewardship Fund with $250,000 from which it can generate income to pay the ongoing carrying costs of its conservation lands. Donations can be made online at https://www.conservationmanitou.ca/en/donate/ or by cheque payable to CONSERVATION MANITOU mailed to 1800 McGill College Avenue, suite 2102, Montreal, Quebec H3A 3J6.
CONSERVATION MANITOU is a registered charity and qualified recipient of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. Its mission is to preserve and protect the ecosystem and natural environment of Lake Manitou and its surroundings, and provide stewardship in perpetuity. It is one of the leading organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians with approximately 1,330 acres (538 hectares) of conservation lands under ownership located in the municipalities of Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Ste-Agathe-des-Monts and Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré.