Conservation Manitou Purchases 141 Acres in Ivry-sur-le-Lac
Ivry-sur-le-Lac, July 19, 2022 – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce that it has purchased 141 acres of forested land in Ivry-sur-le-Lac from the Piché family. As part of the transaction, the Municipality of Ivry-sur-le-Lac has concurrently purchased 30.7 acres of land, thus creating a172-acre contiguous protected area that ranges from Chemin Lac de la Grise to beyond the P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park. The combined property contains a section of Rivière Noire, streams, wetlands, hilltops, and a popular section of the historic Maple Leaf Trail known as the “Nantel”. The area will be preserved in perpetuity in its natural state in memory of Guy Piché as per the wishes of the Piché family. The acquisition by Conservation Manitou was made with the financial support of the Quebec government’s ‘Projet de partenariat pour les milieux naturels’ (PPMN), for which $53 million was awarded to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
“This marks Conservation Manitou’s 21st acquisition in 9 years, and we are thrilled to have teamed up with the Municipality of Ivry-sur-le-Lac to protect this highly coveted property which was recently threatened with development. We thank mayor André Ibghy, his councillors, and staff, for their participation. We are also immensely grateful to all our partners including Nature-Action Québec, Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Quebec government, and most importantly, our many generous members who donated funds to help us complete this very important purchase.” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of Conservation Manitou. “The strategic location of this large tract of land, in proximity to the Ivry Wildlife Crossing and adjacent to significant wetlands, will help consolidate ecological connectivity in the region. We are not only protecting biodiversity in the Laurentians but also an important part of its heritage through the preservation of part of the historic Maple Leaf ski trail.”
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible thanks to the subsidy that the Government of Quebec awarded to the NCC for the PPMN.
Quotes
“What a joy to participate in this acquisition which will allow for the preservation of an exceptional natural area that belonged to the Piché family. The efforts of Conservation Manitou, the Municipality of Ivry-sur-le-Lac, and the Piché family, will guarantee its protection in perpetuity! This magnificent property will be preserved not only for the benefit of nature but also for humans who can enjoy the numerous attractions it has to offer. I would also like to thank the extraordinary work of the acquisition, management, and enhancement of natural environments team at Nature-Action Québec (NAQ). It’s thanks to them that such projects get realized.”
Romy Bazo, Head of acquisition, management, and enhancement of natural environments for NAQ.
About
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, by acquiring land and conservation easements, either donated or purchased, and providing stewardship in perpetuity. It is one of the leading organizations dedicated to the preservation of natural areas in the Laurentians with nearly 1,540 acres of conservation lands under ownership located in the municipalities of Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré. To learn more or donate, please visit: www.conservationmanitou.ca.
The Partenariat pour les milieu naturels project (PPMN)
The PPMN is a four-year grant of more than $53 million that the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques awarded to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). By establishing financial partnerships with conservation organizations in the province, it provides support for initiatives protecting natural environments of interest. In this way, the PPMN aims to develop and consolidate Quebec’s network of protected areas located on private land.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading private land conservation organization and a non-profit organization working to protect our most important natural environments and the species they support. Since 1962, the NCC and its partners have helped protect 14 million hectares from coast to coast, including nearly 48,000 in Quebec. For more information : natureconservation.ca
Nature-Action Québec
For thirty-five years, the non-profit Nature-Action Québec has had the mission to guide individuals and organizations in applying better environmental practices. The organization works with municipalities, businesses, community organizations and citizens to carry out concrete projects that contribute to improving Quebecers’ environment, health, well-being and quality of life.
Enquiries:
Stephen Takacsy
President and Chair, Conservation Manitou
