Conservation Manitou Acquires 221 Acres in Ivry-sur-le-Lac
Ivry-sur-le-Lac, April 10, 2024 – CONSERVATION MANITOU is pleased to announce that it has acquired 221 acres of forests and wetlands in Ivry-sur-la-Lac from Lac Châtillon Properties. This large eco-sensitive property borders Highway 117 and straddles both sides of Le P’tit Train du Nord Linear Park, comprising parts of Rivière Noire, numerous streams, wetlands, forests and hilltops. The acquisition 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), as well as a grant from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Canadian Wildlife Service.
“This represents our 25th acquisition in just over 10 years since our foundation, increasing our total protected area to 1,960 acres. This land is directly adjacent or close to several of our other properties and to the Ivry Wildlife Crossing, forming a large near contiguous 545-acre area critical for maintaining ecological connectivity.” states Stephen Takacsy, Chair of Conservation Manitou. “We are honored that the descendants of the Huntly Drummond family have placed their trust in us to protect this vast and beautiful wilderness area which will now be part of the regional wildlife corridor we are creating with other like-minded organizations. Also, we are again thankful for the help received from Nature-Action Québec, Nature Conservancy of Canada, and the Quebec and Canadian governments. ”
From left to right : Marc Delage (Nature-Action Québec), Stephen Takacsy (Conservation Manitou),Martine Brais (notary), Bruce McNiven (Lac Châtillon Properties Inc.). Photo : NAQ “ Nature-Action Québec is proud of the efforts made by all parties involved in successfully completing this transaction for which the protected area represents an important gain for the region. We would also like to acknowledge the precious collaboration of our partners, namely the Government of Québec and Environment and Climate Change Canada, who helped purchase these 221 acres and contributed endowment funds for ongoing stewardship. “
Romy Bazo, Head of conservation, Nature-Action Québec
“The protection of natural areas in Ivry-sur-le-Lac is good news for the Laurentians. It’s thanks to initiatives like this that we are able to protect the great diversity of fauna and flora and their habitats in our region. I would like to thank all of our partners who have united for this cause. It’s by working together that we will be able to preserve our rich natural heritage “.
Benoit Charette, minister for « l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs » and minister responsible for the Laurentians region ».
“Protecting nature concerns everyone and benefits everyone. This ecologically valuable project will contribute to the conservation of our natural heritage, as well as to the health and well-being of the community. It’s a successful example of the results we can deliver when governments, local communities, and conservation groups work together to achieve our goal of conserving 30 percent of Canada’s land and oceans by 2030.”
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Acknowledgements
This project was made possible thanks to the subsidy that the Government of Quebec awarded to NCC for the PPMN and a grant received from Environment and Climate Change Canada through the Canadian Wildlife Service.
About
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.
About Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canada Nature Fund
The Canada Nature Fund supports the protection of Canada’s biodiversity through the creation of protected and conserved areas and through initiatives that help to recover species at risk. The Fund is available to not-for-profit and Indigenous organizations, provinces and territories, and others. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/nature-legacy/fund.html
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 hectares 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.
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 1,960 acres of conservation lands under ownership located in the municipalities of Ivry-sur-le-Lac, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Mont-Blanc. To learn more or donate, please visit: www.conservationmanitou.ca.
Enquiries:
Stephen Takacsy
President and Chair, Conservation Manitou
info@conservationmanitou.ca