Articles du blogue
Preserving wetlands: A vital commitment
World Wetlands Day – February 2 At the heart of Éco-Nature’s mission lies an unwavering commitment to wetland conservation. These precious ecosystems play a crucial role in providing a multitude of ecological functions while harbouring an exceptionally rich biodiversity. Wetlands provide permanent or temporary habitat for a vast array of animal species, some of which are critically endangered. It is here that wildlife finds food, shelter and breeding grounds. As exceptional ecosystems, wetlands and water [...]
Read more
The difference between hibernation and overwintering
Considering that our residents at the Quebec Turtle Rehabilitation Center have already been hibernating for a few days, we’d like to take this opportunity to explain the differences between overwintering and hibernation. First of all, it’s good to know that animals have different ways of preparing for winter. Some change their coat or gain weight, such as the hare, which adopts a white hue, or the red fox, which develops a denser coat. Others choose [...]
Read more
Water sampling – Taking the pulse of our precious watercourses
Éco-Nature launched its annual sampling campaign on July 3 to monitor the health of watercourses on its territory. This year, no fewer than 1,377 water samples will be collected. Running until August 31, the program’s mandate is to collect water samples along the Rivière des Mille Îles and Rivière des Prairies, in order to monitor water quality. Following the training of a water sampling technician for a week prior to the start of this campaign, [...]
Read more
Milkweed: Far from being a “weed”!
Sometimes mistakenly considered a “weed”, milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a plant of many purposes. Not only is it essential to the survival of the monarch butterfly, it could also revolutionize the textile industry and much more! Learn more about this highly beneficial plant and join us in protecting it! Is milkweed a “weed”? Still largely unknown, milkweed is trampled underfoot, mowed, pulled out, etc. In other words, it gets little attention. Yet the natural, biodegradable [...]
Read more
The importance of pollinators
May 20 is World Bee Day, and to mark the occasion we thought it essential to tell you about the importance of pollinators. Pollinators are mainly insects, but they also include birds and mammals, which we would be hard-pressed to do without. In Quebec, nearly 40% of the food on our plates comes from their work. Without pollinators, many of the plants on which we depend could not survive, and we would soon lose access [...]
Read more
A memorable visit from the CHUV veterinary medicine team
Last March, we had the pleasure of welcoming the CHUV veterinary medicine team for their third annual visit to assess the overall health of our living collection. The team of dedicated professionals took on the task of evaluating the health of each of our specimens, assessing the conditions under which they are kept and updating care protocols. During this visit, we had the opportunity to develop a plan for Terry Fox, our stump turtle. The [...]
Read more
Discover our “Believe it or not!” exhibition and our ecology lab!
Our wildlife refuge is home to the greatest biodiversity in the metropolitan region and the Laurentians. Rain or shine, we’ve got the perfect activity to enrich your summer with a guided tour of our exhibition and ecology laboratory. The exhibition is the perfect place to discover more about the rich wildlife and history of the exceptional environment of the Rivière des Mille Îles. You’ll also have the chance to visit the ecology laboratory and meet [...]
Read more
Welcome to Pita, the spiny softshell turtle!
Welcome to Pita, the spiny softshell turtle! As some of you may have seen on our social networks, we welcomed a new resident to the ecology laboratory in the Exploration Center of Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles last week. So, without further ado, here’s a sneak peek at Pita, the spiny softshell turtle. Pita was given to us by the Granby Zoo, which already has a few specimens of this species, [...]
Read more
2 fun and enriching ways to celebrate Halloween
Oh, how we love autumn! The changing colors of the leaves, the cooler nights and… Halloween! Would you like to introduce your little ones to the mysterious joys of Halloween? Looking for a little something different? To mark the most terrifying holiday of the year, we invite young and not-so-young alike to take part in our two activities and learn more about a variety of subjects. Friday, November 1, 2019: Creatures of the Night This Halloween,
Read more
A wide range of educational and fun activities for school groups all year round!
This time of year, the region is abuzz with excitement as the new school year gets underway! The children at the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles day camp were sad to leave us last Friday, but still had smiles on their faces and minds full of memories. Whether they were reuniting with their friends and teachers, starting a new year or beginning their first year of high school, they were all excited to begin the 2019-2020 [...]
Read more
The case of Léo, the snapping turtle
To put this in context… Worldwide, turtle populations are in decline, and Quebec turtles are no exception. Currently, 7 of Quebec’s 8 turtle species are officially designated “at risk” in the province or Canada. The many causes include habitat destruction and degradation, increased mortality along roadsides, excessive egg predation and illegal captivity… To contribute to species recovery, strategies essentially involve protecting, restoring and creating habitats, as well as ensuring the longevity of breeding adults and [...]
Read more
The rental center will be opening soon!
What a pleasure it is to hear the water gently splash against the side of your boat. Did you know that it’s possible to enjoy a moment of serenity in nature, even in an urban setting? Located north of Laval, the Parc de la Rivière des Mille-îles offers you a river immersion, landscapes and encounters with many species you’d never suspect. These beautiful moments are interrupted only by the laughter of friends on the river, [...]
Read more
