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 environments contribute significantly to our collective well-being. They act as guardians of drinking water quality, drinking water reserves, and natural shields against erosion and flooding. What's more, in times of drought, they play an important role in regulating water levels.

Faced with these crucial issues, Éco-Nature proposes concrete solutions to protect these vital environments. This includes locating and accurately characterizing wetlands, promoting their conservation and sustainable use, and preserving areas of ecological interest. Valuing the multiple benefits of wetlands is also essential, as is reporting and intervening against illegal dumping and fill that threaten these ecosystems.

With climate change exacerbating the frequency of extreme phenomena such as flooding, the preservation of wetlands and water environments is becoming an urgent necessity. Together, by protecting these treasures of nature, we can better adapt and mitigate the devastating effects of these events for present and future generations.

In this way, every action we take to preserve these natural environments contributes not only to the protection of biodiversity, but also to the safety and well-being of our communities and our planet as a whole.

For a portrait of Quebec's wetlands and their characteristics, visit the Biologists' Corner to discover the species that live in the Rivière-des-Mille-Îles and its wetlands.