In 2001, three nature lovers - Ecologist Louise Gratton, Biologist Francine Hone and project manager Terri Monahan - started up an ambitious conservation project targeting the protection of the natural corridor of the Appalachians. This corridor is an extension of the Green Mountains of Vermont and reaches all the way to the Saint Francois River in the Eastern Townships (map).

The Appalachian Corridor project evolved in response to the growing pressures exerted on the territory. While recognizing the importance of economic development such as forestry and the recreation and tourism industry, it remains that poorly controlled forestry practices and ill-advised tourism and urban development are serious threats to the integrity of the natural environment. The implementation of a global conservation strategy was deemed necessary to minimize human impact and to preserve forested areas large enough to maintain biodiversity.

This strategy is based on three components:

• innovative scientific principles
• the voluntary participation of landowners
• the cooperation of local, national and American conservation organizations.