Calendar of Events

The region abounds with activities to please nature lovers, whether they are indoor conferences and workshops, or guided walks and outdoor events, led by Appalachian Corridor or our partners.

For info : Stéphanie Beaudoin (ACA) 450-242-1125

An overview of previous activities

Inauguration of new trail sections in the réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes
( October 23 and 28 2011)
"Open doors" in the reserve: free access to the trails and a nature walk, guided by biologists to discover a new trail section and to learn about the reserve's rich flora and fauna.

Nature walk to celebrate Mount Pinnacle Land Trust's 20th anniversary (October 2, 2011)
A nature walk in the forest, guided by Appalachian Corridor's biologist; the observation of the Golden-winged Warbler's typical habitat and a live band.

Trek East (September 2, 2011)
Appalachian Corridor invited conservationists from Canada and the United-States, as well as politicians to gather at the Canada-US border to welcome adventurer/explorer/environmentalist John Davis. Many even mounted their bicycle to accompany Davis for a strip of his adventure through the Appalachians. John Davis walked, biked and kayaked from Florida to the tip of Gaspésie to promote conservation and connectivity. M. Davis and ACA presented short conferences at Ruiter Valley Center.

Presentation on the validation and characterisation of wetlands in South-Stukely (March 29, 2011)
Public presentation, at South-Stukely Town Hall, which highlighted the importance of wetlands and explained the different steps involved in their validation and characterisation. Presented in collaboration with South-Stukely Municipality and the Association de conservation de la nature de Stukely-Sud (ACNSS).

Get to know the Spring Salamander and the Bicknell's Thrush (September 2010)
This workshop, offered to the general public, presented information about these two species, considered Vulnerable in the Province of Quebec and Threatened in Canada. It was organised in collaboration with the Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton (PENS).

International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22, 2010)
To celebrate this important day, the general public was invited to partake in a nature walk, guided by Appalachian Corridor's biologists.

The Wood Turtle: a species at risk! (May 2009)
This workshop was on the Wood Turtle, a species designated vulnerable in Quebec and threatened in Canada. A biologist from Appalachian Corridor has introduced the biology and ecology of the Wood Turtle as well as the threats affecting it. A number of recommendations have been made regarding the practical measures we can all apply to protect this species at risk.

Understanding how to conciliate conservation and forestry activities (November 2008)
Practical case studies were analysed during this dynamic presentation, allowing participants to understand the interactions between protection of sensitive ecological elements of a property and sustainable forestry practices.

Launch of the enhancement project for the réserve naturelle des Montagnes-Vertes (January 2008)
The press conference was the perfect opportunity to unveil the objectives of this ambitious enhancement project for the conservation area and to present all partners involved (including the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'Environnement), details of the project's implementation and expected outcomes for the region.

A walk in the Sutton Mountains with Clara Hughes
Clara Hughes, spokesperson for Nature Conservancy Canada’s Fundraising campaign, invited locals to spend a day in the natural setting of the Sutton Mountains on May 12th 2007. The activity was held in collaboration with Appalachian Corridor, Les sentiers de l'Estrie, Mount Echo Conservation Association, Ruiter Valley Land Trust and Parc Sutton.

Activities held in 2002-2006

Wetlands : get you rubber boots on!
On a Sunday May 25, the overcast sky didn't deter more than 25 people from gathering at the West Bolton townhall for an afternoon talk and excursion based on the wetlands of the region. The event was led by ACA's ecologist Louise Gratton who addressed issues regarding the definition of a wetland, its roles, the different types of wetlands, the important indicator plant and animal species, and the laws and regulations governing the use and protection of these unique ecosystems

Birds of prey in their own environment
About 20 people joined biologist Alain Lanoue for a hike on the trails of the Mount Pinnacle land Trust to study birds of prey. Armed with an information sheet written up by Alain, the participants went for a walk in the fog and rain, but took it all in stride. While walking on the MPLT trails along the brook, Alain described the birds of prey found in the region, their physical characteristics, their habits and above all the distinctive features of their habitat.

Keeping track log book
More than 150 people attended the presentation offered by Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton (PENS) and the Appalachian Corridor project (ACA) which was given by Susan Morse, a renowned Vermont naturalist and founder of the organization "Keeping Track®". For this event, Ms Morse presented, for the first time in Quebec, her wildlife tracking program. She delighted the audience with a lot of interesting information on the habitats of several animal species and on their behaviour, as well as highlighting the importance of community involvement in wildlife tracking programs

Identifying our mountains!
On a bright and sunny winter's day some 40 people embarked on a learning adventure by taking a school bus through the Sutton Mountain region. The outing, guided by ACA's biologist, Louise Gratton, aimed to identify the mountains that beautify our landscapes. Louise traced the history of the Appalachians and the formation of these mountains, while pointing out the characteristics of the natural areas of the region along with the species which inhabit them.

Do You Like Bats?
Mysterious and fragile, bats are little creatures of the night that can both fascinate and frighten us. Appalachian corridor's guest speaker Marc Gauthier, a consulting biologist from the firm Envirotel, shared his knowledge about this unloved mammal and its peculiar habits to a group of curious participants. By the end of the evening, the participants had been won over by these tiny troglodytes.

Protect our private forests
On an autumn Sunday, Forest Engineer Justin Manasc and Forestry Technician Gaétan Champagne welcomed about thirty local residents and landowners to Diable Vert in Glen Sutton. All were interested in learning more about their forests and how to conserve biodiversity within them.

Our wild medicinale plants
In July, Hélène Leduc, president of the Mount Pinnacle Land Trust, and Anny Schneider, a well-known herbalist, welcomed more than 40 participants on the Trust’s trail network for information and identification activities on medicinal wild plants.

Discovering salamanders
On a beautiful Sunday in May, about 50 adults and 20 kids came to the Ruiter Valley Centre near Mansonville to take part in “Discovering Salamanders”, a day organized by the Ruiter Valley Land Trust and Appalachian Corridor.

Birdwatching in the rain
Eighteen courageous participants braved the wind and rain for a bird-watching hike jointly organized by the Club des ornithologues Brome-Missisquoi (COBM) and the Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton (PENS).