23 hectares of natural environment to be protected in collaboration with Nature-Action Québec and the City of Brossard

Nature-Action Québec (NAQ), the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) and the City of Brossard are protecting 23 hectares of natural lands, more than half of which have been restored to reflect the vision for Bois de Brossard, which is considered to be one of the richest and most extensive natural environments remaining on Montréal’s South Shore. 

The lot also includes nearly 11 hectares of terrestrial environments that serve as a protective buffer for the 12 hectares of wetlands. This initiative is part of the REM’s environmental compensation program and represents more than twice the land currently occupied by the equipment for the REM’s terminal station on the South Shore.

With the aim of offsetting and limiting environmental impacts associated with the construction of the REM, the latter has entered into a tripartite agreement with NAQ and the City of Brossard. The purpose of the agreement is to identify, protect and restore the land near the Brossard station. It has enabled the City of Brossard to acquire a roughly 23-hectare parcel of land with financial assistance from the REM project and the collaboration of the NAQ. This lot is located on Chemin des Prairies in Brossard.

Several major restoration projects

Since the acquisition of this lot, several restoration projects have been completed. Major restoration efforts have included creating two wildlife corridors, restoring wildland and creating a windbreak hedge, mainly to combat the invasion of the common water reed. NAQ laid down more than 4,500 metres of tarp to eliminate targeted colonies of reeds and planted more than 11,000 plants. In addition, in collaboration with the City of Brossard, the REM planted 2,400 trees on this lot as compensation for the cutting of shrubs and trees during the construction of the REM.

Quotes:

“The REM has been remarkable in that it has decided to carry out a project where NATURE wins and go beyond the basic requirements of the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques as compensation. Protecting two times the area of the affected wetlands and restoring wetlands was well beyond the department’s requirements. The project has a considerably positive impact on the environment, enabling the consolidation of the Bois de Brossard area and, concretely, the protection and restoration of wildlife habitats and wetlands. This project is an outstanding and clear-cut example of the parties’ vision for the protection of our natural environments for future generations.”
- Pascal Bigras, Executive Director, Nature-Action Québec

“Our collaboration with Nature-Action Québec was an informed choice for our organization, particularly because of NAQ’s 32 years of experience in environmental management in Quebec, its achievements in conservation, acquisition and private stewardship of natural environments, and its expertise in natural corridors and the creation of green belts. In addition, the long-standing collaboration between the City of Brossard and NAQ to protect the entire Bois de Brossard area in perpetuity makes NAQ an ideal partner to help us achieve our goals.”
- Elizabeth Boivin, Director of Environment, CDPQ Infra

“We’re very pleased with the agreement reached between Brossard, the REM and Nature-Action Québec. These 23 hectares will soon be added to the 408-hectare Bois de Brossard nature reserve, one of the greatest ecological treasures in Montérégie. In the last 10 years, Brossard has almost doubled the area of protected natural environments in its territory by including the protected areas of the river and terrestrial conservation areas. In doing so, it has largely surpassed the objectives set by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and clearly demonstrated its desire to prioritize environmental efforts. In addition to the protected nature reserve, Bois de Brossard has nearly 600 hectares of land that can be developed. The City is currently developing a new outdoor recreation centre along with hiking and cross-country skiing trails. Because of this incredible resource, Brossard has become a benchmark for sustainable development.”
- Doreen Assaad, Mayor of Brossard 

About Nature-Action Québec

For more than 35 years, the non-profit organization Nature-Action Québec’s mission has been to guide people and organizations in adopting environmental best practices. The organization works with municipalities, businesses, community organizations and citizens to carry out concrete projects that improve the environment, health, well-being and quality of life of the Quebec population.

About the City of Brossard

Brossard is a city where nearly 60 cultural communities live in harmony. With over 92,000 residents, it is the 12th largest city in Quebec. It is an environmental leader, with a nature reserve of several hundred hectares in Bois de Brossard and more than 80 public parks. A major economic hub on the South Shore, Brossard is experiencing strong real estate growth. Its active transportation network is well developed and includes three REM stations, direct access to the Samuel De Champlain Bridge and an elaborate network of multi-use pathways. Brossard is also home to a campus of the Université de Montréal to facilitate access to higher education.