Activities
In order to conserve forested wetlands (FW) which are considered habitats of major value to waterfowl and biodiversity, the Quebec Wildlife Foundation, thanks to the contribution of Wildlife Habitat Canada, has implemented a financial support program aimed at forest stakeholders and environmental organizations. These groups have been able, since April 1, 2002, to receive an amount (up to a maximum of 60% of the total cost of their project) to finance the mapping and characterization of FW on private lands; making the owners aware of the importance of protecting these wetlands, and signing conservation agreements with these owners. To be admissible, each project must cover at least 10 wetlands covering a minimum of 50 hectares total. The projects are submitted at the start of each year (April) and may run for more than one year. However, they are subject to a new assessment each year.

The Foundation has developed a network of important private forest partners resulting in conservation and awareness efforts for more than 4000 hectares of protected forested wetlands, and more than 580 voluntary agreements have been signed.

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC's Contributions
In 2006, we will be continuing one forested wetland project which we started in 2005, and we will be initiating approximately six new projects. These projects will allow for the protection of more than 600 additional hectares of waterfowl habitat. This form of voluntary conservation is being used more and more by many stakeholders to protect a large diversity of sensitive forested and agricultural habitats.

Wetland Habitat and/or Waterfowl Achievements/Benefits
Protected wetlands will allow amongst other things for the conservation of the habitat of arboreal ducks and the Black Duck as well as many at-risk species such as the Least Bittern, Wood Turtle and the Pickerel Frog. Wetlands that have been the subject of a voluntary conservation agreement will be recognised by many partners interacting with the project. In some cases, a special land status will be proposed to the owner by the other partners concerned (municipalities, regional county municipalities, Nature Conservancy, etc.). Thus, the degree of protection for certain wetlands may be enhanced by signing more appealing and longer-term conservation agreements (servitude, donation, lease, private natural reserve, etc.).

Eventually, the Foundation seeks to implement a Quebec protected wetlands network in order to share and distribute information amongst all partners and stakeholders. The network could therefore have an educational effect on private landowners that have an interest in voluntary conservation in Quebec.

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
Private landowners that own wetlands will be the first to benefit from the project. They will get a biological characterization of their site, an inventory of animal and plant species (with particular attention to species of special concern) as well as an assessment of potential waterfowl. In addition, they will receive an awareness tool, such as an owner's notebook, which will allow them to receive simple and effective recommendations as to how best protect their wetland. Signing their voluntary conservation agreement makes the owners aware of the significance of their wetlands and of the wildlife value that these can present.

Project Location
Please click here to view the project location/map (pdf file).

Project Contact
For more information on this project, please contact Christine Bélanger, Project Coordinator, Quebec Wildlife Foundation, Sainte Foy, Quebec.