Goals and Objectives
The Regroupement des sauvaginiers du lac Saint-Pierre (RSLSP) wants to protect not only the biological and historical values of Île de Grâce (Grace Island) but particularly the integrity of the grasslands that are home to important avifauna.

Activities
The RSPLP would like to proceed with the construction of a barge to undertake farming activities on the island. This type of utility craft is necessary to carry equipment and machinery from one shore to the other.

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions
WHC’s grant will contribute to the cost of the plans and specifications for the construction of a barge to be used in the conservation of island habitats in the Îles de Berthier-Sorel area.

Benefits to Wildlife
The acquisition of Île de Grâce was, and still remains, one of the greatest achievements of Lac Saint-Pierre’s current conservation organizations. This vast habitat was deemed essential to the lake’s biological diversity by all of these organizations. A very large number of avifauna and terrestrial species are found there. Its various marshes, grasslands and mature forest foster a remarkable biodiversity.

Through this project, carrying on traditional agricultural activities, as identified in the “Plan directeur pour la conservation” [Blueprint for Conservation], and improving and developing the Île de Grâce and Île aux Corbeaux wildlife habitats seem to be the best ways of protecting the integrity of the grasslands which still have a productive capacity for individual numbers and nesting success of many duck species.

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
When finished, the barge would be available for any of Lac Saint-Pierre’s conservation projects. It would also be available to all conservation organizations in the Lac Saint-Pierre area. Whether involved in shoreline protection projects, waterway sand removal allowing greater fish access or controlling undesirable plants around the island, any interested organization would be able to use it for many years. As well, in association with other local and provincial partners, the RSPLP could reinvest the income derived from the resumption of agricultural activities (e.g. hay and/or small grain crops farming) on leased land, thus allowing restoration, development and habitat protection work to be undertaken on the Île de Grâce. The RSPLP could also use this income for other Lac Saint-Pierre projects.

Project Location
The Île de Grâce and the Île aux Corbeaux (Corbeaux Island) form part of the geographical entity of the islands of Sorel located at the east of Lac Saint-Pierre. These islands occupy more than a third of the Lac Sainte-Pierre and are part of the Archipelago of Lac Saint-Pierre. These islands form part of the sites addressed by the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The grasslands of Île de Grâce cover over 250 ha and are now almost unique in the Lac Saint-Pierre region.

Project Contact
For more information on this project, please contact Alain Desmarais, Vice President of the D’Autray Sector and Project Manager, Regroupement des Sauvaginiers du Lac St-Pierre, Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, Quebec.