The caretakers: "L'Association des membres et amis de la réserve"

 

In 1993, the MRC of the High Saint-Laurent offered citizens of the region to create a non-profit organization in order " to give the general public access to treasures contained in the “Lac St-François” National Wildlife Area ".

“L'Association des membres et Amis pour la protection de la Réserve nationale de faune du Lac Saint-François” was born from this initiative, they were incorporated on April 27th, 1993. From then on, by virtue of a contract with the Canadian Wildlife Service, they manage all activities on the site of the Wildlife Area.

 

Wildlife Area Development

Thanks to “Les Amis de la Réserve”, 14 Km of trails and aquatic courses were marked out for easier public access. A observation tower was established; sidewalks and footbridges were built in the marshland areas. Boats and rabaskas are available to anyone who cares to drift about. A reception point offers servicesd to visitors from May until September and a new lodge allows groups to be sheltered from bad weather.

All these developments are always accomplished with the agreement of the Canadian Wildlife Service to protect the environmental and ecological integrity of the Wildlife Area and to allow a controlled access to the public.

“Les Amis de la Réserve” also participate in environmental and ecological developments outside of the Wildlife Area.

 

“Les Amis de la Réserve” guarantee their visibility by their membership (200 members in 2008) and by a presence in numerous regional events, in mass media and in tourist circuits of the Southshore region.
They publish a newspaper called "Le bois d’enfer", whose recent publications are downloadable online in PDF format.

From May 15th until the end of September, our guides can lead school groups, and the general public, on paths to discover the flora and the fauna of the marshes on tracks as well as with excursions by boat, or by rabaska, on streams and the channels which cross the whole Wildlife Area.

 

 

A board of directors assures the administration of “Les Amis de la Réserve”.

The common activities are driven by: a coordinator, a facilities representative, a reception representative, three guides-animators (with career-summer of DHRC) and three employees thanks to the CLÉ program, as well as of volunteers.

The financing of “Les Amis de la Réserve” comes partly from a yearly renewable grant from the Canadian Wildlife Service, partly from a temporary subvention as part of “Pacte Rural. The rest of the financing is supplemented, year-by-year, by a gathering of donations and subventions linked to individual projects.

 

To encourage our action, one can become a member of “Les Amis de la Réserve” for a mere $10 a year, or make a tax deductible donation, by filling and sending the registration form (PDF format).

Members will receive the newspaper "Le Bois d' Enfer" and a pass for a free excursion on Rabaska.