THE LAC SAINT-FRANÇOIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE AREA   In 1972, the Canadian Wildlife service (C.W.S), bought, in the Dundee municipality, swamps, marshlands, humid prairies and wooded Small islands. These diversified pieces of land constitute great wetland habitats. This 1400 acres territory received, in 1978, the official status of National Reserve and was, in 1987, recognized by the Ramsar International Convention in the importance of the earth’s ecosystem in order to preserve the biodiversity in wetlands and also to preserve of endangered species. From the somewhat 600 different floras life species, twenty or so are rare or endangered, and some are unique on the Quebec territory. This environment offers food and shelter to various animals, some of which are also endangered. After the making of an animal census, we counted: 16 amphibian species, 8 reptilian species, 223 bird species and 53 different types of mammals. (For more details, go to the “Fauna and Flora” page.) The Lac Saint-François National Wildlife Area is situated on the St-Lawrence south shore along Salaberry-de-Valleyfield for about 50km. Since 1993, “Les Amis de la réserve nationale de la faune du Lac Saint-François” has been charged with the maintenance of this territory. It also makes sure that public access is available. This reserve is situated in the sugar bush Laurentian climatic area where the hardwood forest rules. There, you will find several kinds of tree species: the sugar maple, the basswood, the beech tree, the American Ash, the Eastern hemlock, the black Ash, the rare Thomas Elm and the poplar. Also, there are different types of marshlands where we can find larches, red and silver maple trees, alders and willow wetlands.

Marshes as far as the eye can see, interspersed by ponds and by channels, become confused with Lake Saint-François. It is the paradise of the botanist that will be delighted on the plant diversity and the somewhat forty rare plants scattered all around. Also seen, is the raised asclepiad, a rare rose bush that is only found there and on Mount St-Hilaire in the Quebec province. The ornithologist will also find a terrific scenic territory of various avifauna habitats. The Lac Saint François National Wildlife Area constitutes a favored place to start to learn about wetlands by the discovery of his marshes and marshlands. You will there encounter multitude of plants and living beings. In a utterly unique environment, by foot or in rabaska canoe, come and enrich all of your senses: unique and unknown smells, sounds and sights of the plant and animal world will be a tremendous learning experience and of wonder for all. “LES AMIS DE LA RESERVE” GRACIOUSLY INVITE YOU.