A few days ago I received the latest Newsletter from Abrinord, the organization responsible for the management of the North River Watershed. I was also asked to respond to a survey by filling a long questionnaire – which I did – regarding our level of awareness to the issue of the preservation of our water assets, notably our wetlands.

This, I thought, was a good opportunity to share with you some information about wetlands in our community.

The maps accompanying this Post are a section of a larger one* of the Wetlands of the Laurentians produced by Ducks Unlimited, the world’s largest private, non-profit, waterfowl and wetland conservation organization, and Abrinord.

As you will see, there are many kinds of wetlands as shown in the legend. Light blue sections indicate shallow water.

Wetlands are a critical part of our ecosystem.

• They act as living filters and sponges.
• They maintain high water quality by filtering out sediments and chemicals and supply clean water to important underground sources.
• They also soak up water during periods of high precipitation, reduce the chances of flooding, and release water during times of drought.
• They are also areas of high biodiversity and are home to a diverse number of species that require this habitat to live and survive.

That is why wetlands are protected by law. In 2017, the Quebec legislature unanimously passed a wide ranging law which enshrines the no net loss principle for both wetlands and bodies of water. It is now in the implementation phase and Abrinord is the organization charged with the task of both defining the objectives for the North River Basin but also to develop a plan to protect wetlands and water environments.

In the meantime, let us view them as an important asset.

Information requests and comments are welcome.

*To view the full map, just click on this link.