The mission of Ruisseau Jackson (RJANP) is to promote nature conservation throughout the watershed. The vision to accomplish this is with a mosaic of land parcels of varying conservation status.

These parcels may be privately owned, in partnership with a non-governmental conservation organization, or federal, provincial or municipal government. Their conservation status might range from a simple conservation servitude to an official nature reserve designation. Together these parcels deliver our mission of an ever-expanding conservation area.

Since its founding RJANP has embraced and inspired the creation of numerous projects by dedicated individuals or groups.

Some major accomplishments to date are:

• In 2015, three families, all co-owners of land adjacent to the Balmoral Golf Club development, donated their land to the Municipality of Morin-Heights to create Echo Ridge Park. The conditions of the donation included a list of permitted and prohibited activities to be respected in perpetuity. The purpose of the project was to protect the flora and fauna while preserving water quality in the river and a lake, Lake Echo.
• Also, in 2015, a fourth family donated property near the mouth of Mud Lake to the Municipality of Morin Heights to create Molly’s Trail Park. The purpose of this project was to protect this wetland area that is home to turtles and herons.
• In 2018, Echo Lake residents funded the acquisition of 215 acres in the Ruisseau Jackson watershed to create the Reserve Naturelle Ruisseau Jackson. Donations provided by the group enabled the Municipality of Morin Heights to acquire land and thereby become owner. The conditions of the acquisition included a list of permitted and prohibited activities to be respected in perpetuity, and to seek official nature reserve status with the provincial government. The goal of the project was to contain proposed development.

Future Projects

New conservation initiatives are currently underway. These efforts will help preserve the natural surroundings that make our watershed beautiful and healthy for all of us today, and especially for our descendants.

Projects, big and small – all are worth the effort

For Ruisseau Jackson, a protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.

With suburban sprawl and rapid population growth accelerating soil artificialization, the region faces increasing environmental and quality-of-life challenges. Rising housing development pressures make it essential to protect natural habitats for biodiversity and property values.

A practical approach to tackle this situation is that of promoting voluntary conservation on private lands, large and small. Conservation here means preserving, protecting, and managing natural environments to support human well-being and community enjoyment.

Responsible land use planning and real estate restraint go hand in hand with nature conservation. To this end, our conservation efforts focus on three key principles:

1. Protecting natural environments: Preserving habitats through land acquisition, stewardship agreements, or official protection.
2. Enhancing natural environments: Increasing ecological and social value via education, awareness, recreation, interpretation, and research.
3. Sustainable use: Managing environments to maintain ecosystem integrity, respect carrying capacity, and preserve ecological features.

Ruisseau Jackson… Natural filter — Biodiversity — Collective identity.