As we dive into 2024, it’s time to glance back on the year that’s drawing to a close. Although 2023 wasn’t as busy as the years preceding the pandemic, RJANP was quite active during this period.
There is a lot of interest in our association’s actions in connection with our expanding regional demographics and the related housing projects. In addition to the association’s regular activities, we work with various regional nature conservation groups, and all are sounding the alarm, which was also stressed at our September presentation by Éco-corridors laurentiens: given the surge in regional housing development, the only way to protect natural environments and maintain property values is through voluntary conservation of private lands, both large and small. And there is an urgent need for action.
Our members can access more information in the minutes of our ninth annual general meeting held on November 11, 2023.
Here is an overview of our recent activities at the start of our 10th year:
- Water quality monitoring with Abrinord and local partners, including the municipalities of Morin-Heights and Mille-Isles, and the Lake Echo and Lake Daïnava owners associations: ongoing
- Maintenance and monitoring of 14 nesting boxes with Développement ornithologique Argenteuil (DOA), in cooperation with the municipality of Morin-Heights: spring and fall 2023
- Public reading of “Voyage sur le Jackson,” a poetic text by Morin-Heights resident Jean-Louis Courteau: May 14, 2023
- Presentation by the Société de protection foncière de Sainte-Adèle (SPFSA) on the new Réserve naturelle des Pays-d’en-Haut, Héritage-Sheldon sector, and land jointly owned with the municipality of Morin-Heights on which an easement has been granted to the Viking Club for cross-country ski trails: November 11, 2023
- Presentation by Éco-corridors laurentiens informing residents about various conservation options that would help them preserve their property’s natural features. The conference was organized by Lac Écho, along with the Morin-Heights Environmental Advisory Committee and its Forest subcommittee; it was held at the Bellevue Chalet in Morin-Heights: September 23, 2023
- Translation and publication of “Voyage on the Jackson” by Jean-Louis Courteau: Summer 2023
- As part of Water Month, a walk through wetlands in collaboration with Abrinord. The activity was held in a fragile natural environment that is usually off-limits to the public: June 10, 2023.
- Article on nature conservation in Journal Accès, a French-language weekly in the Laurentians. The article focuses on the importance of citizen involvement, Ruisseau Jackson and various partners: Éco-corridors laurentiens, Institut des territoires, Lac Écho, Municipalité Morin-Heights and Theatre Morin Heights. According to Mathieu Régnier from RJANP, “No citizen initiative is too small”: April 18, 2023
- Ruisseau Jackson took part in the Christmas Bird Count, the oldest citizen science initiative in North America: January 1, 2023
RJANP’s mission is to create and support a grassroots movement to protect the environmental characteristics of the Ruisseau Jackson watershed.
The RJANP team wishes you all an excellent 2024!
