The Sutton Mountain Range

Southern Quebec's largest remaining wilderness

Mount Sutton, Autumn (Photo by NCC)

Located only one hour’s drive from both Montreal and Sherbrooke, the Sutton Mountain Range lies close to some of the most densely populated areas in Quebec. Where lands are protected, the Sutton Mountain Range offers the biggest secluded haven for many rare and endangered species, as well as a string of hiking paths that offer a pleasant escape for urban nature lovers.

The forest cover of the Sutton Mountain Range is largely dominated by Sugar Maple, Beech and Yellow Birch on the lower and middle slopes, although small stands of Eastern Hemlock and Red Spruce do occur along stream valleys. At higher elevations, Balsam Fir-white Birch or Balsam Fir-yellow Birch forest types predominate on the upper slopes. The average forest age here is between 70 and 90 years old, with several stands reaching 120 years.

A wide diversity of flora is found in this area. Recent surveys by local partners identified 460 plant species, including the Green Mountain Maidenhair Fern, found only in this area. Mammals such as moose, Black Bear, coyote, bobcat, fisher, Red Fox, beaver, racoon, porcupine, River Otter, mink and Snowshoe Hare inhabit this region, which is also home to large populations of White-tailed Deer that require extensive wintering habitats. Because of its vast hardwood forests, the Sutton Mountain Range also provides habitat for over 90 species of birds, including Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler and Scarlet Tanager. It is also the habitat of the threatened Bicknell’s Thrush, which is mostly found in the Northern Appalachians and Acadian ecoregion.

Spring Salamander (Photo by NCC)

The Sutton Mountain Range has the highest concentration of the Spring Salamander, which is considered at risk in Canada. The Appalachian range harbours the largest and most diverse group of salamanders in the world and the Sutton region is known throughout Canada for the richness of its amphibian and reptile populations.

These spectacular mountains are under growing pressure from resource development, urban development and tourism. Road development from these activities has led to extensive habitat fragmentation, impacting biodiversity in the forested landscape. In 2000, NCC identified the Sutton Mountain Range as a focus area for conservation planning and securement. In only six years, NCC has increased the number of acres protected in perpetuity to nearly 16,000 acres (6,475 hectares). This large-scale land securement by NCC has created the biggest private natural area east of Alberta.

NCC hopes to secure 25,000 acres (610,117 hectares) of contiguous core wilderness in the Sutton Mountain Range, as well as the same area in buffer zones.

Regional Campaign for the Protection of the Sutton Mountain Range

Forest at Mount Sutton (Photo by NCC)

On August 9, 2006, the Regional Campaign for the Protection of the Sutton Mountain Range was launched in Sutton, in the presence of many guests, including our campaign spokesperson, Olympic champion Clara Hughes. Spearheaded by Nature Conservancy of Canada in the Quebec Region, the campaign's objective is to raise more than $2.5 million to ensure the long-term management of the site, which is one of the last large wilderness areas in southern Quebec, and one of the largest private nature reserves in the country. A resident of the region, Ms Hughes is delighted to provide her support for the protection of the environment by teaming up with Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Read more about the campaign here.