Baie-Saint-Paul - An iconic site now protected

Great blue heron (Photo by Karol Dabbs)

The Baie-Saint-Paul beach on the St. Lawrence estuary is the focus of a new initiative by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The organization has announced the conservation of 200 hectares of beach and tidal flats to protect the area's biodiversity. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation of this unique area’s wildlife.

Watch the video to discover the Baie-Saint-Paul beach.

NCC's conservation efforts

Through acquiring these lands, we aim to maintain the biodiversity of Baie-Saint-Paul beach for the long term. The protected lands are home to endangered species, such as yellow rail and Nelson's sharp-tailed sparrow. At least 160 bird species have been obvserved here, which use the area’s vast expanses of marshes, dunes and shoreline forests for shelter, food and rest.

A valuable collaboration

As part of this important project, we will be working closely with the Town of Baie-Saint-Paul and the local community to ensure the proper long-term management of the beach. This will enable the various uses of the site to be reconciled, ensuring both public access to the beach and the protection of fragile natural environments. Interpretive panels will provide visitors with information about the fauna and flora of the site.

Our commitment

Protecting part of the Baie-Saint-Paul beach is a real win for biodiversity and the conservation of our natural heritage. In a world where environmental challenges are increasingly urgent, it's reassuring to see organizations like the NCC and local communities joining forces to protect nature. You too can do your part to help conserve our natural heritage. Click here to learn how.

Acknowledgements

NCC recognizes the generous contributions made by its funders, whose involvement is vital: the Age of Union Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and the Government of Canada, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund.

NCC would also like to thank resolute Forest Products and Geneviève Simard for their donation of land, a vital driver of this project.