Parc national Journal DE LA YAMASKA English version 2012-2013 Here’s to your health! The beneficial effects of nature on young people’s personal development Increasingly more appropriate activities for schools are undisputable. The 23 national parks in the Parks Québec network are Helping young people get in touch with nature also ties in with a major public areas, ideal for discovering nature and participating in outdoor succession issue in our national parks. Parcs Québec works very closely activities. This year, Québec National Parks Day highlights how important with schools to ensure that they benefit from the great outdoors, often near enjoying nature is to our overall well-being by crafting its message around urban centres. As they learn to better appreciate these exceptional natural the health theme. Of course, we hope to see other iterations of this day environments, young people also become more aware of the challenges year-round. involved in maintaining the necessary balance between conservation and School program offering takes on even greater importance accessibility – the two components of our national parks’ mission. Statistics indicating that young people have become increasingly sedentary Our most effective advocates and out of touch with nature have prompted concerns among the staff of Young people are our best spokespersons. Following a visit to Parc national our national parks. These concerns have, over the past few years, spurred du Bic, here’s how one sixth-grader put into words the astonishment she our parks teams to develop an activity offering specifically intended for this felt during her encounter with nature: "I hope I can go back to admire all group. Our parks’ offering has evolved from virtually no discovery programs these wonders again, but on the next visit, I would take my time and bring in 1999 to an impressive and varied line-up of 480 activities today. In my family… to this Park of Wonders!" 2011-2012, 377,417 or so visitors to the Parcs Québec network participated In light of our objective – to encourage youth to get in touch with nature – in one of the many diverse activities offered: theatrical vignettes, treasure we will continue to develop activities and programs designed to reach out hunts, hiking (on foot, by bike, on the water, etc.), series of talks… all told, a to them. We welcome you to our national parks, on behalf of all those who range of activities that brings together visitors of all ages who are curious to work there and look forward to greeting you upon your arrival! learn a little more about their natural and historic heritage. region’s the oth r er ve p o a c r s k i Trois-Rivières s D FRONTENAC Martin Soucy Raymond Desjardins Vice-president of Operations President and CEO ÎLES-DE-BOUCHERVILLE Parcs Québec Sépaq Sherbrooke MONT- MONT-SAINT-BRUNO MÉGANTIC YAMASKA Montréal MONT-ORFORD Natashquan Sept-Îles RÉSERVE DE L'ARCHIPEL-DE-MINGAN Port-Menier QUÉBEC e ANTICOSTI nce Riv r wre La FORILLON t. AIGUEBELLE POINTE-TAILLON S Gaspé MONTS-VALIN GASPÉSIE Matane GÎTE DU MONT-ALBERT ÎLE-BONAVENTURE- Rouyn-Noranda PARC MARIN ET-DU-ROCHER-PERCÉ DU SAGUENAY– Percé Gulf of SAINT-LAURENT MIGUASHA FJORD-DU-SAGUENAY BIC St. Lawrence Tadoussac LAC-TÉMISCOUATA HAUTES-GORGES- GRANDS-JARDINS DE-LA-RIVIÈRE- MALBAIE JACQUES-CARTIER NEW PRINCE EDWARD BRUNSWICK ISLAND MONT-TREMBLANT North MAURICIE Québec Bay Charlottetown Trois-Rivières Mont-Tremblant Moncton MAINE FRONTENAC ONTARIO ÎLES-DE-BOUCHERVILLE NOVA SCOTIA PLAISANCE OKA MONT-SAINT-BRUNO Sherbrooke Ottawa MONT-MÉGANTIC Saint John Montréal YAMASKA MONT-ORFORD Québec's national park network Halifax Atlantic Canadian national parks Ocean www.parcsquebec.com Message from the Minister The government attaches prime importance to the development of Québec’s natural and historic heritage, as demonstrated by the extensive work done in our national parks over the past few years. This includes the major project underway at Parc national du Lac-Témiscouata. Its completion will take the government closer to the target it has set for itself – raising protected-area coverage in Québec to 12% of the territory by 2015 – and Quebecers will enjoy access to infrastructure and services that meet international standards. Enhancement work in the Franceville sector of Parc national du Mont-Mégantic, coupled with the renovation or construction work on Discovery and Visitors Centres at three other national parks – Frontenac, Jacques-Cartier and Mont-Saint-Bruno – will also mark the completion of a whole series of essential projects intended to improve accessibility to these protected areas. Additional work will shortly begin in other national parks, including Mont-Tremblant, Yamaska and Grands-Jardins. Parcs Québec’s mandate extends beyond enhancement of our national parks, to encompass biodiversity protection and preservation. Our on-site teams possess expertise that enables them to develop strategies for research and acquisition of knowledge that are recognized in scientifi c communities. Another innovation was introduced fi ve years ago when the national parks implemented their Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program – a Canadian fi rst. Through its partnership role, Sépaq ensures that our national parks contribute to regional economic development. The parks work with their partners, taking local realities into consideration while ensuring that development is centered on particular features and attractions specifi c to their territory. Each park is unique – it’s now up to you to come out and discover them. Welcome to your national parks! Pierre Arcand Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Message from the Director Contents The entire team and I take great pleasure in welcoming you to an exciting new season featuring several The Mission of Parcs Québec 2 significant changes. Winds of Change 3 The Parc national de la Yamaska is kicking off its 30th anniversary with a fresh new look. The Discovery Fields in Bloom 4 and Visitors Centre is at the centrepiece of these changes. Located in the heart of the park, this brand new Amazing Dragonflies 5 building is your gateway to a greater appreciation of the great natural attractions of this protected area. A Window Opens onto Prehistory 6 The objective is clear - to serve you better. We will achieve by using a threefold approach: provide you Attending the School of Nature 7 with a reference point where you can begin your explorations, offer you a resource centre where you can Guided Discovery Activities 8 get answers to your questions and tips on how to make the most of your walks around the site, and lastly, Park and Hiking Map 10 give you the opportunity to discover the heart and soul of the area. Campground Map 12 Regulations 13 We are proud to share this progress with you. May your visit or stay be full of rich and unforgettable experiences. Blue-Green Algae and Swimming 15 And above all, happy exploring! Info Wealth 16 Research Projects 18 Discover the Park in Winter 19 Services and Rates 20 Brigitte Marchand Director, Parc national de la Yamaska Version française disponible Journal Production This document was printed Coordinator: Alain Mochon on 100% recycled paper made in Québec, containing Journal Team: Lucie Boulianne, Marie-Ève Dionne, Brigitte Marchand, 100% post-consumption Alain Mochon, Christiane Plante, Hélène Samson fibres and produced without Graphic Design: Pacifique Marketing.com (Martin Ouzilleau) using elementary chlorine. The inks used for this Impression : Imprimerie Solisco production contain Cover Page Picture: Northern Spring Peeper | Gilles Delisle vegetable oils. Protect and Discover 1 Welcome to the Park! Photo Contest 2011 | Gwendal Lemarchand: «Fauna» - Eastern Common Garter Snake The Mission of Parcs Québec Contact us! With a view to achieving harmonious development at the cultural, social, economic and regional levels, Parcs Québec is responsible for the conservation and development of territories that are representative of Québec’s 43 natural regions and exceptional sites, due notably to their biological diversity, while ensuring that they are accessible for educational and outdoor use. 1780, Boulevard David-Bouchard All of Québec’s national parks were created in accordance with World Conservation Union standards. Roxton Pond (QC) J0E 1Z0 A national park is a relatively vast area: Telephone: 450 776-7182 Fax: 450 776-3937 • that represents one or more ecosystems that are moderately or not at all transformed by E-mail: [email protected] exploitation; Website: www.parcsquebec.com/yamaska • where animal and plant species, geomorphological sites and habitats are of particular interest from a scientific, educational or recreational viewpoint, and that offers scenery of great beauty; • in which the highest competent authority of the country has taken measures to eliminate exploitation and to instill respect for the ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic aspects on the whole; • where a visit is authorized, under certain conditions, for educational, cultural or recreational Visit our blog dedicated to conservation at purposes. www.sepaq.com/parcs-quebec/blogue/ Give and nature will return the favour! In order to conserve and protect our national parks, it is fi rst important to know them well. This requires the investment of both time and ressources. Sépaq has created a special fund, the Parcs Québec Fund, dedicated to supporting priority conservation projects in each national parks. To donate: • Visit www.fondsparcsquebec.com • Purchase an article identified as belonging to the Parcs Québec collection • Participate in the Adopt an animal program • Leave your donation in the Parcs Québec Fund box found in all our national parks • Make a contribution when reserving online at www.sepaq.com 2 www.parksquebec.com Winds of Change Blow Over Parcs Québec The construction work carried out on the Discovery and Visitors Centre (DVC) at Parc national de la Yamaska prompted a rethink of the role traditional exhibits play in the Parcs Québec educational activity offering.