Parti vert du Québec

Comparaison des investissements en transport au Québec et en Ontario. On a du rattrapage à faire!

INVITATION AUX MÉDIAS Le Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec a fait preuve de négligence dans le processus d’evaluation environnementale de la destruction de...s zones humides dans le Technoparc de Saint-Laurent, révèlent les rapports des experts de la Coalition Verte. Conférence de presse demain le mercredi 8 février à 11 h, dans les bureaux de Greenpeace situés au 454, Laurier Est, Montréal, H2J 1E7. #jesuistechno #iamtechno #technoparc #montreal #stlaurent #StLaurentMTL #technoparcmontreal #centredaffaire #centredaffairemontreal #businesscentre #businesscentermontreal #alfrednobel #locationlocationlocation

Hello everyone, Two weeks ago marked the completion of my 3 week tour giving my lecture on the birds of the Technoparc Wetlands to the general public. There we...re a total of 5 lectures in and around Montreal presented in both French and English. Nearly 200 people attended. The purpose of this lecture tour was twofold. First to raise awareness of this irreplaceable and unique, but threatened, natural wetland in the heart of the island of Montreal. But also to show that efforts to protect it are far from a lost cause. While it is true that 10% of this sensitive area has already been damaged and fragmented by the construction of three new roadways it is also true that there remain important green spaces in the Technoparc sector that are still years away from the developer’s backhoe. While we have lost some ground (literally) there is a lot more that still needs protection and preservation. There are groups and individuals nearby that declare the battle lost but as the saying goes, It ain’t over til it’s over. There is still time and there is still hope to save as much as we can for future generations of birds and people. Beware of the ‘Green Washing’ out there. As you may recall the Technoparc wetlands were until this past September, the 2016 #1 HotSpot on eBird for the number of species of birds seen in any single area on the island of Montreal. This is very impressive considering this area wasn’t well known to many birders before spring 2016 and there is every reason to believe it will be the #1 birding HotSpot again in 2017. All the birds will return this spring to their breeding grounds at the Technoparc so I encourage you to either, again or for the first time, visit this area for birdwatching, nature walks, photography or whatever gets you outside when our migrators return this spring from their southern winter homes. Ongoing field trips led by bird clubs, birders completing eBird lists, professional and amateur photographers posting photos of the birds on social media are all great ways to promote the area. We cannot let the birds down and ignore this area in 2017. As birds can neither defend nor speak for themselves we must do it for them. Speaking about 2017, various groups are working hard to put pressure on the Éco-Campus Hubert Reeves development project to stop fragmenting and damaging the wetlands. Among other things they have been asked why it is necessary to encroach and build so directly on top of the wetlands when suitable unused and far less sensitive and naturally valuable land is available nearby. It is also time for a proper and comprehensive impact study concerning all the wildlife in the area. Few are aware that there has never been a bird study made during the breeding season in this area? Nesting time is the most important time of the year to demonstrate how valuable an area is for birds, yet it has never been done here. Lost inside 1000 pages of the Technoparc’s environmental impact study of the area only a half-page refers to the status of the birds of Technoparc. We have found these and other surprising omissions in the Technoparc’s 2008 and 2012 studies of the area. Certain groups will be returning to court soon for a second injunction to further question and challenge the Technoparc’s study on the environment. This time around two top-tier experts in ornithology and wetland environments will testify as to the biodiversity and ecological and enviromental value of the Technoparc wetlands and surrounding areas. They will clarify to the court how this is an important area to put forward for stewardship and preservation given it’s unique and natural value as the largest wetland area on the Island of Montreal. During my 5 lecture tour, we did manage to collect nearly $1000 for the cause (including experts’ expenses and a proper environmental impact study). I’ve been impressed since day one how many of you believe and care about this cause which sustains my faith in the good of people towards nature and wildlife. While a process such as this is demanding and can at times be frustrating there have been many small victories that keep me optimistic. Twice work in the area has been postponed due to pressure from your letters and emails. The REM light rail train has been re-routed and will no longer go through Marais des Sources where we have nesting Least Bitterns and just a couple a couple of weeks ago we received a very large anonymous donation for our cause in saving the wetlands (to pay experts expenses and a proper environmental impact study). All this demonstrates very clearly that many groups and even more people believe fundamentally that saving and preserving the Technoparc wetlands is the right thing to do and instead of abandonning this ship to development, now more than ever is the time stand up and protect it. I really believe that together we can get this done! This cause can also be a great example of where lessons can be shared with others who are trying to save other green spaces. Just in the past few weeks we had some good news and positive examples of people working together to save Le Centre écologique Fernand-Seguin in Chateauguay and Boisé Sainte-Dorothée in Laval. So there is no reason we cannot do the same with the Technoparc wetlands and other areas like l’Anse-a-l’orme in the West island. As for myself in this cause I’m just a servant of the birds and try to speak for and represent them. I don’t consider myself an activist or environmentalist but just someone who wants a little justice for our feathered friends annd God knows they need some help sometimes. I’ll continue doing my birding activities this spring and sharing my knowledge about birds to others who want to hear and learn. This is my passion so whenever and wherever the birds need me to speak for them they know where to find me. Have a save and happy holiday season and hope to see you all in 2017! Joel Coutu

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nU642GlIVg

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