Canadian landowners donated property worth more than C$2 million as conservation groups made nearly C$6 million in purchases; together the deals have protected more than 1,100 acres in Quebec

A representative image (credit: Canva)

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), along with its partner organisations and landowners, has come together to protect more than 1,100 acres in the MRC d’Argenteuil region through several land purchases totalling close to C$6 million.According to the organisation’s official announcement dated October 15, 2026, property owners have also played a major role through their donations, which are valued at more than C$2 million. The properties are located within the Oka-Tremblant ecological connectivity region, where protecting natural habitats is expected to help preserve biodiversity and maintain the connections that allow wildlife to move across the landscape.

Protecting habitats across the Laurentians

The conservation effort includes properties in Gore, Mille-Isles and Lachute, all of which contribute to the wider ecological connectivity region. In Gore and Mille-Isles, an ecological donation combined with a land sale has resulted in the protection of approximately 780 acres of natural habitats. These properties lie within a core conservation area as well as an ecological corridor, making them important for maintaining the continuity of natural landscapes. These corridors are of paramount importance, as animals may need to move between habitats to find food, reproduce or establish new populations, and the loss of natural land between these spaces can make such movement increasingly difficult.

A representative image (credit: Canva)

One of the properties in the Gore and Mille-Isles area has also recorded the presence of the Canada Warbler, a bird species that is likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. The bird has been spotted on the property and is known to nest nearby, making the protection of its habitat particularly important.In Lachute, more than 345 acres have been protected within the Rivière de l’Est watershed wetland complex through two land purchases. One of these properties, covering 143 acres, was acquired through a sale that included a partial donation by Christopher J. Sweeney.

Why ecological connectivity matters

In southern Quebec, where private land ownership is widespread, conservation efforts often depend on cooperation between landowners, conservation organisations and local authorities. The Oka-Tremblant ecological connectivity region is an example of how protecting individual properties can contribute to a much larger conservation objective. According to Ducks Unlimited Canada, ecological connectivity is very much dependent on collaboration.Romy Bazo, the Conservation Director at Nature-Action Québec, noted in an official announcement by DUC that the initiative is an example of collaboration between conservation organisations, governments and other partners working towards a shared goal. The protected land, she said, represents more than just acreage, as it helps secure essential habitats and strengthens the resilience of communities.

A trail brings the community closer to nature

While protecting habitats remains central to the initiative, the conservation effort also includes an opportunity for people to experience these natural spaces.A 1.5-kilometre trail was inaugurated on one of the properties acquired in Lachute, providing the local community with a way to explore the surrounding landscape. The trail passes near the ruins of Parkes House, winds through a former quarry that is undergoing revegetation, and crosses a young pine forest. It also offers an opportunity for birdwatching, allowing visitors to observe the wildlife that depends on the area. Surveys conducted in the region have confirmed the presence of several breeding bird species that are uncommon in the area. These include the northern harrier, marsh wren, American bittern and ring-necked duck.

Landowners play a significant role in conservation

In southern Quebec, where much of the land is privately owned, ecological donations provide a way for property owners to contribute to conservation while potentially receiving tax benefits.Mélanie Deslongchamps, Manager of Provincial Operations in Quebec for Ducks Unlimited Canada, noted that every contribution matters in a region where private land ownership is widespread. Ecological donations, she explained, allow landowners to take tangible action towards conservation.The projects have received financial support from several organisations and programmes, including Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canada Nature Fund, the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Government of Quebec. The conservation efforts recognise that wildlife habitats do not exist in isolation. From wetlands and peatlands to forests and open landscapes, interconnected natural spaces allow species to move, find shelter and reproduce.