The Quebec team recently launched its Nature Force program in the province with a project focused on strengthening the resilience of the Lorette River watershed. This river, which flows through Quebec City and the town of L’Ancienne-Lorette, has long been prone to flooding. Indeed, the watershed experienced two major flood events in 2005 and 2013.
Nature-based solutions
In the face of today’s environmental challenges, nature-based solutions are proving to be a sustainable approach to restoring ecosystems. Not only do they strengthen the resilience of natural environments but also deliver concrete benefits to the communities that depend on them.
The aim of this project in Quebec’s Capitale-Nationale region is to restore the upper watershed of the Lorette River by rehabilitating wetlands, waterways, and surrounding natural habitats. Like other Nature Force initiatives across Canada, the project relies on natural infrastructure to reduce flood risks and build resilience in the face of climate change.
On the ground, the Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) team is actively identifying key sites for conservation and restoration, working in close collaboration with landowners in the area. As the project unfolds, collaboration will be an integral part of DUC’s approach.
Upstream action, downstream impact
This is the guiding principle behind this major initiative, which will not only have local benefits, but a positive impact on the entire watershed. As a climate change adaptation project, it aims to increase water retention at the source, helping to reduce the risk of flooding downstream.
Large-scale collaboration
This initiative would not be possible without the invaluable support of strong partners. Thank you to the many partners who have joined forces with DUC to date, with a total contribution of nearly $1 million.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF);
- The partners of the Nature Force program, a collective of general insurance companies;
- The City of Quebec;
- DUC’s North American partners: Fall Flights, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Nature Force project partners. From left to right: Sébastien Vachon, Vice-President, Quebec Region, Definity; Mélanie Deslongchamps, Director of Provincial Operations for Quebec, CIC; Marie-Josée Asselin, Vice-President of the Quebec City Executive Committee, responsible for sustainable development, natural environments and biodiversity; Louis Martin, City Councillor for the Cap-Rouge – Laurentien district and President of the City Council; and Joël Lightbound, Member of Parliament for Louis-Hébert.