Saving the
Technoparc Wetlands

Transition NDG proud to support guided tours organized by Westmount Park United Church

Montreal, March 29, 2017

The Coopérative de solidarité Transition NDG (TNDG) is proud to support the free walking tours of the Montreal Technoparc wetlands organized by Westmount Park United Church on April 14 from 10 am to noon.

For the birds

Permaculture graduate Kathryn Aitken, also the key organizer of the Nature in the City series hosted by TNDG over the Winter, has volunteered to help out at the event. “After visiting the area and attending several talks, I am very saddened by what is happening there for the sake of ‘growth and development’,” she says. “The Technoparc is home to many species of birds year round and is also an important stopover location for migrating birds. Wetlands are crucial to our ecosystem. We should make sure we protect them.”

The Technoparc is home to many species of birds year round and is also an important stopover location for migrating birds.

Large Turnout Expected

As one of several groups supporting the tours, TNDG has sent out an invitation to its members asking them to come out to show their support. A large number of participants are expected. Peaceful and informative, the event will provide an ideal activity for families looking for something different to do with the kids on Good Friday. There will even be birders on hand to guide participants, point out birds and talk about the various species likely to be seen.

“According to ornithologist Joël Coutu, the wetlands are home to more than 100 bird species,” says Hélène Montpetit, who helped publicize the Nature in the City conferences and is lending a hand promoting the April 14 tours. “The developers have planned gardens and park areas to mitigate harm to wildlife, but natural nesting sites can’t be duplicated by humans, so it’s a good idea to just let them be. We’re also told that the planned roads and buildings could be moved to a nearby location that would not cause damage to the flora and fauna.”

‘The developers have planned gardens and park areas to mitigate harm to wildlife, but natural nesting sites can’t be duplicated by humans, so it’s a good idea to just let them be.’

Saving Wild Spaces for Future Generations

“Transition is about creating resilience and community,” says human geographer Jane Barr, who also leads TNDG’s Incredible Edibles urban gardening initiative. “Part of that is to make sure future generations can enjoy natural spaces. We at Transition NDG completely agree with the vision of making the area a protected nature park.”

For more information, contact Kathryn Aitken at 514 743-6672 or Hélène Montpetit at 514 769-1459.

Consult the event Facebook Page.

About Coopérative de solidarité Transition NDG

Coopérative de solidarité Transition NDG is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating more resilient communities through pursuing less fossil fuel dependent lifestyles, disseminating related knowledge and information and creating and supporting opportunities to live and learn sustainable practices.

Founded in September 2012 by eight people with backgrounds in community work, food security, urban agriculture and permaculture, Coopérative de solidarité Transition NDG is proud of its close ties to the many other vibrant community organizations in NDG and collaborates with them on several projects that support food resilience, the NDG local economy and the strengthening and maintaining of a sense of community in the neighbourhood and beyond.

Images: courtesy of Westmount Park United Church

Event: Visit the birds of the Technoparc wetlands

Who: Everyone is invited

When: 10 am to noon, Good Friday, 14 April 2017

Price: Free for everyone

What: A human migration to meet the birds of the Technoparc Wetlands threatened by development

Where: Technoparc Wetlands. Meeting at farm house on chemin St-François (east side of Trudeau Airport).

Transportation: By transit, metro Côte Vertu. There will be a free shuttle. Look for the guide with the green feather at the top of the escalator.
Please RSVP if you need a lift at westmountparkuc@videotron.ca

Organized by Neil Whitehouse, Minister of Westmount Park United Church (minister@westmountparkuc.org)

With support of The Green Coalition, Climate Coalition of Montreal, Dawson College Living Campus, Friends of Meadowbrook, Sauvons la falaise, Sauvons l’Anse-à-l’Orme, Joël Coutu (ornithologist), The Sierra Club of Canada and Transition NDG.