Rss The Mount Royal

A birder’s paradise on Mount Royal this week

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

SPOTLIGHT ON ORNITHOLOGY AS PART OF “MAY 2012: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH”

Photo : Jean-Guy Morisset

Montrealers are invited to discover the mountain’s winged fauna this week through a lecture, a guided walk and a photography exhibit, as Mount Royal Month activities continue.

Take advantage of the upcoming long weekend to stop by Maison Smith, where there will also be an exhibit of children’s drawings, inspired by the elementary school students’ visits to the mountain this year.

The welcoming atmosphere of the Café des Amis’ terrace will be enhanced by the melodies of a duo of violinists on Sunday, May 20, in the afternoon.

Herewith the details:

Lecture: The springtime arrival of birds on Mount Royal
Guided walk: Bird observation on Mount Royal
Photography exhibit: The birds of Mount Royal
Exhibit of children’s drawings: The forest and its inhabitants through the changing seasons
Sunday music on the terrace

LECTURE: THE SPRINGTIME ARRIVAL OF BIRDS ON MOUNT ROYAL
Partner: Les Belles Soirées de l’Université de Montréal
Presented by André Cyr, PhD, retired professor of ecology and ornithology at the Université de Sherbrooke. Discover the migratory habits, behaviours and songs of a variety of birds, complemented by the lecturers’ photographs and birdsong imitations.

Wednesday, May 16
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Pavillon 3200, Rue Jean-Brillant, Université de Montréal
Reservations required: 514 343-2020
Cost: $20; $15 for 60 years and over; $10 for students

GUIDED WALK: BIRD OBSERVATION ON MOUNT ROYAL
The return of springtime is ideal for bird-watching on Mount Royal, a stopping point for migratory birds. More than 180 species frequent the mountain during this time of year. Discover some of these bird species in the company of an ornithologist from Les amis de la montagne. Bring your binoculars!

Saturday, May 19
7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Departure from Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance, Mont-Royal Park
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Cost: $10; 60 years+ and students: $7.50 (cash payment on-site)

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: THE BIRDS OF MOUNT ROYAL
“BETWEEN SKY AND MOUNTAIN, AN HOMMAGE TO OUR WINGED BEAUTIES”
Exhibit presented by Jean-Guy Morisset and other invited photographers, Pierre Bannon, Yves Déry, Chuck Kling, Samuel Montigné and Claude Morin.

Saturday to Monday, May 19 to 21
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance, Mont-Royal Park (1st floor)
Free

EXHIBIT OF CHILDREN’S DRAWINGS: THE FOREST AND ITS INHABITANTS THROUGH THE CHANGING SEASONS
This exhibit features drawings of Mount Royal’s flora and fauna created by 20 elementary school classes, participants of the La forêt et ses habitants au rythme des saisons project held from October 2011 to May 2012. This project is part of the Une école montréalaise pour tous program of the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec, in partnership with Les amis de la montagne and the SPVM.

Saturday to Monday, May 19 to 21
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance, Mont-Royal Park (1st floor)
Free

SUNDAY MUSIC ON THE TERRACE
Relax and enjoy the savoury menu of the Café des Amis at Maison Smith, while listening to the melodies of violinists Sarah Boucher and Gabriella Rozankovic of the Duo du Conservatoire. Purchase your meal or snack, the performance is free!

Sunday, May 20
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Café des Amis, Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance
In the event of rain: moved to Sunday, June 3

“MAY 2012: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH” ACTIVITIES CONTINUE

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Guided walks of the Université de Montréal and "From the Mountain to the River", the Bioblitz at Parc Angrignon and a public forum on the plain of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery

The hidden treasures of the Université de Montréal campus, guided walk
Bioblitz 2012 at Parc Angrignon
From the Mountain to the River, guided walk
Enhancement of the plain in the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, public forum

The complete calendar of events is available on the following websites: lemontroyal.qc.ca, facebook.com/JaimelemontRoyal and ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs. Unless otherwise indicated, activities are presented in French.

The hidden treasures of the Université de Montréal campus, guided walk
As part of the 24 heures de science and Défi Climat

Photo : Jacques Dorais

The Université de Montréal invites the public to visit the woods on its campus featuring the exceptional view from its position on the Canadian Shield. A kiosk located in front of the main tower will provide information on the institutions’ history. 30-minute guided walks will explore the natural treasures of the northwestern flank of Mont Royal, the geological artefacts representing its history, the location of ancient streams and the varied anthropogenic developments of the site. A visit of the university’s urban agriculture project, including the observation of rooftop beehives, will conclude this walk.

Friday, May 11
1 to 6 p.m.
Université de Montréal, Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, 2900 Chemin de la Tour
Free
Information: 514 343-2031 or durable@umontreal.ca

Bioblitz 2012 at Parc Angrignon
As part of the 24 heures de science

The 24 heures de science is a day of science and technology activities open to everyone – children, teenagers, young adults, families, seniors, etc. The event begins at noon on Friday and ends 24 hours later, making way for both evening and nighttime activities!

The Bioblitz is organized by Héritage Laurentian with the participation of numerous groups, including Les amis de la montagne. This activity is designed to heighten our awareness of Montreal’s biodiversity. Our educators will be there with our biodiversity kiosk and we’ll also oversee a variety of hands-on activities.

Noon, May 11 to noon, May 12
Parc Angrignon, 3400, Boulevard des Trinitaires (métro Angrignon)
Info: 514 367-6540 or Héritage Laurentien

From the Mountain to the River, guided walk

This astonishing trail follows the streams that descend the mountain to the river. Join Les amis de la montagne to retrace the historic, geographic and cultural links between Mount Royal and the Saint-Lawrence River. Presented in French.

Sunday, May 13
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Departure: Maison Smith, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mont-Royal Park
Arrival: Old Port of Montreal
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Cost: $15; $10 for 12-17 year olds

Enhancement of the plain in the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, public forum

In the interest of recognizing the Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges as a heritage trail to be featured as part of the celebrations in honour of Montreal’s 375th anniversary in 2017, meetings have been held between representatives of the cemetery, the Ministère de la Culture and community associations, in order to propose a project for the cemetery plain and its new ceremonial pathway.
In light of this idea, members of the community are invited to participate in a larger public discussion to refine the preliminary landscaping project proposal that is in harmony with the landscape and heritage of this large territory intricately identified with the cemetery.
Representatives of the cemetery will be present to hear the comments of the participants.

The activity is organized by the Écomusée de l’Au-Delà (Funerary Heritage of Montréal), in collaboration with Les amis de la montagne and Héritage Montréal.

Monday, May 14
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Maison Smith, parc du Mont-Royal, 1260, chemin Remembrance
Free
Information: 514 528-8826 or courriel@ecomuseedelaudela.net

Results of the 21st Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, 2012 edition

Sun, 06 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

More than 700 Montrealers participated in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up on May 6!

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, Sunday, May 6
Under the theme “Is cohabitation with wildlife in the city possible?”

Photos : Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Montreal, May 6, 2012 – More than 700 Montrealers participated in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up today, under the radiant sunshine of a glorious spring day!

This 21st clean-up was again organized by Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and other partners, including the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

L to R: Alan DeSousa, vice-chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks; Amélie Picher, regional director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation; and Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne

The tremendous turn-out by the community allowed for the success of a variety of conservation activities in Mount Royal Park, as well as three sites on the mountain outside the park, with the following results:

More than 110 bags of trash were collected, as well as about 30 bags of recyclable materials, from the wooded areas of Mount Royal Park, as well as the from the St-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal property, the wooded areas of the Royal Victoria Hospital property and the woods along Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit on the Université de Montréal campus.

In Mount Royal Park, 9 camp sites and 48 campfire sites were dismantled.

Also in the park, a small domestic parrot was found in the woods. Organizers will try to find a home for the animal.

About 100 participants planted 300 indigenous trees and shrubs in the summit area of the park, including Red Oak, Sugar Maple, White Pine, Choke Cherry, Flowering Raspberries and Red-berried Elder.

Another 40 or so participants cut down an area overtaken by common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain, also near the summit of the park.

More than 50 participants evaluated previous tree plantings for their growth rate in the area surrounding Beaver Lake.

The afternoon was dedicated to activities under the theme of human and wildlife cohabitation in an urban environment. Information stands by a variety of environmental groups on display at the Chalet, including Services environnementaux faucon, Faucon-éduc, Le Nichoir, representatives from the entomology lab of the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale de l’Université de Montréal, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Les amis de la montagne provided animation at their kiosk on the animals of Mount Royal, where participants of all ages were able to learn more about the mountain’s fauna through interactive games and tactile displays.

Participants enjoyed a slice of delicious cake decorated along a wildlife theme prepared specially by students of the École Hôtelière de Centre Calixa-Lavallée and served by the Rouge 107,3 FM and CJAD 800 AM Street Teams.

Finally, Le Dixieband provided a toe-tapping musical performance to visitors on the lookout, adding to the event’s festive ambiance.

About the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, which kicks off the “May 2012: Mount Royal Month” calendar of events, is an initiative of Les amis de la montagne created to provide Montrealers of all ages the occasion to re(discover) their mountain. Les amis de la montagne thank the Ville de Montréal for its important technical and logistical support in the coordination of activities, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of the month.

The activities are also made possible thanks to the participation of Silver partner, STM; Bronze partners, Fontaine Santé, C4 Communications, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Résolu Produits forestiers; and Media partners Rouge 107,3 FM, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse and The Gazette.

CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP, SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

Under the theme, “Is cohabitation with wildlife in the city possible?”

Photo : Ville de Montréal

Activities in the afternoon of May 6th will focus on the challenges of human/wildlife cohabitation
Feeding wild animals has serious consequences
Stop! Animal crossing …
Living in the underbrush of the mountain is not always the good life
Launch of an awareness-raising campaign

Activities in the afternoon of May 6th will focus on the challenges of human/wildlife cohabitation

In addition to the environmental activities taking place the morning of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up next Sunday, May 6th, a variety of activities in the afternoon will focus on the challenges of cohabitation between humans and wildlife in an urban environment. The activities will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chalet du Mont-Royal and admission is free.

Services environnementaux faucon will present their work on the effective ecological control and management of nuisance wildlife on airports and landfill sites.

Faucon-éduc is the educational program of Services environnementaux faucon, a company specializing in the art of modern falconry, training birds of prey, reproducing them for conservation and re-release, for ecological control of nuisance birds and for educational presentations. The group will present two live, trained birds of prey, the Peregrine Falcon and the American Kestrel.

Le Nichoir is a wild bird rehabilitation centre. This organization is dedicated to the proper care and treatment of injured and orphaned wild birds, and releasing them back to their natural habitat.

Representatives from the entomology lab of the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale de l’Université de Montréal will present their work on the scientific study of insects. The Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will also be present. The latter will showcase everything you need to know about the Emerald Ash Borer, and more!

Finally, Les amis de la montagne’s environmental educators will be posted at the kiosk devoted to Mount Royal’s biodiversity, on the lookout near the Chalet. Both young and young-at-heart will enjoy the animation, information and games related specifically to the mountain’s fauna.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up kicks off the activities during “May 2012: Mount Royal Month”. A variety of events will be featured throughout the month of May to explore the mountain’s heritage, inviting citizens to take part in its conservation.

A special series of activities featuring the birds of Mount Royal will be held from May 16 to 21. The complete May calendar of events is available on Les amis de la montagne’s website by clicking here.

Éric Richard, Director of Educational Services, and Claude Drolet, Coordinator of Educational Services – Conservation, are biologists working for Les amis de la montagne. They have prepared three articles below, inviting us to reflect upon the challenges of human and wildlife cohabitation. The articles also provide information on behaviours that are conducive to harmonious cohabitation.

Feeding wild animals has serious consequences

Photo : Ville de Montréal

In an urban environment, conserving biodiversity and keeping our natural ecosystems in balance is a great challenge. One significant problem is the feeding of wild animals by humans. Many people derive pleasure from the ties they feel they establish by providing animals with food, whether the intention is to observe the animal a little more closely in a yard or a park, or to capture them on film. But feeding wild animals has serious consequences.

Feeding wild animals is often detrimental to the animals’ health. The food we offer may not correspond to their natural diet and could cause nutritional deficiencies. The animal may develop dependencies and can even become aggressive. The concentration of animals in a “feeding” area increases the risk of epidemics and creates greater competition between animals. The concentration of animals can further create an imbalance in the ecosystem, with certain links in the food chain becoming more abundant in comparison to others.

Opportunistic species that take advantage of these food sources take over habitats that would otherwise be occupied by animals that are more fearful of humans or for whom humans have less of an attraction. Certain species, such as the seagull and squirrel, have become so abundant and familiar that they have acquired a bad reputation due to their nuisance behaviour. Other species present a risk to human health through contact or biting.

So the next time you consider feeding a wild animal, please think twice!

Stop! Animal crossing …

Even if wild animals are well protected in parks, a large number of animals are killed because of us.

The automobile is responsible for the death of many mammals, particularly for those most active at night. On Mount Royal, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs and foxes are often hit by cars as they attempt to cross the Voie Camillien-Houde. Many provincial parks have built animal crossings, such as tunnels under roadways or green bridges over top. We could build such a structure on the mountain to provide a safe crossing point for the wildlife between Summit Woods and Mount Royal Park via a structure built over or under Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges.

Other animals succumb to the temptation of our left-over garbage. Animals have been known to choke on plastic bags or remain trapped in metal cans, and acquire a variety of health problems caused by this nutritiously poor source of food.

Birds are not immune to a variety of dangers. Many fall victim to domestic cats and dogs left to stray in the natural environment, while others collide with high rise buildings and antennas.

Living in the underbrush of the mountain is not always the good life

Picture a chipmunk rummaging for its food along the forest floor in the quiet of an early morning on Mount Royal. Sounds bucolic, no? In reality, the life of an animal on the mountain is often the very opposite. These animals must constantly endure numerous disruptive elements.

Many dog owners take advantage of visits to Mount Royal to allow their dogs to run freely. What appears to be an innocent gesture can in fact be fatal to hatchlings whose nest is located within the dog’s reach or to small mammals unable to outrun a dogs’ bite.

Circulation by pedestrians and cyclists off-trail is another disruptive element, of particular concern on the mountain. This behaviour not only disturbs the wildlife, but it also results in soil compaction, which damages the vegetation and increases erosion in the steeper sections of the mountain. A study conducted in 2008 resulted in an inventory of more than 65 km of trails in the underbrush, two-thirds of which are superfluous and should be closed permanently.

Several bird species are greatly affected by the fragmentation of their habitat. Some species, such as certain types of warblers, seek nesting sites that are more than 50 metres from the nearest path. Due to the proliferation of rogue paths in Mount Royal Park, these warblers can no longer find nesting sites that correspond to their criteria.

There remains but few tranquil spaces for the wildlife in our urban environment.

Launch of an awareness-raising campaign

The Ville de Montréal, in collaboration with Les amis de la montagne, launched an awareness-raising campaign on May 3rd to help reduce the increasing problems associated with the feeding of raccoons by humans in Mount Royal Park. To read the press release, please click here (in French).

Photo : Ville de Montréal

May is finally here!

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 -0400

MAY 2012: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH

May is finally here!
Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, Sunday, May 6
Lectures and guided walks
Activities of the great institions on the mountain
Thank you to our partners!

MAY 2012: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH
An 8th edition, well-rooted in Montreal’s springtime calendar

Montreal, May 1st, 2012 — May is Mount Royal Month! For an 8th consecutive year, the Ville de Montréal and Les amis de la montagne invite Montrealers to take part in a variety of activities to explore the mountain and take part in its conservation.

“Since the adoption of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan, the Ville de Montréal has multiplied the number of projects on the mountain that preserve and enhance its natural and cultural heritage. For example, we recently announced an investment for the restoration of the Beaver Lake basin and surrounding area, a heritage infrastructure unique in Montreal. The ongoing construction of the mountain beltway will greatly improve access to the mountain for all citizens. Once complete, this 10km path encircling the mountain will provide new entry points along the northern flank of the mountain and access to the new Third Summit Park,” said Alan DeSousa, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal and responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks.

According to Peter A. Howlett, C.M., founding President of Les amis de la montagne, “May 2012: Mount Royal Month is an invitation to the entire community to experience nature’s springtime awakening on the mountain. May is the perfect month for guided walks, the discovery of the mountain’s history, architecture and landscapes, and bird observation. The time is also ripe for taking the paths less travelled by participating in an array of activities offered by the great institutions and partners on Mount Royal. But most significantly, Mount Royal Month is the occasion to acknowledge the importance and fragility of the mountain in our urban environment, in order to take concrete action to ensure its perpetuity and our collective quality of life.

“The activities offered as part of May 2012: Mount Royal Month provide opportunities to take an active part in the protection and enhancement of the mountain,” added Amélie Picher, Regional Director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. “A warm invitation is extended to the entire community to celebrate Montreal’s natural heritage and to reflect upon the importance of its conservation.”

21st CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP, SUNDAY, MAY 6

Rain or shine, Montrealers are invited to gather at the Chalet du Mont-Royal for the great mountain clean-up on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

Photos : © Tzara Maud

Schedule

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Individual registration at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Litter collection in the underbrush
Indigenous tree and shrub planting
Alien invasive plant cutting
Previous tree planting evaluation

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Light lunch provided to participants by Fontaine Santé
Animation and kiosks provided by environmental organizations on the theme “Is cohabitation with wildlife in the city possible?”
Les amis de la montagne’s biodiversity kiosk
Presentation of birds of prey by Faucon-Éduc
Show by Le Dixieband

LECTURES AND GUIDED WALKS
(Unless otherwise indicated, activities are presented in French)

HISTORY

Guided walk: From the mountain to the river ($)
Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guided walk: History and architecture of the Royal Victoria Hospital
Wednesday, May 23, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (cancelled in the event of heavy rain)
Partner: McGill University Health Centre

Lecture: Rue Peel: witness to the creation of the “Square Mile” in the early days of Mont-Royal Park
Thursday, May 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Partner: 2012 – Montréal, ville d’histoire

Lecture: The ancient landscapes of Mount Royal: an archaeological visit of the mountain
Tuesday, May 29, in French from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and in English from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

ORNITHOLOGY

Photo : © Jean-Guy Morisset

Lecture: The springtime arrival of birds of Mount Royal ($)
Wednesday, May 16, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Partner: Les Belles Soirées de l’Université de Montréal

Guided walk: Bird observation on Mount Royal ($)
Saturday, May 19, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Photography exhibit: The birds of Mount Royal “Between sky and mountain, homage to our winged beauties”
Saturday to Monday, May 19 to 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ART AND MUSIC

“La montagne en images” photo contest – 2012 edition
Deadline, September 22, 2012. For contest rules and registration, please visit lemontroyal.qc.ca.

Exhibit of children’s drawings: The forest and its inhabitants through the changing seasons
Saturday to Monday, May 19 to 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday music on the terrace of the Café des Amis at Maison Smith
Sunday, May 20, 1 to 3 p.m. (moved to Sunday, June 3, in the event of rain)

ACTIVITIES OF THE GREAT INSTITUTIONS ON THE MOUNTAIN

Seven great institutions of the mountain add their programming to the calendar of May events for a fourth consecutive year: the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Saint-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, Cavalerie du SPVM, McCord Museum, Redpath Museum, Université de Montréal and McGill University.

The complete calendar of events is available on the following websites: lemontroyal.qc.ca, facebook.com/JaimelemontRoyal and ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!

Mount Royal Month is the original idea of Les amis de la montagne, organized in partnership with the Ville de Montréal, thanks to the generosity of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The activities are also made possible thanks to the support of Silver partner, the STM; Bronze partners Fontaine Santé, C4 Communications, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Résolu Produits forestiers; and Media partners Rouge 107,3 FM, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse and The Gazette.

That's what FRIENDS are for ...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN 2012-2013

Les amis de la montagne is an organization born of a citizens’ movement that counts upon the generosity of private donors to accomplish its mission.

“May 2012: Mount Royal Month” launches the annual giving campaign with the objective of raising $750,000.

Your support contributes towards advocacy initiatives, education and conservation activities and improvement projects to ensure the mountain’s perpetuity.

Each year, Les amis de la montagne mobilises thousands of volunteers to help plant trees, clean the forest floor and conserve Mount Royal’s biodiversity.

Each year, Les amis de la montagne shares their passion and knowledge of Mount Royal with thousands of school children, citizens and tourists.

Les amis de la montagne works hard to improve Mount Royal’s accessibility and services in the park.

Support Les amis de la montagne. Please complete the secure online donation form and make your gift TODAY!

If you prefer to make your donation the conventional way, please download our donation form.

Thank you for your support.

21st CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012

"LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE involve hundreds of Montrealers in the Corvée du MONT-ROYAL clean-up, our 21st in 2012"

On Sunday, May 6, Montrealers are once again invited to participate in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, this year under the theme “Is cohabitation with wildlife in the city possible?”

Now in its 21st year, the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up is organized by Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and other partners. This springtime tradition is the perfect opportunity to spend a few hours taking care of the mountain, adding to the greenery and the overall beauty of this gem in the heart of our city, while learning more about the presence of wildlife in our urban midst.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Individual registration is from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Chalet du Mont-Royal near the lookout. Work tools and materials are provided on site and participants are asked to come dressed for the weather in work clothes and sturdy shoes.

In the morning, in addition to the collection of litter from the underbrush, indigenous trees and shrubs will be planted at the summit of the park. The tree planting will serve to complement the efforts undertaken by the Ville de Montréal towards the creation of ecological corridors linking the different woods of Mount Royal.

Moreover, participants will help with the cutting of common buckthorn, an alien invasive shrub, and will evaluate previous years’ tree plantings.

Note that children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult and bicycles, dogs and strollers are not permitted on the activity sites. In order to abide by the principle of ecologic responsibility, participants are asked to bring a reusable water cup or bottle. We also encourage participants to use active or public transportation. (Métro Mont-Royal, bus 11; or metro Côte-des-Neiges, bus 165 and 11.)

ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF WILDLIFE IN THE CITY

In the afternoon at the Chalet du Mont-Royal, environmental groups will be on hand to present their programs related to the theme of wildlife cohabitation in the city.

Les amis de la montagne will provide animation at their biodiversity kiosk and the group Faucon-Éduc will present a show of live birds of prey. Finally, the group Le Dixieband will perform on the lookout, contributing to the event’s festive spirit.

MAY 2012: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up kicks off the activities during “May 2012: Mount Royal Month”, an initiative of Les amis de la montagne created to provide Montrealers of all ages the occasion to re(discover) their mountain. A variety of events will be featured throughout the month of May to explore the mountain’s heritage and take part in its conservation. The complete calendar of events is available on Les amis de la montagne’s websites at lemontroyal.qc.ca and facebook.com/JaimelemontRoyal and the Ville de Montréal’s website at ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs.

Les amis de la montagne extend their thanks to the Ville de Montréal for its technical and logistical support of May activities, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner.

The activities in May are also made possible thanks to the support of Silver partner, STM; Bronze partners, Fontaine Santé, C4, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Résolu Produits forestiers; and Media partners, Rouge 107,3 FM, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse and The Gazette. Finally, Les amis de la montagne extend heartfelt thanks to the many other collaborators and volunteers.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - April 2012

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0400

The Clifton project 10 years later, restoration of Beaver Lake, "May 2012: Mont Royal Month" and the Corvée clean-up, summer day camp on the mountain and what's new at Maison Smith ...

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Enjoy a breath of fresh air on the mountain this long Easter weekend - picnic, relax, play - and don't forget to stop by Maison Smith to see the new permanent exhibition!

NEWS

The Clifton project 10 years later and the ecological connectivity of Mont Royal
Beaver Lake will be restored
The public consultation on urban agriculture is announced

“MAY 2012: MONT ROYAL MONTH”

Is cohabitation with wildlife in the city possible?
The Corvée clean-up, conferences and guided walks: the month-long calendar of events offers a vast selection of conservation and discovery activities for all ages

ACTIVITIES

Summer day camp in Mont-Royal Park: spaces are filling quickly!
What’s new at the Maison Smith nature boutique and Café des Amis

TAKE ACTION

That’s what FRIENDS are for …

NEWS

THE CLIFTON PROJECT 10 YEARS LATER AND THE ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIVITY OF MONT ROYAL

Thanks to a partnership with the City of Westmount and the EJLB Foundation towards the end of 2001 and early 2002, Les amis de la montagne made a significant gesture in expanding Mont Royal’s green space. The organization acquired the Clifton Apartments in order to have it demolished, an abandoned and dilapidated building located on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges facing the Chemin Remembrance interchange. The site was renaturalized by the City of Westmount and zoned as park space to prevent any future construction on the site.

While the Clifton project of 2001 may have largely been symbolic, this intervention gave way to wide-ranging environmental stewardship programs with the goal of maintaining Mont Royal’s biodiversity and forest health.

Many studies of the mountain’s ecological environment conducted since the governmental decree in 2005 have contributed to a greater understanding of the physical “connectivity” of one natural space to another, which has influenced the way we now manage the mountain’s natural environment. Together with the cities of Montréal and Westmount, as well as with scientists, schools and the general public, Les amis de la montagne lead a variety of activities such as planting indigenous species, cutting alien invasive species, and providing education and awareness-raising programs, all in support of the conservation and improvement of the mountain’s biodiversity.

Members of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal, which gathers representatives from government, the municipalities, institutions and associations related to the mountain, are likewise called upon to respond to the management challenges regarding the preservation of Mont Royal’s ecological heritage. The great institutional properties on the mountain are closely “connected” to the green space of Mont-Royal Park and play an essential role in the management, planning and development of the territory.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

But over and above its environmental value, Mont Royal also has an inestimable cultural, social and economic value. As the geographic heart of the metropolitan region, Mont Royal is historically the first of the Monteregians, to which Montreal, the Montérégie and the Montérégiennes owe their name.

As part of the recent consultations on the Plan d’aménagement et de développement de Montréal (PMAD), Les amis de la montagne asked, among other items, that the plan favour the creation of a network of parks of regional interest, integrated into a coherent whole of protected spaces. The organization also asked that the plan promote the creation of greenbelts and “blue belts” that might connect the territorial attributes of the greater metropolitan region to include natural and human landscapes, and built heritage.

Fortunately, the Quebec government officially adopted the PMAD on March 12th last and investments have been earmarked in the 2012-2013 budget for the creation of greenbelts around the province’s major cities. Good news that reinforces the ecological connectivity of our urban landscape.

BEAVER LAKE WILL BE RESTORED

The project to restore Beaver Lake and its surrounding area has come closer to reality with the Ville de Montreal’s launch of the call for tender process on March 21st last.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

In July 2011, the city announced its intention to restore the lake’s rustic character while improving the quality of the water. The work will include the reconstruction of the surrounding stone wall and the waterfall, the improvement of water circulation and the elimination of undesirable plants. The reconfiguration of the pathway around the lake and other pathways in the vicinity is included in the project, together with the addition of new park furniture and ambient lighting.

The work will be conducted in two phases beginning in June 2012 with the lake first, followed in April 2013 with the pathways and surrounding area. Pedal boat rentals this summer will therefore be on hold for the duration of the project. But we’ll be back in the summer of 2013 with some new surprises!

The Beaver Lake restoration is the last in a series of projects undertaken in this sector of Mont-Royal Park. The renovation of the Beaver Lake pavilion and construction of the artificial skating rink was realized in 2005-2006 thanks to a $2 million donation to Les amis de la montagne from Power Corporation of Canada, which inspired the restoration of the “La Salamandre” children’s playground in 2008-2009.

THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON URBAN AGRICULTURE IS ANNOUNCED

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) announced the consultation process that will examine the state of urban agriculture in Montreal. An exhibition on urban agriculture will be held on May 12, followed by a conference on May 17, together with consultations in different parts of the city from June 11-14. The deadline to receive position papers is June 14 and presentations will begin on June 18.

This consultation is the first to be held as a result of citizen initiative as provided for in the Charte Montréalaise des Droits et Responsabilités. More than 29,000 signatures were collected on a petition asking the city to hold a consultation on the state of urban agriculture in Montreal.

Click here for details on the website of the OCPM.

“MAY 2012: MONT ROYAL MONTH”

Mont Royal Month is a month of activities dedicated to the discovery and conservation of the natural environment and the exploration of the many facets of the mountain. An original idea of Les amis de la montagne, activities are organized in partnership with the Ville de Montréal and are made possible thanks to the generosity of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, as well as other partners and collaborators.

May 2012 will be dedicated in part, to the theme of cohabitation between humans and fauna in an urban environment.

IS COHABITATION WITH WILDLIFE IN THE CITY POSSIBLE?

There has been much discussion over the importance of conserving Montreal’s biodiversity and recently, measures were announced in favour of maintaining a greenbelt and greater connectivity between natural spaces, such as Mont Royal.

But are we prepared to coexist in harmony with this biodiversity?

Urban development over the last several decades has led to the disappearance of numerous habitats and animal species. However, some animal species have managed to take advantage of the shelter and the food sources the city provides. The population explosion of certain species in certain areas of the city has created tension between the fauna and citizens. Some species damage buildings and landscapes, while others are the sources of dangerous diseases for humans. Conversely, food provided to animals by citizens is not always the healthiest choice and vehicular traffic is responsible for the death of many animals.

Finally, certain species proliferate at the expense of other, less opportunistic species, creating an imbalance in the entire ecosystem that affects biodiversity on a medium term basis.

To live harmoniously with fauna in an urban setting, we humans must adopt better practices regarding the management of possible food sources (such as trash bins, etc.) and change our own behaviour.

Watch for the complete calendar of “May 2012: Mont Royal Month” activities to learn more about the cohabitation challenges of humans and animals in an urban environment.

THE CORVÉE CLEAN-UP, CONFERENCES AND GUIDED WALKS: THE MONTH-LONG CALENDAR OF EVENTS OFFERS A VAST SELECTION OF CONSERVATION AND DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES

The month of May is almost here! The complete calendar of “May 2012: Mont Royal Month” events will soon be unveiled, offering all members of the community another occasion to celebrate the beauty and natural riches of the mountain.

Photos: Tzara Maud

Like every year, the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up will kick-off the conservation activities on the first Sunday of the month, May 6, rain or shine! For the 21st edition of this springtime tradition, we invite our fellow citizens to help remove litter from the forest floor and to plant indigenous trees. In the afternoon, animation for the general public will feature the cohabitation challenges of humans and animals in an urban environment, one of the main themes of May 2012.
For nature lovers, the arrival of nesting and migrating birds will be the key feature of a variety of activities. Closer to the ground, you can literally get your hands dirty by participating in the Environmental Stewardship Program, beginning on the day of the Corvée clean-up, while also developing your conservation know-how.

Put aside some time in May to participate in Mont Royal Month activities! Full information will soon be posted on Les amis’ Facebook fanpage, so stay connected!

ACTIVITIES

SUMMER DAY CAMP IN MONT-ROYAL PARK: SPACES ARE FILLING QUICKLY!

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are thrilled that their 2012 summer day camp on Mont Royal will be offered to children from 6-8 years-old, with a brand new program offered to children 9-11 years-old.

This summer, a variety of amusing themes will be offered at the same cost per week as last year’s camp: $165 with the Accès Montréal card and $190 without the card. For children 6-8 years, “Il était une fois le mont Royal” and “Les Konétouts” will alternate from June 25 to August 17, and for children 9-11 years, “Le défi du mont Royal” and “L’Odyssée de la montagne” will alternate from July 9 to August 3.

To register your child, visit the “Outdoor activities” section of Les amis’ website. Hurry, places are limited and certain weeks are filling up quickly!

WHAT’S NEW AT THE MAISON SMITH NATURE BOUTIQUE AND CAFÉ DES AMIS

Les amis de la montagne’s nature-boutique recently underwent a springtime makeover, making room for a variety of new features in this bustling hub of Maison Smith! We provide many products and services to enrich and facilitate your visit on the mountain.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

A brand-new reception counter with new presentation cases display a fine selection of goods for all tastes: photography books, guidebooks and others, original jewelry, t-shirts and seasonal clothing, and stuffed toys, games and books for Mont Royal’s mini-adventurers!

This spring, the Café des Amis will welcome you once again on the refurbished terrace, outfitted with new furnishings. Relax under the shade of the 50-something year-old Maple tree for your next snack or midday meal: sandwiches and salads, hot and cold beverages, beer and wine, as well as a selection of sweet treats, and new this summer, soft ice cream.

Revenues from Les amis de la montagne’s services are reinvested in the activities offered in the park and promote the appreciation and conservation of the site.

TAKE ACTION

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR …

“That’s what FRIENDS are for … Les amis de la montagne contribute to making Mont Royal accessible and to improving services in the park.”

Next month, we’ll be launching our new annual fundraising campaign. This year-end is coming to a close! If you haven’t made your donation yet, please consider doing so now. We thank all our donors for their support throughout the year.

2012 will mark our 26th year and we are proud of our many accomplishments. Your support is at the heart of our pride. Please be generous once again and encourage your friends, colleagues and family to join you in making a gift today.

Blog by Sylvie Guilbault on Cyberpresse

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0400

MONTREAL NEEDS MOUNT ROYAL TO BE GREEN AND ACCESSIBLE

Every Monday, as part of the “Quel avenir pour Montréal?” blog (What future for Montreal?), La Presse asks a guest blogger to answer the question, “What does Montreal need?” Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne, is today's featured guest blogger. The translation of her blog follows. Click here to view the original blog online. Your feedback is welcome.

MONTREAL NEEDS MOUNT ROYAL TO BE GREEN AND ACCESSIBLE

Photo: Ville de Montréal

According to the 2011 Mercer survey, Montreal ranked 22nd out of 221 cities with the best quality of living standards in the world. If quality of life can be measured by the unique character of a city and its attractions, among other things, then the preservation and enhancement of Mount Royal in this context should be manifestly obvious.

Mount Royal is a park where in the heart of the city, we can relax, ski, skate, jog, picnic, and experience an astonishing array of nature, for free. It’s also a mountain in the centre of our island. The large institutions that settled on its flanks allow for the mountain to remain accessible and non-privatised right up to the limits of the park.

For example, we can cross the McGill University campus from downtown straight to Mount Royal Park, a wonderful promenade amid this city’s finest architectural, historic and natural heritage. From the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges and Mont-Royal cemeteries, pathways take you to the park via a universe of peace and beauty; last week, a red fox was caught on film napping in the sunshine.

Mount Royal is more than just a park: it’s a mountain rich in history, heritage and nature in the heart of downtown, unique in North America.

Currently, many of the mountain’s great institutions are undergoing transformation: the Royal Victoria, Shriners and Hôtel-Dieu hospitals are moving; the Montreal General Hospital is expanding; religious congregations are selling their properties; the universities are growing. As a society, we need to make choices and a site like Mount Royal is worth more than its weight in gold knowing that our cities plan to densify exponentially over the next several years.

Montreal needs to extend the mountain towards the city, preserve public access to the site in addition to the park, create pedestrian and bicycle pathways, maintain its heritage buildings, enhance its silhouette in the urban landscape.

Since Mount Royal contributes to our collective quality of life in Montreal, we must take action to manage the site like a non-renewable resource, with the obligation to preserve it for future generations.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - March 2012

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Photo album of the 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration; Pecha Kucha Night Montréal; birdfeeders on the mountain; social media; the calendar of events - and more!

Photo: Samuel Montigné

NEWS

The 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration photo album
Pecha Kucha Montréal #21
Birdfeeders: an introduction to birds on Mont Royal
Les amis de la montagne and social media, something for everyone
“The hill that wanted to become a mountain”

CALENDAR

Spring Break on Mont Royal is underway!
Registration is open for Les amis’ summer day camp on Mont Royal
May 6, 2012: save the date for the Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up

DOSSIERS

The OCPM issues its report on the proposed height and density changes for areas of downtown

NEWS

The 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration photo album

Manulife Financial wins the Tuques Bleues Trophy for a fifth consecutive year! Photo: Karine Gagné.

On February 16th last, not one, but two ceremonial canon shots signaled the launch of the 15th anniversary edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration on Mont Royal! A mild evening greeted nearly 500 snowshoe enthusiasts who gathered on the mountain to run, walk, enjoy a hardy meal and generally have a great time as part of Les amis de la montagne’s signature fundraising event.

Under the co-chairmanship of Cyril Bendahan, Regional Vice President, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, the Tuques Bleues Celebration raised more than $200,000 in support of our education and conservation programs on Mont Royal.

Thank you to all the participants, partners and volunteers – let’s make a date for the 16th edition to be held February 21, 2013!

Click here to view the 2012 photo album.
Photos: © Karine Gagné and Delphine Delair

Pecha Kucha Night Montréal #21

Less elaborate than a design charrette, but much more than a simple PowerPoint presentation, Pecha Kucha Night gathers creative minds and spirits from all walks of life to provide a public venue for the sharing of projects, thoughts and ideas. Drawn from the Japanese expression meaning “the murmur of conversation”, the Pecha Kucha format is particularly stimulating: each participant presents 20 images and comments on each for 20 seconds!

Mont Royal was in the spotlight during the 21st Pecha Kucha Night Montréal, held February 22nd last at the Société des Arts Technologiques, under the theme “What makes Montréal, Montréal?” Organised as part of Global Cities Week where Pecha Kucha “clubs” around the world celebrated their respective city, Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne, presented “Montréal, Mont Royal, mon Royal”, a brief narration of the remarkable moments in the history of the mountain, inextricably linked to the history of Montréal and its citizens, all in the 6 minutes and 40 seconds allotted to presenters!

We thank the organizers for inviting us to this wonderful evening of exchange and offer kudos to the other presenters, who through their vision and creativity stimulated our collective sense of pride for our great city!

Birdfeeders: an introduction to birds on Mont Royal
Two new interpretation panels are installed in the park

If feeding squirrels and other mammals in Mont-Royal Park is against regulations, why do we allow the installation of birdfeeders in winter?

On the one hand, wintertime birdfeeders avoid bringing humans and birds into direct contact with one another. For the birds, this source of food appears to be provided by a tree and is not associated with humans since feeding an animal from one’s hand can modify an animals’ behaviour and even pose a danger to the animal in this moment of reduced vigilance. Feeding by hand may also pose a health risk for humans through the transmission of diseases and parasites.

On the other hand, the installation of birdfeeders only in wintertime prevents migratory birds from staying through the winter season, thereby avoiding a risk to their lives by remaining in ill-suited climatic conditions. For the wintertime birds, however, this source of food is a complement to what they find on their own and does not cause dependency.

Finally, the installation of birdfeeders in the winter sensitizes park visitors to the presence of numerous species of birds on the mountain and facilitates their observation since most trees have lost their leaves. Les amis de la montagne’s environmental educators lead a variety of guided outings for school children and the general public related to the park’s fauna. Now for a seventh year, thanks to the involvement of volunteers, Les amis also participate in the FeederWatch program, a wintertime inventory of birds at feeders held throughout North America.

The seven birdfeeders in Mont-Royal Park are located on the Chemin Olmsted along the path that circles the summit. Les amis de la montagne recently installed two new interpretation panels that feature illustrations of birds that can be observed on the mountain. The panels were made possible thanks to contributions from the Ville de Montréal and Gaz Métro.

Les amis de la montagne and social media, something for everyone

Les amis de la montagne are becoming increasingly active on social media platforms in order to multiply our means of communication with mountain enthusiasts, as well as to provide you with news, the announcement of projects and invitations to participate in activities and events.

In addition to our Facebook fanpage, “J’aime le mont Royal|Les amis de la montagne”, and our Flickr account, a site for sharing photographs of Mont Royal, Les amis’ YouTube account features a selection of videos, including two recent additions titled, “The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, a commitment to the mountain built on tradition” and “Discovering the Peel Street entrance to Mont-Royal Park”.

Join us on our social networks to keep up-to-date on mountain happenings and please feel free to share your photos, ideas and more!

“The hill that wanted to become a mountain”

During your next visit to Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park, you mustn’t miss the hand-painted wall mural located in the small dining room of the Café des Amis, created by Montreal illustrator, Alain Pilon.

As one of the features of the new exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, the mural depicts 17 moments in the mountain’s history in a colourfully original and humorous fashion.

To complement the mural painting, an attractive book has been published featuring Pilon’s 17 illustrations, entitled “The hill that wanted to become a mountain”, accompanied by equally imaginative and informative texts by Jean-Michel Villanove, Les amis de la montagne’s educator responsible for the exhibition project.

“The hill that wanted to become a mountain” is available for sale at the Maison Smith nature boutique, together with the original French version, “La colline qui voulait devenir une montagne”, now also available at retailer Renaud-Bray either in-store or on-line. The book was published with the financial support of the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel du Montréal.

CALENDAR

Spring Break on Mont Royal is underway!

Fresh air, discoveries and treats – the choices are many to enjoy a wonderful Spring Break with the family on Mont Royal in the company of Les amis de la montagne.

Here’s an overview of our family-friendly activities, both outdoors and indoors, being held until March 12, 2012, on Mont Royal.

Registration is open for Les amis’ summer day camp on Mont Royal

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are thrilled to announce that the 2012 summer day camp on Mont Royal will be offered to children from 6-8 years-old, with a brand new program offered to children 9-11 years-old.

This summer, a variety of amusing themes will be offered at the same cost per week as last year’s camp: $165 with the Accès Montréal card and $190 without the card. For children 6-8 years, “Il était une fois le mont Royal” and “Les Konétouts” will alternate from June 25 to August 17, and for children 9-11 years, “Le défi du mont Royal” and “L’Odyssée de la montagne” will alternate from July 9 to August 3.

Children will be welcomed at Maison Smith from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. A childcare service will be offered from 8-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., at an additional cost of $30 per week. Programs are offered in French.

Click here to download the 2012 camp brochure (available in French).
Click here to download the 2012 registration form (available in French).

May 6, 2012: save the date for the Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, the Montreal community will gather once again for the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, this annual tradition that invites everyone to contribute to the well-being of our mountain. The main activities include litter collection from the underbrush and tree planting.

This year, theme-related activities will be presented on the cohabitation of humans and fauna and will be sure to stimulate you, surprise you or simply entertain you! Save the date!

DOSSIERS

The OCPM issues its report on the proposed height and density changes for areas of downtown

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) was generally favourable to the height and density changes for areas of downtown Montreal proposed by the Ville-Marie Borough in its report issued publicly February 29th last.

Subsequent to public consultations held last November 2011, the OCPM’s report supports Les amis de la montagne’s position that the significance of Mont Royal and the St-Lawrence River as the identifying emblems of Montreal whose presence in the city must be protected and enhanced is of primary importance.

Also agreeing with Les amis de la montagne, the OCPM is of the opinion that the analysis on the protection of views “to” and “from” the mountain requires greater detail. The commission recommends that a hierarchy of views be created by the Ville-Marie Borough with a greater examination of distinctive elements in the city-centre’s urban landscape.

Finally, the OCPM recommends that the Ville-Marie Borough produce an overall planning concept for downtown, subject to public debate. This concept could serve to establish a strategic vision for the development of the downtown core. This exercise could even contribute to the master plan for downtown that the borough plans to integrate in the city’s next master urban plan.

Click here to read Les amis de la montagne’s position paper (in French) on the subject.
The report (in French) by the OCPM is available by clicking here.

Montrealers "fête" the mountain in style at the 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Les amis de la montagne's benefit event

Montreal, February 17, 2012 – At nightfall yesterday, Mont Royal was all aglow on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Tuques Bleues Celebration. Under a shining moon and glowing lanterns, luminous figures and projections, this benefit event for Mont Royal gathered nearly 500 Montrealers who care deeply about the future of the mountain.

Photo: Karine Gagné

Organized by Les amis de la montagne and their partners for a 15th consecutive year, and under the honorary co-chairmanship of Cyril Bendahan, Regional Vice President, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, this unique evening raised more than $200,000 in support of education and conservation programs for Mont Royal.

As one of the most magical events in Montreal, held on the launch evening of Montréal en lumière, the Tuques Bleues Celebration was created in homage of a centuries-old tradition where snowshoers united at dusk for the ascent of Mont Royal for an evening of friendly competition, camaraderie and good cheer.

L to R: Honorary co-chair, Michel Leblanc, president of Les amis de la montagne, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., "Snowflake", honorary co-chair, Cyril Bendahan, vice chairman of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, Alan De Sousa (Photo: Karine Gagné)

To underline this 15th anniversary edition, two shots of a ceremonial canon of the 2nd Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery were fired; the first to signal the start of the snowshoe race, where close to 100 runners began their journey to the finish line, and the second, to get the snowshoe walkers on their way. The racers competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in both the male and female categories, while numerous corporate teams vied for a variety of cups and trophies.

All the snowshoers benefitted from the excellent collaboration of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes, who provided snowshoes for the occasion for a 15th consecutive year! Close to 100 volunteers also provided a hand to organizers to ensure the smooth running of the event from beginning to end!

Photo: Karine Gagné

The luminous figures by L’Entracte, “Grande Dame” and “Snowflake”, provided animation at the snowshoe start and finish lines. The sound and projection production was provided by Musion Canada, generous and longstanding partners of Les amis de la montagne.

All of the participants continued the celebrations at the Chalet du Mont-Royal. Again this year, caterers Java U spoiled guests with their sumptuous, gastronomic buffet that featured delicacies from regional Québéc. Original animation in the Chalet was provided by VJ Choco Beets and DJ David Drury, who plunged participants in the authentic ambiance of the snowshoe clubs of yesteryear, at once traditional, but with a modern twist.

Photo: Delphine Delair

Les amis de la montagne wish to extend thanks to their generous partners for their commitment and contribution to the event: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Labatt – A Better World; with the support of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Photo: Delphine Delair

Les amis thank their sponsors at the Bronze level: Le Château, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, Rio Tinto Alcan, Scotia Capital, TD Bank Group and Velan Inc.; their sponsors of products and services: Montréal en lumière, Ville de Montréal, Métro, Domaine Pinnacle, La Mer, Weinstein & Gavino’s, Fromages BioBio and Grok by Gattuso, Java U caterer, 2e Régiment de l’Artillerie du Canada, Centre de location Hewitt-CAT, Pâtisserie Wawel, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel and C4 Communications; and their media partners: CJAD 800 AM, NRJ Montréal 94,3, Rouge 107,3 FM, La Presse and The Gazette.

Les amis also underline the exceptional commitment of the volunteers who lent a most important hand, including the outstanding work of Circé Labelle and the team from CGI, as well as of curriculum director Nathalie Bossé and her charming students from St-Georges High School of Montreal.

Photo: Karine Gagné

Last, but not least, here are the snowshoe competition winners for this 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration:

Snowshoe race - Women:
Gold – Melissa Chenard (11:00.4)
Silver – Melanie Nadeau (11:19.0)
Bronze – Marie-Josée Dufour (11:23.0)

Photo: Karine Gagné

Snowshoe race - Men:
Gold – David Le Porho (8:18.3 - a new record!)
Silver – Pierre-Oliver Boily (9:02.4)
Bronze – Philippe Viau-Dupuis (9:06.1)

Photo: Karine Gagné

Corporate Challenge Cup:
Scotia Capitaux

Sports Club Cup:
Club Sportif MAA

Team Challenge:
Scotia Capitaux with their three best runners, Jean-Philippe Boivin (12:22.8), Jeffrey Drummond (12:50.8) and Philippe Cantin (13:00.4)

Tuques Bleues Trophy:
Manulife Financial (for a 5th year!)

Photo: Delphine Delair

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - February 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Countdown to the 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration; winter activities continue; what's new for the 2012 summer day camp; and Spring Break on Mont Royal.

15TH TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

A few tickets are left – reserve yours today!

Photo : Karine Gagné

ACTIVITIES

Enjoy the magic of winter during guided snowshoe walks by moonlight
Family snowshoeing and tubing: every Saturday and throughout Spring Break
Photo contest “La montagne en images”, 2012 edition
What’s new for the 2012 summer day camp on Mont Royal?

SPRING BREAK ON MONT ROYAL

15TH TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION, FEBRUARY 16, 2012
A few tickets are left – reserve yours today!

The 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration will be held this Thursday, February 16, on Mont Royal. Relive this centuries-old sporting tradition by joining us for a snowshoe climb through the mountain forest by moonlight and then relishing a sumptuous gastronomic buffet featuring regional Québécois specialties.

Photo : Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Organized by Les amis de la montagne and their partners to support education and conservation programs on Mont Royal, the honorary co-chairs of this anniversary benefit evening are Cyril Bendahan, Regional Vice President, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration will be held Thursday, February 16 at 5:45 p.m. at Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance. Tickets are available for $250 per person.

Share the news with your family, friends and colleagues!

If you are unable to attend, we still look forward to your support via a donation to our annual campaign.

ENJOY THE MAGIC OF WINTER DURING GUIDED SNOWSHOE WALKS BY MOONLIGHT

Photo : Samuel Montigné

There is no better way to enjoy the mountain air while admiring the spectacular landscapes of Mont Royal, all in the company of Les amis’ enthusiastic guides! The evening snowshoe walks called “By the light of the city” provide a pleasant snowshoe stroll along the forest trails that reveal breath-taking views of downtown Montreal. A short hot-cocoa break in the woods is one of the highlights and allows you to listen to the silence of the forest at night. Not to be missed!

Every Saturday from 6 p.m., until March 10.
Special “Blue Toque” themed evening featuring ice cider on February 25.
Cost: $17 ($24 for the “Blue Toque” evening).
Duration: one and a quarter hours. Departure from Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance.
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

FAMILY SNOWSHOEING AND TUBING: EVERY SATURDAY AND THROUGHOUT SPRING BREAK

The entire family is invited to enjoy the fresh mountain air on Mont Royal! Your guide from Les amis de la montagne will take you snowshoeing along forested trails on the lookout for animal tracks and bird songs. Snowshoeing is followed by a complimentary hot cocoa at Maison Smith (1260 Chemin Remembrance) and inner-tubing on the hill near Lac aux Castors for the rest of the afternoon.

Every Saturday and daily throughout Spring Break until March 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by inner-tubing.
Package price for 1 parent and 1 child: $25; 2nd parent: $10; each additional child: $8 (4 children max. per adult).
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

PHOTO CONTEST “LA MONTAGNE EN IMAGES”, 2012 EDITION

Get ready to participate in the 4th edition of Les amis de la montagne’s photo contest, “La montagne en images”, presented in collaboration with the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Remember to take photographs during your outings to Mont Royal in order to submit them to us next spring, on the occasion of the official launch of the contest during “May, Mont Royal Month”. Contest details will follow soon!

WHAT’S NEW FOR THE 2012 SUMMER DAY CAMP ON MONT ROYAL?

Photo : Éric Cimon

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are thrilled to announce that their 2012 summer day camp on Mont Royal will be offered to children from 6-8 years-old, with a brand new program offered to children 9-11 years-old.

This summer, a variety of amusing themes will be offered at the same cost per week as last year’s camp: $165 with the Accès Montréal card and $190 without the card. For children 6-8 years, “Il était une fois le mont Royal” and “Les Konétouts” will alternate from June 25 to August 17, and for children 9-11 years, “Le défi du mont Royal” and “L’Odyssée de la montagne” will alternate from July 9 to August 3.

Children will be welcomed at Maison Smith from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. A childcare service will be offered from 8-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m., at an additional cost of $30 per week. Registrations will be accepted beginning February 27, 2012. The registration forms will be available shortly on Les amis’ website.

SPRING BREAK ON MONT ROYAL

Fresh air, discoveries and treats – there is no lack of choices to enjoy a wonderful Spring Break with the family on Mont Royal in the company of Les amis de la montagne.

Click on this link for a description of family-friendly activities, both outdoors and indoors, being held from March 3-12, 2012, on Mont Royal.

Spring Break on Mont Royal, 2012

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE'S ACTIVITIES FROM MARCH 3-12, 2012

Fresh air, discoveries and treats – the choices are many to enjoy a wonderful Spring Break with the family on Mont Royal in the company of Les amis de la montagne.

Here’s an overview of our family-friendly activities, both outdoors and indoors, being held from March 3-12, 2012, on Mont Royal.

COME AND PLAY OUTDOORS

Family snowshoeing and tubing
Daily from March 3-10, 2012. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and follow our guide along the mountain’s forested trails on the lookout for animal tracks and bird songs. Snowshoeing is followed by a complimentary hot cocoa at Maison Smith (1260 Chemin Remembrance) and inner-tubing on the hill near Lac aux Castors for the rest of the afternoon.

Guided walk from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by inner-tubing
Package price for 1 parent and 1 child: $25; 2nd parent: $10; each additional child: $8 (4 children max. per adult).
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Skating and inner-tubing
The artificial skating rink located near the Lac aux Castors pavilion will remain open and maintained, and the inner-tubes for sliding in the reserved lanes will be available for rent until March 11, 2012 (depending on snow conditions).
Skating rink:

From Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Inner-tubes:

Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
4 to 11 years, $5 per day
12 years and over, $9 per day
Passes are valid for the day. One person per inner-tube. Children under 4 years of age are not permitted on the inner-tubes. The pass provides access to one inner-tube and the reserved lanes for sliding.

Outdoor equipment rental counter
Les amis’ rental equipment counter located on the ground floor of the Lac aux Castors pavilion is equipped with skates, cross-country skis, snowshoes and other items to help you take advantage of the pleasures of winter in Mont-Royal Park.
Open to March 12, 2012:

Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

COME IN FROM THE COLD – TO MAISON SMITH!

You can rely on a friendly welcome year-round at Maison Smith (1260 Chemin Remembrance). Les amis de la montagne inaugurated their new permanent exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” with their partners last fall, an exhibition that is displayed throughout the ancestral house related to the mountain's historic, landscape and built heritage, as well as its flora and fauna. Dynamic exhibits, historic photos and mural illustrations, artefacts, audio-visual elements, interactive games and touch-screens, provide everything you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the mountain territory prior to heading outdoors. Free.

The Café des Amis is the ideal place for a wholesome lunch or snack in convivial surroundings: sandwiches, hot meals, hot and cold beverages, beer and wine, as well as sweet treats and our famous organic fair-trade hot chocolate. The nature boutique is where you can find our hospitable welcome and information centre staff, as well as educational gifts and original souvenirs of the mountain. Open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until March 12, 2012.

Information and reservations:
514 843-8240, poste 0

15 Candles for the Tuques Bleues Celebration in 2012

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE LAUNCH THEIR BENEFIT EVENT IN SUPPORT OF MONT ROYAL

Photos: Delphine Delair

Every February since 1998, Les amis de la montagne have provided admirers of Mont Royal an evening of celebration featuring a night time snowshoe trek in the mountain’s magical setting. On February 16, 2012, the 15th anniversary edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration promises to delight participants once again, complete with medals, gastronomy and conviviality, all on the launch evening of Montréal en lumière.

“Manulife Financial is thrilled to return this year as Les amis de la montagne’s principal partner of the 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration. This benefit event provides a unique occasion to celebrate our mountain and to participate in its preservation. I heartily encourage both individuals and companies to form teams of snowshoers and to partake in this unique event next February 16,” said Cyril Bendahan, Honorary Co-Chair, and Regional Vice-President, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial.

“Montréal is recognized around the world for its charm and quality of life,” said Michel Leblanc, Honorary Co-Chair, and President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “A number of factors contribute to its reputation, including Mont Royal which, at the heart of the city, shapes the urban landscape. I encourage the business community to seize this opportunity to take advantage of one of the most wonderful attractions our city has to offer and to give their concrete support to its preservation.”

Peter A. Howlett, President, Les amis de la montagne, Pascale Le Hir, Communications Advisor, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and Cyril Bendahan

Nearly 700 participants are expected to attend the event. The objective is to raise $250,000 to benefit education and protection programs on Mont Royal. The Tuques Bleues Celebration recalls the famous snowshoe treks by torchlight organized by sporting clubs in the 19th Century. Members of these first snowshoe clubs in North America could be identified by their blue tuques.

Les amis de la montagne extend thanks to their partners for their commitment and contribution to the event: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Labatt – A Better World; with the support of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Mary Bruns Creighton, Co-Chair of Les amis' annual campaign, and Diretor of Marketing, Cordiant Capital, Jeffrey Drummond, member of Les amis' annual campaign cabinet, and Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Scotia Capital Inc., and Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne

Les amis also wish to thank their sponsors at the Bronze level: Le Château, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, Rio Tinto Alcan, Scotia Capital, TD Bank Group and Velan Inc.; their sponsors of products and services: Montréal en lumière, Ville de Montréal, Métro, Domaine Pinnacle, La Mer, Weinstein & Gavino’s, Fromages BioBio and Grok by Gattuso, Java U caterer, 2e Régiment de l’Artillerie du Canada, Centre de location Hewitt-CAT, Pâtisserie Wawel, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel and C4 Communications; and finally, their media partners: CJAD 800 AM, NRJ Montréal 94,3, Rouge 107,3 FM, La Presse and The Gazette.

Click here for more information on the Tuques Bleues Celebration or here, to purchase tickets securely online, at a cost of $250 per person.
Join the event on Facebook.
Click here to view the photo gallery of the partners' launch of the 15th Tuques Bleues Celebration, 2012 edition.
Listen to the 30 second announcements produced by Astral Radio: on CJAD 800 AM or on Rouge 107,3 FM and NRJ Montréal 94,3.

NEW!

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Cross-country ski clinics for adults on Mont Royal

January 17, 2012 - The Club de ski de fond des Amis de la montagne, in collaboration with Ski de Fond Québec, is offering initiation lessons for beginner skiers in Mont-Royal Park.

The one-hour lessons will be offered until February 26, 2012, on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and noon to 1 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 1 p.m. Places are limited to four skiers per ski instructor.

Price, including taxes (an identity card is required for equipment rental):

$25/hour without rental equipment;
$30/hour with rental equipment, including 1 extra rental hour for free skiing following the lesson.

To register:

Reserve your place in advance via email by writing to: smenard@lemontroyal.qc.ca;
Reserve your place in person at Les amis de la montagne’s rental equipment counter located on the main floor of the Lac aux Castors pavilion. Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the class to make your payment.

For additional information, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Les amis' holiday season newsletter - December 2011

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

WINTER FUN ON MONT ROYAL

SNOW IS ON ITS WAY!
Winter activities on Mont Royal in 2012

For 30 years, Les amis de la montagne have offered recreo-educational activities on Mont Royal, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, allowing Montrealers as well as tourists the opportunity to enjoy quality services in a unique natural environment that is accessible and within close proximity to downtown.

We invite you to take advantage of everything winter has to offer in the enchanting setting of Mont Royal, confident that Mother Nature will surpass our expectations!

Photo : Samuel Montigné

HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF OUR WINTER PROGRAMS FOR 2012:

Les amis de la montagne’s outdoor equipment rental counter will once again be open for business on the main floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion. As soon as the conditions permit, visitors will be able to rent skates, cross-country skis and snowshoes, among other items, to take full advantage of winter fun in Mont-Royal Park.

From December 17 to next March 11, the artificial skating rink will be open and maintained by the Ville de Montréal, and snow permitting, Les amis’ inner-tubes will be available for sliding in the corridors tailored for this thrilling activity located on the hill near the lake.

Cross-country ski enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a series of improvements to the 22 km of trails on the mountain this winter. Thanks to the teamwork of members of the Ville de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne and Skimco, a cross-country ski club that trains regularly on the mountain, improvements have been made to trail connections between Chemin Olmsted and Beaver Lake, better access between the Piedmont loop (near Avenue du Parc) and Chemin Olmsted, as well as the merger of some trails to simplify the trail system overall. New grooming equipment will also be tested this year. Click here to download the new trail map.

Family Snowshoeing and Tubing returns daily from December 26 to 30, every Saturday from January 7 to March 10, and daily during Spring Break, from March 5-9. Families are invited to Maison Smith to strap on a pair of our snowshoes and follow our guide along the flanks of the mountain in search of animal tracks and bird songs. After enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, families can then spend the rest of the afternoon sliding on our specially designated inner-tubes trails.

The Club de ski de fond des Amis de la montagne returns for a fourth year with the initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children, in collaboration with Ski de Fond Québec. Bunny Rabbit lessons are available for children 4-5 years old and Jackrabbit lessons for children 6-9 years old. Courses run for eight consecutive weekends from January 7 to February 25.

The guided activity called The Birds of Mount Royal, for all ages will be offered again for free every Saturday from January 7 to March 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., departing from Maison Smith. Join a member of Les amis’ conservation patrol for a guided visit of the 7 feeder stations located on the path that circles the summit to spot the Cardinals, Juncos, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Goldfinches and other species that frequent the feeders in winter.

The very popular “By the light of the city” guided snowshoe walks will be held every Saturday evening from January 7 to March 10. Three specially-themed evenings are being featured this year: “New Year’s” on December 29 (with sparkling wine), “Valentine’s Day” on February 11 (with mulled wine and chocolate) and “Blue Toque” (with ice cider).

Finally, you always receive a warm welcome at the Café des Amis and nature-boutique at Maison Smith. This fall, Les amis de la montagne inaugurated the new permanent exhibit, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, that extends throughout this historic house in order to present the mountain’s many natural and historic elements. Maison Smith also features newly renovated meeting rooms available for rent for family receptions or meetings with colleagues. The two main rooms can also be used for exhibits, conferences and movie projections. Visits are by appointment by calling 514 84-8240, ext. 235.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The printed calendar of winter-spring 2012 events is available at Les amis’ information centres on the mountain: at Maison Smith (1260 Chemin Remembrance), at the Beaver Lake pavilion and the Chalet du Mont-Royal.

To make reservations, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 0 or send us an email. The calendar of events is also available on Les amis’ website or on the site of the Ville de Montréal’s Grands parcs.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - December 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

30 years and counting!; the importance of nature in education; solid results for the ESP; projects, worksites and briefs; nominations and awards - and more!

Photo: Samuel Montigné

SAVE THE DATE

Beginning December 17, come and enjoy the pleasures of winter on Mont Royal!
On February 16, save the date for the 15th anniversary edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration!

“MONT ROYAL, A TERRITORY TO DISCOVER” PHOTO ALBUM

NEWS

30 years and counting!
The importance of nature in education
Proud partners of the Une école montréalaise pour tous program
Solid results for the Environmental Stewardship Program

PROTECTION ISSUES

Projects:
- Adoption of the Cultural Heritage Act
- Accessibility – the mountain’s western flank
- A collective project looks at the future of the monteregian hills
- The future of urban agriculture in Montreal

Worksites:
- Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery – construction of a new ceremonial pathway
- Mount Royal ring road – construction begins on two new sections

Briefs:
- Draft amendment regarding antennas
- Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD)
- Proposed height and density changes for areas of downtown

NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS

Three honorary members are named to Les amis de la montagne
Nomination to the city’s Direction des grands parcs et du verdissement
The Centre d’exposition of the Université de Montréal receives a prestigious award

TAKE ACTION

It’s time to make your year-end donation!

“MONT ROYAL, A TERRITORY TO DISCOVER” PHOTO ALBUM

The official inauguration of the permanent exhibition “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” was held last November 9 at Maison Smith in the presence of many partners, friends and guests in a most festive and convivial atmosphere. It was the occasion for dignitaries’ speeches, a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony and the announcement of the winners of the “La montagne en images” photo contest.

In addition to offering an interactive and immersive experience to discover the mountain’s multiple heritage elements, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” is an invitation to explore the mountain and ultimately, to participate in its conservation and perpetuity.

The inaugural festivities at Maison Smith continued through the weekend of November 12 and 13 with a series of open house activities for the general public. Hundreds of visitors participated in story-telling sessions, enjoyed an artists’ illustrations of exceptional trees and participated in discovery walks through the forest.

The “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” exhibition is accessible during Maison Smith’s regular opening hours throughout the year. Admission is free.

Click here to see the photo album of the inaugural events. Photos by Martin Roy (inauguration) and Delphine Delair (open house).

NEWS

30 YEARS AND COUNTING!

With great emotion, lots of laughter and the sharing of poignant memories, current and former employees of the Centre de la montagne and Les amis de la montagne gathered on November 22 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the organization’s founding.

L to R: Peter A. Howlett, C.M., Anne-Marie Prud'homme, Claude Lefrançois, Lorraine Bonneville, Michel Famelart

The Centre de la montagne was the first of the two organizations to be created in 1981 by a group of newly graduated biology students from the Université de Montréal, who wanted to make the mountain better known and appreciated. Five years later, Les amis de la montagne was created in order to stop the construction of an immense communications tower in Mont-Royal Park. Marrying their passion for the mountain with their respective areas of expertise, the two organizations joined forces in 2006 under the banner “Les amis de la montagne”.

L to R: Jean-Yves Benoit, Claude Lefrançois, Lorraine Bonneville

These 30 years of involvement on the mountain has provided for the engagement of hundreds of young people for the mountain cause together with the participation of thousands of volunteers and partners over the years. An evaluation of the work accomplished over these years brings to light the impressive number of projects and programs initiated by the organization related to education, as well as Mont Royal’s conservation, protection and enhancement.

L to R: Réjean Gravel, Maurice Landry, Éric Richard, Joanne Groulx

The “homecoming” event on November 22 welcomed the return of the organization’s pioneers, those who were there from the very beginning, and those, who 30 years later, pursue the founders’ commitment with as much passion, determination and enjoyment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN EDUCATION

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Young people today spend less and less time in nature and this decrease has consequences on their overall health and well-being.

A call to action to promote an increase in Quebec youth’s contact with nature was recently launched, as well as a new edition of the Une école montréalaise pour tous program.

Read more here …

SOLID RESULTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Five years ago, Les amis de la montagne initiated the Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) on Mont Royal to support mountain property owners and managers in their efforts to conserve the mountain’s natural environment and to encourage citizen participation in hands-on activities. Les amis are proud to announce another round of successful results for actions undertaken between May and October 2011.

Read more here …

PROTECTION ISSUES

PROJECTS

ADOPTION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT

Adopted by the Quebec National Assembly on October 19, the Cultural Heritage Act will become law in October 2012.

Read more here …

ACCESSIBILITY – THE MOUNTAIN’S WESTERN FLANK

Last July, as part of the “Belvédère Éphémère” project, Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with numerous partners, invited the community to question the accessibility of the mountain from its western flank. For this occasion, the ramp for vehicles located at the corner of Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges was closed to traffic for one weekend to allow residents in the neighbourhood and visitors to the park to reclaim this space and enjoy this little-known viewpoint.

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Following the success of this undertaking, Les amis de la montagne communicated with the elected officials from the Ville-Marie borough and those responsible for Mont Royal, to ask for the permanent closure of this vehicular ramp. Les amis further asked that this space become a permanent lookout, to make pedestrian access to this important gateway to the park more safe and attractive, and to allow the community to benefit from the magnificent views towards downtown and the river.

The Ville de Montréal responded positively to the lookout project and answered that studies will be commissioned to investigate the functionality of the ramp, its current usage and potential impact on traffic, should it be closed. These analyses will help evaluate the feasibility of a permanent lookout integrated into the park at this intersection. To be continued …

A COLLECTIVE PROJECT LOOKS AT THE FUTURE OF THE MONTEREGIAN HILLS

A new study on the nine monteregian hills was announced last October 21 in McMasterville in the Montérégie. The purpose of the study is to provide the analysis and identification of challenges to the protection and enhancement of this chain of hills that includes Mont Royal, St-Bruno, St-Hilaire, Rougemont, St-Grégoire, Yamaska, Shefford, Brome and Mégantic.

A consortium of organizations will undertake the analysis and the studies necessary until May 2012, coordinated by Nature-Action Québec. Les amis de la montagne are in charge of the study related to Mont Royal. A workshop on the monteregians held in 2008 and initiated by the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal inspired this study. The project is being supported by the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal and the Conférences régionales des élus of Montérégie Est, Montréal, Estrie and the agglomeration of Longueuil.

THE FUTURE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN MONTREAL

The Groupe de travail en agriculture urbaine (GTAU) announced on November 15 that more than 25,000 Montrealers signed a petition asking for a public consultation on the state of urban agriculture in Montreal. This number of signatures meets the requirement established by the Ville de Montréal to request a public consultation by right of citizen initiative.

The GTAU has asked that the consultation be run by the central Office de consultation publique de Montréal to debate the place of urban agriculture in the Montreal of tomorrow in order to make recommendations on the social, economic and environmental impact of city gardening initiatives.

To follow the GTAU’s efforts, visit their website at www.agriculturemontreal.info.

WORKSITES

NOTRE-DAME-DES-NEIGES CEMETERY – CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CEREMONIAL PATHWAY

The Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery has undertaken the construction of a new ceremonial pathway through the grassy plain that runs along Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges and Avenue Decelles.

The ceremonial pathway will be flanked by trees. This project was approved by the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine.

MONT ROYAL RING ROAD – CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON TWO NEW SECTIONS

Work has begun by the Ville de Montréal on sections 4 and 5 of the Mont Royal ring road. These two sections will connect the Decelles/Queen-Mary intersection in the Côte-des-Neiges borough to Boulevard Mont-Royal in Outremont via the Chemin de la Polytechnique on the Université de Montréal campus and the new Third Summit Park (northern summit of Mont Royal).

This third phase of construction is the next to last in the creation of the ring road that once complete, will measure more than 10km in length and will be accessible to pedestrians and/or cyclists. The project underwent a public consultation process in 2008 through the central Office de consultation publique de Montréal.

Construction of the ring road began in 2007 and should be complete by 2014. This project is included in the Mont Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan.

BRIEFS

Les amis de la montagne submitted three briefs this fall on the Draft amendment regarding telecommunications antennas, the Land use and development plan (PMAD) and the proposed height and density changes for areas of downtown.

Click on this link to read the briefs (available in French) …

NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS

THREE HONORARY MEMBERS ARE NAMED TO LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE

At Les amis de la montagne’s annual general meeting held October 27 last, the Governors of the corporation approved the nomination of three honorary members, Dr. Charles Beveridge, Mr. Witold Rybczynski and Mr. Gilles Gagnon. These individuals were recognized for having gained greater attention to and recognition for Mont Royal on both a national and an international level. These gentlemen are the first honorary members to be named to the corporation, a decision taken to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of Les amis de la montagne.

Photo: Yves Médam

Dr. Charles Beveridge is a historian and professor, and author and editor of the Frederick Law Olmsted papers. He has received numerous recognition awards in the course of his career including honorary member of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Based in the United States, he is recognized as a North American authority in the philosophy and landscape architectural works of F.L. Olmsted. Dr. Beveridge has visited Montreal several times and in 2007, delivered a conference at Montreal’s City Hall on the occasion of the Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony honoring the now late Mrs. Edith Low-Beer.

Mr. Witold Rybczynski, professor and writer, is the recipient of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize and winner of the Charles Taylor Prize in 2000 for his work A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and North America in the Nineteenth Century, a veritable testament to Olmsted’s vision of landscape architecture. Residing today in the United States, Mr. Rybczynski studied architecture at McGill University, where he also taught. He is pictured above with Mr. Patrick Kenniff, Governor of Les amis, during a recent visit to Montreal.

Mr. Gilles Gagnon was a professor, engineer, architect, urban planner and administrator. Involved in the management of major projects in Montreal and internationally, he was a pioneer in citizen involvement through his association with the Montreal Parks and Playgrounds Association (1904-1974), an organization dedicated to creating and managing green spaces for the well-being of all citizens. The tireless work of Mr. Gagnon has provided Mont Royal today with a solid base of popular support. Shortly after his nomination, it was with great sadness that Les amis de la montagne learned of his passing on October 26 at the age of 89.

MR. MARIO CICIOLI IS NAMED DIRECTOR OF THE CITY’S DIRECTION DES GRANDS PARCS ET DU VERDISSEMENT

On October 19, the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal approved the nomination of Mr. Mario Cicioli to the position of Director of the Direction des grands parcs et du verdissement. Mr. Cicioli will maintain his role as Assistant to the Associate Executive Director of the Service du développement et des opérations in the Bureau du Mont-Royal. Les amis de la montagne extend their congratulations to Mr. Cicioli for this nomination.

THE CENTRE D’EXPOSITION OF THE UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL RECEIVES A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Les amis de la montagne extend congratulations to the Centre d’exposition of the Université de Montréal for receiving the Prix Excellence 2011 last October from the Société des musées québécois for a multi-platform exhibition titled, Art pour tous – Les œuvres publiques de l’Université de Montréal s’exposent.

This exhibition on the University’s collection of public art renders this remarkable artistic heritage available to the community. Composed of a variety of relevant and choice tools, the exhibit in situ consists of explanatory panels located near the works, a web exhibit, videos, podcasts and a print catalogue for self-guided visits. All combined, this exhibit is physically and virtually accessible at all times to suit the visitors’ choice. You may visit the exhibition website at www.artpourtous.ca.

TAKE ACTION

IT’S TIME TO MAKE YOUR YEAR-END DONATION!

Les amis de la montagne counts on your support to pursue its mission. Each donation counts. As we approach the end of 2011, we invite you to contribute to Les amis’ annual campaign, if you haven’t already done so. In addition to supporting our programs and activities, you take part in the preservation of Mont Royal. Click here to make your secure donation online. A receipt for income tax purposes will be issued for all donations of $35 and more. THANK YOU!

THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN EDUCATION

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Mont Royal: A school without walls in the great outdoors

Young people today spend less and less time in nature and this decrease has consequences on their overall health and well-being. On the occasion of the annual conference held by the Association québécoise pour la promotion de l'éducation relative à l'environnement (AQPERE) on November 3 and 4, members of the environmental education community in Quebec examined this challenge for a second year. More than 100 organizations from throughout the province, including Les amis de la montagne, signed a call to action to promote an increase in Quebec youth’s contact with nature.

Several European countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Great Britain have established national education programs that ensure more time spent in nature during regular class hours. Programs for 4 to 6 year olds have demonstrated that regular and frequent contact with nature stimulates their motivation and concentration, develops their motor skills, improves their health, boosts their self- confidence and develops their social skills (see the "Forest Kindergarten Feasibility Study" published in Scotland in 2009).

With a solid 30 years of experience in the domain of environmental education on Mont Royal, Les amis de la montagne already actively contribute to this movement. Mont Royal, by virtue of its accessibility and proximity to the urban population, provides unique experiences in nature to thousands of Montreal youth. All of the educational programs developed by Les amis de la montagne, from pre-school to university levels, emphasize direct contact with nature. Each year, nearly 10,000 young people participate in Les amis’ activities held in nature on the mountain. Through sensory play in the forest or the observation of flora and fauna, our educators share their passion for this remarkable natural environment in the heart of our urban metropolis.

The Mont Royal experience extends beyond the school context. Les amis de la montagne created a summer day camp program in 2009, allowing dozens of children the opportunity to spend a week in the mountain forest during the summer. This year, nearly 200 children participated in the day camp. Anxious to provide the day camp on the mountain to more children, Les amis continue to seek stronger partnerships with schools and community organizations located around the mountain. A new project with the ministry of education’s Une école montréalaise pour tous program, for example, will provide 400 6-7 year-olds the opportunity to discover the seasons on Mont Royal through visits in the fall, winter and spring (see article below).

PROUD PARTNERS OF THE UNE ÉCOLE MONTRÉALAISE POUR TOUS PROGRAM

According to Quebec’s ministry of education, students from disadvantaged neighbourhoods have less access to and therefore, lack the benefits derived from enrichment programs that integrate cultural activities in teaching. New practices in cultural learning in disadvantaged neighbourhoods aim to develop greater interest in the arts and sciences, and promote visits to centres that provide cultural, artistic and scientific programs.

For the last four years, Les amis de la montagne have proudly partnered with the Projet de médiation culturelle en milieu défavorisé that has contributed positively towards the creation of a committed educational community in this area.

In 2011-2012, close to 400 students from grades 1 and 2 (20 classes) will participate through this program in Les amis’ “school without walls in the great outdoors.” The organization’s educational services division has developed a tailor-made program that will introduce children to how the mountain’s flora and fauna adapts to the different seasons.

This fall and winter, either by foot or on snowshoes, the students will explore Mont Royal and visit the stables of the SPVM cavalry. During the outings, children will be encouraged to take mental snapshots of what they observe in order to later transcribe and illustrate their ideas on paper. Next May, all the students will gather at Maison Smith to showcase their portfolios.

Éric Richard, director of educational programs

SOLID RESULTS FOR THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

As part of the International Year of Forests

The priority since 2009 has been to reduce the fragmentation of the woods in Mont-Royal Park in accordance with the Mont Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan’s biodiversity conservation objectives. The actions undertaken, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are aimed at increasing the ecological corridors to connect numerous wooded areas in order to promote the dispersion and the migration of a variety of species.

Results of actions undertaken between May and October, 2011 include:

Planting of 1,912 indigenous trees and shrubs;
Evaluation of 1,087 trees and shrubs planted in Mont-Royal Park since 2006. Preliminary results indicate a very appreciable overall survival rate of about 78%;
Cutting of common buckthorn, an exotic invasive shrub that reduces the efficiency of plantings and threatens the regeneration of indigenous species;
Collecting 150 bags of trash from the underbrush during the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, where all forested zones of the park and the St-Joseph’s Oratory of Mont-Royal site were cleaned.

The ESP is made possible through the invaluable participation of volunteers from the community, a total of 1,337 individuals in 2011, who came on their own or in groups to help protect the mountain’s natural environment.

Les amis de la montagne extends heartfelt thanks to all citizens and the following groups: Atelier Bon débarras, Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi (Centre-Ville), Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi (Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve), groups from C-Vert de Montréal, Fido and Chubb Insurance (in collaboration with Evergreen), TD Bank Group, Groupe Transat, HSBC, Les pousses urbaines, Lower Canada College, Manulife Financial, McGill University’s Environment Club, Société Radio-Canada and Sukyo Mahikari.

Les amis further thanks its financial partners for their support, in particular the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, principal partner of Mont-Royal Month and TD Green Sunday, that contribute generously to the ESP.

Thank you to Evergreen for its financial support and continued confidence that allows Les amis to establish new partnerships with numerous corporate groups.

Finally, our sincerest thanks to the team at the city’s Division des Grands parcs and the park’s maintenance team for their excellent collaboration in making this program possible.

LES AMIS FILED THREE BRIEFS IN NOVEMBER 2011

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Draft amendment regarding telecommunications antennas; Land use and development plan (PMAD); proposed height and density changes for areas of downtown

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE SUBMITTED THREE BRIEFS IN OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2011:

1) DRAFT AMENDMENT REGARDING ANTENNAS

This November, Les amis de la montagne participated in the Ville de Montréal’s public consultations on the draft amendment regarding antennas. Les amis’ brief consisted of an analysis of the amendment along four major points:

The impact of telecommunications antennas on our health;
The adoption of principles to ensure the most appropriate integration of antennas;
The protection of views;
The question of existing antennas that will be exempt from the new by-laws.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

2) LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (PMAD)

The Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) held a public consultation on the Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD) from September 28 to October 21. The consultation drew a historic level of participation with 344 briefs submitted for consideration. The report by the commission was presented last November 17.

Les amis de la montagne submitted a brief on the environment aspect of the project. Among other points, Les amis emphasized the importance of the monteregian hills and the structural role they play for the greater metropolitan community.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

3) PROPOSED HEIGHT AND DENSITY CHANGES FOR AREAS OF DOWNTOWN

The Ville-Marie borough has initiated a reflection process on the future of downtown Montreal in order to sustain the vibrancy of property development in this area, particularly the residential market. The Office de consultation publique de Montréal was mandated to lead public consultations on the height and density changes proposed by the borough.

Les amis de la montagne presented a brief on November 30 that made a point of stressing the highly symbolic value of Mont Royal for Montreal. The protection of views “to” and “from” Mont Royal must be meticulously scrutinized when considerations are made for increasing the height and density of buildings in downtown Montreal. The organization recommends that the borough carry its analysis further regarding the protection of views; a first study of this issue was conducted during the production of the Mont Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan in 2008 which identified the need to protect 18 views.

For Les amis de la montagne, the conciliation between developing the downtown core and protecting views is attainable, but absolutely requires an in-depth study that takes into consideration the structural role of Mont Royal as integral to the landscape of the downtown core and of Montreal.

Click on this link to read Les amis’ brief, available in French.

"MONT ROYAL, A TERRITORY TO DISCOVER"

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Les amis de la montagne inaugurate the new permanent exhibition at Maison Smith

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Official inauguration ceremony
Announcement of the winners of the photo contest "La montagne en images"
Unveiling of the historic wall mural and launch of the book "The hill that wanted to become a mountain"
Open House at Maison Smith on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13
Thank-you to our partners!

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE INAUGURATE THE NEW PERMANENT EXHIBITION AT MAISON SMITH

MONTREAL, November 9, 2011 – Today marked the official inauguration of the permanent exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, at Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park. The new exhibition spreads throughout this historic domain, allowing visitors to discover the many riches of the mountain.

Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President of Les amis de la montagne, inaugurated the exhibition with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Alan DeSousa, Vice-President of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, Dominique Malack, Chef du Service des immobilisations et du patrimoine, Direction de Montréal, Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition feminine and Amélie Picher, Regional Director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, together with Catherine Leconte, Executive Director of the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement and Christine Bélanger, Project Coordinator of the Fondation de la faune du Québec.

“For 30 years, Les amis de la montagne have dedicated themselves with energy, passion and enthusiasm to the discovery, appreciation and conservation of Mont Royal,” said Peter A. Howlett, C.M. “By way of the “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” exhibition, Les amis de la montagne invites visitors to familiarize themselves with the mountain territory and to become aware of its many treasures before setting outdoors to discover more of this unique site.”

“For Montrealers, not only does Mont Royal form a part of the landscape, but it is also a magnificent site for recreation and an environmental treasure of inestimable value,” added Alan DeSousa. “I also extend an invitation to all Montrealers to explore the many activities that revolve around this exhibition, an excellent way to discover the attractions that make Mont Royal a destination of choice, a natural environment that benefits from a protection and enhancement status.”

L to R: Catherine Leconte, Directrice Générale, Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement, Dominique Malack, Chef du Service des immobilisations et du patrimoine, Direction de Montréal, ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne, Alan DeSousa, Vice-Chairman of the Executive of the Ville de Montréal and responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, Amélie Picher, Regional Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Christine Bélanger, Coordonnatrice de projets, Fondation de la faune du Québec. Photo © Les amis de la montagne/Martin Roy.

Dynamic exhibits, historic photos and a mural timeline, artefacts, audio-visual elements, games and touch screens are dispersed over three floors of Maison Smith. “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” offers an interactive and immersive experience to visitors of all ages, and admission is free.

Uniting a network of experts, partners and institutions to develop the Mont Royal permanent exhibition, Les amis de la montagne will develop a new series of programs and activities inspired from the exhibition content, such as learning tools for students and their teachers, interpretation activities for the general public and tourists, and temporary exhibits in line with the various themes.

The exhibition project was developed in two phases. The first phase was launched in October 2008 in the form of an interactive map that focuses on the historic and natural heritage of the mountain in a novel way, using interactive technologies. In addition to the public and private partners that provided funding for this first phase of the project, Les amis de la montagne welcomed the participation of 16 institutional and association partners on Mont Royal. The interactive map is still available for free on Les amis’ website.

Les amis de la montagne thank their partners for their financial support of the second phase of this ambitious project: the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal in the amount of $403,000, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation in the amount of $75,000, the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement in the amount of $30,000 and the Fondation de la faune du Québec in the amount of $15,000, for an overall total of $523,000.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNERS OF THE PHOTO CONTEST "LA MONTAGNE EN IMAGES"

MONTREAL, November 9, 2011 - As part of the official inauguration of the permanent exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, Les amis de la montagne and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation announced the winners of the photo contest, “La montagne en images.”

The photo contest is aimed at highlighting the heritage, activities and beauty of Mont Royal through photography. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, partners of this second edition of the contest, also provided financial support to the permanent exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, through a donation of $75,000.

“Not only do the photographers express their creativity by immortalizing the mountain through photography, they also help to sensitize those who admire their work of the natural, social and heritage riches of Mont Royal,” said Amélie Picher, Regional Director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. “We are therefore pleased to contribute to the enhancement of the mountains’ beauty as seen through the eyes of photographers. We congratulate the winners of the contest and invite members of the community to visit the exhibit in great numbers to admire these unique artistic creations.”

Amélie Picher joined Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne, to preside over the prize ceremony to recognize the top three winners in each of the contest categories, including: Works of art and buildings, Activities and pastimes, Fauna of Mont Royal, Trees and forests of Mont Royal, and Light, as well as the Grand Prix du Jury, the Prix des Amis, the Honorable Mention and the Jury’s Pick.

“Les amis de la montagne are pleased that the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation are partners in the realization of the exhibition “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” and particularly of the photo contest, that benefitted this year from an increase in participants, enamoured by Mont Royal. The mountain has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists through time, as witnessed by the winning photos of the contest. I would like to thank all the contest participants for their important contribution towards the enhancement of Mont Royal and I invite Montrealers to visit Maison Smith to enjoy the exhibition,” said Sylvie Guilbault.

Photo : Martin Roy

WINNERS OF THE 2011 PHOTO CONTEST “LA MONTAGNE EN IMAGES”

Click here to view the winning photos.

Grand Prix du Jury: Richard Duret, Chalet du Mont-Royal
Prix des Amis: Jean-Guy Morisset, Entre ciel et terre
Honorable Mention: Vicky Robinson (photo taken by her father’s best friend at the lookout in 1938), Mount Royal 1938
Jury’s Pick: Samuel Montigné, Percée de soleil

Works of art and buildings
1st prize: Jake Bloomfield (student, St-Georges High School of Montreal), Drops
2nd prize: Clairette Paquette, La halte
3rd prize: Joanne Lévesque, Une visite au chalet de la montagne

Activities and pastimes
1st prize: Jean-Bernard Vidal, Neige
2nd prize: Patrice Clouthier, Leap of faith
3rd prize: Maddie Steinsacks (student, St-Georges High School of Montreal), Above

Fauna of Mont Royal
1st prize: Carole Lambert, Fragile robe ailée
2nd prize: Yves Déry, Maitre piqueur
3rd prize: Clairette Paquette, Nageons sur les nuages

Trees and forests of Mont Royal
1st prize: Jean-Michel Villanove, Neige tardive
2nd prize: Jordan Stern, Mount Royal
3rd prize: MoeMents (Mohamed Nagi), I hear your voice calling my name

Light
1st prize: Hannah Palmer, Renard de Cedar
2nd prize: Luc Therrien, Aurore
3rd prize: Richard Duret, Demi-jour sur le lac

The winning photographs are on display at the Café des Amis at Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, until springtime. Les amis de la montagne would like to underline the excellent work of the members of the jury, Céline Martin, Environment Advisor, TD Assurance, Stéphane Dionne, professional photographer, and Daniel Leblanc, Director of Outdoor Services and Sales for Les amis de la montagne, and also an amateur photographer. Finally, Les amis de la montagne thank Photo-Service for their generous contribution of gift certificates to the first-place prize winners in each of the contest categories. Congratulations to the winners!

UNVEILING OF THE HISTORIC WALL MURAL AND LAUNCH OF THE BOOK "THE HILL THAT WANTED TO BECOME A MOUNTAIN"

MONTREAL, November 9, 2011 - The historic wall mural hand-painted by Montreal illustrator Alain Pilon was unveiled today at Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park and depicts 17 moments chosen in the history of the mountain. The unveiling was held as part of the official inauguration of the new exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover.”

Photo : Martin Roy

At first glance at the wall mural, visitors are pleasantly surprised, charmed and captivated by this intriguing mountain timeline, which is illustrated in an original and humorous fashion. The wall mural was created using the technique of vinyl transfer, coloured by hand using paints in vibrant yellows and oranges, grey and black.

To complement the wall art, an attractive book has been published featuring Alain Pilon’s 17 illustrations, entitled “The hill that wanted to become a mountain”, accompanied by equally imaginative and informative texts by Jean-Michel Villanove, an educator with Les amis de la montagne, responsible for the exhibition project.

“The hill that wanted to become a mountain” is available for sale at the Maison Smith nature boutique, also available in the original French version, “La colline qui voulait devenir une montagne”. The book was published with the financial support of the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel du Montréal.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

OPEN HOUSE AT MAISON SMITH ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 AND 13

On Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, 2011, Les amis de la montagne invite all Montrealers to take part in a variety of family-friendly activities as part of the inaugural ceremonies of the new exhibition, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover”, at Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., participants may visit the new exhibition accompanied by members of the Les amis de la montagne educational staff, explore the interactive terminals and giant touch-screen map of the mountain, view the winning photos of the “La montagne en images” contest, and visit the temporary exhibit “La montagne comme dans un conte, dessinée en noir et blanc” presented by artist Charles L’Heureux. At noon and again at 3 p.m., the artist will lead exploratory walks in the forest.

Also, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Shakti Ortega St-Amant will present a series of short tales specially crafted for this occasion, and at 2 p.m., Élisabeth Desjardins will perform her tale, entitled, “La femme qui parle avec les arbres.”

Finally, at the Café des Amis in Maison Smith, coffee, tea and cookies will be served to exhibition visitors, on the house!

Come one, come all!

THANK-YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Les amis de la montagne thank their partners for their generous financial support of this ambitious project: the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal in the amount of $403,000, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation in the amount of $75,000, the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement in the amount of $30,000 and the Fondation de la faune du Québec in the amount of $15,000, for an overall total of $523,000.

OPEN HOUSE ON NOVEMBER 12 AND 13, 2011

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0400

As part of the official inauguration of the permanent exhibition, "Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover" at Maison Smith

MONTREAL, November 6, 2011 - The new Mont Royal exhibition is displayed throughout Maison Smith, inviting visitors to discover the mountain’s historic, landscape and built heritage, as well as its flora and fauna. Through dynamic exhibits, historic photos and murals, artefacts, audio-visual elements, interactive games and touch-screens, “Mont Royal, A Territory to Discover” offers visitors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the mountain territory prior to heading outdoors.

OPEN HOUSE, NOVEMBER 12 AND 13, 2011

Les amis de la montagne invite Montrealers of all ages to a series of family-friendly activities: guided visits of the exhibition, storytelling, exploratory walks in the forest, display of the winning photographs of the “La montagne en images” photo contest and the temporary exhibit of forest illustrations by Charles L’Heureux.

SCHEDULE (storytelling will be held in French)

11 am       Family storytelling with Shakti Ortega St-Amant
12 pm       Exploratory walk in the forest, guided by artist Charles L’Heureux
1 pm       Family Storytelling with Shakti Ortega St-Amant
2 pm       Storytelling "La femme qui parle avec les arbres", with Elisabeth Desjardins
3 pm       Exploratory walk in the forest, guided by artist Charles L’Heureux
3:30 pm   Coffee, tea and cookies in the Café des Amis

THE VILLE DE MONTRÉAL REJECTS THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL’S EXPANSION PROJECT

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) has rendered its decision to reject the project to expand the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) in a residential building located outside the hospital’s actual property, following an exhaustive study of 25 briefs and oral presentations by citizens and concerned community groups, including Les amis de la montagne.

The OCPM clearly pointed to the resolution adopted by the municipal council on May 20th last, establishing a strict interpretation of the notion of the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction, a critical element of the Mont-Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan. The
Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal heeded this recommendation and rejected the zoning change requested by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). The Minister of Health declared that the ministry would not intervene in this dossier, which is now closed.

The MGH benefits from its place of privilege within the protected Mont Royal perimeter, adjacent to Mont-Royal Park, which necessarily dictates responsibilities by the owners of this site, recognized as having heritage interest for all of Quebec.

In its brief, Les amis de la montagne underlined the importance of reinforcing the commitment made by the MUHC to plan all of its future development on the Glen site, the location of the MUHC’s super-hospital currently under construction. The brief also stressed that the need for a common vision on the future of all the hospital properties on the southern flank of Mont Royal is still a necessity.

Click on this link to read Les amis de la montagne’s brief (in French).

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND BRIEFS

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The "Projet métropolitain d'aménagement et de développement" and the "Plan d'urbanisme sur les antennes"

The Projet métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement (PMAD)

The PMAD is a planning document aimed at guiding the development of the territory of the entire metropolitan community for the years to come. The Communauté métropolitain de Montréal (CMM) is required to establish such a plan in order to coordinate interventions on its territory in a coherent and coordinated manner.

The public consultation period on the new draft PMAD continues to October 21st and Les amis de la montagne will submit a brief to the commissioners.

The Plan includes three areas of interest: development, transportation and the environment. Les amis’ brief concentrates on the environment, with an emphasis on the efforts still required to enhance natural and built areas, as well as the landscape.

The establishment of clear and precise orientations will allow for the better preservation and linking of all the landscapes on the territory of the CMM, including four of the nine Monteregian hills, which are great assets to all of Quebec.

The experiences drawn from the protection and enhancement efforts for Mont Royal will certainly serve as an example to help orient the CMM in its initiatives.

Click on this link to access the official PMAD website.
To learn more about the necessity and the characteristics of a PMAD, click on this link to visit the site of the MAMROT.

The Plan d’urbanisme sur les antennes

In light of the increase in the number of telecommunication antennas and their disorderly proliferation in Montreal, City Council would like to submit a draft amendment to the Master Plan complementary document. To do so, the Office de consultation publique de Montréal has been mandated to hold a public consultation to consider the rules governing the conditions and criteria for the installation of antennas on both public and private properties.

The main challenge is the impact of antennas on the urban landscape; this problem is further accentuated on a landscape of great value, such as Mont Royal. There is also a public health concern regarding the presence of antennas in the urban environment, although studies to date indicate that the impact on health is negligible.

In order to avoid compromising the quality of landscapes by the presence of antennas, certain principles could be adopted, such as those by other countries including France and Spain that ensure the better integration of antennas in the landscape. In Montreal, several boroughs already hold high standards in this regard and could serve as a reference in the current process.

Click on this link for further information and relevant documents on the site of the OCPM.

FIDO-EVERGREEN’S “SHARE YOUR CARE” CAMPAIGN

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis receive $2,500 for their urban tree nursery project

Since 1994, Les amis de la montagne have mobilized members of the Montreal community in tree and shrub-planting exercises on Mont Royal. Since 2006, about 2,000 plants have been planted per year. In total, 3,500 volunteers have planted 16,000 trees.

Over the next several years, Les amis are getting involved in a project in partnership with another local organization to develop an urban tree nursery in Montreal that also has an educational mission. Thanks to a financial contribution from the Fido-Evergreen « Share your care » campaign, Les amis will undertake the following pilot projects this fall:

A project to grow plants from tree seeds taken from Mont Royal will be led with a class from the École Arc-en-Ciel in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. These elementary school students will participate in each step of the project that runs from this October to next June, from the collection of seeds to the evaluation of their germination rate next spring. The shoots produced will be recuperated by the nursery and eventually planted on Mont Royal.

A second project involves the recuperation of young stalks of shrubs and trees that will be disturbed by the construction work on the ring road in the forest of the Outremont summit. The stalks will be uprooted by volunteers on October 15 and will be planted in pots before being stored on the grounds of the Université de Montréal. These plants will be transported to the new nursery next year and will also eventually be planted on Mont Royal.

The educational approaches and methodologies used in these two projects could serve as a model for the nursery’s future activities.

INTRODUCING THE "GÉOGUIDE DU MONT-ROYAL" APP

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne launch a mobile application to explore Mont-Royal Park

Les amis de la montagne are pleased to launch a brand-new, free and unique mobile application that will enhance your next visit to Mont-Royal Park. This application is the newest addition to Les amis’ interpretation tool-kit that for 30 years, has provided a host of opportunities to the community and visitors to discover the mountain’s rich heritage.

Using the latest in georeferencing technology, where geographic coordinates are attributed to an image, the « Géoguide du mont Royal » provides nearly 20 points of interest in Mont-Royal Park that the visitor can discover more in-depth.

Once you have downloaded the application on your iPhone (or iPod Touch or iPad), you must come to Mont-Royal Park; when you are within close proximity of a point of interest, your iPhone is activated and an audio-video capsule is automatically launched. Each point of interest also contains a slide-show that allows you to see the area in a variety of angles, under different conditions or in an earlier era. The points of interest are all taken from Les amis de la montagne’s interactive map.

This preliminary 1.0.1 version of the application, currently available only in French, was produced by Thierry Gendron, David Genest and Éric Fortin of the fledging company, Iekho.com.

Click on this link to download the application free of charge for your iPhone from the iTunes “app store”.

Have a great visit!

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - October 2011

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Invitation to the public forum; the MUHC project is rejected; Les amis hold their 25th annual general meeting; an urban tree nursery project; Les amis launch a free and unique mobile application; the 3 summits guided walk; cross-country ski lessons for children - and more!

Wood duck in Lac aux Castors, september 2011: © Samuel Montigné

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

FEATURES

The Ville de Montréal rejects the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project
Public consultations and briefs: the Projet métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement and the Plan d’urbanisme sur les antennes
Les amis de la montagne welcome an Armenian delegation to Maison Smith

NEWS

Les amis hold their 25th Annual General Meeting
Fido-Evergreen’s “Share Your Care” campaign: Les amis receive $2,500 for their urban tree nursery project
École Polytechnique de Montréal receives “Sustainable Campus” certification
The Summit Woods gets a little help from its friends

ACTIVITIES

Les amis de la montagne launch an innovative mobile application featuring Mont-Royal Park
Registration period for children’s cross-country ski lessons is now open
An autumn “must” is back: the Mount Royal’s Three Summits guided walking tour

TAKE ACTION

Les amis de la montagne celebrate their 25th anniversary, the age of a generation

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The public forum is back after a short hiatus and will be held:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Maison Smith, Mont-Royal Park, 1260 Chemin Remembrance

Join us for a brief recap of the various dossiers and recent news items related to the mountain, including: Montreal General Hospital; former convent of the Saint-Noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie; the M sur la montagne project on the former Marianopolis College campus; the Belvédère Éphémère project; and the briefs submitted by Les amis de la montagne over the last several months.

Photo: Ville de Montréal

Also, we invite you to join us for a stimulating exchange with members of several new groups that have formed around the mountain in defense of their particular interests, in order to become better acquainted and to forge stronger links in working together.

We look forward to seeing you at what promises to be an animated forum!

For further information, contact Firoozeh Djavedani, community relations coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

FEATURES

THE VILLE DE MONTRÉAL REJECTS THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL’S EXPANSION PROJECT

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) has rendered its decision to reject the project to expand the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) in a residential building located outside the hospital’s actual property, following an exhaustive study of 25 briefs and oral presentations by citizens and concerned community groups, including Les amis de la montagne.

Click here to read the full article …

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS AND BRIEFS

Les amis de la montagne participate in the Projet métropolitain d’aménagement et de développement and the Plan d’urbanisme sur les antennes.

Click here to read the full article …

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE WELCOME AN ARMENIAN DELEGATION TO MAISON SMITH

Representatives of Erevan, the capital of Armenia, were in Montreal in September to learn about the mechanism’s Montreal has in place regarding public consultation and civic participation in the municipal process. The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) coordinated numerous visits with a variety of stakeholders, including Les amis de la montagne.

Since 2001, Montreal has been developing relations with the capital of Armenia, which led in 2010 to the signing of a memorandum of cooperation for a period of two years. According to the last Quebec census of 2006, the greater Montreal area has an active population of close to 24,000 people of Armenian ethnic origin.

NEWS

LES AMIS HOLD THEIR 25th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Les amis de la montagne held their 25th Annual General Meeting in the freshly renovated meeting rooms of Maison Smith on September 27th last. Members of the Board and management provided the assembly with a very positive review of the organization’s activities for the fiscal year 2010-2011. You may click on this link to read the 2010-2011 Activity Report available in « virtual paper » format on Les amis’ website.

The annual meeting was also the occasion to distribute the 8th edition of the Mont Royal map, entitled « Historic and Natural District by the numbers ». The theme of the 2011 map highlights the double contribution of Mont Royal to our collective quality of life and our economic prosperity. The map is distributed to participants of Les amis’ interpretation activities, such as the public forum, during presentations by members of the team or guided walking tours. You may request a copy on your next visit to Maison Smith.

The activities of Les amis de la montagne are made possible through the generosity and the involvement of a great many individuals, foundations, companies, public bodies and partner organizations. Les amis extend particular thanks to all members of the Board and its committees, the campaign cabinet and Governors of the corporation, who through their commitment and participation in the mission of the organization, perpetuate a 150-year tradition of citizen involvement in the preservation of the mountain.

FIDO-EVERGREEN’S “SHARE YOUR CARE” CAMPAIGN: LES AMIS RECEIVE $2,500 FOR THEIR URBAN TREE NURSERY PROJECT

ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE DE MONTRÉAL RECEIVES “SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS” CERTIFICATION

The École Polytechnique de Montréal, an institution located on Mont Royal, received « Sustainable Campus » certification on September 20th last by the Sierra Youth Coalition, a Canadian, non-profit organization that publicly recognizes the efforts undertaken by universities with regards sustainable development.

As part of their new policy on sustainable development put in place this year, the École Polytechnique stands as an example of commitment, success and change. According to the institution, the certification is not only a reward, but also a catalyst in the pursuit of further initiatives.

THE SUMMIT WOODS GETS A LITTLE HELP FROM ITS FRIENDS

Les amis de la montagne welcome the recent creation of a citizens’ committee dedicated to conservation and awareness-raising activities on the Westmount summit, a territory well used by the community that lies within the protected Mont Royal Historic and Natural District. Les amis have shared their experiences and expertise in environmental stewardship initiatives with representatives of this new committee and is committed to pursuing such collaboration as desired.

Following the request by a group of citizens, the City of Westmount recently decided to change the name of « Summit Park » to « Summit Woods ». This new designation is intended to better describe the reality of this territory as a natural reserve, in order to make the community more aware of its fragility. One project the committee is undertaking is the installation of an educational sign in a highly trafficked area of the woods related to the observation of flora and fauna in all seasons.

ACTIVITIES

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE LAUNCH AN INNOVATIVE MOBILE APPLICATION FEATURING MONT-ROYAL PARK

Les amis de la montagne are pleased to launch a brand-new, free and unique mobile application that will enhance your next visit to Mont-Royal Park. This application is the newest addition to Les amis’ interpretation tool-kit that for 30 years, has provided a host of opportunities to the community and visitors to discover the mountain’s rich heritage.

REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR CHILDREN’S CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS IS NOW OPEN

Take advantage of the outdoor activities offered for children this winter in Mont-Royal Park. As of now, you may register your children in the Club de ski de fond des Amis de la montagne, that offers, in collaboration with Ski de Fond Québec, both Bunny Rabbit lessons for 4 and 5 year-olds and Jackrabbit lessons, for children 6 to 9 years-old (10 and 11 year-old novices are also accepted).

Click on this link for information on the time and cost of lessons, as well as the registration details. For all other information, you may call Les amis at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

AN AUTUMN “MUST” IS BACK: THE MOUNT ROYAL’S THREE SUMMITS GUIDED WALKING TOUR

Autumn colours are striking this time of year on Mont Royal! Fall is the perfect season to explore the mountain’s three summits to discover the many heritage elements of the Mont Royal Historic and Natural District and a presentation of its inherent protection challenges. Bring your lunch and wear a solid pair of walking shoes for this 12 km excursion.

This guided walk will be offered on Sunday, October 16 and 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 0. The presentation is in French.

TAKE ACTION

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE CELEBRATE THEIR 25th ANNIVERSARY, THE AGE OF A GENERATION

Les amis de la montagne’s 25th anniversary campaign is in full swing! This year is particularly significant for us, since 25 years represents the age of a generation. And Mont Royal has been at the centre of the lives of Montrealers for generations. Please make a contribution to our campaign and support our efforts: we just launched another exciting season of school programs and guided walks, and have many other initiatives on the go.

Click on this link to make your secure online donation today.

MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPANSION PROJECT

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne support the conclusions of the OCPM, yet still question the future of the health institutions on Mount Royal

Montreal, September 13, 2011 – Les amis de la montagne support the conclusions rendered public today by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) regarding the Montreal General Hospital expansion project on Mount Royal, namely by recalling the importance of the municipal administration’s decision on May 20, 2011, to adopt a resolution establishing a strict definition of the mountain’s capacity to receive new development, an issue central to the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan.

According to Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne, “The report of the OCPM is clear: this second expansion project proposed by the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) still poses numerous problems especially with regards the hospital’s extension outside its existing footprint into a neighbouring residential building, and its impacts on the residential sector located adjacent to Mount Royal Park. Les amis de la montagne strongly supports the recommendation of the OCPM to encourage the MUHC and the Ville de Montréal to pursue efforts to find solutions that are more respectful of this fragile environment.”

In its report, the OCPM states that the MUHC has adopted an approach incompatible with the municipal council’s interpretation of limited capacity by expanding through the use of neighbouring residential building located at 1750 Cedar. The OCPM reminds the Montreal General Hospital of its privileged location within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District, in a residential sector facing Mount Royal Park, a privilege that comes with responsibilities. Today, a new hospital project facing Mount Royal Park would be refused outright.

Les amis de la montagne further supports the OCPM’S call for stronger measures that would commit the MUHC to planning all future development on its Glen Campus, but the organization is still concerned about the lack of an overall vision for the future of the health institutions located on the southern flank of Mount Royal.

“The Ville de Montréal and the Government of Québec are responsible for the protection of Mount Royal, a site of great heritage value that will soon be transformed along its southern flank by the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital and the eventual departure of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children. The question of an overall vision for this entire sector is more than relevant today and must be answered by our elected decision-makers prior to any further expansion or modernization projects,” concludes Sylvie Guilbault.

The report by the OCPM is available on their website at www.ocpm.qc.ca.

-30-

Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237
gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

About Les amis de la montagne
Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works for the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education. (www.lemontroyal.qc.ca)

Regulation of telecommunication antennas

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Announcement regarding a public consultation

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal has been given the mandate to hold a public consultation on the “Règlement modifiant le Plan d'urbanisme de la Ville de Montréal (04-047)” [by-law amending the Master Plan of Ville de Montréal], aiming to add provisions pertaining to antennas to its complementary document.

In 2010, in view of the proliferation of telecommunication antennas on Montreal’s territory, the city council adopted a resolution asking for the establishment of an ad hoc committee on the issue. Although telecommunications fall under federal jurisdiction, municipalities may govern the installation of telecommunication antennas.

The draft by-law submitted for public consultation proposes a series of criteria providing a framework for the installation of antennas on public and private property. It addresses both landscape and safety issues. The subject of telecommunication antennas also raises questions of public health. This consultation will provide an opportunity to disseminate factual information regarding the state of scientific knowledge on relay antennas. Lastly, the issue of competence sharing between the city and boroughs will also be discussed.

To promote the participation of as many people as possible, the consultation will be held in four boroughs.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

September 19, 2011 7:00 P.M., 1550 Metcalfe St., 14th floor (Metro Peel)
September 22, 2011 7:00 P.M., Saint-Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 80 De Castelnau (Metro De Castelnau)
September 27, 2011 7:00 P.M., St Kevin’s Church, 5590 De la Côte-des-Neiges (Metro Côte-des-Neiges)
September 28, 2011 7:00 P.M., Centre récréatif Rivière-des-Prairies, 7650, Maurice-Duplessis Blvd

For complete details on the consultation including how to participate, please consult the web site of the OCPM by clicking on this link.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - September 2011

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Summer season wrap-up, "back to school" on Mont Royal, conservation activities and guided walking tours this fall, notices from the Ville de Montréal ... and more!

SUMMER SEASON WRAP-UP

Les amis’ summer day camp is a big success for a third year running
The winds of change are sweeping over Lac aux Castors

Photo: Éric Cimon

NEWS

“Back to school” on Mont Royal: launch of educational programs for pre-school, primary and secondary students

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Take to your cameras! The “La montagne en images” photo contest closes September 17
Still a few weeks of activities and animation regarding the conservation of the natural environment this fall:
- Kiosk on the mountain’s biodiversity – until September 25
- Environmental Stewardship Program – until October 17
Guided walks and autumn splendour on Mont Royal:
- From the mountain to the river – September 25 and October 9
- Mont Royal’s three summits – October 2, 16 and 23
Conference in English on Mont Royal’s biodiversity – September 20

TAKE ACTION

Become a friend of the mountain today!

NOTICES ABOUT ACTIVITIES ON MONT ROYAL

The Ville de Montréal is running a preventive vaccination campaign against the raccoon rabies variant, between September 6 and 9
Notice of road closures for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Mont Royal – September 11

SUMMER SEASON WRAP-UP

LES AMIS’ SUMMER DAY CAMP IS A BIG SUCCESS FOR A THIRD YEAR RUNNING

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, offered a summer day camp for children 6 to 9 years old in Mont-Royal Park from June 27 to August 17.

Headquartered in the Chalet du Mont-Royal, 168 children enjoyed a multitude of fun and educational activities in the heart of nature in the midst of the city. Two themes were provided to campers this season: “Les aventuriers du temps”, a new theme to discover the mountain’s rich history, from the presence of the Native People to today, and “Les renards futés”, focused on the discovery of the mountain’s flora and fauna. Summer days at camp included treasure hunts, expeditions in the forest, games and a photo rally, natural art creations and visits to the Redpath Museum and the stables of the SPVM.

Les amis de la montagne thank the campers’ parents for entrusting their children to us for another wonderful summer season. Les amis also thank our generous donors to the sponsorship program, held in partnership with a variety of organizations in Côte-des-Neiges, whose donations provided a one-week camp experience to 18 children from less privileged neighbourhoods.

Photos: Éric Cimon

THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE SWEEPING OVER LAC AUX CASTORS

Lac aux Castors will be undergoing a major transformation in 2012. Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal are taking advantage of this restoration project to reconstruct the lake’s basin and refinish the surrounding area, to reflect upon new offerings for this important hub of activity. New small crafts, park furnishings and recreational activities will be introduced in 2013. After 15 years of operations, this summer is possibly the last for pedal boats on Lac aux Castors!

For more information on the Lac aux Castors restoration project, click here to read the press release issued by the Ville de Montréal (in French).

NEWS

“BACK TO SCHOOL” ON MONT ROYAL: LAUNCH OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR PRE-SCHOOL, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS

Professors and educators take note: now is the time to reserve your group outings for the fall and winter sessions!

In the “school without walls in the heart of nature”, Les amis de la montagne have been providing educational programs and outdoor activities for 30 years, for school groups of all levels that can be adapted to specific pedagogical objectives.

Click here to consult the 2011-2012 school programs catalogue.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TAKE TO YOUR CAMERAS! THE “LA MONTAGNE EN IMAGES” PHOTO CONTEST CLOSES SEPTEMBER 17

Click on this link for contest details and registration information (in French).

STILL A FEW WEEKS OF ACTIVITIES AND ANIMATIONS REGARDING THE CONSERVATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THIS FALL

Kiosk on the mountain’s biodiversity – until September 25

During weekend afternoons in September, join Les amis’ environmental educators at the kiosk devoted to Mont Royal’s biodiversity located along Chemin Olmsted, near the Chalet du Mont-Royal. Both young and young-at-heart will enjoy the animation, information and games related specifically to the mountain’s fauna.

*Note that the kiosk will not be in operation the weekend of September 10-11 due to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (see details below).

Environmental Stewardship Program – until October 17

Do you want to get involved in conserving Mont Royal’s biodiversity this fall? There’s still time to join Les amis’ educator-patrollers, every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., to help cut down exotic invasive species.

No reservations are necessary. Simply arrive at Maison Smith at 10 a.m., in Mont-Royal Park. Click on this link for more information.

Guided walks and autumn splendour on Mont Royal

From the mountain to the river – September 25 and October 9
Mont Royal’s three summits – October 2, 16 and 23

Avoid disappointment and reserve your place today to participate in Les amis’ popular Sunday guided walks being held in September and October.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore exceptional trails to learn about the mountain’s rich historic past and that reveal its built and landscape elements, as well as its conservation challenges.

For details and registration information, click here to visit Les amis’ calendar of events online.

Conference in English on Mont Royal’s biodiversity – September 20

The Zoological Society of Montreal has invited Éric Richard, biologist and Les amis’ Director of Educational Services, to discuss the efforts undertaken to conserve Mont Royal’s biodiversity and the challenges therein.

Tuesday, September 20
7:30 p.m.
Atwater Library, 1200 Avenue Atwater, Westmount
Free for members of the Zoological Society; reservations and information: 514 845-8317 (Monday to Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.); contact@zoologicalsocietymtl.org.

TAKE ACTION

BECOME A FRIEND OF THE MOUNTAIN TODAY!

By joining Les amis de la montagne today, you will be welcomed into a family of dedicated individuals committed to the protection and enhancement of Mont Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

Friends receive the following benefits:

First notice of events and programs through Les amis’ electronic newsletter
An official Friends ID card providing a one-time 20% discount at Les amis’ boutique or Café des amis at Maison Smith

Click on this link to become a Friend today.

NOTICES ABOUT ACTIVITIES ON MONT ROYAL

The Ville de Montréal is running a preventive vaccination campaign against the raccoon rabies variant, between September 6 and 9

The Ville de Montréal, in collaboration with the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, will conduct a preventive vaccination campaign targeting raccoons, skunks and foxes, against the raccoon rabies variant. Efforts will be concentrated in 8 large parks where wildlife is particularly present, including Mont-Royal Park.

Specialized teams of veterinarians and wildlife technicians will spread bait containing the rabies vaccine. The Ville de Montréal has been conducting wildlife vaccination campaigns for over 15 years and no case of the raccoon rabies variant has been detected to this day on the island of Montreal.

How to recognize the bait
Each piece of bait carrying one dose of the vaccine resembles an olive green-coloured “oversized ravioli”. The bait is about 40 mm x 22 mm x 10 mm in size. Normally, the animals consume the bait within a two-week period.

Security measures
In order to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign, the Ville de Montréal asks for the collaboration of all citizens through the following:

Keep all dogs on their leash and do not let them approach wild animals;
Avoid handling bait containing the vaccine, even though the bait is not harmful to humans, animals or the environment.

Click here to read the Ville de Montréal’s press release in full (in French).

Notice of road closures for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Mont Royal – September 11

The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal returns to Mont Royal for its second edition! This men’s professional level sporting event is presented to the community free of charge. The departure (11 a.m.) and arrival site (between 4-4:30 p.m.) of the race is located on Avenue du Parc, facing the monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier.

Note that the race will require the closure of numerous streets, changes to bus routes and schedules, and parking restrictions throughout the weekend. For more information: call 311; visit the website of the Ville de Montréal or the STM; or download the map of the route and access points by clicking here.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - August 2011

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Major restoration in store for the lake; a new species is sighted in the park; a threatening species arrives in Montreal; launch of the 2011-2012 school programs; vote for the Environmental Stewardship Program - and more!

THE GOOD NEWS

Mount Royal is at the top of Spacing’s Top 10 list
Beaver Lake will undergo a major restoration
A project to remove buckthorn bears fruit
The wood duck makes its first appearance on Mount Royal!

THE BAD NEWS

The emerald ash borer has arrived in Montreal

ACTIVITIES

Launch of Les amis’ 2011-2012 school programs
The Environmental Stewardship Program moves to Saturday mornings
Photo contest “La montagne en images”: deadline September 17
New interactive circuits help you explore the biodiversity in Montreal’s large parks

YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION

“Share Your Care”: Befriending the mountain
Make a special gift

THE GOOD NEWS

Mount Royal is at the top of Spacing’s Top 10 list

Mount Royal has been ranked the number one public space in Montreal by Spacing magazine, a publication dedicated to urban planning, architecture and urban life. A superb photo of the Kondiaronk lookout graces the cover of the special Montreal edition.

Beaver Lake will undergo a major restoration

The Ville de Montréal recently announced that work will begin to restore the basin of Beaver Lake and its perimeter. A make-work project of the depression-era 1930s, this man-made lake and its surrounding area is in need of a major restoration. The work will include the reconstruction of the supporting stone wall and the adjacent waterfall, as well as the improvement of water circulation and the elimination of undesirable vegetation.

Work to improve the Beaver Lake sector began with the impetus of a $2 million donation to Les amis de la montagne from Power Corporation of Canada for the restoration of the Beaver Lake pavilion and the construction of a refrigerated skating rink in 2005-2006. The restoration of the nearby children’s playground and surrounding area followed in 2008-2009. The work on the lake will complete the renovations in this popular area of the park while respecting the historic qualities of the site and taking into consideration the recreational needs of park users, especially families.

For more information, click on this link to read the Ville de Montréal’s press release (in French).

A project to eradicate common buckthorn bears fruit

Les amis de la montagne participated for a third year in the Projet de restauration et de valorisation de la biodiversité en milieu urbain, led by the Ville de Montréal, the Fondation Hydro-Québec de l’environnement and other partners.

About 30 high-school graduates participated in the project, providing them with a valuable first-time work experience. The project consisted of the eradication of common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species, on Mount Royal’s summits and flanks, as well as in the Ile-de-la-Visitation and Bois-de-Liesse nature parks.

Les amis contributed to the project by managing and organizing the activities, and supervising the students.

For more information, click here to read the press release of the Ville de Montréal (in French).

The wood duck makes its first appearance on Mount Royal

Les amis de la montagne are thrilled to be able to add a new species to its annotated list of fauna: the wood duck (Aix sponsa) has made its first appearance in Beaver Lake!

Considered one of the most beautiful ducks in North America, the male has highly colourful nuptial plumage and a drooping crest. His head is brilliant green and blue, changing to purplish black below the eyes. The female is duller in colour, with a shorter crest. Her head is brownish grey with a white eye-ring.

The female produces one or sometimes two clutches, the collection of eggs laid at once, per year. Wood ducks like to nest in tree cavities formed by woodpeckers. They will also use nesting boxes provided for them.

Since the wood duck returns to its native nesting grounds, the wildlife specialists at Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal are already considering installing nesting boxes for this species at Beaver Lake. Given the restoration work slated for this area, the park’s marsh could serve as an alternative breeding site.

Remember, feeding animals in the park is prohibited; the wood duck eats fruit, seeds and land and aquatic plants, as well as insects, found in the park.

With information from the website of the Biodôme de Montréal

THE BAD NEWS!

The emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Montreal

Bad news for our urban forest: the emerald ash borer has been detected on the island of Montreal.

The emerald ash borer is a highly destructive invasive beetle that attacks ash trees and is believed to have been accidentally introduced to North America in imported wood packaging or crating material. The emerald ash borer is already believed to have killed millions of trees in the United States and Canada, and poses a threat to Montreal’s urban forest. There are some 45,000 ash trees in the streets of Montreal, or about 20% of all street trees.

Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal stopped planting ash trees on Mount Royal in 2007 as a preventive measure. To help stop the spread of this invasive beetle, citizens are asked to not move potentially infested wood and firewood to non-infested areas.

Additional information is available on the Canadian Food Inspection website or by calling 1-866-463-6017.

ACTIVITIES

Launch of Les amis’ 2011-2012 school programs

Attention teachers! The beginning of August has arrived and back-to-school fashions fill the stores and advertisements flood our TVs! Galvanize your students from the get-go by offering them an unforgettable educational experience in the great outdoors!

Whether your goal is to complement classroom content through hands-on fieldwork or simply to enjoy winter recreational activities in the heart of the city, Mount Royal is the destination of choice for the discovery of a unique natural environment: landscapes, fauna, flora and geology.

At Les amis de la montagne’s “school without walls”, our environmental education programs are suitable for all age groups and may be adapted to specific pedagogical objectives.

Click on this link consult the 2011-2012 school program guide.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

The Environmental Stewardship Program moves to Saturday mornings

Would you like to do your part this summer to conserve the biodiversity of Mount Royal? Then come and join other citizens for a variety of conservation activities, such as planting indigenous trees, cutting exotic invasive species or evaluating previous tree plantings, every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, through October 2011. You don’t have to reserve your place, simply show up at Smith House on the day of the activity to join the conservation patrol educators of Les amis de la montagne.

For further questions, please click here to send us an email message.

Photo contest “La montagne en images”: deadline September 17

You still have time to participate in Les amis de la montagne’s 2nd edition of the photo contest “La montagne en images”, presented by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The purpose of the photo contest is to showcase Mount Royal’s heritage elements, activities and sheer beauty.

Keep in mind the following contest categories this year:

Works of art and buildings
Activities and pastimes
Fauna of Mont Royal
Trees and forests of Mont Royal
Light

Photographs of contest winners will be on exhibit at the Café des Amis at Smith House in the fall of 2011. The contest deadline is September 17.

Click on this link to download the contest rules and application form (available in French).

New interactive circuits help you explore the biodiversity in Montreal’s large parks

Les amis de la montagne participated in the launch of a new family activity conducted in the heart of urban nature: a series of interactive circuits to discover the biodiversity of 10 of Montreal’s large parks. The Ville de Montréal produced the different circuits together with the Montreal Urban BioKit, a tool developed in collaboration with the Biosphere, Environment Museum of Environment Canada.

The BioKit features the history, natural particularities, endangered and invasive species of each park. Each circuit can be completed in about 90 minutes and also provides recommendations on ways participants can improve the environment.

Click on this link to download the circuits for the city’s large parks and the Montreal Urban BioKit from the Environment Canada website.

YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION

Vote now, vote often!

As part of their "Share your care" campaign, Fido and Evergreen have committed $100,000 to 20 community projects, including Les amis’ Environmental Stewardship Program “Befriending the mountain”!

Until August 14, you can VOTE ONCE A DAY for Les amis' project by clicking this link to the campaign website.

The project with the most votes wins the grand prize, but every project wins something. Here's the break down:

Most votes = $25,000
2nd place = $15,000
3rd place = $10,000
All 20 projects = $2,500 (total $50,000)

Results will be revealed at the end of August. Thank you for your support!

Make a special gift to Les amis de la montagne

Making a tribute gift to Les amis de la montagne is one way to honour the accomplishments of friends or family, while contributing to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Likewise, when a loved one passes away, a gift to Les amis de la montagne can be a touching memorial.

Click on this link for details.

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance, July 16-17, 2011

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The “Belvédère Éphémère” project was a terrific success, held under the steamy sunshine of the July 16-17 weekend! Brought to life by a team of young professionals in urban planning and design, the project was organized by Les amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and numerous partners as part of May, Mount Royal Month, but postponed to July due to rainy conditions in May.

(Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

This temporary worksite of creativity was located on the ramp off Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, closed to vehicular traffic for the occasion. The ramp was chosen because of its proximity to a residential neighbourhood and a southwest entrance to Mount Royal Park, near an unwelcoming intersection that joins two great institutional properties undergoing transformation: the former Marianopolis College slated for conversion to a residential property and the Montreal General Hospital slated for expansion.

Ten teams of up-and-coming designers and artists created works of public art related to a lookout theme that aimed to reinterpret the language commonly associated with urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture. Moreover, a screening was held of the original video “Dans la forêt” that was accompanied by a live, improvised musical and vocal performance. The video presented some urban legends related to Mount Royal and the enchanted creatures that inhabit the site, unbeknown to us! The “happening” managed to seduce park users, passers-by and residents of the neighbourhood, who piqued with curiosity, ventured onto the site to view the installations.

The organizers of the event wanted to create an ephemeral space that was both edifying and festive to question the accessibility of the mountain by modifying, for the duration of a weekend, the use and perception of this vehicular infrastructure. The reinterpretation of this space confirmed its great potential for becoming a permanent lookout. “Belvédère Éphémère” succeeded in inspiring us to take a new look at this public space through an artistic vision.

Click on the links below to view:

the official photo gallery of the event (photos : Andrew Dobrowolskyj) ;
the video "Je suis le mont Royal" (production : Jeremie Battaglia) ;
the "photomaton" produced by Urbania.

ABOUT “BELVÉDÈRE ÉPHÉMÈRE”

PROJECT COORDINATORS

Olivier Lapierre with Caroline Magar and Sophie Lacoste

DESIGNERS + INSTALLATIONS

LES NEUF VUES DU MONT ROYAL
Batiste Galea, Fleur Jouas, Catherine Tremblay, Tania Koller, Laure Delmoly

NI(D)ACCESSIBLE
Marie-Josée Gagnon, Catherine St-Marseille, Maïda Beylerian, François Leblanc, Mathieu Robitaille

MR < MRPV
Bruno Dallas, Serge Gallant, Sarah Lacombe, Daniel La France, Chieu-Anh Le Van

OUVRIR ET FERMER LE PAYSAGE
Stéphanie Rocher, Fanny B. Perras, Lisanne Blain Sabourin, Simon Éthier, Kalliane Muntz-Boulet, Valériane Noël

L’HALTE VOLAGE
Laurence Leroux-Lapierre, Philippe Cossette, Ariane Côté-Bélisle, Valentin Hay, Benoît St-Onge, Martin Tanguay

LE RENARD DE CEDAR
Hannah Palmer, Aude Guivarc’h, Marc Messier, Christophe Guertin, Chris Murray, Nicolas Koronkievwicz, Laurence Cauchy

PASSAGE
Sandra Laberge, Louis-Antoine Blanchette, Catherine Brouillette, Alex Dimas, Claudine Matte

TRACES ORCHESTRÉES
Maude Brochu, Yasmine Amor, Laurence Fauteux, Sara Fauteux, Margaux Tabary

DÉDALE
Maxime David, Jérémie Battaglia, Raphaëlle Huysmans, Jonathan Lapalme, Anne-Marie Saucier

D’ABORD IL Y EUT LA NATURE PUIS VINT LA VILLE
Marie-Josée Dupuis, Maud Marrié, Olivier Legault, Eve St-Laurent, Raphael Thibodeau

VIDEO PROJECTION: “DANS LA FORÊT”

Numerous artists from a variety of disciplines under the artistic direction of Khoa Lê and Julie Côté.

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Invitation to all for this coming weekend, July 16 and 17, 2011!

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance

Les amis de la montagne, the Ville de Montréal and their partners will be holding an ephemeral intervention that is both informative and festive in order to question accessibility to Mount Royal along its western flank on a unique site: the ramp located on the corner of Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, closed for the occasion.

This weekend, 10 teams of up-and-coming designers and artists will create works of public art related to a lookout theme that reinterprets the language commonly associated with urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture. Moreover, participants are invited to view the original video “Dans la forêt” that will be accompanied by a live, improvised musical performance. The video presents some urban legends related to Mount Royal and the enchanted creatures that inhabit the site, unbeknown to us!

SCHEDULE

Vernissage / 50 designers + 10 installations
Saturday, July 16 – 6:30 p.m.

Video projection / Dans la forêt + musical performance
Saturday, July 16 – 8:30 p.m.

Free visits
Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LOCATION
Ramp located at the corner of Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
(near the Montreal General Hospital)
Bus 66, 144, 165 and 166

DESIGNERS + INSTALLATIONS

LES NEUF VUES DU MONT ROYAL
Batiste Galea, Fleur Jouas, Catherine Tremblay, Tania Koller, Laure Delmoly

NI(D)ACCESSIBLE
Marie-Josée Gagnon, Catherine St-Marseille, Maïda Beylerian, François Leblanc, Mathieu Robitaille

MR < MRPV
Bruno Dallas, Serge Gallant, Sarah Lacombe, Daniel La France, Chieu-Anh Le Van

OUVRIR ET FERMER LE PAYSAGE
Stéphanie Rocher, Fanny B. Perras, Lisanne Blain Sabourin, Simon Éthier, Kalliane Muntz-Boulet, Valériane Noël

L’ HALTE VOLAGE
Laurence Leroux-Lapierre, Philippe Cossette, Ariane Côté-Bélisle, Valentin Hay, Benoît St-Onge, Martin Tanguay

LE RENARD DE CEDAR
Hannah Palmer, Aude Guivarc’h, Marc Messier, Christophe Guertin, Chris Murray, Nicolas Koronkievwicz, Laurence Cauchy

PASSAGE
Sandra Laberge, Louis-Antoine Blanchette, Catherine Brouillette, Alex Dimas, Claudine Matte

TRACES ORCHESTRÉES
Maude Brochu, Yasmine Amor, Laurence Fauteux, Sara Fauteux, Margaux Tabary

DÉDALE
Maxime David, Jérémie Battaglia, Raphaëlle Huysmans, Jonathan Lapalme, Anne-Marie Saucier

D’ABORD IL Y EUT LA NATURE PUIS VINT LA VILLE
Marie-Josée Dupuis, Maud Marrié, Olivier Legault, Eve St-Laurent, Raphael Thibodeau

VIDEO + MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: DANS LA FORÊT
The event gathers artists from a variety of disciplines, under the artistic direction of Khoa Lê and Julie Côté.

PARTNERS
“Belvédère Éphémère » is organized by Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal, Ville UNESCO de Design, thanks to the contributions of the following: Philips Lumec ; Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine ; Ædifica architecture et design ; Claude Cormier et associés ; Daoust Lestage architecture et design urbain ; Menkès Shooner Dagenais LeTourneux architectes ; Simon Bouffard, architecte paysagiste ; Soprema ; Lassonde ; Moog Audio ; SaniVac ; Post-Moderne ; Curious ; and Urbania.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - July 2011

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Position paper on the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital; one video for the 20th Corvée clean-up and another for Les amis' 25th anniversary; "TD Green Sunday" and the Mount Royal Circle; initiatives to protect the forest and the fauna; Les amis' annual campaign - and more!

Hooray for summer!

Photo : Jean-Michel Villanove

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Project to expand the Montreal General Hospital (MUHC)

NEWS

A new video pays homage to the 20th anniversary of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up
The 5th “TD Green Sunday” is a success with 300 participants
Members of the business community join the Mount Royal Circle
Two service improvements are introduced to enhance the park visitors’ experience
Road work on Camillien-Houde/Remembrance

ACTIVITIES

Launch of the “La montagne en images” photo contest
The Environmental Stewardship Program is in full swing
Two initiatives are aimed at protecting the fauna

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

What’s on in the park this summer?
“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance, 16-17
Guided visit of the Simon McTavish monument, August 15

TAKE ACTION

Leadership to move people and mountains: make your gift to Les amis de la montagne’s 25th anniversary campaign

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS

Project to expand the Montreal General Hospital (MUHC)

Image taken from the document "Campus de la Montagne : Projet d’intégration et de développement urbain, proposition révisée, 14 janvier 2011" (CUSM)

Les amis de la montagne presented their position paper on the project to expand and modernize the Montreal General Hospital on June 27th at the public hearings held by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal.

Click on this link to read more and to download the position paper (available in French).

NEWS

A new video pays homage to the 20th anniversary of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

Les amis de la montagne produced a short video on the occasion of the 20th Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up held May 1st to underline the remarkable contributions of the community towards the health and well-being of the mountain over the years. In fact, 11,800 men, women and children of Montreal have planted close to 15,000 trees and filled close to 5,000 bags of litter.

Produced with the financial support of the Ville de Montréal, the video will soon be incorporated in Les amis de la montagne’s interactive map, “Mont Royal: A territory to discover”. Until then, click here to watch it on Les amis’ YouTube channel, available in French or in French with English subtitles.

Photo : Tzara Maud

The 5th “TD Green Sunday” is a success with 300 participants

On May 30th, 300 nature-loving employees from TD, their family and friends, equipped with gloves and shovels, contributed to the expanse of forest on Mont Royal by planting 450 indigenous trees and shrubs, collecting litter and cutting alien invasive species. On this occasion, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation presented Les amis de la montagne with a $75,000 donation to help the organization complete the Maison Smith permanent exhibit.

“TD Green Sunday” is organized by Les amis de la montagne and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. Employees from TD have participated for five consecutive years, planting a total of 3,000 trees.

Pictured: Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice President, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust and Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne

Members of the business community join the Mount Royal Circle

Les amis de la montagne held the Mount Royal Circle Breakfast on June 8th as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations under the honorary patronage of Jacques Parisien, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Astral Media Inc. More than 40 members of the business community gathered to underline this important anniversary in the life of the organization and to launch the annual campaign that supports activities to ensure the perpetuity of Mont Royal. In fact, members of the Mount Royal Circle provide one of the highest levels of support to Les amis de la montagne.

Members of the Head Table of Les amis de la montagne’s Mount Royal Circle Breakfast:

L to R: Peter A. Howlett, C.M. (Montorsan Holdings and President, Les amis de la montagne), Éric Morisset (TD Securities and Co-Chair of Les amis’ Annual Campaign), Jacques Parisien (Astral Media Inc.), honorary patron, Christine Lapointe, Mary Bruns Creighton (Cordiant Capital and Co-Chair of Les amis’ Annual Campaign), Robert Alain (EJLB Foundation), John Rae (Power Corporation of Canada) and Cyril Bendahan (Manulife Financial).

Photo: Martin Roy

Two service improvements are introduced to enhance the park visitors’ experience

Les amis de la montagne will once again benefit from the support of the Ville de Montréal in improving its service offerings to visitors of Mont-Royal Park this summer.

The terrace of the Café des Amis at Maison Smith is undergoing renovations to beautify and render more accessible this very popular site through the addition of a cobblestone pathway from Maison Smith and the planting of decorative shrubs and flowers.

Moreover, the Ville de Montréal has issued a permit to Les amis de la montagne for the sale of beverages and frozen treats to park visitors via tricycle carrier beginning this summer and for the next four summers.

For close to 30 years, Les amis de la montagne have provided educational and recreational services to park visitors, as well as welcome services, a nature-boutique and café-restaurant. Revenues generated from these services are reinvested in the activities offered in the park and aim to promote the appreciation and conservation of the site.

Photo : Samuel Montigné

Road work on Camillien-Houde/Remembrance

The Ville de Montréal has announced that road work involving repaving principal routes to Mont-Royal Park will begin in early July.

The work will affect the following streets:

Chemin Remembrance;
Voie Camillien-Houde;
Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine;
Avenue du Parc;
Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges.

This roadwork will be undertaken largely at night and will begin in early July continuing to early September 2011, in preparation for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, a professional race of international stature scheduled for Sunday, September 11, 2011.

For more information, a document in PDF format, available in French, is available by clicking this link.

Source: Ville de Montréal, Division des travaux publics

ACTIVITIES

Launch of the “La montagne en images” photo contest

As part of May 2011: Mont Royal Month, Les amis de la montagne launched the 2nd edition of the photo contest “La montagne en images”, presented by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The purpose of the photo contest is to showcase Mont Royal’s different heritage elements, activities and sheer beauty.

The photo contest is open to all lovers of the mountain and we invite you to share your favourite nooks and crannies of the mountain with us! Keep in mind the following contest categories this year:

Works of art and buildings
Activities and pastimes
Fauna of Mont Royal
Trees and forests of Mont Royal
Light

The photographs of contest winners will be on exhibit at the Café des Amis at Maison Smith in the fall of 2011 and could be included in the annual activity report of the organization. The contest deadline is September 17.

Click on this link to download the contest rules and application form (available in French).

The Environmental Stewardship Program is in full swing

Would you like to do your part this summer to conserve the biodiversity of Mont Royal? Then come and join other citizens for a variety of conservation activities, such as planting indigenous trees, cutting exotic invasive species or evaluating previous tree plantings, every Tuesday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. until July 26th. As of August 6th, activities will continue on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, through October 2011. You don’t have to reserve your place, simply show up at Maison Smith on the day of the activity to join the conservation patrol educators of Les amis de la montagne.

For further questions, please contact us at the following address: benevoles@lemontroyal.qc.ca.

Two initiatives are aimed at protecting the fauna

Awareness-raising campaign to discourage feeding raccoons

In collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne’s conservation patrol led an important awareness-raising campaign with the general public from May 3rd to June 19th at the Camillien-Houde lookout, to counter the problems caused by feeding raccoons. Due to the popularity of this site on the mountain, our patrollers interacted with nearly 2,000 people.

Numerous visitors to Mont-Royal Park have adopted the bad habit of feeding raccoons, which encourages their dependency toward humans and causes them, over time, to lose their survival instinct. Meanwhile, raccoons can find all the food they need to survive in the park.

Beware! Even though these wild animals become used to the presence of humans and appear tame, their behaviour remains erratic. Raccoons can bite and transmit viruses or infectious diseases to humans.

The Ville de Montréal and Les amis de la montagne continue to search for long-term solutions to control this escalating problem. Garbage cans fitted with “anti raccoon” covers will soon be installed in strategic locations in the park, as well as appropriate signage informing visitors of park rules and warning of the hazards of feeding or petting wild animals.

Bird houses for the Eastern Bluebird on Mont Royal

Have you noticed any bird houses on the mountain lately? The bird houses were built specifically for the Eastern Bluebird that from 1984 to 1996, was declared a species of “special concern”. In 1980, only 56 pairs remained in Quebec! Today, even though the species is no longer considered at risk, disturbances to its survival remain, such as habitat destruction and competition following the introduction of other species including the European Starling and the House Sparrow.

One way to facilitate the return of this species to Mont Royal is through the installation of bird houses in the hopes that one day we will all be able to observe this magnificent bird on a regular basis.

Observing wildlife on Mont Royal is a privilege. Les amis de la montagne encourages the respect for all animals on the mountain and asks that visitors remain at least 10 metres away from the bird houses.

Les amis extend heartfelt thanks to the grade 4 students of École Saint-Germain-d’Outremont for helping to assemble and install the 14 bird houses on the mountain.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

What’s on in the park this summer?

Biodiversity kiosk, “From the cicada to the fox, the animals of Mont Royal”

On weekends this summer, come to the mountain to discover this colourful and entertaining kiosk on the biodiversity of Mont Royal that focuses this year on the mountain’s birdlife. Meet Les amis’ environmental educators who are sure to provide answers to all your questions about the mountain’s conservation challenges while amusing the little ones in their discovery of the mountain’s animals through games and guided mini-walks. An interactive animation on wildlife for all ages!

The kiosk will be in operation from July 9 to September 25, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., alternating between the Beaver Lake area, along Olmsted Road and at the Kondiaronk lookout.

The biodiversity kiosk was made possible through the generosity of Gaz Métro and Groupe Yellow Inc.

To enhance your walks on Mont Royal this summer:
- The Café des Amis restaurant and terrace at Maison Smith provides light and tasty lunches, a variety of sweets and St-Ambroise beer;
- The nature-boutique at Maison Smith and at the Chalet du Mont-Royal provides a cheerful information service, unique souvenirs, educational gifts and Bilboquet ice cream;
- The pedal boats on Lac aux Castors provide an amusing and refreshing way to appreciate the beauty of the park.

Visit the calendar of activities on Les amis’ website for hours of operation and pedal boat rental fees.

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance, July 16-17

This special event that was organized as part of May 2011: Mont Royal Month is back! Cancelled in May due to rain, the “Belvédère Éphémère” will now be held on the weekend of July 16-17, rain or shine!

Ten teams of up-and-coming artists and designers will create works of public art directly on-site related to a lookout theme that reinterprets the language commonly associated with urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture. This playful and colourful open-air intervention invites participants to reflect upon the mountain’s accessibility along its western flank, on a novel site adjacent to Mont-Royal Park: the ramp located on the corner of Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, closed for the occasion.

“Dans la Forêt” is an original video production accompanied by an improvised performance of music and sound that presents a series of urban legends about Mont Royal and the enchanted creatures that inhabit the site unbeknown to us! This video performance brings a combination of talents together under the creative direction of Khoa Lê and Julie Côté.

Visit of the installations, Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Vernissage on Saturday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Viewing of “Dans la Forêt”, Saturday, July 16 at 8:30 p.m.

Follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Jaimelemontroyal.

Guided visit of the Simon McTavish monument on August 15

On August 15, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Ville de Montréal presents a guided visit of the archaeological site of the Simon McTavish monument located on the southern flank of Mont-Royal Park as part of the “Mois de l’archéologie”. Join Gilles Rousseau, archaeologist and geographer, who led the dig in 2010 as part of the restoration of the Rue Peel entrance to the park.

During the visit, learn about the history of the mausoleum where Simon McTavish was interred in 1804. This well-kept secret was revealed to the general public for the first time as part of May 2011: Mont Royal Month activities.

Free, but space is limited and reservations are required by calling 514 872-8702. (Presentation in French.)

Click on this link for more information on the “Mois de l’archéologie” website.

TAKE ACTION

Leadership to move people and mountains: make your gift to Les amis de la montagne’s 25th anniversary campaign

A gift to Les amis de la montagne is one way to express your support of the organization’s initiatives to protect the historic and natural heritage of Mont Royal for the benefit of current and future generations.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Les amis de la montagne, the organization produced a video underlining past accomplishments and future projects. Click here to watch the video and click here to make a gift to the campaign.

Presentation of Les amis’ position paper on the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project:

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

THE LACK OF AN OVERALL VISION STILL PERSISTS

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Presentation of Les amis’ position paper on the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project:
THE LACK OF AN OVERALL VISION STILL PERSISTS

Montreal, June 27, 2011 – Les amis de la montagne raised fundamental questions about the lack of an overall vision for the McGill University Health Centre’s (MUHC) redeployment plans during the public consultations held in 2008 and three years later, the organization maintains its position in light of the new project proposed for the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) currently under review by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM).

“The question concerning the overall vision for the MUHC’s redeployment plan is still pertinent today and must be answered before any proposal is submitted for the expansion or modernization of an institution located on Mount Royal, a site with great heritage value protected by the Ville de Montréal and the Government of Québec,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne. “The 2011 version of the MGH expansion is still a major project for Mount Royal and it is very difficult for civil society to form objective and well-informed opinions in the absence of a global vision.”

As in 2008, Les amis de la montagne maintain that all major development of the MUHC must be diverted from the mountain to the Glen yards site where half of the 43 acre terrain remains available for construction. The MGH is already confined to a too-small site on the flank of the mountain that falls short of its needs, is difficult to access, creates an imposing barrier between the city and the park, and that intrudes onto a residential sector already disturbed by an excess of cars, trucks and emergency vehicles. Les amis de la montagne are additionally against the MGH’s expansion on the site of the residential building located at 1750 Avenue Cedar.

Les amis de la montagne’s position paper contains numerous recommendations intended to reduce the problems of cohabitation between these diverse functions. In particular, Les amis recommends the creation of definite and concrete guaranties to improve the integration of the MGH site within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District through the greening of the site and within the surrounding neighbourhood through a revision of all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the area.

Finally, the organization recommends that these same forms of guarantee are enacted immediately to ensure that the MUHC undertakes no further development projects on the mountain.

Les amis’ position paper is available in French by clicking on this link.

June 27: Public hearings on the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPANSION PROJECT (MUHC)

Image taken from the document "Campus de la Montagne : Projet d’intégration et de développement urbain, proposition révisée, 14 janvier 2011" (CUSM)

In 2008, the McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) obtained authorization from the Ville de Montréal to proceed with a significant expansion of the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) located within the protected territory of Mount Royal, a project that was never realized. Barely three years later, a new expansion project has been submitted by the MUHC and is currently under review by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM).

The new expansion project includes, but is not limited to, the construction of a four-storey building and a semi-underground parking lot with 230 spaces on the actual site of the MGH, as well as the integration of the neighbouring residential building located at 1750 Avenue Cedar into the hospital centre. The project derogates from urban planning regulations of the Ville-Marie borough and Montreal’s Urban Plan with regards to land use, height limits and density. Derogations are also required at the level of the Specific Plan adopted by the borough council concerning the building at 1750 Avenue Cedar, with respect to volume, building line setbacks and materials.

Les amis de la montagne have been involved for many years in discussions concerning the reorganization of the MUHC. The sheer number of modifications to the reorganization plan since 2000 leaves no question that further discussions are required before decisions are taken. On the one hand, new construction projects are being envisaged within the Mount Royal protected territory, while on the other, the future of the buildings of the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children is unknown, which is also true for the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital.

Over the last three years, protection measures for the mountain territory have become more defined thanks largely to the adoption of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan by the Ville de Montréal. Nonetheless, Les amis de la montagne continue to deplore the absence of a wider vision for this problematic area of the south-western flank of the mountain.

The deadline to register to submit and/or present a position paper to the OCPM is today, June 22nd at 4 p.m., while the deadline to submit position papers by registered individuals or groups is Monday, June 27 at noon. Les amis de la montagne are scheduled to present their position paper at the hearings at 7 p.m. on June 27 at the offices of the OCPM.

Information concerning the project on the site of the OCPM (in French).

REMINDER: consultations on the Montreal General Hospital's new expansion project

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Chronology of projects in the southwest sector of the mountain, 1999-2011

Information session on the new expansion project of the Montreal General Hospital
Chronology of projects in the southwest sector of the mountain, 1999-2011

Photo: Ville de Montréal

INFORMATION SESSION ON THE NEW EXPANSION PROJECT OF THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

On Monday, June 6, 2011, the Office de consultation publique de Montréal will be holding an information session on the new proposal to expand the Montreal General Hospital.

The hospital’s expansion is significant for both the mountain and this sector of the city. Moreover, the project is part of the greater reorganization of the McGill University Health Centre that includes major changes to the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, both slated to move to the Glen campus.

Therefore, the expansion of the “Mountain Campus” is part of a greater context.

Les amis de la montagne invites the community to participate in the public consultations to be held in June to learn more about the project and to take advantage of this opportunity to express opinions on the different challenges this dossier represents.

Information session at the OCPM:

Date: Monday, June 6, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: 1550, rue Metcalfe, 14th floor (Peel métro)

Information concerning the project on the site of the OCPM (in French).:

Other important dates:

June 22: registration deadline for oral and written opinions (www.ocpm.qc.ca/inscription)
June 27: public hearing at 7 p.m.

CHRONOLOGY OF PROJECTS IN THE SOUTHWEST SECTOR OF THE MOUNTAIN, 1999-2011

1999

Adoption of a by-law authorizing the construction of a three-storey residential property with the same characterization as the other buildings on 1750 Avenue Cedar.

2000

Heenan Commission (1) consultations on the reuse of the MUHC’s existing buildings in light of the redeployment and concentration of facilities on the former Glen Yards site.

2003

May: second version of the residential project slated for 1750 Avenue Cedar comprising the construction of a residential building 4-6 stories in height.

September: opening of a register to allow a referendum in the Ville-Marie Borough on the council’s resolution approving the project at 1750 Avenue Cedar. The required number of signatures is attained.

December: The MUHC announces its redeployment project. The Glen campus is to be developed, but so is the Mountain Campus site (Montreal General Hospital).

2004

April: the developer presents a third version of the residential project slated for 1750 Avenue Cedar.

September: opening a register to allow a referendum in the Ville-Marie Borough on the council’s resolution approving the project. The required number of signatures is attained.

October: an « Open House » is held on the fourth version of the residential project proposed by the developer at 1750 Avenue Cedar.

2005

Adoption by the Conseil des ministres of the decree creating the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

2008

October: signature of a development agreement between the Ville de Montréal and the MUHC stipulating that following the currently proposed expansion project on the site of the Mountain Campus, future needs of the hospital will be redirected to the Glen Campus.

January: the MUHC signs the Mount Royal Pacte patrimonial.

Announcement of public consultations on the expansion project of the (2) of the Mountain Campus.

2009

May: public consultations by the OCPM on the residential project proposed for the site of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary located at 3880 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges.

2011

Public consultations are announced on the new expansion project (3) proposed for the Mountain Campus. The MUHC has acquired the building located at 1750 Avenue Cedar with the intention to integrate it into the campus development.

(1)   The Heenan Report produced a series of conclusions following the public consultations in 2001 that remain relevant today. Herewith an extract (pp. 35-36):

(…) we wish to pay special attention to the Mount Royal Park as the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Allan Memorial and the Montreal Neurological Hospital buildings are contiguous to it.

The Consultative Committee is of the opinion that any reuse project of these buildings must be conceived to assure a better interface, a better permeability between the city and the park. This can be done by the addition of points of access for the public by paths for pedestrians and cyclists, by signage and by return to the park of certain areas presently occupied by parking lots (especially for the Royal Victoria Hospital) as additional green space.

It goes without saying that no project should be authorized on these lands, nor an addition permitted that would have the effect of increasing the physical or visual obstacles between the park and the city.

(2)   Following the public consultations held by the OCPM in 2008, several recommendations issued by the Commission are also worth noting:

The fundamental issue, beyond the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project, is the long-term protection of Mount Royal. And this issue brings us to examine the municipal strategy intended to protect and enhance Mount Royal. For in order to pass judgement on the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project, the Commission must reflect upon the approach proposed by the Ville de Montréal with regards institutional properties, such as those of the MUHC.

Each project presented could be deemed acceptable in isolation, but the cumulative impact of all the projects could prove disastrous for Mount Royal. In other words, the municipal approach does not provide long-term guarantees susceptible to reassuring the population, which has claimed efficient measures to protect the collective heritage that is Mount Royal. Each time, to avoid the worst outcome, we are tempted to consent to the least.

(3)   The Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal provided an opinion in January, 2011, on the Montreal General Hospital’s new expansion project (p. 5):

The Conseil du patrimoine understands the (hospital’s) major challenges and appreciates that the project has been revised, which has allowed for the improvement of the project, most notably with regards to interior parking. Nonetheless, the council is left with the impression that the proposals have been developed without any veritable planning of the whole and in the absence of a long-term vision. In fact, the proposed landscaping plans do not seem to reply to any well-defined objectives. The same absence of a global strategy seems to exist with regards to the choice of materials to be used in the new constructions. For example, each element of the project seems to have been considered in isolation without regard to a more general objective of consolidating the identity of the hospital campus. In addition, the council wonders what is to become of the site should other needs for space be required at a later date. Will these additions be integrated in the MGH’s property? Will other, adjacent properties be acquired?

For more information about the forum, contact Firoozeh Djavedani, community relations coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

The May 2011 calendar continues

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

"Mont Royal Month"

THE MAY 2011: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH CALENDAR

Belvédère Éphémère - CANCELLED
Reminder: Public forum on the Montreal General Hospital expansion project
Launch of the Environmental Stewardship Program
And in June ... guided walk, "From the mountain to the river"

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

BELVÉDÈRE ÉPHÉMÈRE – CANCELLED THIS WEEKEND

Due to the weather forecast and in order to ensure the success of the event, BELVÉDÈRE ÉPHÉMÈRE is cancelled and another date will be announced at a later time. Follow news about the event by joining our Facebook fanpage, "J'aime le mont Royal."

REMINDER: INVITATION TO THE NEXT PUBLIC FORUM

Monday, May 30, 2011
Maison Smith, Mont-Royal Park, 1260 Chemin Remembrance
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free

Photo : Ville de Montréal

In the context of Mont Royal’s limited capacity to receive new construction given its status as a protected territory, a critical question remains: can the expansion needs of properties on the mountain be met without having a detrimental effect on this protected site?

Public consultations will be held in June, 2011, concerning a project to expand the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) on the mountain, the second project of its kind to be presented before the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM). Meanwhile, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Shriners Hospital for Children will be moving off the mountain in the near future.

Numerous institutional buildings located on the mountain are undergoing change. Choices to be made about their future need to be made in the context of the entire protected territory.

Join us for this public forum to exchange ideas and opinions on the subject.

You may consult documents on the MGH expansion project on the site of the OCPM by clicking here (available in French).

For more information about the forum, contact Firoozeh Djavedani, community relations coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
MAY TO OCTOBER, 2011

Calling volunteers!

In 2 hours per week, you have the opportunity to learn more about the protection of Mont Royal's biodiversity through hands-on involvement in its conservation.

Learn about the following while you work:

Improve your knowledge about the mountain's natural environments and their inherent protection challenges;
Identify certain indigenous plants and exotic invasive species;
Learn methods to control invasive species;
Learn planting methods during forest renaturalization exercises.

To participate:

We invite you become a participant in the Environmental Stewardship Program by arriving at Maison Smith about 5-10 minutes before the appointed time. Pre-registration is appreciated, but not obligatory.

2011 is the International Year of Forests, the perfect occasion to take concrete action for the health of our mountain! Click here to watch a short video about the program (in French).

EVERY TUESDAY IN MAY, JUNE AND JULY, FROM 6-8 PM.
EVERY SATURDAY IN AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, FROM 10-12 PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 514 843-8240, ext. 0 or email us at benevoles@lemontroyal.qc.ca.

COMING IN JUNE: GUIDED WALK, “FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE RIVER”

A remarkable journey that follows the streams flowing down the mountain to the river. An opportunity to discover the historic, geographic and cultural ties between Mont Royal and the Saint-Laurent River.

Sunday, June 12
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Departure from Maison Smith in Mont-Royal Park and concludes in Montreal’s Old Port
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Price: $15 per person

Hélène de Billy et Gilbert Duclos remportent le Prix du Mont-Royal pour le documentaire Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Dans le cadre de "Mai 2011 : Mois du Mont-Royal"

Hélène de Billy et Gilbert Duclos remportent le Prix du Mont-Royal pour le documentaire Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF

Montréal, le 18 mai 2011 — Dans le cadre de "Mai 2011 : Mois du Mont-Royal", le vice-président du comité exécutif de la Ville de Montréal responsable du développement durable, de l’environnement et des parcs, M. Alan DeSousa, ainsi que le président des Amis de la montagne, M. Peter A. Howlett, C.M., en présence de M. Éric Morisset, Directeur général et chef de groupe, Financement des sociétés (Québec), Valeurs mobilières TD inc., décernent le Prix du Mont-Royal à Mme Hélène de Billy et M. Gilbert Duclos pour le documentaire web interactif Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF, qui explore la relation qu’entretiennent les Montréalais avec leur montagne.

Des mentions d’honneur sont par ailleurs remises à M. Pierre-Émile Rocray, ingénieur et pathologiste forestier, ainsi qu’à l’Université de Montréal et à la Fabrique de la Paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal (Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges). Les lauréats recevront leur prix lors d’une cérémonie le 24 mai prochain.

« Il s’agit d’un honneur pour moi de rendre hommage à des personnes et des organisations dont l’engagement en faveur de la protection et la mise en valeur du mont Royal est remarquable. Je tiens à féliciter, mais surtout à remercier Mme Hélène de Billy et MM Gilbert Duclos et Pierre-Émile Rocray, de même que l’Université de Montréal et la Fabrique de la Paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal, qui par leurs gestes concrets ou leurs idées novatrices, contribuent à la pérennité de cette oasis de plein air qui fait la fierté de tous les Montréalais », a affirmé M. DeSousa.

« En cette année du 135e anniversaire du parc du Mont-Royal, Les amis de la montagne sont très fiers d’honorer tous les lauréats qui, par leur vision et leurs actions audacieuses, marquent l’engagement de la communauté envers le mont Royal et Montréal. Le Prix du Mont-Royal est un honneur que vous méritez tous et j’ajoute ma voix à celle des autres citoyens et citoyennes pour souligner vos gestes inspirants », a ajouté M. Howlett.

LAURÉATS

Mme Hélène de Billy et M. Gilbert Duclos pour le documentaire Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF
Œuvre du photographe Gilbert Duclos et de la journaliste et auteure Hélène De Billy, Sacrée Montagne est un documentaire web interactif produit par l’Office national du film du Canada qui se veut une description visuelle et auditive de ce paysage si profondément aimé par les Montréalais. L’originalité et la qualité visuelle de la production, ainsi que l’importance historique de ce recueil d’histoires font de ces capsules photos et vidéos un apport inestimable au «patrimoine immatériel» du mont Royal. Ce documentaire permettra de conserver dans la mémoire collective le rôle important joué par une montagne auprès de ses citoyens et leurs différentes manières de se l’approprier. Les lauréats ont reçu un oeuvre de Frédéric Back intitulé "Trilles, Mont-Royal" (1949ca), une impression numérique par giclée en édition limitée, numérotée et signée par l’artiste et remise avec un certificat d'authenticité.

G à D : Alan DeSousa, vice-président du comité exécutif de la Ville de Montréal, responsable du développement durable, de l'environnement et des parcs, Hélène de Billy (lauréate), Gilbert Duclos (lauréat), Peter A. Howlett, C.M., président, Les amis de la montagne.

MENTIONS D’HONNEUR

M. Pierre-Émile Rocray pour son apport à la protection du patrimoine arboricole du mont Royal
M. Pierre-Émile Rocray a été à l’emploi de la Ville de Montréal de 1984 à 2010, où il a occupé les fonctions de surintendant en arboriculture, d’administrateur du parc du Mont-Royal et de la Maison de l’arbre au Jardin botanique. Par la suite, il œuvré au sein du Service des parcs de la Ville à titre de conseiller en aménagement forestier, où il a pu réaliser plusieurs projets de plantation d’arbres dans le parc du Mont-Royal, et ce dans le cadre de projets de lutte contre les espèces envahissantes. M. Rocray a rédigé plus d’une centaine d’articles vulgarisés et d’études sur plusieurs aspects concernant les arbres en milieu urbain. Aujourd’hui retraité de l’administration municipale, il est retourné à ses anciennes amours : la pratique privée en foresterie urbaine. Monsieur Rocray a reçu un champignon "Agaric des forêts" gravé sur un champignon polypore, par l’artiste Goodhue dans cadre-boite.

Université de Montréal et la Fabrique de la Paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal pour leur contribution à la création du parc du Troisième sommet
Le parc de 23 hectares créé sur le flanc nord de la montagne s’inscrit dans les orientations de protection et de mise en valeur du mont Royal et confère un caractère public aux trois sommets de la montagne. L’Université de Montréal et la Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame de Montréal, propriétaire du cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, ont cédé par bail à la Ville des terrains de 13 et de 10 hectares respectivement afin de permettre la création du nouveau parc. Il s’agit d’une contribution exceptionnelle à la préservation de notre joyau montréalais. Les institutions ont reçu une plaque de verre gravée avec une illustration de l’artiste Samuel Montigné représentant la silhouette des trois sommets du mont Royal.

G à D : Peter A. Howlett, C.M., président, Les amis de la montagne, Alan DeSousa, vice-président du comité exécutif de la Ville de Montréal, responsable du développement durable, de l'environnement et des parcs, Louise Belliveau, vice-rectrice aux Affaires étudiantes et au Développement durable, Université de Montréal (mention d'honneur), Hélène de Billy (lauréate), Gilbert Duclos (lauréat), Pierre-Émile Rocray (mention d'honneur), Yoland Tremblay, directeur général, cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges (mention d'honneur), Amélie Picher, directrice régionale, Fondation TD des amis de l'environnement. (Photo : Martin Roy)

Mai 2011 : Mois du Mont-Royal
Le Mois du Mont-Royal est une idée originale des Amis de la montagne, réalisée conjointement avec la Ville de Montréal, et grâce à la générosité de la Fondation TD des amis de l’environnement. Pendant tout le mois de mai, de nombreuses activités sont organisées afin d'explorer le milieu naturel de la montagne et de prendre part à sa mise en valeur. Le 24 mai, en plus de la remise du Prix du Mont-Royal, les Montréalais sont invités à souligner le 135e anniversaire du parc du Mont-Royal lors d’une Soirée cinéma de l'ONF qui présentera des courts métrages documentaires filmés au mont Royal au cours des années ainsi que des extraits de Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF.

Peter Howlett, Amélie Picher et Alan DeSousa fêtent le 135e anniversaire du parc du Mont-Royal !

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Mont Royal Month continues!

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Guilded walk, conference, cake and movies!

The activities of “May 2011: Mont Royal Month” continue!

NOTE: Due to rain in the forecast tomorrow, May 14, the event “Belvédère Éphémère : laboratoire d’idées et chantier de creation” will be postponed to Saturday, May 28.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Guided walk: Ornithological exploration of Mont Royal
Saturday, May 14
7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The return of springtime is ideal for bird-watching on Mont Royal. More than 180 species frequent the mountain during this time of year. Discover some of these bird species in the company of an ornithologist from Les amis de la montagne and learn more about the importance of this urban ecosystem that serves as a stopover for migratory birds. Bring your binoculars!

Departure from Maison Smith, 1260 Chemin Remembrance, Mont-Royal Park
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Cost: $10; 60 years+ and students: $7.50 (cash payment on-site)

Conference: The McTavish Monument: a funerary site and former reservoir rediscovered
Thursday, May 19
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Before a rock on the flank of Mont Royal, a discreet monument commemorates the burial of Simon McTavish in 1804. Nearby, a wide, level surface reminds us of the presence of a former reservoir. Historic and archaeological research undertaken in this area by the Ville de Montréal, with the view to restoring the area, reveals some astonishing secrets. Guests: Gilles Rousseau, archaeologist and geographer, and Gilles Lauzon, research historian.

Location: Musée McCord, 690 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Free

135th Anniversary of Mont-Royal Park and movie night with the ONF
Tuesday, May 24
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Partner: Office national du film du Canada

To mark the 135th anniversary of Mont-Royal Park, Montrealers are invited to view a series of short documentary films produced by the ONF that were filmed on the mountain over time. Also on the marquee will be excerpts from “Sacrée Montagne”, the interactive web documentary produced by the ONF in 2010 that explores our relationship to the sacred through Mont Royal. Birthday cake will be served on this special anniversary occasion – while quantities last!

Location: Chalet du Mont-Royal, Mont-Royal Park
Free

25th anniversary campaign: Leadership to move people – and mountains

Thanks to the loyal support of the Montreal community, Les amis de la montagne are celebrating 25 years of leadership and service to the mountain cause, and we’re still going strong!

Founded in 1986 as a citizen-based organization to defend Mount Royal against the reckless construction of a tower at its summit, Les amis de la montagne have accumulated a long list of notable achievements. From governmental legislation to a municipal protection and enhancement plan, Les amis proudly pursue a tradition of engaging the community to make our city a better place to live and work.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Preserving Mount Royal is an on-going endeavour and the organization is actively reaching out to the younger generation to involve them in the future of their mountain. Les amis’ educational offerings, environmental stewardship program and range of interactive tools are just some of the ways in which we reach thousands of young people every year. Our recent entry into the world of social media is an important step in connecting with our leaders of tomorrow.

Please join us in getting this campaign year off to a great start by completing the secure online form by clicking here and making your 25th anniversary gift today. Your support is valued and appreciated.

If you prefer to make your donation the conventional way, please download our donation form.

Les amis' newsletter - May 2011: Mont Royal Month

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Photo gallery of the 20th Corvée, the short history of the clean-up and the calendar of May activities!

Photos: Tzara Maud

Results of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up: serving the forest for a record 20th edition!
The short history of the Corvée du Mont-Royal
Calendar of May events:
- Conferences and guided walks
- Activities in the visual arts
- Movie night with the ONF and 135th anniversary of Mont-Royal Park
- Public forum and “Belvédère Éphémère”
- Activities of the great mountain institutions

THE CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP: SERVING THE FOREST FOR A RECORD 20TH EDITION!

“11,225 people can move mountains. We extend thanks 11,225 times to all our volunteers of the past 20 years!”

“14,369 trees planted over 20 years. Will you be the one to plant the 14, 370th?”

“Give the mountain a gift: fill your garbage bag to its limit. 4,800 garbage bags have been collected over 20 years!”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2011 CORVÉE PHOTO GALLERY (Photos: Tzara Maud)

Close to 600 Montrealers participated in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up on Sunday, May 1st, under the radiant sunshine of a glorious spring day! The clean-up event has now drawn more than 11,800 members of the community to this vast awareness-raising operation and hands-on activity to help conserve the natural environment of Mont-Royal Park, also creating a springtime tradition for Montreal.

Alan DeSousa, vice president of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, together with Richard Deschamps, vice president of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for major projects, economic development, infrastructure, roads and services to citizens, joined Amélie Picher, Quebec regional director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne, to signal the start of the environmental activities.

Thanks to tremendous community participation, the event boasted record results:

More than 150 bags of trash were collected from the wooded areas constituting about 80 % of Mount Royal Park;
About 120 participants planted 470 indigenous trees and shrubs in an area adjacent to the Peel entrance to the park near Avenue Pine, including Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Striped Maple, Smooth Serviceberry, Black Chokeberry and Red Osier Dogwood;
More than 60 participants evaluated previous tree plantings for their growth rate in the area near the Trafalgar stair entrance off Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges; and
About 50 participants cut down an area overtaken by common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain.

The afternoon was dedicated to activities for the whole family organized to celebrate the renewal of spring and to underline the International Year of Forests. Information stands by a variety of environment groups were present at the Chalet, including Centre environnemental Tournesol, Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Mycoboutique, Production Agricole Urbaine Soutenable et Écologique, Secrétariat de la Convention sur la diversité biologique, Sentier Urbain and Action-RE-buts. Participants enjoyed a slice of delicious cake decorated along the theme of the International Year of Forests, prepared specially by pastry students of the École Calixa-Lavallée.

Les amis de la montagne distributed indigenous plants to the public, provided free of charge by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. Les amis also provided a family-friendly rally on the discovery of the mountain’s biodiversity to underline the International Year of Forests.

Finally, the African percussion group Samajam, provided entertainment to visitors at the Chalet.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal was organized by Les amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. The clean-up signals the start of “May 2011: Mont Royal Month”, an initiative that provides Montrealers with the opportunity to (re)discover their mountain. Les amis de la montagne thank the Ville de Montréal for its important technical and logistical support in the coordination of activities, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of the month. The activities are also made possible thanks to the participation of Groupe Yellow Inc., AbitibiBowater, Fontaine Santé, Thés David, STM, Rock Détente, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse, The Gazette and many collaborators and volunteers.

THE SHORT HISTORY OF THE CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP

The first mountain clean-up was organized in 1999. Participants had their work cut out for them, because the forest floor had not been cleaned for decades.

Of course, the Ville de Montréal maintenance crews had regularly cleaned the landscaped and grass-covered areas of the park. But many surprises awaited the volunteers in the undergrowth of the forest. They discovered large objects such as tires, household appliances, park benches and street signs. An exhibit of unusual found objects was even displayed at the end of each cleanup!

Over the last decade, the cleanliness of the park has greatly improved to the point where other environmental activities have been added, always with the objective of taking care of the mountain. In the past, wild parsley has been removed, an invasive plant that interferes with the growth of young saplings and wood chips have been spread in areas of the park where the vegetation had been particularly disturbed, in order to restore the damaged soil.

I plant, you plant, we plant
During the 5th mountain clean-up in 1994, participants had their first opportunity to plant trees. Today, tree plantings aim to complete efforts undertaken by the Ville de Montréal to create ecological corridors linking Mont Royal’s various wooded areas.

After the ice storm
In January 1998, a severe ice storm swept through southern Quebec. Mont Royal was seriously affected and at least 80% of its trees were damaged, leaving an enormous quantity of branches on the ground.

With the high volume of visitors to the park in the summer season, the branches had to be picked up to lessen the risk of accidents and forest fires. In the spring of 1998, almost 1000 people rolled up their sleeves to gather the fallen debris during two separate clean-ups, one organized with school groups and the other, with the general public.

Spring-time festivities
A festive spirit has often been associated with collective efforts to help families or communities in need. Recreating this festive spirit of mutual assistance for the Mont Royal clean-up was equally important. And as the event takes place in the spring, it was also completely natural to celebrate the return of milder temperatures on Mont Royal.

To this end, in addition to the volunteer activities of picking up litter and planting trees, other activities for all park visitors have been added to the program of the day: information stands, musicians, buskers, educational and recreational activities.

Saying thank-you to Mont Royal!
The mountain contributes greatly to the quality of life of all Montrealers. Participating in the Mont Royal clean-up is one way to say thank you!

Source: Sur la montagne newsletter/Les amis de la montagne

CALENDAR OF MAY ACTIVITIES

CLICK HERE FOR THE PRINT-VERSION OF THE CALENDAR (in PDF format).

Note: unless otherwise indicated, activities are presented in French.

CONFERENCES AND GUIDED WALKS

On May 11th, as part of the Belles Soirées de l’Université de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne will present a conference on Birds, the wonders of adaptation, followed on May 14th by a guided walk on ornithology in Mont-Royal Park.

On May 12th, Les amis de la montagne will provide a guided walk on Public Art in Mont-Royal Park.

Finally, on May 19th, a conference titled, The McTavish Monument: A funerary site and former reservoir rediscovered, will be presented by an archaeologist and an historian from the Ville de Montréal at the McCord Musuem.

ACTIVITIES IN THE VISUAL ARTS

Les amis de la montagne launch the 2nd annual photo contest “La montagne en images” on a new set of themes including trees and the forest, light, works of art and buildings, activities, pastimes and mountain fauna. Please click here for the complete contest rules and registration (in French).

The presentation of the documentary “Visionnaires planétaires” produced by Les Productions du Rapide Blanc and the Office national du film du Canada will be held May 6th as part of the 24 heures du science. This documentary follows a young Quebec activist on his travels in search of visionaries who propose strategies and concrete solutions for the future of our planet. The director of the documentary, Sylvie Van Brabant, will be present to talk with participants.

The exhibit Diary of Discoveries and “Give Peace a Chance” continues to May 10th, a project to present the viewpoints and expressions of young people related to works of art in the city, in particular, the sculpture “Give Peace a Chance” in Mont-Royal Park.

MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE ONF AND 135TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONT-ROYAL PARK

On May 24th, the celebrate the 135th anniversary of Mont-Royal Park, Montrealers are invited to view a series of short documentary films produced by the ONF that were filmed on the mountain in the past, as well as excerpts from Sacrée Montagne, the interactive web documentary produced by the ONF in 2010. Birthday cake will be served on this special anniversary occasion – while quantities last!

Also on May 24th, Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal will award the 7th Prix du Mont-Royal to an individual, who through their vision and commitment towards the protection and enhancement of the mountain’s historic and natural heritage, are an inspiration to all Montrealers and Quebecers.

PUBLIC FORUM AND SPECIAL PROJECT

On May 9th, the public forum takes to the southern flank of the mountain for a guided walk to reflect upon “Accessibility to Mont Royal: the physical, the immaterial and the ephemeral”.

“Belvédère Éphémère” is a special project that will be presented May 14 and 15 (postponed to May 28 and 29 in case of rain). The project is an artistic, ephemeral intervention that is both playful and festive located on a site that borders an entrance to Mont-Royal Park, and aims to question the accessibility of the southern flank of the mountain. Ten teams of up-and-coming artists and designers will create works of public art directly on-site related to a lookout theme that reinterprets the language commonly associated with urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture.

ACTIVITIES OF THE GREAT MOUNTAIN INSTITUTIONS

Eight great mountain institutions have included their activities in the calendar of Mont Royal Month activities for a third consecutive year: Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Saint-Joseph’s Oratory of Mont-Royal, Cimetière Mont-Royal, Cavalerie du SPVM, McCord Museum, Redpath Museum, Université de Montréal (Les Belles Soirées) and McGill University.

Keep track of the calendar of May activities on Les amis de la montagne’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Jaimelemontroyal or website at www.lemontroyal.qc.ca.

2011 Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

Sun, 01 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

SERVING THE FOREST, FOR A RECORD 20th EDITION!

Montreal, May 1st, 2011 – Close to 600 Montrealers participated in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up today, under the radiant sunshine of a glorious spring day!

The clean-up was organized by Les amis de la montagne for a 20th edition, as part of the International Year of Forests and to underline the 135th anniversary of Mount Royal Park, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and numerous other partners, including the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. The clean-up event has now drawn more than 11,800 members of the community to this vast awareness-raising operation and hands-on activity to help conserve the natural environment of Mont-Royal Park, also creating a springtime tradition for Montreal.

This 20th edition of the event had record results thanks to the tremendous community participation today:

More than 150 bags of trash were collected from the wooded areas constituting about 80 % of Mount Royal Park;
About 120 participants planted 470 indigenous trees and shrubs in an area adjacent to the Peel entrance to the park near Avenue Pine, including Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Striped Maple, Smooth Serviceberry, Black Chokeberry and Red Osier Dogwood;
More than 60 participants evaluated previous tree plantings for their growth rate in the area near the Trafalgar stair entrance off Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges; and
About 50 participants cut down an area overtaken by common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain.

Photos: Tzara Maud

The afternoon was dedicated to activities for the whole family organized to celebrate the renewal of spring and to underline the International Year of Forests. Information stands by a variety of environment groups were present at the Chalet, including Centre environnemental Tournesol, Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Mycoboutique, Production Agricole Urbaine Soutenable et Écologique, Secrétariat de la Convention sur la diversité biologique, Sentier Urbain and Action-RE-buts.

Les amis de la montagne distributed indigenous plants to the public, provided free of charge by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. Les amis also provided a family-friendly rally on the discovery of the mountain’s biodiversity to underline the International Year of Forests.

Finally, the African percussion group Samajam, provided entertainment to visitors at the Chalet.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up signals the start of “May 2011: Mont Royal Month”, an initiative that provides Montrealers with the opportunity to (re)discover their mountain. Les amis de la montagne thank the Ville de Montréal for its important technical and logistical support in the coordination of activities, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of the month. The activities are also made possible thanks to the participation of Groupe Yellow Inc., AbitibiBowater, Fontaine Santé, Thés David, STM, Rock Détente, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse, The Gazette and many collaborators and volunteers.

MOUNT ROYAL MONTH ACTIVITIES

Click here for the complete calendar of activities available in PDF format.

•   May 4, conference on public art
•   May 6, showing of a short film as part of the 24 heures de science
•   May 9, public forum with a guided walk on the theme of accessibility
•   May 11, conference on ornithology
•   May 12, guided walk on public art
•   May 14, guided walk on ornithology
•   May 14-15, special project, “Belvédère Éphémère”
•   May 19, conference on the McTavish Monument
•   May 24, 135th anniversary of Mount Royal Park and movie night with the NFB at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

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Source/information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237
gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP, SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, 2011

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Serving the forest - for a 20th edition!

On Sunday, May 1st, Montrealers are again being invited to participate in the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, an event that provides everyone the opportunity to devote a few hours of their time to sprucing up and beautifying this jewel in the heart of the city.

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Organized by Les amis de la montagne for a 20th edition, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and numerous other partners, the clean-up event has drawn 11,225 members of the community to this vast awareness-raising operation and hands-on activity to help conserve the natural environment of Mont-Royal Park, also creating a springtime tradition for Montreal.

Individual registration is being held between 8:45 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. at the Chalet du Mont-Royal near the lookout. Material is provided on site and participants are asked to come dressed for the weather in work clothes and sturdy shoes.

In the morning, in addition to the collection of litter from the underbrush, 470 indigenous trees and shrubs will be planted in the Rue Peel entrance of the park. The tree planting will serve to complement the efforts undertaken by the Ville de Montréal towards the creation of ecological corridors linking the different woods of Mont Royal.

Moreover, participants will help with the cutting of common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species, and will evaluate previous years’ tree plantings.

In the afternoon, environmental groups will be on hand to present their programs and projects. Les amis de la montagne will distribute indigenous plants to the public, provided free of charge by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune.

Finally, Samajam returns for a performance of African percussion at the Chalet du Mont-Royal.

Saying thank you to Mont Royal!
2011 has been declared the International Year of Forests by the United Nations and we celebrate the 135th anniversary of the inauguration of Mont-Royal Park. Both events provide the perfect occasion to take concrete action in support of the conservation of our beloved mountain. Mont Royal contributes greatly to our collective quality of life. Participating in the Corvée clean-up is one way we can all say thank you the mountain!

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up signals the start of “May 2011: Mont Royal Month”, an initiative that provides Montrealers with the opportunity to (re)discover their mountain. Les amis de la montagne thank the Ville de Montréal for its important technical and logistical support in the coordination of activities, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of the month. The activities are also made possible thanks to the participation of Groupe Yellow Inc., AbitibiBowater, Fontaine Santé, Thés David, STM, Rock Détente, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse, The Gazette and many collaborators and volunteers.

DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR THE MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP, SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, 2011

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Individual registration at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Planting of indigenous trees and shrubs
Collecting litter in the underbrush
Cutting exotic invasive plants
Evaluating previous tree plantings

First come, first served for the choice of activities. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your reusable cup or bottle. Bicycles, dogs and strollers will not be permitted on the activity sites. We encourage participants to use public transportation: Métro Mont-Royal, bus 11; or metro Côte-des-Neiges, bus 165 and 11.

12 p.m.

End of conservation activities
Light lunch provided to participants by Fontaine Santé

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Exhibits at the Chalet du Mont-Royal
Centre environnemental Tournesol
Institut de recherche en biologie végétale
Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune
Mycoboutique
Production Agricole Urbaine Soutenable et Écologique
Secrétariat de la Convention sur la diversité biologique
Sentier Urbain
Action-RE-buts

1 p.m.

Samajam - African percussion at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

At Les amis de la montagne's kiosk:

Distribution of indigenous trees generously provided free of charge to the public by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune.

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The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up: zero waste objective in 2011

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

On May1st, Les amis de la montagne organize the 20th edition of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up, a springtime tradition that encourages community participation while respecting the natural environment.

Keeping faithful to the origins of this avant-garde activity that was born of an ecological movement of an earlier time, Les amis de la montagne are putting in place a number of concrete actions to reduce the negative impact of such a large-scale event on the environment by promoting the principles of eco-responsibility.

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Food supplies:

Supplied by local providers, largely organic and/or fair-trade.
Use of compostable dishes, utensils and napkins.
Use of large-volume containers rather than single-serving formats.
Drinking water available in pitchers and water fountains (no plastic water bottles on-site).

Material:

Recycling of plastic, glass, metal, carton and paper.
Use of reusable bags to transport material to conservation activity sites.
Maximum reduction of the use of paper through the recycling of previous years’ signage.
T-shirts produced in certified ecological cotton, made in Quebec, offered to all participants and volunteers.

Promotional material:

Use of Cascades’ Rolland Enviro100 paper containing 100% recycled postconsumer fibres, free of chlorine and produced in Quebec for the production of the calendar of events.

YOUR TURN TO TAKE ACTION

You may also do your part to ensure that the 20th Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up is an ecologically responsible event. Take action by adopting good habits that are simple and easy to realise:

Use methods of transportation that are low in carbon emissions:

Walk or cycle to the site.
Take public transportation: Métro Mont-Royal and bus 11 or Métro Côte-des-Neiges and bus 165 and 11.
Carpool with neighbours or friends.

Reduce your waste during the Corvée:

Bring your own cup or reusable water bottle.

Process your residual waste:

Use the recycling bins.
Separate your carton and plastic.
Separate your compostable waste.

Click on this link for the complete Corvée clean-up schedule.

Call for proposals: "Belvédère Éphémère" on Mount Royal

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

As part of "May 2011: Mount Royal Month"

“BELVÉDÈRE ÉPHÉMÈRE: THINK TANK AND CREATIVE WORKSPACE” AS PART OF “MAY 2011: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH”

Mount Royal is much more than just its park; the mountain is central to the genius loci of the metropolis. The mountain territory is also humanized, encircled by great institutions and major transportation corridors.

As part of “May 2011: Mount Royal Month”, Les amis de la montagne, the Ville de Montréal and a variety of partners are collaborating on the creation of an artistic, ephemeral intervention that is both playful and festive, in order to question the accessibility to Mount Royal, especially on its south-western flank, on a site located at Avenue Cedar and Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges intersection.

The “Belvédère Éphémère” project provides a unique opportunity to intervene directly on Mount Royal, to extend beyond usual planning methods and to breathe the winds of positive change along the mountain’s periphery. The event will be held on the weekend of May 14-15, 2011 (postponed to May 28-29, in case of rain).

The ephemeral lookout project is aimed at rallying the community around this important question of accessibility in order to contribute to its eventual planning and possible reconfiguration. This event is also the occasion to provide Montreal’s planners and designers of tomorrow with a remarkable canvas upon which to express their vision and ideas to the entire community, thereby increasing their attachment to this unique landmark, symbol of our city.

The organizing committee is searching for 10 teams of artists/designers. Teams will be required to create works of public art directly on-site related to the lookout theme that reinterprets the language associated with urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture.

Teams have until April 15, 2011, to submit a proposal.

“May 2011: Mount Royal Month” is the original idea of Les amis de la montagne, organized jointly with the Ville de Montréal, thanks to the support of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Thank you to the partners and collaborators of the “Belvédère Éphémère” project:

Philips Lumec
Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine
Aedifica architecture et design
Claude Cormier et associés inc.
Daoust Lestage inc.
Menkes Shooner Danenais Letourneux architectes
Simon Bouffard architecte paysagiste
Soprema
Lassonde
Moog Audio
Sanivac

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - April 2011

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis' 25th anniversary; invitation to the forum on accessibility; International Year of Forests and Mount Royal Month; and more!

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE CELEBRATE THEIR 25th ANNIVERSARY

INVITATION TO THE NEXT PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

Revision of the Cultural Property Act: Les amis de la montagne present their position paper to the Quebec National Assembly
The Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America is the top pick of the « Prix Mérites du français 2011 »
Montreal’s new Centre de la biodiversité opens its doors

ACTIVITIES

Summer day camp in Mount Royal Park: still some places left

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

International Year of Forests
May 2011: Mount Royal Month

TAKE ACTION

Les amis de la montagne’s 25th Silver Anniversary Campaign

WORK SITES ON MOUNT ROYAL

Additional information regarding the closure of the southern lane of Remembrance Road

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE CELEBRATE THEIR 25th ANNIVERSARY

Les amis de la montagne was founded on April 1st, 1986, in order to oppose the construction of a tower in Mount Royal Park, twice the height of the mountain itself.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Brought into being by a vast coalition of citizens, business people and sister organizations, such as Héritage Montréal and Sauvons Montréal, Les amis de la montagne has pursued its mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal for 25 years.

In the course of these 25 years, thousands of citizens and partners have joined the movement. Today, Mount Royal benefits from recognition and protection by the Ville de Montréal and the Gouvernement du Québec, as an emblematic site and national heritage. Not all objectives have been accomplished, but numerous projects have been successfully realized over time.

Congratulations and thank you to each and every friend of the mountain, for this last quarter century! May there be many more years to come!

INVITATION TO THE NEXT PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Smith House, Mount Royal Park, 1260 Chemin Remembrance
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free

The Mount Royal territory: imagining the site as accessible and permeable

The Mount Royal Historic and Natural District has an abundance of highly frequented sites. Parks, universities, hospitals and cemeteries: thousands of Montrealers and tourists converge daily on this territory.

Several transportation methods provide access to the site, including walking, cycling, bus and car, a combination that is often less than harmonious. As such, the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan suggests the option of a concerted strategy regarding accessibility to the mountain, since these methods of transportation are often inseparable.

As one of the most important landmarks in Montreal’s urban landscape, how do we make access to Mount Royal more functional and adapted to different methods of transportation, while conserving its heritage character? How do we improve the permeability of the natural and historic district and make it more welcoming?

For more information, please contact Firoozeh Djavedani, community relations coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

Revision of the Cultural Property Act: Les amis de la montagne present their position paper to the Quebec National Assembly

On March 30th, Les amis de la montagne were invited to present their position paper on the revision of the Cultural Property Act, held as part of public hearings at the Quebec National Assembly.

In their position paper, Les amis de la montagne raise a number of issues regarding protection challenges for Mount Royal, a site that was recognized by governmental decree as a natural and historic district in 2005, that remain of great concern:

the densification of the territory;
the preservation of landscapes, including green spaces and views to and from the mountain;
the future of the mountain’s great institutions, currently undergoing significant transformation.

Les amis’ position paper refers to these elements in its analysis of the proposed revised law, as well as in the formulation of comments and ten recommendations. To read the complete position paper, available in French, please click on this link.

The Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America is the top pick of the “Prix Mérites du français 2011”

The Encyclopedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America is a multimedia resource that has been online since 2008. This resource presents the rich and varied heritage assets of the French-speaking communities living all across the North American continent. The most prominent of these are portrayed, in all the diversity of their expression, uses and history, in articles supplemented with images and audio-visual media.

Les amis de la montagne contributed two articles to the Encyclopedia on the theme of Mount Royal, titled, “Parc du Mont-Royal, un précieux patrimoine naturel et culturel” and “Mont-Royal: importance de l’engagement citoyen”.

On March 10th last, the website received an honourable mention for the richness and excellence of its content during the awarding of the “Mérites du français 2011.” This award is presented each year by the Office québécois de la langue française together with several partners from the field of information technology.

Les amis de la montagne extend their heartiest congratulations to the entire production team for this wonderful and dynamic resource, an important anthology of our collective cultural heritage.

Montreal’s new Centre de la biodiversité opens its doors

Montreal is now home to the new Centre sur la biodiversité, a centre that combines preservation, scientific research and public education. The city has served as host of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity since 1996.

The result of a partnership between the Université de Montréal, the Botanical Garden and the Montréal Insectarium and located in the Botanical Garden, the new Centre aims to:

allow long-term conservation and the digital rendering of major plant, insect and fungi collections;
develop innovative research programs and train young experts in disciplines relevant for the inventory of biodiversity;
coordinate the networking of and international access to the databases of major biological collections of Canadensys;
increase public awareness of the importance of making inventories of and preserving biodiversity.

ACTIVITIES

Summer day camp in Mount Royal Park: still some places left

Photo: Éric Cimon

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are pleased to offer their summer day camp for a third year. Children aged 6 to 9 years old will once again have the opportunity to discover the treasures of Mount Royal in a natural environment in the heart of Montreal.

Supervised by an experienced and passionate team of environmental educators, Les amis’ summer day camp will be offered from June 27 to August 12, for a duration of one or two weeks, consecutive or not.

Registration is open as of today. Click here for a registration form in PDF format and here for a form in Excel format (both available in French). For more information, please call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 235 or send us an email.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

International Year of Forests

The United Nations (UN) declared 2011 the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests on the planet, and to generate public awareness and political action towards sustainable forest management.

Mount Royal has some of the last remaining mature forests on the island of Montreal. Among their many beneficial effects, trees in an urban environment help purify the air by absorbing great quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2). In fact, trees store the greatest amount of carbon in the first decades of their growth, by incorporating it into their expanding biomass.

Did you know, for example, that lichen diversity is a good indicator of air quality? Biodiversity is also essential for a healthy natural environment, which is why activities are organized on Mount Royal to control the spread of invasive plants such as the Norway maple and the common buckthorn. These two species colonize the forest floor at the expense of other trees, which is why tree cutting occurs in parallel to tree planting.

With the participation of over 3,000 volunteers, almost 14,000 trees have been planted on Mount Royal since 1994. As part of Les amis’ Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP), volunteers will plant hundreds of young trees of different indigenous species between May and October this year, principally in Mount Royal Park. Planting will reinforce more thinly wooded areas and zones damaged by the vagaries of the climate or human activity. For more information on the ESP, please visit Les amis’ website under the heading “Conservation activities.”

May 2011: Mount Royal Month

Mount Royal Month is a month of activities dedicated to the discovery and conservation of the natural environment and the exploration of the many facets of the mountain. An original idea of Les amis de la montagne, the month’s activities are realized jointly with the Ville de Montréal, thanks to the generosity of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, as well as many other partners and collaborators.

The International Year of Forests declared by the United Nations in 2011 will be celebrated during the launch activity of Mount Royal Month on Sunday, May 1st, the traditional Corvée mountain clean-up, now in its 20th year. The community is invited in large numbers to participate in several conservation activities, including litter collection, the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs and the cutting of exotic invasive species. Individual registration takes place the day-of at the Chalet du Mont-Royal between 8:45 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

The complete calendar of Mount Royal Month events will soon be unveiled, but until then, here is a foretaste of activities to come:

May 4, conference on public art
May 6, showing of a short film as part of the 24 heures de science
May 9, public forum with a guided walk on the theme of accessibility
May 11, conference on ornithology
May 12, guided walk on public art
May 14, guided walk on ornithology
May 14-15, special project, “Belvédère Éphémère”
May 19, conference on the McTavish Monument
May 24, movie night with the NFB at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

For up-to-date information on events, follow Les amis de la montagne’s Facebook page.

TAKE ACTION

Les amis de la montagne’s 25th Silver Anniversary Campaign

Spring is the season of nature’s renewal and the longer days of sunshine help improve our collective mood. Certain traditions accompany the arrival of springtime, such as the famous Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up, that launches the activities of May, Mount Royal Month. Les amis de la montagne also takes this time of year to launch the organization’s annual fundraising campaign to the community.

Established 25 years ago, Les amis pursues its mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education. Over the last years, the organization has worked diligently to obtain recognition of Mount Royal as a heritage site of national importance, to request the highest standards of management of the territory and to call for a permanent and transparent consultation process on all decisions regarding the mountain.

Thanks to your donations, Les amis de la montagne are able to perpetuate the work of an entire generation, work that was begun 150 years ago by preceding generations. Your support is essential. Les amis’ objective to raise $850,000 will allow the organization to continue developing its programs and to pursue efforts to defend the interests of the mountain throughout the year. Please click on this link to make your secure online donation today or to contact us directly, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 240.

WORK SITES ON MOUNT ROYAL

Additional information regarding the closure of the southern lane of Remembrance Road

Last fall, Les amis de la montagne published a newsletter carrying information from the Ville de Montréal on the closure of the southern lane of Remembrance Road. Since then, some additional information has been added with regards the practice of cycling on Mount Royal. The updated document is available in French in the news section of Les amis’ website by clicking here.

Tuques Bleues photo gallery and other news from Les amis - March 2011

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Spring Break, urban agriculture on Mont Royal, summer day camp registration, Les amis on Facebook and more!

NEWS

Photo gallery of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj (top), Karine Gagné (bottom)

CALENDAR

Spring Break on Mont Royal, until March 5
Third Annual Urban Maple Grove event, March 5
Urban agriculture on Mont Royal: the mountain-based universities are “sprouting” with original projects, March 16

ACTIVITIES

Cross-country ski sale to benefit Les amis de la montagne
Registration for Les amis’ summer day camp on Mont Royal: a mountain of fun and discoveries

TAKE ACTION

“J’aime le mont Royal” on Facebook

NEWS

Photo gallery of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration

On February 17th last, nearly 700 mountain devotees celebrated the success of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration in style, a benefit event that helped raise $250,000 for education and conservation programs on Mont Royal. Les amis de la montagne thank the many sponsors, partners, participants and volunteers for their contributions in making this evening such a remarkable success.

The 15th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration will be held February 16th, 2012, an anniversary event not to be missed!

Until then, we invite you to discover or relive the highlights of the event by viewing the exquisite photo gallery of the evening.

Photos: © Les amis de la montagne / Andrew Dobrowolskyj / Karine Gagné, 2011

CALENDAR

Photo: Samuel Montigné

Spring Break on Mont Royal from February 28 to March 5, 2011

Winter sport diehards, worry not: Mont Royal is still a winter wonderland! And for the week of Spring Break, Les amis de la montagne are offering a variety of family-fun things to do:

Guided snowshoe walks and inner-tubing
Discover the birds of Mont Royal, for all ages
Nordic kick-sledding
And much more!

Click here for more details …

Third Annual Urban Maple Grove event

As part of International Year of Forests, Les amis de la montagne are pleased to participate in the 3rd annual Urban Maple Grove event organized by the Société de développement environnemental de Rosemont (SODER) this Saturday, March 5 at Parc Molson, located at Rue Beaubien and Rue d’Iberville in the Rosemont-Petite-Patrie borough, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On this occasion, the Maple Grove event will feature the tapping of eight Maple trees and visitors will be able to enjoy a maple-taffy tasting. To celebrate this traditional custom, educational activities will also be featured, together with folk animation, heritage activities and free tastings that the whole family can enjoy. Come and visit Les amis’ interpretation kiosk and visit with one of our educators to learn more about the Maples of Mont Royal.

Urban agriculture on Mont Royal: the mountain-based universities are “sprouting” with original projects

When first built in 1858, Maison Smith was located in the centre of a vast agricultural domain. Today, Montrealers are taking a new interest in urban agriculture which has lead to the creation of original projects across the city. Join this presentation by student groups from McGill University and the Université de Montréal to discover two unique projects that may rouse the urban farmer in you!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Maison Smith, Parc du Mont-Royal, 1260 Chemin Remembrance
Free

Part One: 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Take a piece of nature home with you!
Interested in gardening? Never thought you had the space? Students from the McGill University nursing program are pleased to present a workshop to teach you the benefits of urban gardening and how to build your own urban garden on a rooftop, a balcony and inside your home.

Part Two: 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Exploring urban agriculture: the UdeM PAUSE project
Come and learn more about this initiative in ecological and sustainable urban agriculture, led by students in multidisciplinary studies at the Université de Montréal: container production, beekeeping, mycoculture (mushroom production), composting, research and education about urban gardening.

ACTIVITIES

Cross-country ski sale to benefit Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne are organizing a sale of their Rossignol cross-country skis (and boots and poles) in order to renew their rental equipment. Don’t miss out!

From February 28 to March 13 at the rental counter located on the ground floor of the Lac aux Castors pavilion. Operating hours vary – please call at 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Skis, boots and poles – equipment for children beginning at $100 and for adults at $200

Registration for Les amis' summer day camp on Mont Royal: a mountain of fun and discoveries

Photo: Éric Cimon

Two themes are being offered this summer, the new "Les aventuriers du temps" that proposes the discovery of Montreal’s history through encounters and adventures in the forest and the popular, “Les Renards Futés” (the wily foxes), an initiation to nature, fauna and flora. Animation is provided in French with bilingual educators. Click here for the camp brochure (in French).

Each morning, campers will gather at Smith House, Mount Royal Park’s central meeting place, to play under the centuries-old Oak trees; to walk through the forest and discover a diversity of flora; to explore the area with a magnifying glass or binoculars in search of animals; to create original projects in a stimulating group environment; and most of all, to experience nature first-hand in the centre of the city.

Registration is open as of today. Click here for a registration form in PDF format and here for a form in Excel format (both available in French). For more information, please call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 235 or send us an email.

TAKE ACTION

“J’aime le mont Royal” on Facebook

Les amis de la montagne have created a new Facebook fanpage called “J'aime le mont Royal | Les amis de la montagne” that keeps you up-to-date on the variety of activities taking place on the mountain and the general goings-on of this emblematic site.

http://www.facebook.com/JaimelemontRoyal

Become a “fan”, provide comments, suggest content and please share this link with your entire network!

Spring Break on Mount Royal 2011

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Mount Royal is the destination of choice!

SPRING BREAK ACTIVITIES ON MOUNT ROYAL FROM FEBRUARY 28 TO MARCH 5, 2011

No need to travel far from the city during Spring Break to practice your favourite family outdoor activities. Mount Royal is the destination of choice!

FAMILY SNOWSHOEING AND TUBING
Families get moving with Les amis de la montagne! Strap on a pair of our snowshoes and follow an environmental educator along the flanks of the mountain in search of animal tracks and bird songs. Spend the rest of the afternoon sliding on our specially designated inner-tubes tracks. Children must be 8 years-old.

Daily during Spring Break from February 28 to March 5, 2011.
Departure from Maison Smith, in Parc du Mont-Royal, 1260 Chemin Remembrance.
Guided snowshoe walk from 1:30-3 p.m., followed by tubing.
Package: 1 parent + 1 child = $20, 2nd parent + $8, each additional child $6 (maximum 4 children per adult).
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

THE BIRDS OF MOUNT ROYAL, FOR ALL AGES
For an more zen-like activity, join an environmental educator from Les amis for a guided visit of the 7 feeder stations located on the circular summit path to spot the cardinals, juncos, woodpeckers and other species that frequent the feeders in winter. Activity offered on Saturday, March 5 and 12, 2011, from 1-3 p.m. No reservations are needed, just arrive no later than 1 p.m. at Maison Smith in Parc du Mont-Royal, 1260 Chemin Remembrance.

NORDIC KICKSLED
Try out this traditional Scandinavian sport that is both environmentally and family friendly, already adopted by millions of Europeans! Whether solo or in tandem with your child seated in the front of the kicksled, enjoy the pleasures of winter. The technique can be learned within minutes and ... you're off! Nordic kicksleds are available at Les amis’ rental counter located on the ground floor of the Lac aux Castors pavilion at a cost of $15 for 2 hours.

Click here for the complete calendar of Les amis de la montagne’s activities, including opening times and rental prices.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Summer Day Camp 2011 - for a mountain of fun!

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

For a mountain of fun and discoveries!

LES AMIS' SUMMER DAY CAMP IS BACK in 2011 - FOR A MOUNTAIN OF FUN AND DISCOVERIES!

Photos: Éric Cimon

Two themes are being proposed this summer, the new "Les aventuriers du temps" that proposes the discovery of Montreal’s history through encounters and adventures in the forest and the popular, “Les Renards Futés” (the wily foxes), an initiation to nature, fauna and flora. Animation is provided in French with bilingual educators.

Cross-country ski sale

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Proceeds to benefit Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne are organizing a sale of their Rossignol cross-country skis (and boots and poles) in order to renew their rental equipment. Don’t miss out!

From February 28 to March 13 at the rental counter located on the ground floor of the Lac aux Castors pavilion. Operating hours vary – please call at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.
Skis, boots and poles – equipment for children beginning at $100 and for adults at $200.

14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event 2011

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Hundreds of Montrealers revive the tradition in honour of Mount Royal

PHOTO GALLERY - 2011

Click here to view the photo gallery of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration, 2011 edition.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj and Karine Gagné

Les amis de la montagne celebrate the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event
Hundreds of Montrealers revive the tradition in honour of Mount Royal

Montreal, February 18, 2011 – Mount Royal trembled under the footsteps of hundreds of snowshoers during the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event held on February 17th! On what appeared to be an early spring evening, nearly 700 mountain admirers strapped on snowshoes and sported blue toques, allowing Les amis de la montagne to attain their objective of raising $250,000 in support of education and protection programs for Mount Royal.

This most magical of benefit events, held as part of the Montreal High Lights Festival, recalls the famous snowshoe treks by torchlight organized by the sporting clubs in the 1840s, where members would gather at dusk for an evening of outdoor fun and camaraderie while ascending Mount Royal.

The Royal Canadian 2nd Field Regiment fired a ceremonial canon to signal the departure of the snowshoe race to over 100 runners. Racers competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in both women’s and men’s categories, while numerous corporate teams vied for the Corporate Challenge Cup, the Sports Club Cup, the Team Challenge and the Tuques Bleues Trophy. The snowshoe walkers, meanwhile, discovered the magic of Mount Royal’s forest at a more leisurely pace.

The event ended with a great gathering at the Chalet du Mont-Royal. Again this year, participants’ taste buds tingled to the gustative Québécois creations of caterer Java U. The ambiance of the Chalet was all the more spectacular thanks to the original audio-visual wizardry of VJ Choco Beets and DJ David Drury, who combined the traditional with the modern to terrific effect. Two short videos produced by Kalibre served to raise the awareness of the business community, especially the new generation of engaged entrepreneurs, to take up the Tuques Bleues challenge and become a “friend of the mountain”.

The honorary co-chairs of the event, Cyril Bendahan, Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, Manulife Financial, and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, presided over the awards ceremony inside the Chalet, together with the evenings MCs, Tobie Bureau-Huot of NRJ Week-End and NRJ Sur Demande, and Mark Shalhoub of CJAD 800 AM, both of the Astral Radio family.

Medals were awarded to:

Women:

Gold – Anne Doule, Club Sportif MAA (13:56.9)
Silver –Lisa Dyck, Mansfield Club Athlétique (14:14.8)
Bronze – Dierdre Douglas, Club Sportif MAA (14:36.9)

L to R: Cyril Bendahan, Dierdre Douglas, Anne Doule, Michel Leblanc

Men:

Gold – David LePorha, Club Sportif MAA (10:27.4)
SIlver – Charles Perreault, Club Sportif MAA (10:49.4)
Bronze – François Ménard, Club Sportif MAA (10:54.0)

L to R: Cyril Bendahan, Charles Perreault, David Leporha, François Ménard, Michel Leblanc

Corporate Challenge Cup:

Scotia Capital

Sports Club Cup:

Club Sportif MAA

Team Challenge:

TD Group Bank, with its three top runners, Morgan Lessard, Jean-Pierre Cadorette and In Sunwoo

Finally, the Tuques Bleues Trophy was awarded to:

Manulife Financial (for a 4th consecutive year!)

Les amis de la montagne extend thanks to their partners for their commitment and contribution to the event: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level, Atmosphere and Mansfield Club Athlétique; with the support of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Les amis also wish to thank their sponsors at the Bronze level: ECS School, TD Group Bank, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, McCarthy Tétrault S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l., Rio Tinto Alcan, Scotia Capital and Velan Inc.; and finally, their sponsors of products and services: Montréal High Lights Festival, Ville de Montréal, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, 2e Régiment de l’Artillerie du Canada, Centre de location Hewitt-CAT, Java U, Fromages BioBio by Gattuso Inc., La Mer, Weinstein & Gavino’s, Le Château, Pâtisserie Wawel, Eska, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse, The Gazette, C4 Communications and Groupe Samajam.

Last but not least, Les amis thank the exceptional contribution of close to 100 volunteers, including Circé Labelle and her team from CGI, and Nathalie Bossé, director of curriculum and the Centre for Learning Enrichment, and her 8 students from St-George’s High School of Westmount.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj, Karine Gagné

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - February 2011

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Tuques Bleues Celebration on February 17; views to Mount Royal, a protection issue; snowshoe with your sweetheart or your family; and the "Gens de coeur" contest

TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION ON FEBRUARY 17

Only several tickets left!

Photos : Andrew Dobrowolskyj

NEWS

Protecting the views to Mount Royal – the case of the Redpath Mansion project

ACTIVITIES

Snowshoeing at night: combining fresh air and spectacular views
Snowshoeing and tubing with the family: every Saturday and during Spring Break
2011 edition of the photo contest “La montagne en images”

TAKE ACTION

Do you know a remarkable volunteer? Participate in the “Gens de cœur” contest!

TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION ON FEBRUARY 17

Only several tickets left!

The 14th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event will be held Thursday, February 17 at 5:45 p.m. at Smith House in Mount Royal Park.

The goal of Les amis de la montagne’s signature benefit event, a most magical and emblematic evening, is to raise $250,000 for education and protection programs on Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration evokes the famous torch-lit snowshoe climbs of Montreal’s sporting clubs held in the 19th Century. More than 700 Montrealers will gather for a breathtaking tramp through the mountain forest by moonlight and a gastronomic buffet in the spirit of good cheer. There are lots of surprises organized for this evening: animation and hot cocoa at the departure line, a VJ and a DJ at the Chalet and a new menu.

Les amis de la montagne are thrilled to welcome Astral team members Mark Shalhoub, sports broadcaster with CJAD 800 AM, and Tobie Bureau-Huot, broadcaster-DJ with NRJ Week-End and NRJ Sur Demande, as this year’s Masters of Ceremonies. Click on the link to listen to the 30-second publicity clip prepared by CJAD and on this link, to hear a recent interview by Dave Fisher featuring Gabrielle Korn of Les amis.

Only several tickets are left to be purchased at the cost of $200 per person. Please contact Geneviève Catta at 514 843-8240, ext. 239. If you have already registered your corporate team, please remember to provide us with the names of your team members no later than noon February 16th.

Mark Shalhoub (left), Tobie Bureau-Huot (right)

NEWS

Protecting the views to Mount Royal – the case of the Redpath Mansion project

The prickly issue of protecting the views of Mount Royal has resurfaced with recent news of the construction project on the site of the Redpath Mansion on Avenue du Musée. Together with the St. Lawrence River, Mount Royal is a defining emblem of Montreal and the maintenance of the visual relationship between the two landmarks is of vital importance.

The protection of the views of Mount Royal, as prescribed in the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan and the Urban Plan of the Ville de Montréal, make allowances for the conservation of this dialogue between the mountain and the river. Furthermore, over the past several decades, numerous efforts have been made to protect the views towards the mountain and to curb the height of property developments that risk blocking these views.

The importance of the enhancement of visual perspectives on the mountain was underlined as early as 1960 during the construction of Place Ville-Marie and again in 1984, with the Cadillac-Fairview project. This project consisted of the construction of a commercial centre on the corner of Avenue McGill-College and Rue Ste-Catherine, and created such controversy within the community that the city undertook a public consultation. The result of the consultation was a clear desire to protect and enhance the views to the mountain, particularly towards the southern flank, a new imperative in the city’s urban plan. The Cadillac-Fairview project was eventually abandoned, but led to the creation of the city’s urban plan adopted in 1992, as well as the adoption of special measures taken to ensure that views towards the southern flank of Mount Royal remain clear by way, for example, of limiting the height and density of construction north of Rue Sherbrooke.

Source: Ville de Montréal

The enhancement of visual perspectives towards the mountain are not a given; the case of the residential construction project slated for the Redpath Mansion illustrates that work remains to be done in this regard. Comprehensive studies have been carried out over the last several years by the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal to identify the views that require protection (see the "annexes" related to views in the Document complémentaire du Plan d'urbanisme section). We must now find the means to ensure that these "visual cones" are maintained within urban development planning. The upcoming revision of the city’s urban plan presents the perfect occasion.

ACTIVITIES

Snowshoeing at night: combining fresh air and spectacular views

The guided snowshoe walk, “By the lights of the city”, winds through Mount Royal’s forest offering spectacular views of downtown Montreal at night. A hot chocolate break is offered mid-way along the trail, allowing snowshoers the time to immerse themselves in this magical atmosphere in the heart of the city.

This guided walk is offered every Saturday evening until March 12, 2011, at a cost of $15 per person (12 years and over, including animation, snowshoes and hot chocolate).

For a romantic outing with your sweetheart, a special Valentine’s Day theme will be featured this Saturday, February 12, 2011, at a cost of $22 per person, including animation, snowshoes, mulled wine and a chocolate. Meeting time is 6 p.m. at Smith House. Reservations are required; please call 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Photo : Samuel Montigné

Snowshoeing and tubing with the family: every Saturday and during Spring Break

Join Les amis de la montagne for a dynamic and fun family outing that combines a guided walk on snowshoes through the mountain forest, followed by inner-tubing.

This family package is being offered every Saturday afternoon until March 5, 2011, and daily during Spring Break, from February 28 to March 4, 2011. Departure is from Smith House at 1:30 p.m. and the activity is for children 8 years and older.

To reserve your outing or for more details, click here.

For a more “Zen-like” family outing, join a member of Les amis’ conservation patrol for a guided walk of our bird-feeders to discover the mountain’s winter bird species. This activity is being offered every Saturday until March 12, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are required. Simply arrive at Smith House no later than 1 p.m.

2011 edition of the photo contest “La montagne en images”

During your outings on Mount Royal this winter, don’t forget to bring your camera! Capture the beauty of the mountain’s natural environment and the activities practiced on its snow-covered peaks in anticipation of the official launch in May of the 2nd annual photo contest “La montagne en images”. The featured themes include: trees and forests; light; works of art and buildings; activities and pastimes; and fauna.

Until the launch of the contest, join Les amis de la montagne’s group on Flickr and add your favourite photos to the pool.

TAKE ACTION

Do you know a remarkable volunteer? Participate in the “Gens de cœur” contest!

More than two million volunteers in Quebec work behind the scenes to change the world. Their contributions have enormous impact. Les amis de la montagne are pleased to support a contest initiated by Radio-Canada Télévision and Manulife Financial called “Gens de cœur” that underlines the inestimable contribution provided by our volunteers.

Members of the community are invited to submit the candidacy of people in their circle who, by their volunteer contributions, make our world a better place to live. Winners of the contest will share $30,000 in donations that will be contributed to the charity of their choice, provided by Manulife Financial.

Contest details are available in French on the website of Radio-Canada Télévision.

Launch of the 2011 Tuques Bleues Celebration

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The countdown to February 17 begins!

Les amis de la montagne launch the 14th edition of the
Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

Montreal, January 26, 2011 – Today at Smith House, the honorary co-chairs of the Tuques Bleues Celebration launched the countdown to the 14th edition of this benefit event to be held February 17 on Mount Royal, on the occasion of a gathering of partners and organizers.

Mr. Cyril Bendahan, Vice-President, Group Benefits, Québec Region, Manulife Financial, and Mr. Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, invite Montrealers to participate in this most unique and festive events.

L to R: Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne, Cyril Bendahan, Mary Bruns Creighton, Director of Marketing, Cordiant Capital and co-chair of Les amis' annual campaign, Michel Leblanc, Éric Morriset, Managing Director and Group Head, Quebec Investment Banking, TD Securities Inc. and co-chair, Les amis' annual campaign. Photo: Martin Roy.

“Les amis de la montagne, its mission and the annual Tuques Bleues Celebration, provide us with a unique and privileged opportunity; not only do they connect us to our past by recalling the simple pleasures of another era, but they also project us into a future that we can plan, create and preserve. This event is a wonderful occasion to celebrate our mountain while contributing to its conservation. I encourage you to participate in great numbers in this celebration,” said Cyril Bendahan.

“Mont Royal is an integral part of our history and identity. Its presence at the heart of our city offers Montrealers an enviable quality of life. The Tuques Bleues Celebration is a moment to celebrate the ultimate symbol of Montréal and to do something concrete to protect it. I encourage the entire business community not to miss this event and to take the opportunity to bask in the joys of winter and nature without leaving the city,” added Michel Leblanc.

More than 700 participants are expected to attend the event. The objective is to raise $250,000 to benefit education and protection programs on Mount Royal. The Tuques Bleues Celebration recalls the famous snowshoe treks by torchlight organized by the sporting clubs in the 19th Century. Members of these first snowshoe clubs in North America could be identified by their blue tuques.

This year, a special team challenge has been launched to encourage the participation of the business community, particularly young entrepreneurs. Video-testimonials of two entrepreneurs were created for this purpose and can be viewed here:

Tuques bleues, Katy St-Laurent

Tuques bleues, Sébastien Moquin

Les amis de la montagne extend thanks to their partners for their commitment and contribution to the event: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level, Atmosphere and Mansfield Club Athlétique; with the support of Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Les amis also wish to thank their sponsors at the Bronze level: ECS School, TD Group Bank, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, McCarthy Tétrault S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l., Rio Tinto Alcan, Scotia Capital and Velan Inc.; and finally, their sponsors of products and services: Montréal High Lights Festival, Ville de Montréal, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, 2e Régiment de l’Artillerie du Canada, Centre de location Hewitt-CAT, Java U, Fromages BioBio by Gattuso Inc., La Mer, Weinstein & Gavino’s, Le Château, Pâtisserie Wawel, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse, The Gazette, C4 Communications and Groupe Samajam.

Click here for more information on the Tuques Bleues Celebration or to purchase tickets securely online, at a cost of $200 per person.

14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Take up the challenge on February 17 on Mount Royal

Photo: Tzara Maud

The 14th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event is rapidly approaching! Under the honorary co-chairmanship of Cyril Bendahan, Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, Manulife Financial and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, hundreds of participants will gather on Thursday, February 17th, to ascend Mount Royal in snowshoes in support of Les amis de la montagne’s signature fundraising event.

The honorary co-chairs have accepted to join members of Les amis’ campaign cabinet to take up the challenge of mobilizing Montrealers, particularly the business community, in order to raise $250,000 towards education and protection programs for Mount Royal.

Strive to surpass yourself this winter and join the hundreds of participants who contribute, through their commitment and their joie-de-vivre, to the perpetuity of this symbol of vitality and pride for both current and future generations. But hurry – spaces are limited!

You may purchase your tickets now via Les amis’ secure website at a cost of $200 per person. You may also recruit a team of participants by buying 10, 20 or 30 tickets – the choice is yours! The team registration form is available on Les amis’ website or may be requested by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 239.

Les amis de la montagne would like to extend thanks to its many partners for their commitment and contribution: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Atmosphere and Mansfield Club Athlétique; with the support of: Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Les amis also thank their partners at the Bronze level: ECS School, TD Bank Group, MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, McCarthy Tétrault S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l., Rio Tinto Alcan, Scotia Capital and Velan Inc.; as well as it partners of products and services: Montreal High Lights Festival, Ville de Montréal, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, 2e Régiment de l’Artillerie du Canada, Centre de location Hewitt-CAT, Java U, Fromages BioBio of Gattuso Inc., La Mer, Le Château, Pâtisserie Wawel, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse and The Gazette.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - January 2011

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The 14th editon of the Tuques Bleues Celebration; new snowshoeing and tubing family outing; guided snowshoe walk, "By the light of the city" and more!

The team at Les amis de la montagne wishes you a New Year of health and happiness, with many outings and discoveries to be enjoyed with family and friends on Mount Royal throughout 2011!

Photo: Samuel Montigné

The United Nations has proclaimed 2011 the International Year of Forests in order to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

Since 1998, Les amis de la montagne have been committed to a series of environmental activities and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of Mount Royal’s natural environment. We will pursue these activities again with great enthusiasm this year and count upon your continued commitment in joining us in carrying out our successful conservation programs.

Again, we wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to meeting you along the paths and trails of Mount Royal’s forests.

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 17

NEWS

The MUHC properties on the mountain make headlines

ACTIVITIES

Get ready for the 2nd edition of the photo contest "La montagne en images"

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Attention families: get moving on Mount Royal this winter!
Invite your friends or gather your colleagues for wintertime fun on Mount Royal

A BRIEF HISTORY OF …

Mount Royal: a winter sports haven from the very start!

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 17

Photo : Tzara Maud

Read more ...

NEWS

The MUHC properties on the mountain make headlines

On December 17, 2010, The Gazette published an article titled, “Heirs want say on Royal Vic site” that describes the efforts made by one of the descendants of the founders of the Royal Victoria Hospital to prevent the sale of the property located on the southern flank of Mount Royal to private developers.

In reaction to this article, Les amis de la montagne and Héritage Montréal sent a letter on December 24th, 2010, to The Gazette that was published on January 6th, 2011, stating that the Royal Victoria Hospital is more than a simple property, but a collection of heritage elements that provides access to the mountain and that should continue to serve the public interest in its reuse strategy.

Read the full story by clicking here.

ACTIVITIES

Get ready to participate in the 2nd edition of Les amis de la montagne’s photo contest, "La montagne en images"

Photo: Karine Gagné

During your outings on Mount Royal this winter, don’t forget to bring your camera! Capture the beauty of the mountain’s natural environment and the activities practiced on its snow-covered peaks and trails this season. Hold on to your favourite snapshots in order to submit them to us this spring, as part of the official launch of the 2nd annual photo contest during Mount Royal Month in May, 2011.

A variety of prizes will be offered once again and the best photos will be available for viewing on Les amis’ website. Several photographs depicting the mountain’s heritage assets might also be selected to be published in Les amis’ annual activity report. Click here to see the 2010 edition. Moreover, the contest-winning photographs will be exposed at Smith House in the fall of 2011.

Click here to see the slideshow of winning photographs from the first annual “La montagne en images” photo contest.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Attention families: get moving on the mountain this winter!

Photo: Jean-Michel Villanove

You don’t have to travel far from the city this winter to practice your favourite outdoor activities. Mount Royal offers the perfect natural setting in the heart of Montreal!

Join Les amis de la montagne for a dynamic and fun family outing that combines a guided walk on snowshoes through the mountain forest, followed by inner-tubing.

This new family package is being offered every Saturday afternoon until March 5, 2011, and daily during Spring Break, from February 28 to March 5, 2011. Departure is from Smith House at 1:30 p.m. and the activity is for children 8 years and older.

To reserve your outing or for more details, click here.

For a more Zen-like family outing, join a member of Les amis’ conservation patrol for a guided walk of our bird-feeders to discover the mountain’s winter bird species. This activity is being offered every Saturday until March 12, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are required. Simply arrive at Smith House no later than 1 p.m.

On your own or with a group, enjoy the pleasures of winter on Mount Royal

Photo: Samuel Montigné

The guided snowshoe walk, By the light of the city, will be held every Saturday evening until March 12, 2011, at a cost of $15 per person (12 years and over) including snowshoes, animation and hot chocolate. And for an original outing with your sweetheart, participate in our Valentine’s special on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at a cost of $22 per person, including snowshoes, animation, mulled wine and chocolate. Departure from Smith House at 6 p.m. Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF …

Mount Royal: a winter sports haven from the very start!

Historic post card from Les amis de la montagne's collection

Even though new arrivals to the country had the rigours of winter to contend with, historians report that as early as 1669, colonists took up skating in Ville-Marie. They also adopted certain customs and practices of the native populations, such as the native attire.

In fact, these early Europeans began wearing “bonnets” to protect their head from the cold. The inhabitants of the colony were eventually attributed the nickname “blue bonnets” since the majority seemed to wear toques of this colour.

Among the customs borrowed from the native populations, the colonists began to practice tobogganing, lacrosse and snowshoeing, the latter of which became a favourite winter pastime on Mount Royal.

By the mid-19th Century, the mountain had already become a major tourist attraction where Montrealers escaped the ills of a rapidly developing city to practice their favourite sports. In 1840, a group of men created a snowshoe club. In reference to their “blue bonnets”, they quickly became known as the “Tuques Bleues” by the French-speaking population. Other clubs would be created and snowshoe competitions began to be organized.

The Tuques Bleues and other sporting clubs joined to found the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1881 with the mission to promote a variety of activities such as lacrosse, cycling, snowshoeing, hockey and fencing, to name just several. In 1893, the Governor General of Canada, Lord Stanley de Preston, offered a trophy to the team that won the hockey championships. The MAAA was the first club to win the Stanley Cup!

Today, as in the past, Montrealers regard Mount Royal as their favourite destination for recreation or relaxation, in every season.

The MUHC properties on the mountain make headlines

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Héritage Montréal and Les amis de la montagne co-sign a letter in The Gazette

On December 17, 2010, The Gazette published an article titled, “Heirs want say on Royal Vic site” that describes the efforts made by one of the descendants of the founders of the Royal Victoria Hospital to prevent the sale of the property located on the southern flank of Mount Royal to private developers. The hospital is slated to move to the McGill University Health Centre’s (MUHC) new superhospital site on the former Glen rail yards in 2014 or 2015. In the article, Mrs. Elspeth Angus states that her ancestors, Sir George Stephen and Sir Donald Smith, donated the land in 1893 for the express use by the Royal Victoria Hospital as a benefit to the entire community and her efforts are intended to honour the wishes of these land donors.

Les amis de la montagne are concerned about the future vocation of the hospital property, which occupies more than 1 million square feet on the mountain, all the more since clear rules and guidelines concerning the protection of institutional domains on the mountain in full mutation are yet to be defined.

In reaction to the article, The Gazette published a letter on January 6, 2011, co-signed by Héritage Montréal and Les amis de la montagne supporting the position of Mrs. Angus. The letter, sent on December 24th, states that the Royal Victoria Hospital is more than a simple property, but a collection of heritage elements that provides access to the mountain and that should continue to serve the public interest in its reuse strategy. The MUHC should also be obliged to engage in a transparent planning process with regards the expansion and uses of its properties on the mountain in order to ensure that commitments made to the community are upheld.

Prior to publishing the letter signed by Héritage and Les amis, The Gazette published an editorial on December 30, 2010, favouring the Royal Victoria Hospital’s conversion into luxury housing.

Letter to the Editor of The Gazette

Re: “Heirs want say on Royal Vic site” (The Gazette, December 17)

Mrs. Angus and descendants of the families of the two founding donors of the Royal Victoria Hospital are right in reminding everyone of the original purpose and obligations for this great Montreal landmark. This is not just another piece of real estate ready to be auctioned to speculators but a site dedicated to be used for the benefit of the community.

These concerns are very timely since they resonate with others on the way the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is planning its construction project on its other huge Mountain property: the Montreal General Hospital (MGH). In 2008, the MUHC made a commitment to confine any expansion within the current footprint of the MGH but now this commitment seems to be in question. As with the Royal Vic, this site is within the protected heritage district of Mount Royal declared by the Quebec Government. This fact requires that the future of the Montreal General Hospital be considered transparently and with great care employing all of the standards which apply to project located within the protected district.

As community organizations, Heritage Montreal and Les amis de la montagne are deeply concerned about the future of the MUHC properties on the Mountain. Whether in terms of their expansion or disposition, there is a definite need for independent planning and consultation process, and effective oversight to ensure that commitments made to the community are respected. 2011 is the year to do this in order to avoid yet another divisive development which breaches the rules we have all committed to for our beloved Mont Royal.

Dinu Bumbaru (Policy Director, Héritage Montréal)
Sylvie Guilbault (Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne)

Wintertime activities on Mount Royal

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

THE FUN BEGINS DECEMBER 11, 2010!

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, invite you with family or friends to experience the thrill of outdoor activities this winter on Mount Royal, Montreal’s incomparable winter sports paradise in the heart of the city. Skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or sliding: whatever your desire or level, live your passion and discover the pleasures of winter in the most accessible and enchanting of mountain surroundings.

A host of activities awaits you in the Beaver Lake sector of the park, in addition to the usual warm welcome at the Café Smith (new – snack on our delicious waffles!) and nature-boutique at Smith House. Original activities have been added to the line-up of wintertime favourites – all the more reason to appreciate this uniquely beautiful landscape in our urban midst!

Activities to discover

Since Mount Royal is one of Montreal’s favourite family destinations, Les amis de la montagne are offering a new activity package to please all members of the family. Offered every Saturday from January 15 to March 5, 2011, families are invited to Smith House to strap on a pair of Les amis’ snowshoes and, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., follow our guide along the flanks of the mountain in search of animal tracks and bird songs. Families can then spend the rest of the afternoon sliding on our specially designated inner-tubes tracks. Children must be 8 years-old. Package: 1 parent + 1 child = $20, 2nd parent + $8, each additional child $6 (maximum 4 children per adult).

The guided By the light of the city snowshoe walks, which are held every Saturday evening from January 8 to March 12, 2011, at a cots of $15 per person (12 years and over) including snowshoes, animation and hot chocolat, will be featured with a twist for “New Year’s on the Mountain” on Thursday, December 30, 2010. The $25 per person registration includes snowshoe rental, animation and sparkling wine. And on Saturday, February 12, 2011, a romantic “Valentine’s Soirée on the Mountain” will feature mulled wine and chocolate, for $22 per person, snowshoe rental and animation included.

The Club de ski de fond des Amis de la montagne returns for a third year with the Jackrabbit initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children 6 to 10 years old. The cost is $230 and includes rental boots, skis and poles (or $185 without rental equipment). A preliminary evaluation session will be followed by 7 classes of 1.5 hours each on 8 consecutive Saturday mornings beginning January 8 to February 26, 2011. To reserve, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

All-time favourites

The following all-time favourite activities will again be available: inner-tubing on the hill near Beaver Lake with free tobogganing nearby, skating on the artificial rink and depending on the weather conditions, on frozen Beaver Lake itself. Outdoor enthusiasts will find all the rental equipment necessary for their mountain adventures at Les amis’ rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion: skates, skis, snowshoes, trekking poles, Nordic kicksled, carrier sled for babies, double-bladed skates and helmets for children and learn-to-skate walkers. A skate sharpening and ski waxing service is also provided.

Finally, the interpretation activity called The Birds of Mount Royal, for all ages will be offered free every Saturday from January 8 to March 12, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., departing from Smith House. Join a member of Les amis’ conservation patrol for a guided visit of the 7 feeder stations located on the path that circles the summit to spot the cardinals, juncos, woodpeckers and other species that frequent the feeders in winter.

Programs for school children or groups

Les amis provides many wintertime programs in environmental education for school groups during the week, including special half-day packages combining outdoor activities, as well as original outdoor outings for groups of friends or colleagues. To reserve, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

For more information

The printed calendar of winter-spring 2011 events is available at Les amis’ information centres located at Smith House (1260 Remembrance Road), at the Beaver Lake pavilion and the Chalet du Mont-Royal.

To make reservations, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 0 or send us an email. The calendar of events is also available on Les amis’ website or on the site of the Ville de Montréal’s Grands parcs.

Welcome to Les amis's newsletter - December 2010

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Planting by the City of Westmount, an announcement from the Université de Montréal and work at Smith House!

NEWS

The City of Westmount adds a touch of green to the mountain territory!
Les amis de la montagne commend the Université de Montréal’s decision to preserve the environmental integrity of Mount Royal
The work at Smith House is moving along nicely

Coming soon:

On December 11th, launch of the winter season on Mount Royal!
On February 17th, reach the summit! Save the date for the Tuques Bleues Celebration!

The City of Westmount adds a touch of green to the mountain territory!

Thanks to funding support from the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition feminine and the Ville de Montréal as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal, the City of Westmount acquired a plot of land on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges near the entrance to Mount Royal Park in order to transform the vacant lot into a wooded area. What a fine gesture to cap this International Year of Biodiversity!

The Mount Royal forest now has 140 new indigenous trees and 1,215 new indigenous shrubs. A sampling of the species planted includes Sugar Maple, Grey Birch, American Hornbeam, Canada Fly Honeysuckle and Shadblow Serviceberry. Although only small wisps of trees and naked branches are currently visible, in two years time, a forest will have grown.

The first intervention initiated to expand the green spaces in this sector of the mountain was undertaken almost 10 years ago. In December 2001, thanks to a partnership with the City of Westmount and The EJLB Foundation, Les amis de la montagne acquired the Clifton Apartments, a building located on the Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges facing the Chemin Remembrance interchange, in order to demolish the abandoned building. The site was renaturalized by the City of Westmount and zoned as park space to prevent any future construction on the site.

These two interventions contribute to the extension of the mountain’s ecological network. This network consists of primary core zones of great ecological value, such as Summit Park and the summit of Mount Royal Park; and buffer zones and green corridors joining the core zones between them.

For over 10 years, the environmental actions undertaken by Les amis de la montagne in partnership with the Ville de Montréal, have formed part of a greater environmental stewardship program that aims to maintain the biodiversity and the health of the forests of Mount Royal.

Expansion project on the former Outremont rail yards
Les amis de la montagne commend the Université de Montréal’s decision to preserve the environmental integrity of Mount Royal

Les amis de la montagne commend the leadership demonstrated by the Université de Montréal in its decision to preserve the environmental integrity of Mount Royal by confirming its project to expand on the former Outremont rail yards. This gesture serves as a viable solution to the prickly question of the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction, a notion consistent with the values expressed in the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan.

Photo: Jacques Dorais

In a speech presented November 30th before members of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Rector Guy Breton of the Université de Montréal said, “We are friends of the mountain. We believe the expansion of our campus, a necessary, even urgent expansion, must move forward through the removal of the rail yard tracks in Outremont rather the cutting of trees on Mount Royal.”

“This expansion project outside the limits of Mount Royal is an option that we support for the institutions located on the mountain,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne. “More than its trees however, Mount Royal is a site rich in built and landscape heritage. We encourage the University to continue investing in its mountain campus to ensure the maintenance, enhancement and accessibility of this site that is of great symbolic value to Montreal.”

Last May, the Ville de Montréal refused a project on the site of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary located on the southern flank of Mount Royal, requiring the project on the mountain to be reduced to the existing built footprint of the site. This decision requires that guiding principals and more clearly defined rules direct future construction on all institutional properties on the mountain.

The work at Smith House is moving along nicely

As you may have noticed during your last visit on the mountain, Smith House is undergoing a transformation in preparation for the opening of the new permanent exhibit, Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover. On the main floor, the building’s original staircase has been stripped of its paint, new flooring has been laid, the walls have been painted and the electricity has been upgraded in most rooms.

The work continues through March 2011, but the house, café, information service and nature-boutique will all continue to operate as usual during this coming winter season.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this important renovation work.

Press release - No referendum for the former Sulpicians' philosophy seminary

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Access to Mount Royal remains an important issue

Montreal, November 12, 2010 – Even though the required number of signatures was not obtained on November 11th to hold a referendum on the proposed residential project on the site of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary on Mount Royal, the municipal administration cannot ignore the public dissatisfaction that persists around this project.

The original project presented during the May 2009 public consultations was highly controversial. Since then, the project has been modified substantially, reducing, among other elements, construction to the existing built volume, but withdrawing public access to the site, which was permitted by the former landowner, the Prêtes de St-Sulpice. Citizens who live in the vicinity were called upon yesterday to make their opinion heard on the project by way of a referendum process, but without the benefit of a presentation on the new project. The only items available to citizens were the notices published in newspapers and information documents devoid of plans and illustrations, written in terms comprehensible to experts in urban regulations and planning.

Unfortunately, as in many other Montreal dossiers, no discussion or working group forums exist where citizens and developers can work collaboratively and in advance of project proposals. Confrontation and opposition are the results of these long processes that are as trying for developers as they are for committed and responsible citizens, who ultimately, have to live every day with the results of these developments.

Accessibility is a major issue for Mount Royal and it has been erased from this project with no further negotiation or public discussion. This situation is all the more worrisome since this project is likely to set a precedent for all other institutions undergoing transformation on Mount Royal.

The institutional properties on Mount Royal are characterized as public sites and the maintenance of public access, which can take different forms, is fundamental, since the issue has been at the heart of debates on the future of the mountain for nearly 150 years. Les amis de la montagne will continue to ask the municipal administration to commit fully to its role as the protector of Mount Royal and its heritage, on behalf of the interests of the collective community. The organization will likewise ask the Minister of Culture and Communications to set up an efficient system of protection and enhancement for Mount Royal that equals, in exemplary fashion, the exceptional emblematic value of the site.

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Press release - Registration procedure – former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Access to Mount Royal remains an important issue

Montreal, November 11, 2010 – Today, November 11, 2010, numerous citizens in the Ville-Marie borough have the opportunity to sign an official register concerning a special by-law associated with the proposed residential project on the site of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary, located within the protected territory of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

The Ville de Montréal requires a total of 71 signatures to hold a referendum on the topic. With 71 signatures, the project could be the subject of a referendum or be withdrawn.

Last May, the municipal administration demonstrated its will to protect the site’s integrity by refusing the developer’s too-large residential project and by limiting all future construction on the site to the existing built volume. In October, the Ville de Montréal approved a reduced version of the project. However, the original project consisted of an essential element to its acceptability, namely access to the site by the public. The developer has since withdrawn this condition.

Mount Royal is more than a park. It constitutes a collective heritage where its value is greater than the sum of its parts, justifying a special classification by the Quebec government. The institutional properties on Mount Royal are characterized by their access to the public. The presence of our institutions on the prestigious mountain constitutes a privilege that also comes with the duty to preserve this heritage on behalf of the entire community.

Although the stipulations in the official registry do not include accessibility to the site of the former Sulpicians’ seminary by the public, this remains an important issue for the mountain. The present registry process is the only remaining tool available to citizens to express their point of view.

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Les amis renew their commitment to the Montréal Community Sustainable Development Plan 2010-2015

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne are proud to renew their partnership with the Ville de Montréal in the implementation of the Montréal Community Sustainable Development Plan 2010-2015.

Following from Montréal’s first strategic plan for sustainable development (2005-2009), the 2010-2015 Plan will continue to pursue the initiatives undertaken earlier while proposing new actions designed to orient planning exercises, policies and programs, as they involve major projects in the city. A new social component has been included in the Plan with additional efforts to promote solidarity, equity and succession planning.

The 2010-2015 Plan proposes nine objectives with 37 actions, in addition to the new social component. As part of the launch of this new Plan announced on October 12th, Les amis de la montagne have committed to the following actions:
02 - Reduce dependence on cars
15 - Contribute to greening and the reduction of heat islands
22 - Implement measures for reduction at the source
24 - Hold ecologically responsible events
26 - Stimulate demand for green technology, products and services
30 - Participate in training activities on environmental programs and certification
31 - Establish a collaborative framework to protect and promote lands with high biodiversity
32 - Make use of green infrastructures and ecological services in the city
33 - Disseminate information about biodiversity to raise awareness and encourage its protection by the public
34 - Reinforce the environmentally friendly management of the city’s green space
36 - Demonstrate equity
37 - Handle succession planning

To learn more about the 2010-2015 Plan, visit the Ville de Montréal’s website.

Biodiversity pays!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Publication of the UN-sponsored study The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Launched as part of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) in Nagoya, Japan on October 20th, and fruit of a vast international study, the UN-sponsored report entitled, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), demonstrates that the value attributed to “natural capital” can have significant economic benefits.

Guided by the principal that “you cannot manage what you do not measure”, Pavan Sukhdev, leader of the TEEB study, Special Advisor and Head of the United Nations Environmental Programme's Green Economy Initiative and formerly Head of Deutsche Bank's Global Markets Business in Bombay, delivers a thorough and convincing economic argument for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.

The report underlines the global economic benefits of biodiversity and sheds light on the costs associated with the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems. The study proposes solutions and positive actions that can be undertaken by decision-makers, administrators, companies and individuals.

On a local level, despite the fact that Mount Royal’s “capital” remains largely intrinsic, the decree creating the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District in 2005 by virtue of the Cultural Property Act was an unprecedented protection measure for the entire mountain territory. Five years after the adoption of the decree and in the context of the review of the Cultural Property Act currently in progress, Les amis de la montagne are preparing an assessment of the application and results of this newly defined legal protection status for the mountain, to be submitted to the government early next year.

To learn more about the TEEB report, visit the study’s site.
To learn more about the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan, visit the Ville de Montréal’s website.

The Three Summits guided walking tour makes the front page!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The Three Summits guided walking tour is an immersive, sensorial experience, a voyage across the mountain’s heritage sites and natural spaces that leaves no one indifferent in the face of its majesty and its fragility.

Offered over four Sundays in October by Les amis de la montagne for the last 20 years, participation this fall reached new heights thanks to front page coverage in La Presse and a three-page article in the Voyage section on October 6th last.

To read the article in La Presse, visit the site of Cyberpresse.

Watch for Les amis’ spring calendar of activities for the next Three Summits guided walking tour. In June, participants will have the opportunity to discover the mountain’s springtime colours and scents.

To understand the history and traditions of a local community, visit its cemeteries!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Analysis published by the Réseau de veille en tourisme

Cemeteries are a religious and socio-cultural heritage to be preserved and promoted. Such is the conclusion of an analysis published October 20th last by the Réseau de veille en tourisme, Quebec’s reference in international tourism trends.

According to the analysis, these necropolises, witnesses of cultural heritage and identity, are modernizing, diversifying and innovating to welcome all variety of visitors. New developments, historic interpretation and technological adaptations are projects being undertaken by cemeteries around the world.

Photo: F.-N. Étienne

Mount Royal is the site of four cemeteries, including Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, the most important Catholic cemetery in Quebec and in Canada with close to 900,000 buried persons.

To learn more about the cemeteries on Mount Royal, travel over Les amis de la montagne’s interactive map to discover slide shows, audio-video clips, information files and partner sites on line.

Manulife Financial provides “green and blue” support to Mount Royal!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Despite atrocious weather, more than 40 employees from Manulife Financial joined Les amis de la montagne in Mount Royal Park on October 15th last to plant 200 indigenous trees and shrubs and to cut exotic invasive plant species. Nicole Boivin, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources and Communications, Manulife Financial - Canadian Division, used this occasion to announce the renewal of Manulife Financial’s principal partnership with Les amis de la montagne for the 2011 edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, Les amis’ signature fundraiser. Mary Bruns Creighton, co-chair of Les amis’ annual campaign, was present to receive the good news.

The planting and cutting activities support Les amis’ initiatives to protect and enhance Mount Royal’s biodiversity, undertaken in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration, to be held February 17, 2011, is Les amis’ most important benefit event. The activity gathers hundreds of people from Montreal’s business community for a moonlit snowshoe walk in order to raise awareness about the mountain’s fragility, while enjoying its majestic beauty.

Nicole Boivin (left) and Mary Bruns Creighton

A big thank-you to the volunteers of the 2010 Environmental Stewardship Program

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

In this International Year of Biodiversity, members of the Montreal community demonstrated a remarkable collective effort by participating in record numbers in tree planting and invasive species cutting on Mount Royal!

Rain or shine, 1,118 volunteers proved their attachment to the mountain by contributing directly to the maintenance of its biodiversity. In addition to increasing the biomass, the combined activities of cutting invasive species followed by planting indigenous species promoted the dispersal and migration of fauna and flora over the entire territory.

From May to October, 2010, 2,550 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted, including Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Rum Cherry and Cranberry-tree; 1,783 trees planted over the last several years were evaluated for their growth and survival rate; a control study of exotic invasive species was conducted through the cutting of 1,1315kg (23,622 stalks) of Common Buckthorn and 7,74kg (887 stalks) of Norway Maple. These actions were conducted in the Beaver Lake area to consolidate the ecological corridor linking the forest of Mount Royal Park to the hill of Westmount; the border of the western section of the new ring road; the Mount Royal Park summit near the telecommunications tower; and a new parcel of land for research in the Piedmont area.

We extend our warmest thanks to the many enthusiastic and committed volunteers who contributed with gusto to the success of the program. Thank-you to the 139 participants who rolled-up their sleeves on Tuesday evenings in May, June and July and Saturday mornings in August, September and October; to those who participated as groups, such as students from École St-Germain d’Outremont and the Projet de restauration et de valorisation de la biodiversité en milieu urbain; Groupe Transat, Palais des Congrès, ICCA, GSK and Manulife Financial. Thanks to our partnership with Evergreen, we received young people from Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots’ Youth Action Workshop and corporate groups, including Fido, Diageo and Starbucks. Finally, a great thank-you to all the individuals who participated in the activities held as part of the Corvée du Mont-Royal and TD Green Sunday.

To celebrate the closure of the 2010 stewardship program season, volunteers were invited to a lunch at Smith House on October 16th along with Les amis’ conservation team, followed by a Land-Art guided walk and workshop with artist Samuel Montigné, an environmental educator with Les amis. Participants enjoyed the pleasant fall weather on Mount Royal to create ephemeral works of art in nature.

The Conservation Patrol and park surveillance

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

For a healthy and welcoming environment

Over and above the awareness-raising duties carried out by Les amis’ Conservation Patrol with visitors in Mount Royal Park, the patrol also collaborates with various municipal authorities in order to curb or reduce acts of delinquency or behaviours with negative impact on the natural environment.

The Conservation Patrol also collaborates with the Ville de Montréal in monitoring physical incivilities committed in the park, such as graffiti, camp sites and camp fires. In fact, patrollers documented and mapped over 66 graffiti “tags” in Mount Royal Park this past summer. The dossier was transferred to those responsible for the park at the Ville de Montréal and already, a portion of these tags have been removed.

2010 AQPERE conference

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Does nature have a role in education? Towards a pedagogy inclusive of biodiversity!

As founding partners of the Association québécoise pour la promotion de l’éducation relative à l’environnement (AQPERE), Les amis de la montagne are participating in the association’s annual conference being held November 4-6 that gathers local specialists in this important domain. Organized in collaboration with the Fondation Monique Fitz-Back and the Établissements Verts Bruntland, and during this International Year of Biodiversity, the conference will allow teachers, trainers and educators to reflect collectively on the relationship between nature and humans, and question the role that biodiversity education plays in this relationship.

Having worked with young people from the greater Montreal area for the last 30 years, Les amis de la montagne currently welcome more than 7,000 students annually to the mountain for an immersive activity in nature. Éric Richard, director of educational services at Les amis, will facilitate a round-table at the conference entitled, “Vivre la nature en ville au mont Royal; une école sans mur dans une vraie nature.” Artist Samuel Montigné, an environmental educator with Les amis, will lead a guided Land-Art workshop, inviting participants to briefly leave the conference meeting rooms to spend some time in nature, creating works of art inspired by these natural surroundings.

Together with Quebec’s environmental education stakeholders, Les amis de la montagne invite the public to commit to bringing young people closer to nature. Studies have shown that in the last 30 years, children have been playing outdoors less and less and have therefore, deprived themselves of essential contact with nature. This withdrawal from the outdoors has had negative consequences on their physical and mental well-being, a social cost to our entire community.

Whether you are a representative of an organization, a member of the teaching profession, decision-maker, parent or sympathiser, you are invited to subscribe to this “call to commitment” by clicking on this link. Your support will be announced during the AQPERE conference. Thank you for circulating this “call to commitment” to your business network, friends and family.

Preparatory work for the renewal of the permanent exhibit in Smith House

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Smith House closed on November 15 and 16, 2010

The main floor of Smith House is undergoing renovations throughout November in preparation for Les amis de la montagne’s new permanent exhibit. Designed to highlight the heritage elements of the entire territory of Mount Royal, the new exhibit will offer a variety of novel learning tools for the general public.

Over the course of November, the preparatory work will affect the entrance, main hallway, exhibit room, the adjacent Café room and staircase of the house. Smith House will close temporarily to allow for the replacement of the flooring on Monday, November 15 and Tuesday, November 16.

The overall work should be completed by March 2011. Until then, we apologize for any inconvenience caused by this work.

Temporary draining of Beaver Lake in Mount Royal Park

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Beaver Lake in Mount Royal Park has been drained temporarily, but will be refilled again in December. Activities in the area will continue as usual and the pathway encircling the lake will remain accessible.

Built in 1938, Beaver Lake is showing signs of deterioration. The draining operation is necessary in order to evaluate, with as much precision as possible, the actual state of the masonry and the foundations of the surrounding wall. The masonry of the supporting wall has come to the end of its actual lifespan, there is a proliferation of undesirable plant life and activities, such as skating in winter and pedal-boating in summer, have become difficult to practice as a result.

Beaver Lake is not, in fact, a natural lake, but a basin of water built entirely by hand as a make-work project in 1938. The lake has never benefitted from restoration work and this current analysis is therefore, necessary in light of its eventual restoration.

Source: Ville de Montréal, Réseau des grands parcs

Closure of the southern lane and reconfiguration of Remembrance Road

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The work that has been undertaken on Chemin Remembrance, provided for in the Ville de Montréal’s Plan de transport, is part of a larger enhancement project for Mount Royal. The interventions to date, as well as those to come, are in keeping with the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan and aim to render the mountain more accessible and welcoming to all users.

Over the last several years, it has become apparent that the automobile has taken a predominant place on the mountain and a radical change was necessary in order to balance the needs between mobility and protection of living environments.

As part of the work undertaken on Chemin Remembrance, the following objectives were taken into consideration:

reduce the predominance of the automobile on the mountain;
reduce transit traffic through Mount Royal Park;
promote harmonious cohabitation between different users of the park;
promote pedestrian and cyclist access in road configurations.

1. What exactly has been done?

The southern lane of Chemin Remembrance has been closed to automobile traffic between the Beaver Lake parking lot and the Voie Camillien-Houde and is now dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists, service vehicles and emergency vehicles;
A multifunctional lane situated between the Smith House sector and the Beaver Lake sector (identified by decorative markings of leaves on the pavement) is now entirely dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists;
The connections from this multifunctional lane to the existing pedestrian network are now complete (sections 2 and 3 of the ring road currently under development are now safely connected for pedestrians);
Sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks have been configured in strategic locations in order to ensure safe and convivial passage by users;
The northern lane of Chemin Remembrance remains assigned for use by motor vehicles, including buses, and has become bidirectional;
The traffic pattern around the two parking lots near Smith House have been reoriented to ensure safe and convivial passage by pedestrians;
The STM bus stops have been relocated closer to the main centres of activity.

2. Is there more work to come?
Yes, this project represents the first of a larger enhancement project for Mount Royal.

Numerous complementary projects are currently being studied for the mountain territory:

Reconfiguration of the Côte-des-Neiges/Remembrance interchange in the style of a roundabout;
Completion of the ring road and the north-south road;
Securing of the Voie Camillien-Houde;
Reconfiguration of the Mont-Royal and Camillien-Houde intersection;
Review of the areas surrounding the Beaver Lake pavilion and Smith House;
Review of the overall parking offer on the mountain.

All of these projects have the common goal of reducing the predominance of the automobile and to return of the mountain to users by favouring active and collective forms of transportation.

Source: Ville de Montréal, Réseau des grands parcs

Welcome to Les amis's newsletter - October 2010

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Activity report 2009-2010; new interactive terminals; "don't feed the raccoons!"; three summits walking tour; environmental stewardship program volunteer appreciation event; land art guided walk - and more!

NEWS

Les amis de la montagne present their 2009-2010 Activity Report
Presenting the winning photographs of the “La montagne en images” contest
Tell us about your Mount Royal memory: “Holy Mountain” by the NFB
HEC Montréal receives a plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
Congratulations to Daniel Chartier, Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects

ACTIVITIES

New interactive terminals at Smith House: Mount Royal at your fingertips
Wild animals are not cuddly toys: awareness campaign begins to discourage feeding raccoons

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Registration is now open for “Jackrabbit” cross-country ski lessons for children
THE fall favourite: Three summits guided walking tour
Last chance to visit the biodiversity kiosk this weekend
Environmental Stewardship Program: two weekends left to participate
Land art guided walk and workshop on Mount Royal

JOIN THE TEAM AT LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE

Job posting: Coordinator, Community Relations

NEWS

Les amis de la montagne present their 2009-2010 Activity Report
Les amis de la montagne’s 24th Annual General Meeting held September 29th last featured the election of returning and new Governors to the corporation, as well as the presentation of the 2009-2010 Activity Report. The 7th edition of the “Map of Mount Royal: Issues and Challenges”, carrying the theme of accessibility, was also distributed to members on this occasion.

The Activity Report, presented in a new photo-calendar format this year, is available as a PDF file on Les amis’ website under the section “About Us”. The Map of Mount Royal is distributed during the public forum or other interpretive activities of Les amis de la montagne held throughout the year.

Presenting the winning photographs of the “La montagne en images” contest!
A slideshow of the winning photographs of the “La montagne en images” photo contest is now available on the web. The photo exhibit, which features five themes, Nature and biodiversity, Architecture, Art and the mountain, People and the mountain and Light, can be viewed at the Café Smith at Smith House, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome!

Tell us about your Mount Royal memory: “Holy Mountain” by the NFB
The NFB’s new web documentary “Holy Mountain” (Sacrée Montagne) launched recently at the Chalet du Mont-Royal, highlights the persistence of the sacred in our secular society explored through the mountain's symbolic sites and the rituals observed there. The reconstruction of religious battles in medieval times, the trance-like dancing to the beat of the tam-tams, the cemeteries, the many religious cultures that share the mountain’s Sunday picnic and barbeque sites; all of these rituals are testament to the role Mount Royal plays in our individual spirituality.

“Holy Mountain” is a participative project. The production team invites all mountain admirers to contribute content to the project by calling 1-877-55-SOUVENIR to leave a spoken memory or anecdote about the mountain on their answering machine. The messages will be integrated in the soundtrack of the website.

HEC Montréal receives a plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
On October 4th last, HEC Montréal received a plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the founding of the École des hautes études commerciales de Montréal in 1907 at a special event held at the school organized by Parks Canada. A plaque from the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada was unveiled before government representatives, school officials, partners and invited guests, in honour of the venerable institution now located on the mountain’s northern flank. The event was all the more significant as it was held on the anniversary of the school’s opening day, October 4, 1910.

Congratulations to Daniel Chartier, Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Daniel Chartier, landscape architect with the Direction des grands parcs et de la nature en ville de la Ville de Montréal, was inducted into the College of Fellows of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) during their 2010 conference in Edmonton this summer. Considered an authority on the heritage of Frederick Law Olmsted and Mount Royal, he has worked for more than two decades on the design and execution of a multitude of significant landscaping projects on the mountain.

During the CSLA conference, the publication “Le mont Royal dans l’oeuvre de Frederick Law Olmsted” received a national honour award, one of the nine highest distinctions of the association’s awards of excellence. Several people collaborated on this work, including author Charles E. Beveridge, editor of The Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted, and assistant editor, Wendy Graham, landscape architect with the Ville de Montréal. Daniel Chartier and Wendy Graham received the Frederick Todd Award earlier this year, an award that recognizes members of the Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec and public personalities who contribute in an exceptional way to the advancement of landscape architecture in Quebec. Kudos to all!

ACTIVITIES

New interactive terminals at Smith House: Mount Royal at your fingertips
Les amis de la montagne are proud to present four interactive terminals newly installed at Smith House! These terminals invite visitors to test their knowledge about the mountain using their fingertips on the four touch screens. Each terminal features a theme that is fun and instructive, accessible to all ages. Youngsters and adults can discover Mount Royal Park’s treasures and take action to ensure its conservation.

The interactive terminals entitled, “Take action for the mountain”, “Mount Royal’s flora and habitats”, “The animals of Mount Royal” and “The park from past to present”, are the first phase of a project to renew the permanent exhibit in Smith House, slated for completion in early 2011. The exhibit renewal project is made possible thanks to financial contributions from the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine and the Ville de Montréal as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal, principal partners of the project, from the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement for the terminal theme “Take action for the mountain”, and from the Fondation de la faune du Québec for the content related to the mountain’s fauna.

Wild animals are not cuddly toys: awareness campaign to discourage feeding raccoons
In collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne are leading an important awareness-raising campaign to counter the escalating problems associated with feeding raccoons in Mount Royal Park. The campaign is being held on the Camillien-Houde lookout where visitors habitually feed raccoons that are now attracted to this site day and night. Raccoons are otherwise nocturnal animals.

Numerous mammal species on Mount Royal share their natural habitat with human visitors. Even though some of these animals become accustomed to the presence of humans and appear tame, they remain wild and unpredictable.

Feeding the animals can be fun and seem like a generous gesture. However, giving food to animals will encourage their dependency toward humans and cause them, over time, to lose their survival instinct. Animals can find all the food they need to survive in the park.

Feeding animals bread, peanuts or any other type of food causes health and weight problems and alters the animals’ behaviour:

Animals become less timid and become unwanted guests at your picnic;
They become used to a regular food supply and behave aggressively when this supply is withdrawn;
They can bite and transmit infectious diseases to humans.

Les amis’ Conservation Patrol will be present on the lookout until mid-November in order to prevent visitors from feeding and petting these wild animals for their security and well-being.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Registration is now open for Jackrabbit cross-country ski lessons for children
Les amis de la montagne are now accepting registrations for the Ski de Fond Québec Jackrabbit initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children on Mount Royal. The registration period will close on January 3, 2011.

The Jackrabbit program is suited for children 6 to 10 years old and initiates students to both classical and freestyle cross-country skiing. The program features 4 levels and places an emphasis on the progressive integration of other ski-related knowledge and techniques. To ensure that students perfect their style while having fun, the instructor will use a variety of pedagogical materials including activity cards, games, races, relays and trails.

The lessons include one evaluation session followed by seven (7) 1.5 hour lessons scheduled on 8 consecutive Saturdays from January 8 to February 26, 2011, at 10 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. Children will be divided into beginner and advanced levels, with 8 children per group. The cost of the program is $230 including rental equipment (boots, skis and poles) or $185 without the equipment rental.

Bonus offer! On March 5, 2011, a parent-child activity will be offered to registered families: a guided snowshoe walk with an environmental educator (snowshoes provided) and access to inner-tubing.

To register for the Jackrabbit program, please come in person to complete the registration form and make the payment in full:

As of now:
- at Les amis de la montagne’s boutique in Smith House (1260 Remembrance Road)
- daily between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As of December 5:
- at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

For more information, please contact Daniel Leblanc.

THE fall favourite: Three Summits guided walking tour
Les amis de la montagne’s thematic walking tours made the front page of La Presse on October 6th as part of a major article in the paper’s travel section. Even the mountain’s most loyal visitors will be surprised by the diversity of Mount Royal’s heritage and natural environments, revealed during this 12 km guided walk along the entire territory of the mountain – offered by Les amis for the last 21 years. But hurry to register as space is limited! The tour is provided in French.

Sundays, October 10, 17 and 24
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Departure from the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier monument, corner of Avenue du Parc and Rachel Street
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, extension 0
Cost: $15 for ages 13 and over; $10 for ages 6 to 12

Last chance to visit the biodiversity kiosk this weekend
During your walk on the mountain this coming weekend, visit the new interpretation kiosk on Mount Royal’s biodiversity. Take a moment to chat with Les amis’ environmental educators about the mountain’s conservation challenges. Complete with colourful design and eye-catching content, the kiosk invites park visitors of all ages to enter, if only for a moment, the fascinating world of animals and their habitats on Mount Royal, in the midst of the city. The new kiosk was produced with the financial support of Gaz Métro and Groupe Yellow inc.

Travelling animation along Olmsted Road and at the Kondiaronk lookout near the Chalet
Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Free

Environmental Stewardship Program: two weekends left to participate
There are two weekends left to take an active part in conservation activities on Mount Royal, on Saturday, October 9 and 16. Interested volunteers may join Les amis’ educators-patrollers to plant indigenous species and to control the spread of exotic invasive species on the mountain, in order to consolidate the ecological corridor that links the forest of Mount Royal Park to the forest of Westmount’s Summit Park.

Departure from Smith House in Mount Royal Park
Saturday, October 9 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Information: 514 843-8240, ext. 234

On Saturday, October 16 at 12 p.m., join Les amis for an end-of-season celebration. All volunteers who participated in the Environmental Stewardship Program since May are invited to join Les amis’ conservation team for a well deserved thank-you gathering!

Land Art guided walk and workshop on Mount Royal
Join artist Samuel Montigné, environmental educator with Les amis de la montagne, for this unique guided walk to rediscover the mountain and its many riches and to create a personal work of art inspired by nature. Art materials supplied. Offered in French.

Departure from Smith House in Mount Royal Park
Saturday, October 16, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, extension 0
Cost: $15 for ages 13 and over; $10 for ages 9 to 12
Cancelled in the event of rain

JOIN THE TEAM AT LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE

Les amis de la montagne are looking for a Coordinator, Community Relations.

Click here to read the detailed job description and application procedure

New: four interactive terminals at Smith House

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Mount Royal at your fingertips!

Montreal, September 24, 2010 – Les amis de la montagne present four interactive terminals newly installed at Smith House! These terminals invite visitors to test their knowledge about the mountain using their fingertips on the four touch screens. Each terminal features a theme that is fun and instructive, accessible to all ages. Youngsters and adults can discover Mount Royal Park’s treasures and take action to ensure its conservation.

Les amis de la montagne invite park visitors to Smith House in Mount Royal Park (1260 chemin Remembrance) between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the weekends of September 25-26 and October 2-3, 2010, to try the different games and challenges presented on the touch screens. Educators will be on hand to accompany participants in their exploration and even hand out rewards to challenge winners!

“The interactive terminals are the latest addition to Les amis de la montagne’s educational tool box. For the last 30 years, the organization has developed a variety of innovative approaches to promote the mountain’s natural and historic heritage, in order to encourage its conservation. Each theme is a goldmine of information, attractively illustrated in simple and lively language, accessible to all age groups. We hope that this enjoyable learning opportunity will encourage citizens to become even more aware of and respectful towards the mountain environment,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne.

The interactive terminals entitled, “Take action for the mountain”, “Mount Royal’s flora and habitats”, “The animals of Mount Royal” and “The park from past to present”, are the first phase of a project to renew the permanent exhibit in Smith House, slated for completion in early 2011. The exhibit renewal project is made possible thanks to financial contributions from the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine and the Ville de Montréal as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal, principal partners of the project, from the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement for the terminal theme “Take action for the mountain”, and from the Fondation de la faune du Québec for the content related to the mountain’s fauna.

-30-

Thank you to our partners:

Principal partner

Partner for the terminal "Take action for the mountain"

Partner for the content related to the mountain's fauna

Winners of the 2010 photo contest

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne announce the winners of the photo contest “La montagne en images”

Montreal, September 17, 2010 – Les amis de la montagne announced the winners of the photo contest “La montagne en images” today at Smith House in Mount Royal Park. To showcase the rich and varied heritage of Mount Royal through photography, Les amis de la montagne launched the photo contest in February via their group page on the website Flickr. Members of the community were invited to submit their favourite photos of the mountain along five themes: Nature and Biodiversity, in honour of the International Year of Biodiversity 2010; Architecture; Art and the Mountain; People and the Mountain; and Light.

22 mountain admirers responded to the invitation and submitted a total of 103 photos, challenging the jury members in their decision-making process. Les amis de la montagne wish to thank Réjean Gravel, Governor of Les amis and photographer, Yves Médam, professional photographer and Daniel Leblanc, director of outdoor services and sales with Les amis and photographer, for their participation as members of the jury of this first edition of the contest.

The Grand Prix du Jury winner receives a $100 gift certificate at Photoservice, courtesy of Photoservice, a copy of the book Mont–Royal, Un monde à part/ A world apart by Montreal photographer Linda Rutenberg and a gift certificate from Les amis de la montagne for the rental of outdoor equipment or a guided walking tour for free, valid for 2 people. In each of the five themes, the 1st prize winner receives the book by Linda Rutenberg and the gift certificate from Les amis and the 2nd and 3rd prize winners receive the gift certificate from Les amis.

The exhibit of winning photographs is being held in the Café Smith at Smith House in Mount Royal Park (1260, chemin Remembrance) from September 17, 2010 to January 30, 2011, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GRAND PRIX DU JURY
Nathalie Kemp
Seuls dans la tempête

NATURE AND BIODIVERSITY
1ST PRIZE
Claude Morin
Mon merle…

2ND PRIZE
Normand Porlier
Autour des palombes

3RD PRIZE
Éric Richard
La constellation du pic

ARCHITECTURE
1ST PRIZE
Samuel Montigné
L’escargot du pavillon Roger Gaudry

2ND PRIZE
Guylaine Bédard
La croix commémorant le pape

3RD PRIZE
Jean-Guy Morisset
Oasis enneigé

PEOPLE AND THE MOUNTAIN
1ST PRIZE
Clairette Paquette
Moments de détente en jaune et vert

2ND PRIZE
Karine Gagné
Sans titre

3RD PRIZE
Samuel Montigné
La course blanche

LIGHT
1ST PRIZE
Guylaine Bédard
Oasis

2ND PRIZE
Marie-Claude Lambert
Spectacle céleste sur la côte du Parc

3RD PRIZE
Françoise Cot
Lune d’hiver

ART AND THE MOUNTAIN
1ST PRIZE
Jean Landry
Géant dans la nuit

2ND PRIZE
Françoise Cot
Pleureuse

3RD PRIZE
Jean-Michel Villanove
Un ange sur la tête

HONOURABLE MENTION
Project IDEO – 16 to 17 year-olds: A program to help young people develop transferable skills for the job market or for school. 4 young amateur photographers visited the mountain this summer to participate in the photo contest, accompanied by their supervisors: Mélanie Robichaud, youth worker for the IDEO project (Hochelaga) with Maxime Wagner and Jason Deschênes, and Catherine Cejka, youth worker for the IDEO project (Anjou) with Vincenzo Racanelli and Jean-François Lefort.

ABOUT LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE

Les amis de la montagne is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education. For 30 years, Les amis have organized guided visits and created innovative learning approaches designed to promote the discovery, as well as the conservation of Mount Royal’s natural, historic and landscape heritage. To learn more about Les amis’ programs and activities, visit www.lemontroyal.qc.ca.

-30-

Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - september 2010

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Summer season wrap-up; school programs; conservation activities; photo exhibits; Land Art on Mount Royal; 3 summits walking tour - and more!

SUMMER SEASON WRAP-UP

Les amis de la montagne’s summer day camp
Project to restore and promote urban biodiversity

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, September 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

School programs for elementary and secondary students on Mount Royal 2010-2011
Participate in conservation activities and animations this fall
- Travelling animation on biodiversity – until September 26
- Environmental Stewardship Program – until October 16
- Conservation Patrol – until October 16
The Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up is featured in an Official Selection of the 2010 World Film Festival

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Exhibit of winning photos of the “La montagne en images” contest – vernissage on September 17
“Montagne et Métamorphoses” photo exhibit – from September 17 to 19 and September 24 to 26
Launch of the web-based documentary “Holy Mountain!” – September 21
Land Art on Mount Royal – September 25
Three Summits guided walking tour – October 3, 10, 17 and 24

NOTICES AND CONSTRUCTION ON MOUNT ROYAL

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on the mountain – September 12
Construction on Remembrance Road

SUMMER SEASON WRAP-UP

Mount Royal began to feel like a tropical forest with this summer’s unrelenting heat and humidity! Nonetheless, the level of activity was maintained and Les amis de la montagne completed another successful season of programs and accomplishments, including:

Les amis’ summer day camp

152 children enjoyed a “mountain of fun” on Mount Royal between June 28 and August 13! For a second year, Les amis’ summer day camp provided a variety of fun and educational activities to children aged 6 to 9 years old in the heart of the city’s natural environment. From treasure hunts, games, rallies, visits to the Redpath and McCord museums and expeditions, the campers took great pleasure in discovering the mountain through the natural sciences and history of the site.

Les amis thank the parents of the children for their confidence, as well as the generous donors who contributed to the camper sponsorship program, organized in association with the Centre communautaire de la Côte-des-Neiges. A special thank-you to Raymond Bachand, MP for Outremont, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, for a contribution providing 27 children from less advantaged homes with a one-week summer camp experience. Les amis’ summer day camp is organized in partnership with the Ville de Montréal.

3rd edition of the program to restore and promote urban biodiversity

For a third consecutive year, Les amis de la montagne collaborated in the program to restore and promote urban biodiversity, implemented by the Ville de Montréal. 30 young people were hired to help eradicate common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species that has taken hold on the island of Montreal. The program encompassed three areas of intervention, including the eco-territories of the summits and flanks of Mount Royal.

On the northern flank of Mount Royal, in the wooded areas of the institutional properties of the Université de Montréal, the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf and the Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal, 10 high school graduates from Montreal’s cultural communities cut down 148,000 stems of common buckthorn and then planted 407 indigenous trees in the woods of the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf.

This program was made possible through financial contributions from the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement ; the Ministère de l'Immigration et des Communautés culturelles through the Programme Valorisation Jeunesse – Place à la relève ; the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine for the Mount Royal sector as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal ; and the Fondation de la famille Claudine et Stephen Bronfman/Programme C-Vert.

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Save the date! Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held Wednesday, September 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House. A detailed invitation will follow shortly. For more information, please contact François-Xavier Caron, coordinator of the public forum, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

School programs for elementary and secondary students on Mount Royal 2010-2011

Les amis de la montagne open the doors to a 30th season of their “schools without walls in the heart of nature” program! Calling all teachers and educators: book your group outings today for this coming fall and winter season!

Whether your goal is to complement classroom content through hands-on fieldwork or simply to enjoy winter recreational activities in the heart of the city, Mount Royal is the destination of choice for the discovery of a unique natural environment: landscapes, fauna, flora and geology. Les amis de la montagne provide environmental education programs to school groups of all levels and may be adapted to specific pedagogical objectives.

Click on the image to consult the 2010-2011 school program guide.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

Travelling animation, “From the cicada to the fox, the animals of Mount Royal” – until September 26

During your next walk on the mountain, visit the new interpretation kiosk on Mount Royal’s biodiversity. Take a moment to chat with Les amis’ environmental educators about the mountain’s conservation challenges. Complete with colourful design and eye-catching content, the kiosk invites park visitors of all ages to enter, if only for a moment, the fascinating world of animals and their habitats on Mount Royal, in the midst of the city. The new kiosk was produced with the financial support of Gaz Métro and Groupe Yellow inc.

Travelling animation along Olmsted Road and at the Kondiaronk lookout near the Chalet
Saturdays and Sundays until September 26
1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
NB: Due to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, please note that the kiosk will not be in operation the weekend of September 11-12 (see "Notices" below).

Environmental Stewardship Program on Mount Royal continues

Les amis de la montagne invite members of the community to help maintain the mountain’s biodiversity through concrete activities, while developing a better understanding of conservation issues.

Interested volunteers may join Les amis’ educators-patrollers to plant indigenous species and to control the spread of exotic invasive species on Mount Royal, in order to consolidate the ecological corridor that links the forest of Mount Royal Park to the forest of Westmount’s Summit Park.

Departure from Smith House in Mount Royal Park
Saturdays until October 16
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Information: 514 843-8240, ext. 234

Conservation Patrol – until October 16

Until October 16, Les amis’ Conservation Patrol will continue to conduct awareness-raising activities with park visitors to encourage the sustainable use of the site. Educators patrol the paths of the park in order to discuss and explain the conservation challenges related to feeding the mountain’s wildlife, keeping dogs on their leashes, off-trail walking or cycling and bicycle speed limits on Olmsted Road.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up is featured in an Official Selection of the 2010 World Film Festival

Filmed over the course of four seasons, “Montréal, 31 fragments d’urbanité” by producer-director Jean Tessier, gathers a variety of life fragments to paint a remarkable and vivid picture of the city of Montreal. Through 31 short chronicles of daily life, the film pays tribute to the citizens who contribute either individually or collectively to the quality of life of Montreal, in both environmental and cultural domains.

In one section of the film, the director follows volunteers and organizers of Les amis’ springtime Corvée du Mont-Royal, chronicling clean-up and tree-planting activities. The film is a warm testimonial to citizens’ awareness of and commitment to the conservation of the environment. For more information, visit http://www.filmovie.ca.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Exhibit at Café Smith of the winning photos of the “La montagne en images” contest

Les amis de la montagne will exhibit the winning photos of the “La montagne en images” contest as of September 17 in the Café Smith, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until January 2011. A photo gallery will also be published on Les amis’ website.

Entries are still being accepted until September 12 at 5 p.m., so hurry! Click here to download the contest rules and entry form (in French).

The exhibit will feature winning photos from five categories: Nature and Biodiversity; Architecture; Art and the Mountain; People and the Mountain; and Light. The contest prize ceremony and vernissage will be held at the Café Smith on Friday, September 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. All are welcome!

“Montagne et Métamorphoses” photo exhibit – from September 17 to 19 and September 24 to 26

A photo exhibit of Mount Royal by two photographers/landscape architects, Danièle Routaboule and Jean Landry, in collaboration with Les amis de la montagne.

Danièle Routaboule presents “Métamorphoses”, a series of photographs and digital montages that depict the ephemeral quality of scenes observed along the embankments of lakes, particularly those of Beaver Lake. She demonstrates her attraction to nature and introduces the theme of movement as witness to her interest in the fleetingness of natural scenes.

Jean Landry presents “Montagne”, a photo-essay that attempts to capture strong moments in time through images often considered commonplace. An essay, therefore, without pretention that represents the timeless essence of otherwise familiar places.

Multipurpose room, 2nd floor of Smith House
Friday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As part of the Journées de la culture, Friday to Sunday, September 24 to 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free

“Holy Mountain!”: launch of the web-based documentary on Mount Royal

“Holy Mountain!” is an interactive documentary about Mount Royal directed by Hélène de Billy and Gilbert Duclos, produced by the National Film Board of Canada. The production team invites all mountain admirers to participate in the project by calling 1-877-55-SOUVENIR to leave a spoken memory or anecdote about the mountain on their answering machine. The messages will be integrated in the soundtrack of the website.

Everyone’s invited: the launch of “Holy Mountain!” will be held at the Chalet du Mont-Royal on Tuesday, September 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On this occasion, participants will be able to rediscover their beloved mountain in a new light. Please RSVP by emailing Émilie Nguyen Ngoc.

Land Art on Mount Royal – September 25

As part of the Journées de la culture, Samuel Montigné, artist and environmental educator with Les amis de la montagne, will lead walks to rediscover the mountain and its many riches and to create personal works of art inspired by nature. Art materials supplied. Also included: free admission to the photo exhibits at Smith House.

Saturday, September 25
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Rescheduled to Sunday, September 26, in the event of rain
Departure from Smith House
Free, but reservations required: 514 843-8240, extension 0

Three Summits guided walking tour

This 12 km guided walk crosses all of Mount Royal and invites participants to discover its geography, observe the diversity of its natural and cultural elements and understand the related conservation issues. An exceptional outing that looks at the range of the neighbourhoods, the wealth of heritage assets and, especially, the beauty of the landscapes! Provided in French.

Sundays, October 3, 10, 17 and 24
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Departure from the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier monument, corner of Avenue du Parc and Rachel Street
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, extension 0
Cost: $15 for ages 13 and over; $10 for ages 6 to 12

NOTICES AND CONSTRUCTION ON MOUNT ROYAL

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on the mountain, Sunday, September 12

The Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal will be held on Mount Royal on Sunday, September 12 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the mountain will be limited on both Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12. The start and finish of the race will be on Avenue du Parc, in front of the Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier monument.

Click here for more information on the race course, street closures, parking restrictions, modifications to bus schedules and Tam-tam jam access information.

End of the road work to reconfigure Remembrance Road and closure of the southern lane

The majority of the road work by the Ville de Montréal to reconfigure Remembrance Road will be completed by September 10 in time for the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Mount Royal (September 12). Access will be maintained at all times during this roadwork.

The work consists of closing the two lanes located on the south side of Remembrance Road. The latter will become dedicated lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles. The lanes on the north side will become bidirectional (one lane in each direction). The work also consists of adding portions of sidewalks, redoing the pavement and installing improved signage.

The Ville de Montréal is conducting this roadwork with respect for the natural and heritage character of the mountain, as part of the Plan de transport intégré du Mont-Royal planned as part of the Plan de transport de Montréal. The objective is to make Mount Royal a place of relaxation, leisure and interpretation, and more accessible, safe and welcoming, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more information, citizens may call the city’s “Info-Travaux” telephone line at 514 872-3777 or visit http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/chantiers.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - July-August 2010

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Summer day camp on Mount Royal, the CBC/Radio-Canada antenna, supervision of picnic grounds, biodiversity in the city, pedal boats, the terrace and photos - and more!

NEWS

Day camp on Mount Royal: sold-out!
Culture on Mount Royal with Culture Montréal
Modernization of the CBC-Radio-Canada antenna on Mount Royal
Information and supervision in the park’s picnic grounds

Les amis de la montagne continue numerous initiatives in support of biodiversity in the city

Signing of the Déclaration de la collectivité de l’île de Montréal en faveur de la protection de la biodiversité et du verdissement
“From the cicada to the fox, the animals of Mount Royal”: unveiling of a new interpretation kiosk in Mount Royal Park
Planting of a symbolic White Pine in honour of the Environmental Stewardship Program
Project to promote biodiversity in an urban environment, 3rd edition
The conservation patrol in action!

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Paysages Éphémères 2010: “Correspondance pour le mont Royal”
Pedal boats and the terrace!
Exhibit of photos from the “La montagne en images” contest

TAKE ACTION

Make a Special Gift

NEWS

Day camp on Mount Royal: SOLD-OUT!

Photo: Samuel Montigné, 2010

The summer season kicked off to a joyous start in Mount Royal Park! On June 28, Les amis de la montagne’s day camp re-opened its doors to youngsters 6 to 9 years old for a second year of fun and the discovery of Mount Royal’s many natural treasures in the heart of Montreal. Until August 13, Smith House and the mountain will be filled with the patter and giggles of young campers, much to the satisfaction of Les amis and our principal partner, the Ville de Montréal.

Les amis de la montagne would like to thank our campers’ parents for their vote of confidence in our program, as well as the generous donors who contributed to the day camp sponsorship program, organized in collaboration with the Centre Communautaire de la Côte-des-Neiges. In particular, Les amis thank Raymond Bachand, MP for Outremont, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Montreal region, for his contribution allowing 25 children from less advantaged households to enjoy a one-week day camp experience.

Our educators, Grand Pic, Falco, Tamia and Chouette, look forward to another stellar summer with your little ones!

Culture on Mount Royal with Culture Montréal

Mount Royal Park welcomed more than 75 members of Culture Montréal for a picnic on June 18th to mark the end of springtime activities, together with Les amis de la montagne. Culture Montréal is an independent non-profit organization that gathers those interested in promoting culture as an essential component of the development of Montreal. During his address, President Simon Brault said that Les amis de la montagne was a source of inspiration for the creation of Culture Montréal as an organization that draws together citizens for the purpose of reflecting, consensus-building and taking action for the cultural cause.

Numerous participants took advantage of the spectacular weather to participate in a guided walking tour provided by Les amis de la montagne to discover the works of art and heritage elements scattered around the mountain’s natural landscapes. Les amis thank Culture Montréal for the invitation to participate in the picnic and its members for sharing this occasion and their thoughts with us during the guided walk.

Photos : Samuel Montigné, 2010

Modernization of the CBC/Radio-Canada antenna on Mount Royal

As part of CBC/Radio-Canada’s ongoing efforts to improve its services and meet compliance standards for airwave transmission, CBC/Radio-Canada will be modernizing its antenna located at the summit of Mount Royal, used by practically all Montreal broadcasters. The work will also include the installation of equipment to facilitate the technological transfer to digital services and to extend the broadcasting range of FM radio stations.

The work will be carried out until mid-August almost completely at night, in order to minimize the impact on park users and to limit inconveniences caused by temporary service interruptions.

For questions or comments, contact Audience Relations at 514 597-6000 or write to auditoire@radio-canada.ca.

For more information, click here to visit the CBC/Radio-Canada website.

Information and supervision in the park’s picnic grounds

For the first time, the Ville de Montréal is introducing a team of supervisors to oversee the various picnic grounds and barbecue sites in Mount Royal Park from Thursday to Sunday throughout the summer season. The supervisors will do rounds of the sites in question in order to ensure they are being used for their intended purpose, to supervise activities permitted in these zones, to maintain order and adherence to the park regulations in effect.

As a reminder to all park visitors, coal burning barbecues are permitted only in areas reserved for picnics where receptacles for ashes can be found. Ashes must be disposed of in receptacles so identified. Propane gas barbecues are permitted only in areas reserved for picnics. Empty propane tanks must not be disposed of in the park. Also, alcoholic beverages may not be consumed unless accompanied by a meal in the areas reserved for picnics.

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE CONTINUE NUMEROUS INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE CITY

Les amis sign the Déclaration de la collectivité de l’île de Montréal en faveur de la protection de la biodiversité et du verdissement

The Déclaration de la collectivité de l’île de Montréal en faveur de la protection de la biodiversité et du verdissement was launched by the Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal and the Ville de Montréal on April 28th during the Summit on Biodiversity and the Greening of Montreal before 250 participants from the corporate, municipal, institutional and community sectors.

This declaration, the first such collective measure undertaken by the Montreal community related to these challenges, is not an end in itself, but more the beginning of an alliance to protect and improve our green and blue heritage in an effort to sensitize all members of the community about the wealth of our natural environments in Montreal and to improve our collective quality of life.

Click here to read the declaration.

“From the cicada to the fox, the animals of Mount Royal”: Les amis unveil a new interpretation kiosk in Mount Royal Park

Equipped with a brand new interpretation kiosk on Mount Royal’s biodiversity, Les amis de la montagne launch their season of travelling animations each Saturday and Sunday afternoon from July 10 to September 26, alternating between the Beaver Lake sector, along the Olmsted Road and at the Kondiaronk lookout.

Travelling animation is a pedagogical technique applied for the last several years by Les amis’ environmental educators in high-traffic areas of the park in order to engage passers-by in topics related to the mountain’s conservation challenges.

The new kiosk was produced with the financial support of Gaz Métro and Groupe Yellow inc. Complete with colourful design and eye-catching content, the kiosk invites park visitors of all ages to enter, if only for a moment, the fascinating world of animals and their habitats on Mount Royal, in the midst of the city.

Les amis plant a symbolic White Pine in honour of the Environmental Stewardship Program

As part of the centennial celebrations for the teaching of forestry in Quebec, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune gave Les amis de la montagne a White Pine.

This symbolic tree was planted on June 22nd in Mount Royal Park by a group of Les amis de la montagne’s volunteers participating in the organization’s Environmental Stewardship Program. This White Pine was the only tree planted on the island of Montreal in honour of this teaching anniversary.

Last May, Les amis de la montagne received a recognition award from the 2010 Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et développement durable de Montréal for their Environmental Stewardship Program. Click here to learn more.

Photo : Isabelle Tassé, 2010

L to R (top row): Claude Drolet, coordinator of Les amis’ conservation services and Michel Marcoux, volunteer.
L to R (bottom row): Laurent Nikolaiczuk, volunteer, with Les amis’ Isabelle Dumais, conservation intern and Cédric Gaudry, environmental educator.

Project to promote biodiversity in an urban environment, 3rd edition

For a third consecutive year, Les amis de la montagne are collaborating on a project run by the Ville de Montréal to restore and develop our urban biodiversity on Mount Royal. Since June 29th, Mount Royal, together with the Bois-de-Liesse and Ile-de-la-Visitation nature parks, is the site of interventions related to exotic invasive species, a project that is part of the “Valorisation jeunesse – Place à la relève” program. Ten secondary school students whose academic performance makes them candidates to enter the work force will be working on Mount Royal throughout the summer.

Besides participating in a program that seeks equitable employment for all Montreal youth, this biodiversity restoration and improvement project will contribute to the eradication of one of the most prevalent exotic invasive species in Montreal’s natural environment, the common buckthorn. The interventions will help restore the habitats of flora and fauna, establish a follow-up and monitoring system of common buckthorn in targeted areas and explain to users the impact these invasive plants have on indigenous natural environments.

This project is made possible by financial contributions from the following partners: Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement, the Valorisation Jeunesse – Place à la relève program of the MICC, the MAMROT and the Ville de Montréal, the Entente sur le développement culturel between the Ville de Montréal and the MCCCF, Emploi d’été Canada and Programme C-Vert of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation. The students’ activities will be supervised by Les amis de la montagne, as well as by Éco-quartier du Sault-au-Récollet and Éco-quartier Pierrefonds-Roxboro.

The conservation patrol in action!

Back again this summer, Les amis de la montagne’s Mount Royal Conservation Patrol will lead awareness-raising activities to encourage the sustainable use of the site with park visitors. Educators will patrol the paths of the park in order to discuss and explain the conservation challenges related to feeding the mountain’s wildlife, keeping dogs on their leashes, off-trail walking or cycling and bicycle speed limits on Olmsted Road, among other topics.

Moreover, each Tuesday evening, interested volunteers may join our patrollers-educators for conservation activities including indigenous tree planting and the removal of exotic invasive species. For information, call 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Paysages Éphémères 2010: “Correspondance pour le mont Royal”

Paysages Éphémères (ephemeral landscapes) is a multidisciplinary space for artistic expression that, each year, transforms Montreal into a veritable artistic and cultural open-air laboratory. For the past six years, the event has presented a variety of works in situ, using the city as a backdrop for the exhibit.

Work by Reinhard Reitzenstein titled "Defense/Defiance", located at the du Parc-Mont-Royal intersection. Photo: Guy L’Heureux, Paysages éphémères 2010

Titled “Correspondance pour le mont Royal”, the 2010 edition of Paysages Éphémères continues until July 25. The event spills from the confines of Avenue du Mont-Royal to encompass Mount Royal. Besides the six works that form the artistic trail of this 6th edition, Paysages Éphémères is also holding an exhibit at the Plateau-Mont-Royal Maison de la Culture until August 21st. Click here for the Paysages Éphémères website.

Pedal boats and the terrace!

As with every summer season, the pedal boats have returned to the Beaver Lake basin. Rentals are available on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the cost of $8 for a 30 minute period. Details are available at Les amis’ rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion.

Photo : Samuel Montigné, 2009

Beaver Lake was designed by landscape architect Frederick Todd in 1938 and remains a popular meeting place by Montrealers and attraction by tourists. The restoration of the basin is in the planning stages, the third phase of the Beaver Lake sector redevelopment after the pavilion and skating rink and children’s playground, and will include the complete cleaning of the basin floor, as well as the installation of a new water oxygenation system. In the interim, the Ville de Montréal has undertaken a removal operation to control the proliferation of exotic invasive plant species in the lake, including the Eurasian Watermilfoil (L. Myriophyllum spicatum), an invasive aquatic plant that is very difficult to eliminate.

A pleasant pedal around the lake is likely to whet one’s appetite and Café Smith is the perfect solution! Diners will delight in the convivial atmosphere of the Smith House terrace, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., to enjoy wholesome, fine quality products, including sandwiches, salads, warm platters, hot and cold beverages, wine, St-Ambroise beer and a daily selection of sweets.

All revenues generated from Les amis’ services are reinvested in the organization’s education, awareness-raising and improvement programs for the mountain.

Exhibit of photos from the “La montagne en images” contest

The vastness of Mount Royal’s biodiversity is showcased as part of the Nature and Biodiversity category of Les amis’ “La montagne en images” photo contest, on display now in Smith House. The exhibit continues until September 2010 and the contest closes August 25, 2010. Click here for details and contest regulations (in French).

Date: from May to September
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Café Smith, ground floor of Smith House in Mount Royal Park

TAKE ACTION

Make a Special Gift

Making a tribute gift to Les amis de la montagne is one way to honour the accomplishments of friends or family, while contributing to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Likewise, when a loved one passes away, a gift to Les amis de la montagne can be a touching memorial.

Tribute (anniversary, birthday or in honour of) or memorial gifts can be acknowledged with a special card to the person you designate, if you so desire. Be sure to tell us who you are commemorating and the name and address of the person we should notify of your gift. Your gift amount will not be disclosed.

Click here to make your gift via our secure online donation form or call 514 843-8240, ext. 239.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - June 2010

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The annual campaign and the Mount Royal Circle; the Prix du Mont-Royal; TD Green Sunday; the inauguration of the Peel Street entrance and sculpture "Give Peace a Chance"; the summer calendar of events - and more!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM – REMINDER

Wednesday, June 9, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

NEWS

Mary Bruns Creighton and Éric Morisset, co-chairs of Les amis’ annual fundraising campaign
Mount Royal Circle Breakfast: investing in our future
Prix du Mont-Royal: Marie-Odile Trépanier, 2010 recipient
500 trees are planted on TD Green Sunday
Inauguration of the Peel Street entrance and the sculpture “Give Peace a Chance”
Les amis de la montagne contribute to “Magazine Géotourisme”

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Summer approaches!

TAKE ACTION

“High on Mount Royal” – a video

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM – REMINDER

Les amis de la montagne invites the community to the final forum before the summer break.

Mount Royal Park: guided walking tour of the new Peel Street entrance
Members of the community are invited to participate in a guided walking tour of the recently restored Peel Street entrance to the park, the main pedestrian entrance to the mountain from downtown. Join us to discover this remarkable site for its landscape and environmental characteristics and to learn more about the landscaping orientations that guided the work led by Daniel Chartier, landscape architect with the Ville de Montréal.

Source: Ville de Montréal

The visit will be preceded by a brief update on the intervention dossiers and projects realized by Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal over the course of the year in Mount Royal Park.

Click here for a summary report of management and restoration projects (in French).

DATE: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
PLACE: Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park

Information : 514 843-8240, ext. 241

NEWS

Mary Bruns Creighton and Éric Morisset, co-chairs of Les amis’ annual fundraising campaign

Mary Bruns Creighton, Director of Marketing, Cordiant Capital and Éric Morisset, Managing Director and Group Head, Quebec Investment Banking, TD Securities Inc., have generously agreed to co-chair Les amis de la montagne’s 2010-2011 annual fundraising campaign. The objective of the campaign is to raise $850,000 to finance Les amis’ activities aimed at protecting the mountain and conserving its natural environment, and providing education and awareness-raising programs on the heritage of Mount Royal.

Mount Royal Circle Breakfast: investing in our future

Under the honorary patronage of Isabelle Marcoux, Vice Chair of the Board and Vice President, Corporate Development, Transcontinental Inc., and in the presence of Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President of Les amis de la montagne and Éric Morisset, co-chair of Les amis de la montagne’s annual campaign, the Mount Royal Circle Breakfast gathered over 60 leaders of the business community on May 26 at the Mount Royal Club.

Isabelle Marcoux

During the breakfast, Isabelle Marcoux made an eloquent speech about the mountain’s importance to Montrealers: “Mount Royal and its surrounding district is an economic, social and environmental asset of the utmost importance to Quebec and to Montreal. The mountain’s preservation is a key challenge to our development that goes beyond the simple conservation of its natural environment in a city undergoing expansion. Its preservation is the foremost possibility to create a healthy and dynamic urban life. Thanks to the vision of our predecessors in the business community, we have the chance today to possess a jewel that few other cities enjoy. I have heard that the era of great projects in Quebec is over. But I see in the accomplishments of Les amis de la montagne a great project for our community and future generations. As privileged members of the community, I invite you to invest in the preservation of this unique treasure.”

“Mount Royal is much more than the park that bears its name. The mountain territory encompasses green spaces and built spaces whose natural and cultural qualities are recognized. Les amis de la montagne collaborate with the Gouvernement du Québec, the municipal administration, institutional property owners and partners in the private sector on projects that improve the quality of the landscape and of services, while respecting the integrity of the mountain. Preservation and prosperity are entirely possible, entirely compatible,” added Peter Howlett.

L to R: Jonathan Deitcher, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., Gerald Hogan

The Mount Royal Circle was created to recognize and thank individuals and companies for their generous annual financial support of Les amis de la montagne. The Mount Royal Circle Breakfast is the first major event held as part of Les amis’ annual campaign, launched each May as part of “Mount Royal Month”.

Photos: Martin Roy

The Ville de Montréal and Les amis de la montagne award the Prix du Mont-Royal to Marie-Odile Trépanier

Marie-Odile Trépanier

As part of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month”, Alan DeSousa, Vice-chair of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, and Peter A. Howlett, President, Les amis de la montagne, and in the presence of Fiona Hirst, Regional director of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, awarded the 2010 Prix du Mont-Royal to Marie-Odile Trépanier, professor at the Institut d’urbanisme of the Université de Montréal on May 27th. Further, in recognition of the International Year of Biodiversity, honourable mentions were conferred upon two remarkable volunteers from the community, Lina Sarraf and Christian Boisvert.

“It is with great pleasure that we award today the Prix du Mont-Royal, as well as two honourable mentions to three people whose involvement and dedication contribute greatly to the preservation and enhancement of the jewel in Montreal’s crown. I’d like to thank Marie-Odile Trépanier, Lina Sarraf and Christian Boisvert, who, each in their own way, have taken concrete actions in favour of nature. By uniting our efforts, we contribute to making the mountain a natural and cultural oasis, for the great enjoyment of Montrealers in the heart of the metropolis,” said Alan DeSousa.

“We are thrilled to honour Marie-Odile Trépanier as the recipient of the 2010 Prix du Mont-Royal. A passionate and accomplished professor, Marie-Odile Trépanier elicits our most fervent admiration for her tireless work and social commitment to efforts to protect and enhance Mount Royal, for the benefit of the entire community. We are equally pleased to honour the remarkable volunteer contributions of Lina Sarraf and Christian Boisvert, who, as part of the International Year of Biodiversity, receive honourable mentions. These three recipients are an inspiration to us all,” added Peter Howlett.

Marie-Odile Trépanier, professor at the Institut d’urbanisme of the Université de Montréal

Marie-Odile Trépanier has played an important role at both municipal and provincial levels in the areas of urban planning legislation, management of urban spaces, the environment and protected spaces, for more than 25 years. She has also conducted studies that, in addition to expanding the body of knowledge on these issues, combine with her tangible involvement in numerous working groups and associations. A woman of action and conviction, Marie-Odile Trépanier has participated actively in the protection of Mount Royal for more than 20 years. She applies her expertise, her knowledge and her creativity to the service of the community.

Marie-Odile Trépanier received a sculpture of a Nuthatch, a nesting species on Mount Royal, made out of linden and walnut by Quebec artist Michel Chayer.

L to R back row: Fiona Hirst, Regional Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Alan DeSousa, Vice-President of the Executive Commitee of the Ville de Montréal and responsible for sustainable development, the environment and parks, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne.
L to R front row: Lina Sarraf, honourable mention, Marie-Odile Trépanier, recipient, Christian Boisvert, honourable mention

Lina Sarraf, mathematics teacher at the secondary level for classes of newly arrived students at the École Évangeline

A woman of action and conviction, Lina Sarraf’s work has been a model of accomplishment over many years with regards her newly arrived students and their awareness about the fragility of nature and the importance of taking care of our environment. She favours Mount Royal and more than a hundred newly arrived students have participated with her in clean-up and tree planting activities, many for the first time. Lina Sarraf’s commitment reaches beyond the borders of Quebec because she travels the planet to better understand its ecosystems and to sensitize the public to its fragility.

L to R: Alan DeSousa, Fiona Hirst, Lina Sarraf and Peter A. Howlett, C.M.

Christian Boisvert, computer scientist, Service de police de la Ville de Montréal

A remarkable volunteer, Christian Boisvert has been involved with Mount Royal for close to 20 years. At wide-scale events, where he volunteers as a team leader, his passion is contagious and he is very well regarded by fellow volunteers and those he comes into contact with. In addition to giving his time, energy and “muscle” to the mountain cause, Christian Boisvert has participated as a volunteer for other events, such as the Tour de l’Ile de Montréal.

L to R:Alan DeSousa, Christian Boisvert and Peter A. Howlett, C.M.

Lina Sarraf and Christian Boisvert received a framed reproduction of the Mount Royal Charter, drafted on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of Mount Royal Park in 2002. Inspired by national and international texts, the Mount Royal Charter outlines the general principals that individuals and organizations may adhere to on a voluntary basis, to express their interest in the mountain and to contribute to its conservation, protection and enhancement.

Photos: Karine Gagné

500 trees are planted on TD Green Sunday

On May 30th, more than 220 TD employees, their families and friends used their green thumbs to help preserve Mount Royal, the landmark known as the ‘jewel’ of Montreal. They proved themselves to be ‘greening machines’ by planting some 500 trees and shrubs, cleaning up litter and cutting down alien invasive species.

“It’s great to see TD employees and their families dig in to this tree planting activity with such passion and energy,” said Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice- President, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust. “A day like today emphasizes our longstanding commitment to this community and the environment.”

The event was marked this year by two anniversaries: TD’s 150th in Quebec and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation’s 20th. To honour this double milestone, TD presented a commemorative plaque and White Pine to Les amis de la montagne.

Photo: Vincenzo D'Alto

“The turnout on the mountain today is proof that TD’s participation goes beyond a financial contribution. TD’s commitment to the environment is admirable and Les amis de la montagne are proud of our now 5-year partnership with TD,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne.

TD Green Sunday is organized by Les amis de la montagne and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation in collaboration with the City of Montreal. This is the fifth year that TD employees have volunteered for this activity, planting a total of some 2,700 trees.

Inauguration of the Peel Street entrance and the sculpture “Give Peace a Chance”

After several months of significant work, the Peel Street entrance to Mount Royal Park is now open to the great delight of park users.

The work entailed the restoration of certain infrastructures, but also created views towards the Saint Lawrence River and enhanced a variety of the mountain’s landscapes which change depending on the trail taken and the season. Inspired by the vision of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who saw in Mount Royal a global artwork, the managers of the project took the ecological, historic, landscape and functional contexts of the area into consideration. As such, a landscaped trail was created in the shape of a sinuous pathway, the Serpentine that unites wetlands, watercourses, gutters and waterfalls. Cutting, pruning and planting trees was also necessary to control invasive species and to encourage the growth of the Sugar Maple.

Numerous rock faces were exposed and two series of staircases, the height equivalent of a 15-storey building, now link the mountain Chalet to downtown, and offer a variety of viewpoints.

On May 31st, the celebrations marking “May 2010: Mount Royal Month” concluded with the official inauguration of this newly restored sector of the mountain and also of the artwork “Give Peace a Chance”, in the presence of Christine St-Pierre, Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, and Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal.

L to R: Marie Cinq-Mars, Mayor of the Outremont Borough, Lynda Thalie, singer-songwriter-composer and MC of the ceremony, Christine St-Pierre, Gérald Tremblay, Marie-Claude Séguin and Linda Covit (Photo: Samuel Montigné)

“Give Peace a Chance” is a work of art integrated in the mountain. The result of a collaboration between artist Linda Covit and landscape architect Marie-Claude Séguin, the work is both subtle and significant, in dialogue with the natural elements of the mountain. Installed in the highest curb of the Serpentine trail, at the foot of a sculptural limestone rock face, it marks the transition between a developed urban landscape and a wooded area.

The phrase “Give Peace a Chance” is engraved in 40 languages and symbolises the languages spoken in Montreal. The title echoes the words of the famous song by John Lennon recorded in Montreal in 1969, commemorating this celebrated hymn for Peace.

Les amis de la montagne contribute to “Magazine Géotourisme”

The Magazine Géotourisme, published by the community group L’Itinéraire in
partnership with the STM, is a bilingual magazine that allows the users of the STM’s shuttle buses to learn, in transit, about the values and attractions of Montreal within the framework of responsible tourism. The magazine, which includes an article on Mount Royal written by Les amis de la montagne, is distributed free of charge until September 30th, 2010 in the 747 Express Bus.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Summer approaches!

While the greenery of the mountain intensifies, the pace of work begins to lessen: summer is around the corner! To take advantage of the sun-filled season, Les amis de la montagne invite Montrealers to participate in a variety of activities to discover and explore the mountain in its summer glory. Herewith a few:

Guided walking tour of Mount Royal’s three summits, June 13

This 12km walk traverses the entire territory of Mount Royal in order to discover its geography, to observe the diversity of its heritage assets and to further understand its preservation challenges. The three summits trail is truly exceptional by virtue of the variety of environments visited, the heritage elements featured and especially, the beauty of the landscapes observed. Offered in French.

From the cicada to the fox, the animals of Mount Royal, Saturdays and Sundays, July 10 to September 26

Roaming animation on the mountain's biodiversity in alternating locations from the Beaver Lake area, to Olmsted Road and the Kondiaronk lookout. Thanks to Gaz Métro and Groupe Yellow Inc. for contributing to the creation of the biodiversity kiosk.

First Nations’ presence on Mount Royal

For thousands of years, the First Nations’ peoples travelled over the hills of Mount Royal and made use of its natural riches. This self-guided walking tour presents the traces of the First Nations’ peoples from prehistory to the present. Available in French at the Smith House boutique for $2.

Environmental Stewardship Program from June to October

Expand your knowledge of conservation issues, while participating in activities aimed at maintaining the mountain’s biodiversity.

Lac aux Castors pedal boat rental – and more!

Click here for the complete calendar of activities.

TAKE ACTION

Concordia University students showed their attachment to Mount Royal by creating a video available on YouTube called, “High on Mount Royal.” The video clip features two young lovers walking and enjoying themselves in their favourite park on a sunny Sunday to the rhythms of “We’re Going to be Friends” by The White Stripes. Filmed in stop-photo animation, the 90 second clip was produced by students in the Continuing Education Department’s intensive public relations course. As friendly competition against the “lip dub” produced by students at UQAM, Les amis de la montagne encourages you to watch this Mount Royal video and invite your family and friends to do the same!

Invitation to the public forum: June 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Mount Royal Park: guided walking tour of the new Peel Street entrance

Source: Extrait du plan du relevé d'arpentage de Genivar 2006-10-19 et du fichier 0225 Plan entrée Peel (10-28-05) de la Ville de Montréal

Mount Royal Park: guided walking tour of the new Peel Street entrance

For a second year, the June public forum, the last before the summer hiatus, will focus on Mount Royal Park. This year, members of the community are invited to participate in a guided walking tour of the recently restored Peel Street entrance to the park, the main pedestrian entrance to the mountain from downtown. Join us to discover this remarkable site for its landscape and environmental characteristics and to learn more about the landscaping orientations that guided the work led by Daniel Chartier, landscape architect with the Ville de Montréal.

The visit will be preceded by a brief update on the projects realized by Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal over the course of the year in Mount Royal Park.

Click here for a summary report of management and restoration projects (in French).

DATE: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
TIME: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
PLACE: Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park

Information : 514 843-8240, ext. 241

No to the project submitted for the Sulpicians’ former seminary

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne are pleased with the Ville de Montréal’s informed decision

Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary: Les amis de la montagne are pleased with the Ville de Montréal’s informed decision

Montreal, May 20, 2010 – Les amis de la montagne are pleased with the decision announced today by the Mayor of Montreal and the municipal administration, to ensure the protection of the entire site of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary on Mount Royal by refusing the residential project proposed by Développement Cato.

“Les amis de la montagne consider this decision by the Tremblay administration as proof of a realistic vision for the future of Mount Royal. Our elected officials listened to the concerns of the great majority of Montrealers and analysed the project sufficiently to understand its impact on the heritage of the mountain,” said Mr. Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President of Les amis de la montagne.

“We recommended from the start of this dossier, one of the most controversial in the history of the mountain, that clear and precise regulations be drawn from the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan to manage all development projects, particularly for institutional properties, within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District,” added Mr. Howlett.

Les amis de la montagne have always held the position that the residential project submitted by Développement Cato should not have reached the public consultation stage because it did not respect the exceptional site of the former seminary located within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District, nor the historic, landscape and social values associated with this site and its interests for the community. To be acceptable to Les amis de la montagne, a project on this important site must ensure the protection of all green space and the reuse of the main building and must limit development to the existing built footprint of the site.

Read the release issued by the Ville de Montréal by clicking here (in French).

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237
gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

The 19th Corvée mountain clean-up is a great success!

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

“We’re tied to our mountain”: more true than ever!

Click here to view the event photo gallery. Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj (morning activities), Tzara Maud (afternoon activities).

Winning conditions contributed to the great success of the 19th Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up on Sunday, May 2, 2010: fine, sunny weather and more than 475 enthusiastic Montrealers, who made a tangible contribution to the mountain’s conservation.

Alan DeSousa, vice-president of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal and member responsible for sustainable development, joined Sylvie Guilbault and Éric Richard, respectively Executive Director and Director of Educational Services of Les amis de la montagne, to launch the day’s activities.

In the morning, participants collected more than 100 bags of trash from wooded areas constituting about 70 % of Mount Royal Park. A handful of oddities were collected, such as fire crackers, about 50 golf balls and a large camp site in the shape of a long house with three separate “rooms”.

Over 40 participants planted 350 indigenous trees and shrubs in an area adjacent to the children’s playground near Beaver Lake, including Red Oak, Sugar Maple, American Basswood, Hawthorn, Nannyberry and Redosier Dogwood.

Later in the day, the volunteers participated in a group photo in the shape of a “350”. This number represents the quantity of trees planted and also symbolises a world-wide campaign dedicated to mobilising the population around finding global solutions to the climate crisis. In parts per million, 350 represents what scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Two teams evaluated previous tree plantings for their growth rate and another two teams cut down an area overtaken by common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain.

In the afternoon, activities for the whole family were organized to celebrate the renewal of spring and to underline the International Year of Biodiversity. The percussion group Samajam held lively tam-tam initiation sessions, the Zoo Écomuseum presented a variety of animals to the delight of the little ones and their parents and participants enjoyed a splendidly sweet treat of Opera cakes decorated along the theme of biodiversity, prepared specially by pastry students of the École Calixa-Lavallée.

Visitors were able to deepen their understanding of biodiversity conservation by viewing kiosks presented by several organizations specializing in this area: the Université de Montréal, the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale and the Centre sur la biodiversité de Montréal; McGill University’s Centre de la Science de la Biodiversité du Québec; Nature-Action Québec; the Agence Canadienne d’Inspection des Aliments; and Les amis de la montagne. Visitors could also leave with one of 300 young trees, a contribution by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec.

Photos 1 - 4 : Andrew Dobrowolskyj; photos 5 - 9 : Tzara Maud.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal is the kick-off event of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month”. Les amis de la montagne wish to thank the Ville de Montréal for its generous material and logistic contributions to the Corvée event, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, principal partner of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month”. The activities in May are also made possible thanks to the participation of Group Yellow Inc., National Bank Financial Group, Rock Détente, Virgin Radio 96, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse, The Gazette and numerous collaborators and volunteers.

Launch of "May 2010: Mount Royal Month"

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

In celebration of the mountain’s biodiversity

MAY 2010: MOUNT ROYAL MONTH
In celebration of the mountain’s biodiversity

On the occasion of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month” and as part of the International Year of Biodiversity, the Ville de Montréal and Les amis de la montagne invite all Montrealers to participate in a variety of programs to explore the natural environment of the mountain and to participate in its enhancement.

The 19th Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up begins the month’s activities on Sunday, May 2, followed by a variety of lectures, forums, guided walks and a photography exhibit. Special events are also planned, including an encounter between students and the artists of the work Give peace a chance, the inauguration of the work Give peace a chance as part of the redevelopment of the Peel entrance to Mount Royal Park and the 6th awards ceremony of the prestigious Prix du Mont-Royal.

19th Corvée mountain clean-up, May 2
Mount Royal Month activities
Activities of the great institutions on the mountain
Thank you to our partners!

19th Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up, May 2

Rain or shine, Montrealers are invited to the great Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up event on Sunday, May 2.

Schedule

8:45 to 9:30 a.m.: individual registration at the Chalet du Mont-Royal

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: conservation activities – rain or shine

Litter collection
Tree planting
Cutting of exotic invasive species

12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: activities and animation

Biodiversity kiosks at the Chalet du Mont-Royal
Guided art-nature walk (cancelled in event of rain)
Initiation to Djembe with percussion group Samajam (cancelled in the event of rain)
Presentation of a variety of animals by Zoo Ecomuseum

MOUNT ROYAL MONTH ACTIVITIES

On May 5, a lecture on the presence of First Nations’ communities on Mount Royal will be offered as part of the Belles Soirées de l’Université de Montréal. Participants will receive a free copy of Les amis de la montagne’s newest publication, La présence amérindienne sur le mont Royal, a self-guided walking tour to explore this facet of the mountain with the whole family.

On May 7 and 8, as part of the “24 heures de science”, Les amis de la montagne invites the community to discover the mountain's biodiversity and to become familiar with the variety of fauna that calls Mount Royal home, including invertebrates, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

On May 12, the Ville de Montréal is organizing a meeting between students from the École secondaire Saint-Henri and the artist and the landscape architect of the work Give peace a chance, in situ, to discuss the creation process of this work on Mount Royal. Organized by the Maison de l’architecture MONOPOLI and the Bureau du Mont-Royal, this project is part of a cultural mediation project on public art in Montreal.

Les amis de la montagne will hold their public forum on May 12 in the company of the Écomusée de l’Au-Delà, an organization dedicated to Quebec’s funerary heritage, to discover and discuss the future of the cemeteries on Mount Royal, sites that are rich in historic, landscape and cultural heritage.

For a 4th year, a gathering of 40 amateur ornithologists will volunteer their time to continue the bird inventory begun in May 2006 on Mount Royal on the greater territory of the mountain, including the Université de Montréal, the Mount Royal and Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemeteries, Summit Park in Westmount and Mount Royal Park.

On May 16, a guided walk on archaeology will be held in collaboration with the McCord Museum. Participants will follow in the footsteps of famed 19th-century archaeologist William Dawson to unearth the history and early findings of Canadian archaeology and to discover several artefacts that attest to the existence of a First Nations' village that predates the arrival of Jacques Cartier.

To celebrate the 134th anniversary of Mount Royal Park, inaugurated May 24, 1876, as well as to underline the International Year of Biodiversity, Les amis de la montagne invite the community to explore the richness of the mountain’s flora and fauna during a guided walk through the woods in all its springtime glory.

On May 27, Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal will award the prestigious Prix du Mont-Royal to an individual, who through his/her commitment towards the conservation of our collective historic and natural heritage and vision, is a source of inspiration to us all.

Finally, on May 31, the Ville de Montréal will hold the official inauguration of the work Give peace a chance, inspired by the eponymous song by John Lennon. The realization of this work is part of the redevelopment of the Peel entrance of Mount Royal Park, financed by the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal between the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine and the Ville de Montréal.

ACTIVITIES OF THE GREAT INSTITUTIONS ON THE MOUNTAIN

The activities of eight of the mountain’s great institutions are included for a second consecutive year in the calendar of Mount Royal Month events: Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Saint-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, Mount Royal Cemetery, the cavalry of the SPVM, McCord Museum, Redpath Museum, Université de Montréal (Les Belles Soirées) and McGill University.

Click here for the complete calendar of activities organized as part of Mount Royal Month.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!

Corvée mountain clean-up next May 2nd

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Save the date for a day of environmental actions and activities - for the whole family!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP ON SUNDAY, MAY 2

Come rain or shine, hundreds of Montrealers are expected to participate in the traditional Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up on Sunday, May 2, organized by Les amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. In the morning, activities include litter pick-up, tree planting and cutting of exotic invasive species and in the afternoon, animation and activities will celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. The Corvée clean-up event also signals the start of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month”, an initiative that provides all members of the community with opportunities to (re)discover their mountain.

Individual registration for the Corvée clean-up is on the day of the event from 8:45-9:30 a.m. at the Chalet du Mont-Royal near the lookout. All necessary equipment will be provided on site, with snacks and beverages for participants. Appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes are recommended.

To increase the positive impact of this day on the environment, participants are encouraged to use public transportation to get to Mount Royal Park. The number 11 bus from the Mont-Royal metro stops near the park’s summit.

Les amis de la montagne wish to thank the Ville de Montréal for its generous material and logistic contributions to the event, as well as the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, principal partner of “May 2010: Mount Royal Month”. The activities in May are also made possible thanks to the participation of Group Yellow Inc., National Bank Financial Group, Rock Détente, Virgin Radio 96, CJAD 800 AM, La Presse, The Gazette and numerous collaborators and volunteers.

SCHEDULE OF THE CORVÉE MOUNTAIN CLEAN-UP ON SUNDAY, MAY 2

MORNING: environmental activities

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.:Individual registration at the Chalet du Mont-Royal
- Activities are assigned on a first come, first served basis.
- Participants aged 6 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Bring your reusable bottle of water or mug.
- Bicycles, dogs and strollers are not permitted in the activity zones.
- We encourage participants to use public transportation, to come by foot or by bicycle to the event.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: conservation activities - rain or shine

AFTERNOON: animation and activities

12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: participants return to the Chalet; a snack and beverages will be provided to participants; animation.
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: biodiversity kiosks (Chalet du Mont-Royal); guided walk and workshop on Mount Royal's biodiversity (cancelled in the event of rain)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: introduction to the Djembe with percussion specialists Samajam (on the lookout near the Chalet, cancelled in the event of rain)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Zoo Ecomuseum presents a variety of animals (Chalet du Mont-Royal)
1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: guided walk and workshop on Mount Royal’s biodiversity (registration at Les amis de la montagne’s kiosk at the Chalet du Mont-Royal, cancelled in event of rain)

For more information, visit Les amis' website or call 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Photos: Karine Gagné, 2009

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Les amis win an award!

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et développement durable de Montréal

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE RECEIVE AN AWARD

Montreal, April 13, 2010 – Les amis de la montagne have received a recognition award from the 2010 Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et développement durable de Montréal for their Environmental Stewardship Program. The announcement was made today before 600 people at the Marché Bonsecours. Les amis de la montagne shares this recognition with the Bureau du Mont-Royal of the Ville de Montréal for their project to restore and enhance biodiversity in an urban environment.

The Environmental Stewardship Program is an offshoot of the Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up, organized by Les amis de la montagne for the last 20 years. As the Corvée gained in popularity each year and as mountain users became increasingly conscientious about littering, Les amis de la montagne decided in 2007 to extend volunteer participation through other conservation activities within a more global stewardship initiative. This new program includes tree planting, the cutting of exotic invasive species and a variety of environmental studies that orient future projects. A variety of groups have become involved in these actions, such as the TD Bank Financial Group that has played a major role in the success of the program as Les amis’ principal partner.

Short video (in French):

Created in 2007, the Gala de reconnaissance en environnement et développement durable de Montréal is organized by the Conseil regional de l’environnement de Montréal with the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal and the Ville de Montréal for the partners in Montreal’s first strategic plan for sustainable development. This annual event underlines the accomplishments of the Montreal companies and institutions that distinguish themselves through innovative projects that combine economic development and protection of the environment.

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - April 2010

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Winter season wrap-up; French cultural heritage; mountain biking conference and more!

WINTER SEASON WRAP-UP

Participation on Mount Royal reaches new heights!

Photo: Samuel Montigné

NEWS

Les amis contribute to the Encyclopaedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America
Bravo to Wendy Graham and Daniel Chartier, recipients of the 2010 Frederick Todd Award

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Summer day camp on Mount Royal: still some openings left
Participate in the photo contest “La montagne en images”
One-day conference on the future of mountain biking in Montreal on April 9

TAKE ACTION

Make a monthly donation to Les amis de la montagne

WINTER SEASON WRAP-UP: PARTICIPATION ON MOUNT ROYAL REACHES NEW HEIGHTS!

Here's a great big hill
With snow all over the side
Let's take down our sleds
And down the hill we slide.

- Marion Grayson

Despite the mildest and driest winter ever recorded in Canadian history, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts flocked to Mount Royal Park this winter to benefit from its snowy hills and trails, and to take advantage of the best this season has to offer in the heart of Montreal.

For the past three years, the Ville de Montréal’s splendid upkeep of the artificial skating rink and snow-making efforts on the toboggan hill beside Beaver Lake have allowed for a prolonged season of winter fun for Montrealers regardless of the vagaries of Mother Nature, namely warmer temperatures and less snowfall.

Photo: Samuel Montigné

As partners of the Ville de Montréal in services and programs offered in the park, Les amis de la montagne can attest to the high level of interest and unabashed enthusiasm citizens and visitors have for the mountain, good weather or bad.

Les amis de la montagne proudly present their winter season “by the numbers”:

From early 2010, no less than 200 school groups – that’s 10,000 children! – participated in educational activities accompanied by our environmental specialists. The children discovered the footprints of wildlife in the snow, learned how animals adapt to the cold and how they make use of camouflage in wintertime.
Inner-tubing was as popular as ever with close to 15,000 sliders of all ages merrily taking to the hill by Beaver Lake, guided by our friendly security personnel.
32 children took part in the Jackrabbit Ski de Fond Québec cross-country ski initiation courses, double the participation from last year! This excellent program is aimed at teaching children 6 to 10 years old this most accessible and family-friendly sport.
More than 400 people strapped on a pair of snowshoes for our Amis-guided Saturday evening excursions by moonlight. Take note for next year – the specially-themed New Year’s and Valentine’s outings were sold-out successes!
300 participants from French-as-a-second-language courses, companies or visitors from other countries also participated in our made-to-measure guided snowshoe walks. Thanks to a new partnership with Tourisme Montréal, we helped groups of travel writers, journalists and bloggers from the United States and the United Kingdom discover the beauty of winter in Montreal and on the mountain.
Finally, there was little rest this winter for the team at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion: 11,800 pairs of skates, 2,600 pairs of skis and 2,300 pairs of snowshoes were rented, and this despite the lack of snow!

And so the great big hill no longer has snow all over the side and our sleds have been carefully stored away … Les amis de la montagne are taking a brief in-between-season break to return with a fresh slate of springtime activities, beginning with the 19th Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up on Sunday, May 2nd. Save the date!

Photo: Samuel Montigné

NEWS

LES AMIS CONTRIBUTE TO THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF FRENCH CULTURAL HERITAGE IN NORTH AMERICA

Les amis de la montagne wrote two articles about Mount Royal for the Encyclopaedia of French Cultural Heritage in North America, a multimedia website that has been online since 2008. The site is dedicated to the heritage of French-speaking North America, its history and diversity, and the trends that have shaped and influenced its evolution over time.

The article titled “Parc du Mont-Royal, un précieux patrimoine naturel et culturel” explores the many facets of the mountain’s rich heritage in an urban setting, while the article titled, “Mont-Royal: importance de l’engagement citoyen” relates the community’s unrelenting commitment to the mountain’s protection over the last 150 years.

The articles will soon be translated into English. Click here to be directed to the site of the encyclopaedia.

BRAVO TO WENDY GRAHAM AND DANIEL CHARTIER, RECIPIENTS OF THE 2010 FREDERICK TODD AWARD

Wendy Graham and Daniel Chartier, landscape architects with the Direction des grands parcs et de la nature en ville of the Ville de Montréal, who have worked for more than 20 years to enhance and conserve Mount Royal, are the recipients of the 2010 Frederick Todd Award.

Photo: Ville de Montréal

Their work is distinguished by their considerable contribution to Mount Royal Park and more largely, the mountain as a whole. These two professionals form an ideal team dedicated to the protection and improvement of the mountain. They have contributed to the understanding of the mountain’s characteristics and have undertaken to facilitate the discovery of its natural and cultural heritage elements.

For more than 20 years, Wendy Graham and Daniel Chartier have participated in the conception and realization of a multitude of major improvement projects on Mount Royal: the Parc/des Pins intersection, Camillien-Houde lookout, artificial skating rink, children’s playground, Olmsted Road restoration, creation of a ring-road, simplification of the network of secondary pathways, creation of wet zones and water falls, planting of tens of thousands of trees and hundreds of thousands of shrubs.

The Frederick Todd Award has been conferred to members of the Association des architectes paysagistes du Québec and public personalities since 1995 in recognition of their exceptional contribution to the promotion of landscape architecture in Quebec. Frederick Todd was the first landscape architect who lived and worked in Quebec after many years working under Frederick Law Olmsted. His major works include: Beaver Lake, the Way of the Cross of St-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the Plaines d’Abraham in Quebec City and the master plan of the Town of Mount Royal.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

SUMMER DAY CAMP ON MOUNT ROYAL: STILL SOME OPENINGS LEFT

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are pleased to offer their summer day camp for a second year. Children aged 6 to 9 years old will once again have the opportunity to discover the treasures of Mount Royal in a natural environment in the heart of Montreal.

Photo: Amélie Goulet

Supervised by an experienced and passionate team of environmental educators, Les amis’ summer day camp will be offered from June 28 to August 13, for a duration of one or two weeks, consecutive or not.

The cost of one week per child is $165 with the Accès Montréal card or $190 without the card.

To enroll your child or for more information, call 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

PARTICIPATE IN THE PHOTO CONTEST “LA MONTAGNE EN IMAGES”

To showcase the rich and varied heritage of Mount Royal through photography, Les amis de la montagne announce the launch of their photo contest titled, “La montagne en images” open to all admirers of Mount Royal.

Les amis de la montagne invite members of the community to submit their favourite photos of the mountain along five themes: Nature and Biodiversity; Architecture; Art and the Mountain; People and the Mountain; and Light. The contest ends on August 25.

Click here for full contest regulations, as well as the registration form (in French).

ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING IN MONTREAL ON APRIL 9

On Friday, April 9, an unprecedented event will take place at Le TAZ sports centre on the future of mountain biking in Montreal.

Organized by Bunny Hop, the official voice of the 50,000-strong community of mountain bikers in Montreal, and presented by Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), the purpose of this conference open to the public is to sensitize the population and decision-makers about the importance of mountain biking and to reflect upon its place in Montreal. The high point of the day will be the inauguration of a permanent “bike park” infrastructure adjacent to the TAZ.

Click here to see the day’s complete agenda, as well as how to register.

TAKE ACTION

MAKE A MONTHLY GIFT TO LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE

A monthly gift to Les amis de la montagne is one of the simplest and most effective ways to contribute to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Through monthly giving, you also help Les amis reduce postal and printing costs.

By becoming a monthly donor, you receive a “friend’s card” that provides you with a discount at the café or boutique at Smith House, as well as regular updates on news, activities and services related to Mount Royal via our electronic newsletter. A receipt for income tax purposes for the total annual contribution is mailed at the end of the calendar year. You may at any time cancel, reduce or increase your monthly contribution.

Click here to access the secure online monthly giving form or call 514 843-8240, ext. 243.

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - March 2010

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Tuques Bleues Celebration photo gallery; Nuit blanche à Montréal on Mount Royal; Spring Break on the mountain; summer day camp 2010 - and more!

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION PHOTO GALLERY

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Saturday, February 27: Nuit blanche à Montréal on Mount Royal
Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28: 20 dancers on top of Mount Royal
Spring Break on Mount Royal

SUMMER DAY CAMP 2010

TAKE ACTION NOW

A mountain for all, a day camp for all!

The Tuques Bleues Celebration Photo Gallery

The 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event was once again launched by ceremonial canon fire on Mount Royal on February 18. More than 600 mountain enthusiasts enjoyed the magical ambiance of the mountain at night to celebrate the success of the event that raised close to $225,000 for education and conservation activities for Mount Royal.

Click here to view the event photo gallery.
In order to help us improve the event, kindly click here to complete our electronic evaluation form (scroll to page 2 for the English version).

Photos above and in the photo gallery : © Andrew Dobrowolskyj and Karine Gagné

Saturday, February 27: Nuit blanche à Montréal on Mount Royal

On Saturday, February 27, begin your Nuit blanche à Montréal high atop Mount Royal with Les amis de la montagne before plunging down to the city below!
Guided by our educators, join us for the descent of Mount Royal by snowshoes or cross-country skis. The different trails, specially designed for this Nuit blanche à Montréal activity, wind through the Mount Royal forest and feature magnificent points of view of the city, beginning from Smith House in the heart of Mount Royal Park, all the way to Jeanne-Mance Park.

The descent lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Nuit blanche activities continue in the Plateau-Mont-Royal, beginning with a warm welcome and hot beverage at Café Santropol (3990 Saint-Urbain)!

DATE: Saturday, February 27, 2010
TIME:
- Snowshoe departures: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Bring your snowshoes or rental service available, $7 per person.
- Cross-country ski departure: 10 p.m. Bring your skis. No rental service available.
PLACE: Meeting at Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park (11 bus, “chemin du chalet” stop)
RSVP: The activity is free of charge. Reservations required by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

February 27 and 28: 20 dancers on top of Mount Royal

Les amis de la montagne are proud to provide logistical and promotional support to the dance production titled “Le retour du temps”, a choreographic journey by Lucie Grégoire created in situ on Mount Royal with 20 young Montréal dancers on February 27 and 28, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. Access is free and the audience can follow the performance by joining in the dancers’ journey from the Kondiaronk lookout in front of the Chalet to Beaver Lake.

DATE: Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28, 2010
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Meeting at the Kondiaronk Lookout near the Chalet du Mont-Royal
INFO: 514 523-1627

Spring Break on Mount Royal

Photo: Samuel Montigné

As long as there’s snow on the ground and a chill in the air, Montrealer’s will be able to enjoy the following all-time favourite activities on the mountain during the first two weeks of March:

inner-tubing on the hill near Beaver Lake (to March 14) with tobogganing nearby
skating on the artificial rink (to March 7)
kick-sledding along Olmsted Road (to March 14)
cross-country skiing along 22km of groomed trails (to March 7)
snowshoeing by the light of the city guided walks on Saturday evenings (to March 13)
“The Birds of Mount Royal, for all ages” bird-watching activity on Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. (to March 13)

Click here for hours of operation. For information on conditions, visit Les amis de la montagne’s rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion or call our friendly information service at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Summer Day Camp 2010: For a mountain of fun and discoveries!

Click here for the camp brochure (in French).
Click here for the camp registration form (in French).

Join us for our day camp open house and registration:

Saturday, March 27, 2010
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Smith House
Info: 514 843-8240, ext. 235

Photo: Amélie Goulet

TAKE ACTION NOW

A mountain for all, a day camp for all!

In order to provide an enriching summer day camp experience on Mount Royal to 35 disadvantaged children aged 6 to 9 from the Côte-des-Neiges Borough, Les amis de la montagne are launching a sponsorship program in partnership with the Centre Communautaire de la Côte-des-Neiges. For a donation of $200, one child will be given the opportunity to participate in a one-week summer camp program with Les amis.

With roots in the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood for close to 30 years, the Centre Communautaire de la Côte-des-Neiges has developed strong partnerships with 6 local elementary schools as part of a project aimed at helping children in difficulty achieve success in school and in life through leisure activities. The identities of the children selected for this summer day camp sponsorship program will remain confidential.

The Côte-des-Neiges Borough has a population of 100,000 individuals, 17% of whom are children aged 0 to 14 years. 41% are from low-income households and 53% were born outside of Canada.

To make a donation

Individuals or companies wishing to participate in the sponsorship program may send their donations by mail made payable to “Les amis de la montagne”, at 1260 Chemin Remembrance, Montreal, Quebec, H3H 1A2, by specifying “for the summer day camp 2010 program”. Donations by credit card may be made by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 243. Amounts raised but not used this summer may be carried forward to next summer. A report on the summer day camp and sponsorship program will be published in a fall issue of Les amis’ electronic newsletter.

Tuques Bleues Celebration 2010

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Thanks to one and all!

13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event
Hundreds of Montrealers contribute to the conservation of Mount Royal

Montreal, February 19, 2010 – Mount Royal was all aglow last night for the magical Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, a unique wintertime benefit evening orchestrated by Les amis de la montagne for a 13th year. More than 600 mountain enthusiasts celebrated the success of the event that raised close to $225,000 for education and conservation activities for Mount Royal.

Several hundred Montrealers participated in a snowshoe walk through the mountain forest, an activity inspired by the snowshoe clubs of the 1840s whereby members would gather at dusk to ascend Mount Royal in a spirit of good cheer and camaraderie.

Close to 100 snowshoe racers competed for the gold, silver and bronze medals in both the women’s and men’s categories, while numerous teams from companies and organizations contended for the Corporate Challenge Cup, the Sports Club Cup and the Tuques Bleues Trophy.

The honourary co-chairs of the event, Cyril Bendahan, Regional Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec, Manulife Financial, and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, awarded medals to the race winners during the festivities inside the Chalet. (Click here for full race results on the Sportstats website.)

Peter A. Howlett (centre), President of Les amis de la montagne, thanks Michel Leblanc (L) and Cyril Bendahan (R) for their leadership and commitment.

Medals went to:

Women:

Gold – Andréanne Morin, Club Sportif MAA (12:40.2)
Silver – Jessica Murphy, McGill University, Department of Athletics (13:11.5)
Bronze – Audrey Longval, Club Sportif MAA (13:27.6)

Men:

Gold – Charles Perreault, Club Sportif MAA (9:36.3)
Silver - David LePorho, Club Sportif MAA (9:36.9)
Bronze – Alex Nadeau, Mansfield Club Athlétique (9:50.5)

The Corporate Challenge Cup was awarded to:

McGill University

The Sports Club Cup was awarded to:

Mansfield Club Athlétique

The Tuques Bleues Trophy was awarded to:

Manulife Financial (for a third consecutive year!)

The evening's MCs at work, Pete Marier (L) and Mike Gauthier (R)

Special guests of the evening included our hosts, Mike Gauthier from MusiMax and Pete Marier from CHOM 97,7 FM, who congratulated the snowshoers for their participation and generous support of Les amis.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration was held on the opening night of the Festival Montréal en lumière. The organizers wish to underline the commitment and contribution of the events’ sponsors and partners: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Atmosphere, Club Atwater and Mansfield Athletic Club; with the support of: Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes.

Les amis de la montagne also extend their thanks to their sponsors of products and services: the Ville de Montréal, 2nd Field Regiment of the Canadian Artillery, Barefoot Wine, McAuslan Brewery, Hewitt, Le Château, Domaine Pinnacle, Java U, CHOM 97,7 FM, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse and The Gazette.

To assist Les amis in improving the event, we kindly ask participants to complete our electronic evaluation form (scroll to page 2 for the English version). Also, the complete photo gallery of the evening will be available soon in an upcoming newsletter.

Thanks to our TERRIFIC volunteers!

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Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj

Summer Day Camp 2010 - for a mountain of fun!

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

For a mountain of fun and discoveries!

LES AMIS' SUMMER DAY CAMP IS BACK - FOR A MOUNTAIN OF FUN AND DISCOVERIES!

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, are pleased to offer their summer day camp for a second year. Children aged 6 to 9 years old will once again have the opportunity to discover the treasures of Mount Royal in a natural environment in the heart of Montreal.

Supervised by an experienced and passionate team of environmental educators, Les amis’ summer day camp will be offered from June 28 to August 13, for a duration of one or two weeks, consecutive or not.

Two themes are being proposed this summer, “Les Renards Futés” (the wily foxes), an initiation to nature, fauna and flora, and “Les Explorateurs de la Montagne”, for the discovery of Montreal’s history through encounters and adventures in the forest. Animation will be provided in French with bilingual educators.

Registration is open as of today (form available in French). You may visit Les amis’ day camp booth at the Montreal Families Camp Fair being held February 21 and 22 at the Holiday Inn Pointe Claire at 6700 Autoroute Transcanadienne (corner highway 40 and Boulevard St-Jean). Or for more information, please call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 235 or send us an email.

A mountain for all, a day camp for all!

The Côte-des-Neiges Borough has a population of 100,000 individuals, 17% of whom are children aged 0 to 14 years. 41% are from low-income households and 53% were born outside of Canada.

To make a donation

Photos: Amélie Goulet, 2009

Grands Prix du tourisme Québécois 2010

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Les amis are regional finalists

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE ARE REGIONAL FINALISTS OF THE
GRANDS PRIX DU TOURISME QUÉBÉCOIS 2010

Montreal, February 10, 2010 - Les amis de la montagne are thrilled to have been selected as regional finalists of the Grands Prix du tourisme Québécois 2010 in the “Outdoor and Leisure Activities” category for their project “The Mount Royal Interactive Map”.

The Grands Prix du tourisme Québécois was founded by Tourisme Québec and its partners to recognize the expertise of the Quebec tourism industry. The 2010 edition, the 25th, will honour the associations and companies that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in their endeavours.

The award winners will be announced at a regional gala on March 24th and will automatically become the Montreal region representatives for the Quebec-wide awards ceremony to be held on May 7th.

Les amis de la montagne created The Mount Royal Interactive Map in order to trigger the visitor’s desire to discover the richness and uniqueness of the mountain. Live online since October 2008, Les amis de la montagne have made innovative use of interactive technologies that help to interpret Mount Royal, its heritage elements and historic characters, ultimately to encourage the conservation and perpetuity of this exceptional site.

The Mount Royal Interactive Map was made possible through the participation of the ministry of Heritage Canada, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions and the Ville de Montréal and the ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente de développement culturel de Montréal, as well as the expertise of our partners in technology, the companies SedNove and Lichen Communications.

Les amis de la montagne would especially like to thank Mr. Raymond Bachand, Member for Outremont, Minister of Finance and Minister responsible for the Montreal region for his support of this project, as well as the 16 institutional and association partners on Mount Royal that contributed to the realization of the site.

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - February 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Remarkable trees of Mount Royal; photo contest "La montagne en images"; snowshoe with your sweetie on Valentine's eve; the Nuit blanche à Montréal on the mountain and more!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

Les amis launch a photo contest titled, “La montagne en images”

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Come snowshoe by starlight with your sweetie on February 13th!
Join the Mount Royal descent as part of the Nuit blanche à Montréal on February 27
20 dancers on the mountain on February 27 and 28

Photo: Samuel Montigné, 2010

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 18th

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held Wednesday, February 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

Remarkable Trees of Mount Royal

The remarkable trees of Mount Royal constitute real monuments in the midst of the mountain’s vegetation communities, yet remain still largely unknown to the public. Whether of impressive stature or venerable age, whether they structure the landscape or stand as silent witnesses to historic events, these exceptional trees are the product of a rich arboreal heritage that requires specific protection measures; on the condition, however, that these trees, as remarkable as they are, do not obstruct the forest …

Which are the mountain’s foremost remarkable trees? What criteria were used to determine this particular status? And how do we ensure the protection of these trees for our future generations?

You are invited to discover and to discuss these living monuments with Kim Marineau, consultant in biology and botany, author of a study on Mount Royal’s vegetation communities and an inventory of these remarkable trees, the findings of which are being made public for the first time at Les amis’ forum.

For more information, please contact François-Xavier Caron, coordinator of the public forum, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

Les amis de la montagne launch a photo contest titled “La montagne en images”

To showcase the rich and varied heritage of Mount Royal through photography, Les amis de la montagne announce the launch of their photo contest titled, “La montagne en images” open to all admirers of Mount Royal.

Les amis de la montagne invite members of the community to submit their favourite photos of the mountain along five themes: Nature and Biodiversity; Architecture; Art and the Mountain; People and the Mountain; and Light.

First, as part of the International Year of Biodiversity, photos illustrating the Nature and Biodiversity theme received by April 9th will be eligible to appear in an exhibit to be held in May 2010 in the Smith House Café located in Mount Royal Park.

Finally, as part of a second exhibit to be held at Smith House in September 2010, Les amis de la montagne will present the photographs of the contest winners.

Les amis de la montagne will award one grand prize for the overall contest and three prizes per theme. A photo gallery will also be on published on Les amis’ website.

Participants are asked to complete and sign the registration form for each photograph submitted as part of the contest, and mail or hand deliver their photographs, both print versions and electronic versions on CD, to Smith House. The photographs will be judged for their artistic qualities and techniques, subject originality and compliance to the themes. The winning photographs will be selected by a jury composed of members of the Amis de la montagne team and one professional photographer. The contest closes on August 25, 2010.

For contest details and the registration form, please click here.

Likewise, Les amis de la montagne invite the community to participate in its new Flickr group. Flickr is an online tool that allows photo sharing among members. Whether or not you have a Flickr account, you may visit our group site to view our photo album. If you have an account, open a session and join our group in order to upload your own photos of Mount Royal.

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES

Come snowshoe by starlight with your sweetie on February 13th!

The “Snowshoeing by the light of the city” guided snowshoe walks held every Saturday evening until March 13 will feature a special Valentine’s Day theme on Saturday, February 13.

During this 3 km snowshoe walk, participants will experience the peacefulness of the mountain forest at night, punctuated by breath-taking views of the illuminated city below. About half-way along the trail, snowshoers will enjoy a little mulled wine and chocolate break, while our educator provides some animation.

DATE: Saturday, February 13, 2010
TIME: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Departure from Smith House in Mount Royal Park, 1260 Remembrance Road
PRICE: $20 per person and includes the snowshoe rental, animation and treats
RSVP: Reservations required by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Photo: Samuel Montigné, 2010

Join the Mount Royal descent as part of the Nuit blanche à Montréal on February 27th

On Saturday, February 27, begin your Nuit blanche high atop Mount Royal with Les amis de la montagne before plunging into the city below!

Guided by our educators, join us for the descent of Mount Royal by snowshoes or cross-country skis. The different trails, specially designed for this Nuit blanche à Montréal activity, wind through the Mount Royal forest and feature magnificent points of view of the city, beginning from Smith House in the heart of Mount Royal Park, all the way to Jeanne-Mance Park.

The descent lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Nuit blanche activities continue in the Plateau-Mont-Royal, beginning with a warm welcome and hot beverage at Café Santropol (3990 Saint-Urbain)!

DATE: Saturday, February 27, 2010
TIME:
- Snowshoe departures: 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Bring your snowshoes or rental service available, $7 per person.
- Cross-country ski departure: 10 p.m. Bring your skis. No rental service available.
PLACE: Meeting at Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park (11 bus, “chemin du chalet” stop)
RSVP: The activity is free of charge. Reservations required by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

20 dancers on top of Mount Royal

Photo: Jean-Michel Villanove (October 2008)

“Le retour du temps” is a three-part work that was conceived to be performed at the same outdoor location in different seasons. After the first two segments were presented in summer (June 2007) and autumn (October 2008), the cycle will end in winter with this February’s performances in the setting of Mount Royal Park, one of Montreal’s treasures.

The group of 20 dancers will consist of recent graduates of the three main contemporary dance schools in Montreal and one of the goals of Lucie Grégoire’s creation work is to foster professional integration among artists who are launching their careers.

Since she began her choreographic research in 1981, Lucie Grégoire has conducted passionate in situ choreographic experiments with the aim of bringing dance to wider audiences. The inspiration Lucie draws from nature finds a particular resonance in these outdoor performances.

DATE: Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28, 2010
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Meeting at the Kondiaronk Lookout near the Chalet du Mont-Royal
INFO: 514 523-1627

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 18th

The Tuques Bleues Celebration gathers close to 800 people from the Montreal business community for an evening of good cheer that features a snowshoe ascent under moonlight followed by a gastronomic dinner.

This event is the most important fundraiser for Les amis de la montagne, an organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education. The objective of the event is to raise $250,000 or almost one-third of the annual campaign goal. Revenues are invested in educational programs and protection initiatives for Mount Royal.

All friends of the mountain are equally invited to join this challenge by participating in the 2010 Tuques Bleues Celebration with colleagues and friends on February 18th! But hurry – places are limited! You may purchase your tickets as of now via Les amis’ secure website, available for $200 per person. You may also recruit a team of participants by buying 10, 20 or 30 tickets – the choice is yours! The team registration form is available on Les amis’ website or may be requested by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 239.

Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event 2010

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Les amis de la montagne launch the 13th edition

Les amis de la montagne announce the 13th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

L to R: Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne, Cyril Bendahan, Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, Manulife Financial , Chantal Bouvier, Vice President, Strategy and public affairs, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne. (Photo: Martin Roy)

Montreal, January 28, 2010 – While the Olympic torch burns in Vancouver, Les amis de la montagne will burn the torch of another sporting tradition on Mount Royal: the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 18!

As honourary co-chairs of the 13th edition of this exceptional benefit event, Cyril Bendahan, Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, Manulife Financial and Erik Ryan, Chairman of the Board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and Senior Vice-President, Communications and External Relations, Rio Tinto Alcan, accepted to take up the challenge to mobilize the business community in support of the mountain’s preservation.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration evokes the famous torch-lit snowshoe climbs of Montreal’s sports clubs in the 19th century. On February 18, close to 800 people from the business community will gather for a snowshoe ascent by moonlight and a gastronomic dinner. The objective is to raise $250,000, or nearly one third of Les amis de la montagne’s annual campaign goal, to invest in education and conservation programs for Mount Royal.

“The mountain has always symbolized a place of knowledge, central to our landscape, where we’ve gathered for centuries. With the Tuques Bleues Celebration, Les amis de la montagne invite us to reconnect with our mountain. Through the ascent of Mount Royal, we become the
stewards of our destiny as represented by this icon of our collective identity. The conservation and vitality of the mountain are fundamental to the development of our community today and for generations to come. It is our obligation therefore - individuals and organizations – to ensure the mountain’s perpetuity. Manulife Financial and its employees are truly committed to the preservation of Mount Royal,” said Cyril Bendahan.

“It is with great pride that the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal participates again this year in the traditional Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event,” added Erik Ryan. “We are very fortunate to be able to take advantage of a magnificent mountain in the heart of Montréal. Mount Royal is part of our urban landscape and our quality of life. I encourage everyone to do their part to protect the mountain, the way Les amis de la montagne do so actively. I therefore invite all members of the business community to participate in this collective and festive sporting event that offers a unique experience on our beautiful mountain!”

During the partners’ lunch held at Smith House in Mount Royal Park today, the organizers underlined the commitment and contribution of the events’ sponsors and partners: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Atmosphere, Club Atwater and Mansfield Athletic Club; with the support of: Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes. Les amis de la montagne also extend their thanks to their sponsors of products and services: 2nd Field Regiment of the Canadian Artillery, Barefoot Wine, McAuslan Brewery, Hewitt, Le Château, Domaine Pinnacle, Festival Montréal en lumière, Java U, CHOM 97,7 FM, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse, The Gazette and Ville de Montréal.

For more information or to contribute to the event, please contact Anna Coscia at 514 843-8240, ext. 239. Complete information on the Tuques Bleues Celebration, including the purchase of tickets on-line, available for $200 per person, can be found on Les amis’ website.

Photo: Martin Roy

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

514 843-8240, ext. 237

Les amis' New Year's wishes in 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Snowshoe with your sweetie, play outside in the snow and join the Tuques Bleues Celebration challenge!

NEWS

2010 New Year’s wishes by Les amis de la montagne

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The date and topic of Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be announced in the next issue of this newsletter.

CALENDAR

Come snowshoe by starlight with your sweetie on February 13th!
Calling all outdoor sports enthusiasts
Enjoy winter’s pleasures – by podcast!

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 18th

TRIBUTE

Tribute to two great friends of the mountain

NEWS

2010 New Year’s wishes by Les amis de la montagne

For more than 150 years, citizens have played a major role in the protection of Mount Royal, be it by influencing public authorities or by directly getting involved in conservation and enhancement activities. This involvement is truly remarkable and very likely unique in North America.

Photo: Olivier Hoffschir

Nevertheless, even though the richness and importance of Mount Royal have been well demonstrated, and given the current context where our preoccupations with the environment and quality of life in an urban milieu are taking on greater importance, nothing can be taken for granted. Despite the mountain’s existing protection status, developers consistently try to appropriate portions of the protected territory of Mount Royal. Certain institutions, confined within the limits of existing properties, seek to expand their infrastructures.

Although the municipal and governmental authorities are now the legal guardians of this collective heritage, history has demonstrated that the vigilance and commitment of citizens will always be required so that our little hill, bursting with history, nature and culture, continues to be the pride of Montrealers.

At the start of this New Year, the team at Les amis de la montagne wishes to thank all those citizens who have contributed their support, energy, expertise, know-how and passion to ensure that Mount Royal remains an exceptional site for generations to come.

In the course of 2010, important decisions will need to be taken by the municipal authorities on projects that will have a major impact on the future of the mountain. May citizens’ voices continue to be heard and listened to by our elected leaders, who are ultimately responsible for our collective heritage.

We invite you to enjoy all the beauty and joy that Mount Royal’s snowy summits have to offer this winter. Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2010.

CALENDAR

Come snowshoe by starlight with your sweetie on February 13th!

The “Snowshoeing by the light of the city” guided snowshoe walks held every Saturday evening until March 13 will feature a special Valentine’s Day theme on Saturday, February 13.

The fee is $20 per person and includes the snowshoe rental, animation and treats. From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To reserve, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

Calling all outdoor sports enthusiasts

Winter has arrived, the snow has fallen and Mount Royal remains the location of choice for outdoor sports enthusiasts!

All the equipment necessary to enjoy a variety of winter sports is available at Les amis de la montagne’s rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion: skates, cross-country skis, snowshoes, baby sleighs, children’s helmets and learn-to-skate walkers – and of course, Nordic kicksleds.

This gliding apparatus that originates from Scandinavia is both ecological and great fun for families. Reminiscent of a child's scooter, kicksledding combines a healthy dose of aerobic exercise with a new form of winter fun for the whole family. A quick demonstration by our courteous rental counter personnel is all you need to get started, or visit our distributor’s website for a quick how-to.

Enjoy winter’s pleasures – by podcast!

Open-air sculptures, the Chalet and the cross, foxes and Pileated Woodpeckers, and views of the north and west summits of Mount Royal are all yours to discover along the mountain’s summit loop by guided podcast this winter.

Featured on the Mount Royal interactive map available on Les amis de la montagne’s website, hikers can listen to and watch a variety of multimedia clips to learn more about the richness of this sector of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

The podcasts may be downloaded free of charge on your iPod, cell phone or other multimedia player. You may also rent a multimedia player at Smith House during regular hours ($5 plus ID). Departure is from Smith House and the walk lasts just over an hour, but can be adapted to suit your own rhythm.

TAKE ACTION

Take up the challenge of the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on February 18th

Les amis de la montagne are very pleased to present the honourary co-chairs of the 13th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event: Cyril Bendahan (at left), Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, Manulife Financial and Erik Ryan (at right), Chairman of the Board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and Senior Vice-President, Communications and External Relations, Rio Tinto Alcan.

The honourary co-chairs, together with the members of the organizing committee, David Blair, Mary Creighton, Serge Dubreuil, Martin Gelfand, Claire Kruyt, Carole Labelle Molson, Laurent Morisset, Caroline Savic and Frances Tobin, have accepted to take up the challenge to raise $250,000 for educational and protection programs for Mount Royal.

All friends of the mountain are equally invited to join this challenge by participating in the 2010 Tuques Bleues Celebration with colleagues and friends! But hurry – places are limited! You may purchase your tickets as of now via Les amis’ secure website, available for $200 per person. You may also recruit a team of participants by buying 10, 20 or 30 tickets – the choice is yours! The team registration form is available on Les amis’ website or may be requested by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 239.

Les amis de la montagne take this opportunity to thank their partners of this unforgettable evening: principal partner, Gold level: Manulife Financial; Silver level: Atmosphere, Club Atwater and Mansfield Athletic Club; with the support of: Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes. Les amis also thank their partners of products and services: 2e régiment de l’artillerie du Canada, Barefoot Wine, Brasserie McAuslan, Hewitt, Le Château, Domaine Pinnacle, Festival Montréal en lumière, Java U, CHOM 97,7 FM, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse, The Gazette and Ville de Montréal.

Tribute to two great friends of the mountain

Les amis de la montagne learned with great sadness of the death of Mrs. Edith Jacobson Low-Beer (1916-2009) on October 28 and the death of Mrs. Jeannine Guillevin-Wood (1929-2009) on December 9 last.

Mrs. Low-Beer provided support to Les amis de la montagne for over 20 years and was part of a unique generation of Quebec women, who by their social commitment and devotion paved the way for current and future generations. Mrs. Low-Beer, recipient of the prestigious Prix du Mont-Royal in 2007, was an exceptional woman who elicited the admiration of our society.

Mrs. Guillevin-Wood supported the mission of Les amis de la montagne for many years as a member of the Mount Royal Circle, a circle of great philanthropists whose generosity allowed Les amis de la montagne to create and maintain environmental education programs and activities on Mount Royal.

Les amis de la montagne remember very fondly these two remarkable friends of Mount Royal, whose loyalty and commitment inspired us all. It was an honour to have counted Mrs. Low-Beer and Mrs. Guillevin-Wood as Governors of the organization.

Come and play outdoors on Mount Royal this winter!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The mountain is a winter sports paradise ...

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE INVITE YOU TO THE MOUNTAIN THIS WINTER

Montreal, December 10, 2009 – Come and play outdoors on Mount Royal this winter! The mountain is a winter sports paradise and Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, provides a host of activities to the community in the Beaver Lake sector, in addition to the usual warm welcome at the Café Smith and nature-boutique at Smith House.

Original activities have been added to the line-up of wintertime favourites – all the more reason to appreciate this uniquely beautiful landscape in our urban midst!

WHAT'S NEW?

The guided Snowshoeing by the light of the city walks, which are held every Saturday evening from January 9 to March 13, 2010, will be featured with a twist for a “Sparkling New Year’s on the Mountain” on Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30, 2009. The $25 per person registration includes snowshoe rental, animation and sparkling wine. And on Saturday, February 13, 2010, a romantic “Valentine’s Soirée on the Mountain” will feature mulled wine and chocolate, for $20 per person, snowshoe rental and animation included.

The Club de ski de fond des amis de la montagne returns for a second year with the Jackrabbit initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children 6 to 10 years old. The cost is $225 and includes rental boots, skis and poles (or $180 without rental equipment). A preliminary evaluation session will be followed by 7 classes of 1.5 hours each on 8 consecutive Saturday mornings beginning January 9 to February 27, 2010. To reserve, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

ALL-TIME FAVOURITES

The following all-time favourite activities will again be available: inner-tubing on the hill near Beaver Lake with tobogganing nearby, skating on the artificial rink at all times and depending on the ice conditions, on Beaver Lake itself, and close to 22km of cross-country ski trails through the forest. Outdoor enthusiasts will find all the rental equipment necessary for their mountain adventures at Les amis’ rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion: skates, skis, snowshoes, Nordic kicksled, carrier sled for babies, children’s helmets and learn-to-skate walkers. A skate sharpening and ski waxing service is also provided.

Finally, the interpretation activity called “The Birds of Mount Royal, for all ages” will be offered free and throughout the winter every Saturday from January 9 to March 13, 2010, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., with departures from Smith House. Join a member of Les amis’ conservation patrol for a guided visit of the 7 feeder stations located on the path that circles the summit to spot the cardinals, juncos, woodpeckers and other species that frequent the feeders in winter.

PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL GROUPS

Les amis provides many wintertime programs in environmental education for school groups during the week, including special half-day packages combining outdoor activities. To reserve, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The printed calendar of winter-spring 2010 events is available at Les amis’ information centres located at Smith House (1260 Remembrance Road), at the Beaver Lake pavilion and the Chalet du Mont-Royal. To make reservations, call us at 514 843-8240, ext. 0.

The calendar of events is also available on Les amis’ website. To receive email news from Les amis and reminders of upcoming events, send us an email indicating your interest.

Photos: © Les amis de la montagne

Conversion of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Les amis de la montagne are up in arms concerning Minister St-Pierre’s decision

Residential conversion of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary on Mount Royal

Les amis de la montagne are up in arms concerning Minister St-Pierre’s decision to give consent to this private residential project that puts into question the principles of the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal as a provincial heritage site

Montreal, November 30, 2009 – Les amis de la montagne learned through an article published in La Presse on Friday, November 27, that Quebec’s Minister of Culture Christine St-Pierre, who is responsible for the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District, has given her consent to Développement Cato’s private residential construction project on the former Marianopolis College site, an institutional domain whose origins and landscape date back to the founding of Montreal.

Defenders of Mount Royal are profoundly disappointed by this decision and are surprised by the timing, given that the municipal council of the Ville de Montréal has not been given the chance to reconsider this project that requires derogation to the city’s urban plan. The Minister’s declaration is in fact, a highly unorthodox gesture regarding one of the most controversial dossiers in the mountain’s recent history.

Does the 46 million dollar sale – with no conditions – of an institutional property to a private developer justify a different treatment of the established process, a treatment that favours the developer? If the answer is yes, citizens of Quebec will lose confidence in those institutions required to ensure the protection of our collective heritage, as well as our democratic participatory structures currently in place.

None of the 60 individuals and organizations who participated in the public consultations held by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal, including Les amis de la montagne, has yet to see the developers’ modifications to the project since the report issued by the Office. Les amis de la montagne are concerned about how the Ville de Montréal will proceed with its decision in light of Minister St-Pierre’s declaration and considering that fundamental elements regarding the protection of the mountain, such as the “mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction”, the preservation of institutional properties on the mountain and the protection of green spaces are still not resolved.

Is the process being by-passed for a project that requires a change to the city’s urban plan?

Since the decree of 2005, all projects on Mount Royal require final approval by the Minister of Culture, who intervenes once the municipal authorities have proceeded with their analysis and approval processes. In no other case to this day has the Minister made her opinion known before the decision of the municipal council. In the case of the conversion of this former seminary, which until 2007 housed Marianopolis College, Mayor Gérald Tremblay confirmed to representatives of Les amis de la montagne that the decision by the municipal council would not be taken before the November 1^st election considering the controversy and the complexity of the project. The Mayor insisted that the Ville de Montréal would take the time required to properly examine and proceed with the project in light of the report issued after the public consultations held in August.

Les amis de la montagne are astonished to learn therefore, that the Minister would give her consent even before the new municipal council has had the chance to discuss the project in council. The information is even more troubling, since Développement Cato, who during public consultations presented a construction project including 325 residential units and 671 parking places on an historic site of great value, has not received a permit modifying the city’s urban plan providing the change in zoning from institutional to residential. The zoning for the site remains institutional.

A test case for all other institutions on Mount Royal

Significant institutional and private projects on the mountain, such as the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital to the detriment of the surrounding neighbourhood, have planted doubts in the population regarding our municipal and provincial authorities’ genuine commitment to protect the mountain and the position of the Minister of Culture on the Cato project is far from reassuring. The future of institutional properties on the mountain will be affected by the outcome of this dossier. This project will serve as a test case for the hospitals, universities and religious congregations that may by inspired by this situation and encouraged to liquidate their properties on the mountain for profit, to the detriment of a heritage that we all recognize as exceptionally important and rare. All are following closely the results of this proposed conversion of the former philosophy seminary, that until recently belonged to the Sulpicians.

The Minister must clarify her position publicly

This site is of too great an importance for the mountain and for future projects to deny a rigorous and transparent planning process in line with the governmental decree and the city’s urban plan. Les amis de la montagne are asking Minister St-Pierre to clarify her position publicly regarding news of her consent for this residential conversion of the former philosophy seminary. We are asking the Minister to publicly commit fully and strongly to her role as the protector of Mount Royal and its heritage, on behalf of the interests of the collective community rather than the particular interests of private or institutional developers. Finally, we wish to meet with the Minister in person to discuss this dossier and the setting up of an efficient system of protection and enhancement of Mount Royal that is exemplary in nature and that corresponds to the exceptional emblematic value of the site.

-30-

Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

Invitation to the public forum, November 25, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

... and more: Tuques Bleues Celebration 2010, cross-country skiing and the FeederWatch Project

Invitation to the public forum
Become a partner of Les amis' Tuques Bleues Celebration 2010
Enroll your children in "Jackrabbit" cross-country ski lessons on Mount Royal
Cross-country ski rental equipment sale
Call for volunteers for the FeederWatch project

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held on Wednesday, November 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

What does the future hold for institutional properties on Mount Royal?

The Mount Royal territory comprises numerous institutions with great historic interest as much for their heritage properties as for their cultural missions. Yet these institutions are undergoing an important transformation and many will eventually leave the mountain, turning over their properties to private developers, as in the case of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary and the former Mother House of the Soeurs-des-Saints-Noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie. Are we to preserve the inherent public land use character of these institutional properties located on Mount Royal? And how do we ensure that the greater community benefits from the transfer of these properties and the protection of their heritage assets?

Invited guests:

Marie Lessard, urban planner and professor at the Institut d’urbanisme, Université de Montréal and President of the Conseil du Patrimoine de Montréal.
Jean-François Girard, lawyer, specialist in environmental law at Dufresne Hébert Comeau and biologist. Chair of the Board of the Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement.

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241

BECOME A PARTNER OF LES AMIS’ TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION 2010

The Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event is the most important fundraiser for Les amis de la montagne. The 13^th edition will be held February 18, 2010 on Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration gathers close to 800 people from the Montreal business community for an evening of good company that features a moonlit snowshoe tramp through the mountain forest and a gastronomic dinner. The objective of the event is to raise $250,000, nearly one third of the annual campaign goal. Profits are invested in educational and protection programs for Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration provides individuals and companies a unique way to contribute to the conservation of such an important site in Montreal. You may contribute to the success of the event in several ways:

Become a sponsor
Provide a gift of products or services
Form a team of participants by buying tickets

For more information, contact Katie Whitehead, director of development, at 514 843-8240, ext. 243.

(Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN IN “JACKRABBIT” CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS ON MOUNT ROYAL

Les amis de la montagne are now accepting registrations for the Ski de Fond Québec “Jackrabbit” initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children on Mount Royal. The registration period will close on January 4, 2010.

The Jackrabbit program is suited for children 6 to 10 years old and initiates students to both classical and freestyle cross-country skiing. The lessons include one evaluation session followed by seven (7) 1.5 hour lessons scheduled on 8 consecutive Saturday mornings from January 9 to February 27, 2010. Children will be divided into beginner and advanced levels, with 8 children per group.

The cost of the program is $225 including rental equipment (boots, skis and poles) or $180, if your children have their own equipment.

To register, please come in person to complete the registration form and make the payment in full:

As of now: at Les amis de la montagne’s boutique in Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the chalet near the lookout
- Daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As of December 5: at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Daniel Leblanc, director of outdoor activities and sales, at 514 843-8240, ext. 232.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RENTAL EQUIPMENT SALE

Les amis de la montagne are organizing a sale of their rental FISCHER cross-country skis (+ poles and boots), in order to renew a portion of their current rental ski equipment. One day only - don't miss out!

WHEN: Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion, Mount Royal Park

PRICE: $100 and less

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FEEDERWATCH PROJECT

Under the auspices of the Mount Royal Conservation Patrol, Les amis de la montagne are calling all interested volunteers to participate in the FeederWatch project every Friday and Saturday from now to April 3, 2010.

The FeederWatch project is an inventory of winter birds at feeders that began in Canada and the United States in 1976. The patrol will be participating for a 5^th winter.

For more information, contact Claude Drolet, environmental educator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

(Photo: Samuel Montigné)

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - November 2009

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The mountain has its limits!; BunnyHop.ca; Jackrabbit lessons for children; 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration; Les amis' nature-boutique - and more ...

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, November 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

The mountain has its limits!
“BunnyHop.ca”: a new site for mountain bikers in Montreal
The Institut de politiques alternatives de Montréal is born

ACTIVITIES

Take an “Écotrip” with Les amis de la montagne
Tips on enjoying the in-between season on Mount Royal

CALENDAR

Conference: The future of cemeteries and ancient burial places, October 30
Enroll your children in “Jackrabbit” cross-country ski lessons on Mount Royal
Save the date for the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration to be held Thursday, February 18, 2010

TAKE ACTION

Les amis’ nature-boutique: gifts that give twice!

THE LAST WORD …

Kudos to Samuel Montigné – Symposium Art Nature Pierre qui roule

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held on Wednesday, November 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

What does the future hold for institutional properties on Mount Royal?

The Mount Royal territory comprises numerous institutional properties rich in historic interest as much for their heritage assets as for their purpose. Yet these same institutions are undergoing an important transformation and many will eventually leave the mountain, often to the benefit of private developers, as in the case of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary and the former Mother House of the Soeurs-des-Saints-Noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie. Is the inherent public land use character of these institutional properties on the mountain part of the heritage of Mount Royal to be preserved? How do we ensure the transfer of these properties and the protection of their heritage assets for the good of the community?

Invited guests:

Marie Lessard, urban planner and professor at the Institut d’urbanisme, Université de Montréal and President of the Conseil du Patrimoine de Montréal.
Jean-François Girard, lawyer, specialist in environmental law at Dufresne Hébert Comeau and biologist. Chair of the Board of the Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement.

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

The mountain has its limits!

Les amis de la montagne dedicated their monthly public forum to the notion of the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction on October 14th at Smith House. For the last several years, this notion has been raised in reference to development projects on the large institutional properties located on the flanks of the mountain. What exactly does the expression mean? Can there be new construction on Mount Royal? (Continue reading here.)

“BunnyHop.ca”: a new site for mountain bikers in Montreal

Mountain biking enthusiasts in Montreal now have a virtual meeting place thanks to the creation of BunnyHop.ca, a new blog dedicated to the 50,000 cyclists who practice this sport on a weekly basis. The content of the site will be oriented towards awareness-raising in order to help change the negative image that Montrealers have of mountain bikers, to unite and to mobilize the mountain biking community and to demonstrate to decision-makers that the sport of mountain biking in Montreal requires a concrete and long-term sustainable solution, such as a dedicated site or installations for the practice of the sport on the island.

In an effort to make the BunnyHop community better known, a “tactical squad” of the BunnyHop crew took to the bicycle paths and other street surfaces in Montreal on October 28 to draw the BunnyHop logo using mud stencils, an environmentally friendly material. Click here to watch how mud stencils are produced.

Les amis de la montagne launched an important project in October 2007 to control the practice of mountain biking on Mount Royal in order to protect the natural environment from disturbances caused by the practice of this sport. Moreover, in 2008, Les amis produced a study providing data on the actual situation on the mountain and identified sites that could be developed specifically for the practice of mountain biking in Montreal. Les amis, who continue their work on this issue through awareness-raising campaigns with cyclists and the general public on Mount Royal, supports the cycling community in its endeavours to advance the project through concrete solutions in collaboration with municipal authorities.

The Institut de politiques alternatives de Montréal is born

The Institut de politiques alternatives de Montréal (IPAM) is a new independent and multidisciplinary organisation that has been formed to play a key role over the long term in the municipal debate on policy choices leading to an equitable and prosperous society. This citizen initiative seeks to contribute to viable urban planning in Montréal, to its economic and sustainable development, and local democracy.

Launched officially by, among others, Phyllis Lambert, architect, Founding Director and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the CCA, during a press conference on October 14th, IPAM’s intention is to contribute the expertise of individuals from different spheres within the community. Six working groups will be formed to tackle questions of long-term economic and cultural development: heritage, poverty, social housing and social justice, ecology, urban planning and transportation, and democracy

As a first initiative IPAM will, the day after the elections, call on the new City Administration to hold a citizens’ summit on the future of Montreal in partnership with civil society, permitting an exchange of ideas and experience, in order to help to establish the guidelines for the administration’s new mandate. Visit IPAM's website for more information.

ACTIVITIES

Take an “Écotrip” with Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne participated in a video as part of an ecological roadtrip taken by “Écotrip”, a non-profit organization with a social mission to promote the environment, sustainable development and eco-citizenship.

Over the course of the summer, Audrée Favreau-Pinet and Mathieu Paradis, the dynamic-duo behind Écotrip, travelled around Quebec to uncover solutions to sustainable development and eco-citizenship challenges in order to better inform Quebec’s youth about current environmental issues and especially, provide them with concrete actions to be taken to make a difference in the here and now.

You can watch the Écotrip video featuring Les amis de la montagne by clicking here.

Tips on enjoying the in-between season on Mount Royal

The guided walking tours are over for the season and the snow has yet to fall! Worry not – Les amis de la montagne are pleased to provide you with a few tips on making the most of the mountain’s in-between season.

(1) Without the snow, the paths that wind through the Mount Royal forests can still be enjoyed by foot. Fascinating facts about the mountain are yours to discover through a series of self-guided walking tours along five different themes: natural landscapes, geology, sculptures, buildings and reservoirs. A brochure for each theme comes complete with a map and itinerary, and information and illustrations to enrich your walk. Available at the Smith House nature-boutique for only $2 each.

(2) Explore the mountain’s summit loop via podcast. Available through the “Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover” interactive map, short audio-video clips downloaded to your multimedia player lead you on a self-guided tour. You can download the clips for free directly from Les amis’ website or you may rent a multimedia player for only $5 at Smith House during regular opening hours.

(3) The time is right to get your winter sporting equipment ready for another season. Les amis’ rental and equipment service counter located on the main floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion will be ready for operation as of December 5, providing skate sharpening and cross-country ski waxing or tune-up services. Hours of operation are posted under the calendar of events heading on Les amis’ website.

CALENDAR

Conference: The future of cemeteries and ancient burial places, October 30

The challenges facing cemetery managers today are rife with consequences. Does the cemetery as cultural landmark have a future? Are cemeteries relevant? Should the laws and management structures actually in place be reviewed, do they correspond to the new realities regarding commemoration practices? Are cemeteries solely the responsibility of their administrators?

These and other questions will be addressed during this conference organized by the Écomusée de l'Au-Delà on Friday, October 30, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Smith House.

For more information, call the Écomusée de l'Au-Delà at 514 528-8826.

You may download conference documents here (in French):

Introduction au colloque (Introduction)
Programme de la journée (Agenda)
Formulaire d'inscription (Registration form)

Enroll your children in “Jackrabbit” cross-country ski lessons on Mount Royal

The Jackrabbit program is suited for children 6 to 10 years old and initiates students to both classical and freestyle cross-country skiing. The program features 4 levels and places an emphasis on the progressive integration of other ski-related knowledge and techniques. To ensure that students perfect their style while having fun, the instructor will use a variety of pedagogical materials including 70 activity files, as well as games, races, relays and trails.

The lessons include one evaluation session followed by seven (7) 1.5 hour lessons scheduled on 8 consecutive Saturdays from January 9 to February 27, 2010, at 10 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. Children will be divided into beginner and advanced levels, with 8 children per group.

The cost of the program is $225 plus tax including rental equipment (boots, skis and poles) or $180 plus tax, if your children have their own equipment.

To register, please come in person to complete the registration form and make the payment in full:

As of now: at Les amis de la montagne’s boutique in Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the chalet near the lookout
- Daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As of December 5: at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For more information, please contact Daniel Leblanc.

Save the date for the 13th Tuques Bleues Celebration to be held Thursday, February 18, 2010

Back for a 13th consecutive year, the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event will be held Thursday, February 18, 2010 on Mount Royal. Save the date and start forming your team of snowshoe walkers or racers, because hundreds of Montrealers are once again expected to participate in Les amis de la montagne’s signature fundraising event, a most colourful evening that helps collect funds in support of conservation activities on Mount Royal.

For more information, watch Les amis’ website for event updates or contact Anna Coscia at 514 843-8240, ext. 239.

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj, 2009

TAKE ACTION

Les amis’ nature-boutique: gifts that give twice!

The holiday season is gift-giving season! Les amis de la montagne’s nature-boutique, located on the main floor of Smith House, features little treasures with something to please everyone interested in Mount Royal’s heritage assets: publications and original souvenirs, as well as variety of items on the mountain’s natural environment. Numerous articles also help your appreciation and discovery of the mountain, such as a kit for bird watching and guides on flora and fauna.

Selected items are available for purchase online via Les amis’ website, including our new “amis de la montagne” shoelaces – the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for the children.

Revenues generated by the nature-boutique are reinvested in Les amis de la montagne’s services offered in Mount Royal Park, in order to promote the appreciation and conservation of this unique site in our urban midst.

We therefore invite you to support the activities of Les amis de la montagne by offering gifts from our nature-boutique this season, gifts that give twice!

THE LAST WORD …

Kudos to Samuel Montigné – Symposium Art Nature Pierre qui roule

Congratulations to Samuel Montigné, environmental educator with Les amis de la montagne, who received the Prix du Jury for his work titled, « Au cours du temps, au fil de l’eau : la création » as part of the 5th Symposium Art Nature Pierre qui roule held on October 5th in Saint-André-Avellin in the Outaouais region.

“Jackrabbit” cross-country ski lessons on Mount Royal

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Enroll your children today

The cost of the program is $225 plus tax including rental equipment (boots, skis and poles) or $180 plus tax, if your children have their own equipment.

To register, please come in person to complete the registration form and make the payment in full:

As of now: at Les amis de la montagne’s boutique in Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the chalet near the lookout
- Daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As of December 5: at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For more information, please contact Daniel Leblanc, director of outdoor activities and sales.

Les amis challenge the mayoral candidates

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Who is ready to commit to a definition of the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction?

Montreal, October 19, 2009 – Les amis de la montagne dedicated their monthly public forum to the notion of the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction on October 14th at Smith House. For the last several years, this expression has been raised in reference to development projects on the large institutional properties located on the flanks of the mountain. What exactly does the expression mean? Can there be new construction on Mount Royal?

Les amis’ forum united several experts in the field of urban planning including Clément Demers, executive director of the Société du Quartier international de Montréal, Nancy Dunton, architectural consultant, Peter Jacobs, professor in the École d’architecture du paysage of the Université de Montréal, Josette Michaud, architect and partner of Beaupré Michaud Architects, and Claire Poitras, professor and researcher at the Centre Urbanisation Culture Société of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. Numerous city and governmental representatives from cultural, urban planning and heritage ministries participated in the forum, a clear indicator of the importance of the question for the future of Montreal regarding the mountain’s limited capacity for new construction.

“We can draw the conclusion that the question regarding the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction is a difficult one to resolve,” said Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne. “How can we conserve the exceptional character of Mount Royal? This question is fundamental to the future of our metropolis. Montreal needs a clear and inspiring vision from its municipal leaders with respect to the future of the mountain. We want all mayoral candidates of Montreal to explain their understanding of the mountain’s limited capacity to receive new construction and to tell us how they plan to go about controlling development on the mountain.”

Les amis de la montagne point out that the notion of the mountain’s limited capacity has several facets: should we forbid all new construction on Mount Royal? What about automobile traffic on the mountain? How can recreational activities and conservation practices coexist in natural spaces? What importance do we give to the mountain’s views and patrimonial landscapes that fashioned the history of Montreal?

“Louise Harel and Richard Bergeron have already indicated that they would support a freeze on all new construction on institutional properties on Mount Royal,” added Sylvie Guilbault. “Gérald Tremblay repeated his promise that what is green will remain green. However, none of the candidates explained to the voters how they would go about effectively protecting the mountain. Citizens are counting on a political commitment from the next municipal authority regarding this particular challenge, which will set the tone for all future projects on and around Mount Royal. We need a clear and precise vision carried by an unwavering commitment. Given Montrealers’ attachment to their mountain, this question needs to be a priority in the current electoral campaign.”

About Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education. For more information on Les amis’ activities, visit www.lemontroyal.qc.ca.

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Reaction from Les amis on the mayoral candidates’ debate on the environment

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne wants all mayoral candidates to take a clear stand in favour of the mountain's protection and its future

Montreal, October 9, 2009 – Following the debate on environmental issues organized by the Conseil régional de l’environnement on October 6th, Les amis de la montagne regrets that serious problems still persist concerning the protection of Mount Royal. The organization remains concerned about the mountain’s long-term protection, in particular the future of the large institutions situated on its flanks, such as the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary.

The three mayoral candidates recognized the need to protect Mount Royal and to limit development. However, the several minutes each candidate had to express their thoughts on the question did not allow them to elaborate on any real or tangible solutions to the critical challenges facing the preservation of the mountain’s heritage assets in the context of the current economic climate and where these same institutions are undergoing significant transformation.

“The different means proposed by the candidates, such as entrenching the institutional vocation of the mountain’s large religious properties in the Charte de Montréal as suggested by Louise Harel or imposing a moratorium on all new construction on institutional properties as suggested by Richard Bergeron, do not necessarily respond to the economic challenges tied to the maintenance and reuse of these heritage buildings. We know that these questions are crucial in the search for tangible solutions,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne.

The organization was pleased that Gérald Tremblay spoke of the importance of working with those concerned with the protection of the mountain before decisions are made and repeated his “what is green shall remain green” catchphrase. This position, however, contradicts the Tremblay administration’s decision to submit a project to construct 325 residential units on the property of the former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary to public consultation. This proposed project would reduce the acreage of one of the most beautiful green spaces, located centrally adjacent to Mount Royal Park. Mr. Tremblay is leaving the decision to authorize this project in the hands of the Gouvernement du Québec.

“We expect the Ville de Montréal to take responsibility for the protection of the mountain and to ensure the transparent and rigorous management of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District,” added Sylvie Guilbault. Montrealers will recall that a poll conducted by Léger Marketing in August 2009 indicated that 91% of the community was in favour of protecting all green and natural spaces, and to prohibit all new construction on Mount Royal.

“Montrealers’ willingness to protect the mountain is without question. Nonetheless, questions of the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction on its flanks remain entirely unresolved,” said Sylvie Guilbault. “Each candidate for the position of Mayor of Montreal must make their position clear on this particular protection challenge for one of this city’s most prominent symbols.”

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About Les amis de la montagne

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

“We’re tied to our mountain”

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Hundreds of citizens demonstrate their love of Mount Royal

“We’re tied to our mountain!”

Hundreds of citizens demonstrate their love of Mount Royal

Photo: © Les amis de la montagne/Bob Hendriks, 2009

Montreal, October 5, 2009 – Hundreds of Montrealers filled the lookout on Mount Royal on October 4th to “tie” themselves to Les amis de la montagne’s giant shoelace in a strong, symbolic gesture in support of Mount Royal.

During this extraordinary event, Peter Howlett, President of Les amis de la montagne, underlined the community’s attachment to their mountain, a unique site that comprises vast green spaces, mature forests, monuments and prestigious institutions. Dr. Douglas Avrith, President of Yellow Groupe Inc., partners of the event, also attached himself to Les amis’ giant shoelace together with many of his employees.

As principal partner of the “We’re tied to our mountain event”, Yellow is supporting Les amis de la montagne in the sale of the event’s signature “amis de la montagne” shoelaces, available for only $5 at all Yellow stores in the Montreal metropolitan region, as well as at the information centres in Mount Royal Park and soon on Les amis’ website at lemontroyal.qc.ca.

Les amis de la montagne invite all mountain supporters to purchase a pair of “amis de la montagne” shoelaces and to encourage their family and friends to do alike, in order to demonstrate their attachment to the mountain with pride.

Les amis de la montagne thank their partners and sponsors for their participation in this first edition of the « We’re tied to our mountain » event: Zoom Média, Astral Média, CHOM 97.7 FM, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin 96 FM, La Presse, L’Assommoir restaurant, Bell, The Gazette, Ville de Montréal, Westmount Examiner, Planète Jazz, Barefoot, Point d’Outremont, Naya, Itsi-Bitsi, Bixi, Communauto, St-Ambroise, Bob Hendriks photographe, Sources Média, Greiche & Scaff, Première Moisson, CIBL, Luxury Report Magazine, KNX, Verger L’Oiseau Rouge de St-Hilaire, Le Commensal, Louis Garneau, Spectacle Sheherazade and Restaurant Pica Pica. Special thanks to our star MC Rob Kemp of CHOM 97.7 FM, the masterful DJ Max Julien and musical groups Nomadic Vide Band and Zuruba Band.

Finally, a great thank you to all our volunteers without whom the event would not be possible.

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Source/information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of communications

Les amis de la montagne

514 843-8240, ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - October 2009

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

"We're tied to our mountain!"; the mountain has its limits!; three summits guided walking tour and more!

JOIN THE GATHERING ON OCTOBER 4 AT 2 P.M. ON MOUNT ROYAL

“We’re tied to our mountain”

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM – The mountain has its limits!

DATE CHANGE: Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

Les amis de la montagne presents its 2008-09 Annual Report

ACTIVITIES

High marks for the fall session of Les amis’ Environmental Stewardship Program
The 12th Festival de la marche is a hit!

CALENDAR

Three summits guided walking tour – 20th anniversary

TAKE ACTION

Purchase your pair of “amis de la montagne” shoelaces and contribute to the preservation of Mount Royal!

JOIN THE GATHERING ON OCTOBER 4 AT 2 P.M. ON MOUNT ROYAL

“We’re tied to our mountain”

On Sunday, October 4, Les amis de la montagne are organizing a great gathering on Mount Royal, presented by Yellow. All friends and fans of the mountain are invited to the lookout near the Chalet in Mount Royal Park at 2 p.m. for a fabulous photograph of everyone “tied” to Les amis de la montagne’s giant shoelace. Join us to demonstrate your attachment to the mountain – a strong and symbolic gesture in favour of the mountain’s protection!

Each participant will be able to obtain their official “friend card”, as well as the event’s singular and signature item - a pair of dazzling green shoelaces - that everyone can continue wearing proudly after the event as a show of their commitment to the cause. Participants will also be invited to enjoy a fall afternoon on the mountain in the company of artists and DJs at the chalet, where a variety of snacks and beverages will be available.

Come and dance to the vibes of musical mix-master DJ MAX JULIEN and the colourful performances of Montreal group NOMADIC VIBE BAND and Brazilian group ZURUBA BAND, all under the direction of star MC Rob Kemp of CHOM 97.7 FM.

The “We’re tied to our mountain” event will be held rain or shine!

Purchase your pair of $5 “amis de la montagne” shoelaces and demonstrate your attachment to Mount Royal!

SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT THE CHALET DU MONT-ROYAL

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: DJ Max Julien / snacks and beverages available at the chalet
3 p.m.: special photo-op of everyone attached to Les amis’ giant shoelace on the lookout
3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Nomadic Vibe Band performance
4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Zuruba Band performance
5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.: DJ Max Julien
6 p.m.: event closure

Click here to learn more about the “We’re tied to our mountain” event.

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 (exceptionally)
Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Free

The mountain has its limits!

The large number of residential developments that have surfaced on Mount Royal in the last several years calls into question whether the mountain is able to receive new construction while keeping its heritage assets in tact. Despite this rise in development, the notion of the mountain’s “capacity limits” to receive new construction remains vague and the protection of the mountain is subject to different interpretations. Can we arrive at a definition of this notion and apply it to a territory as vast and diverse as Mount Royal?

Photo: Ville de Montréal

To stimulate the thinking on this question, Les amis de la montagne are organizing a public discussion with the participation of five distinguished professionals:

Clément Demers, executive director of the Société du Quartier international de Montréal
Nancy Dunton, consultant on architectural projects
Peter Jacobs, professor at the École d'architecture du paysage of the Université de Montréal
Josette Michaud, architect with Beaupré et Michaud architectes
Claire Poitras, professor-researcher at the Centre - Urbanisation Culture Société at the INRS

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

Les amis de la montagne present their 2008-09 Annual Report

Les amis de la montagne presented their 2008-09 Annual Report at the Annual General Meeting held September 30, as well as the 2009 edition of the « Map of Mount Royal: Protection Challenges. »

The Annual Report, which presents the activities of the organization, as well as the financial statements for fiscal 2008-09, is available in PDF format on Les amis’ website under the section “About Us”. The Map of Mount Royal is distributed during the public forum or other interpretive activities of Les amis de la montagne held throughout the year.

ACTIVITIES

Environmental Stewardship Program – fall session

Les amis’ Environmental Stewardship Program, which began in early September, will continue this fall until October 12.

Activities have been concentrated in the area surrounding the children’s playground near Beaver Lake, in order to consolidate the forest edges and to improve the important ecological corridor that links the large forest of Mount Royal Park with the woods at Summit Park.

Thank you to our many volunteers, who since September, have participated on Saturday mornings in a number of conservation activities, such as planting and cutting alien invasive species. If you would like to participate in these activities, there’s still time to join!

We also thank the employees of a number of corporations for their participation, including GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Diageo, Palais des Congrès de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and the Institut Canadien des Comptables Agréés

The 12th edition of the Festival de la marche is a success

Under a clear blue sky and on a magnificent autumn day, hundreds of walkers and hikers took to the trails on Mount Royal on Saturday, September 26, as part of the Festival de la marche.

Photo: Jacques Lacroix

This 12th edition was organized by the Fédération québécoise de la marche, Les amis de la montagne, Chinook Aventure, Le club de marche de la Côte, Jass, Le club de marche Dynamique and Sportvac Plein Air. We extend heartfelt thanks to the many partners and volunteers for their contributions to the success of this event.

CALENDAR

"Mount Royal's Three Summits" guided walking tour - 20th anniversary

Join Les amis de la montagne's most popular and longest-running guided walking tour to discover the historic and natural heritage of Mount Royal and the many viewpoints from the mountain’s three summits. An opportunity to enjoy the autumn colours on the mountain. Offered in French.

Sunday, October 11, 18 and 25
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (about 12 km)
Departure from the G.-E. Cartier Monument, corner Avenue du Parc and Rue Rachel.
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Price: 13 years and over: $15; ages 6 to 12: $10

TAKE ACTION

By wearing a pair of “amis de la montagne” shoelaces, you help to conserve and keep this symbol of Montreal’s identity vibrant. Les amis de la montagne invite you to contribute to the mountain’s protection.

Purchase a pair of “amis de la montagne” shoelaces for $5 and show your attachment to Mount Royal. Wear the laces with pride and with the knowledge that you have taken a step in the right direction! The dazzling green laces make an excellent gift – at a very good price.

The shoelaces will be on sale as of October 4 at Smith House in Mount Royal Park and at Yellow stores throughout metropolitan Montreal – and soon on line on Les amis’ website.

Special newsletter - Mount Royal is "on the move" this fall!

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

WALK-FEST: Festival de la marche on Mount Royal, September 26
GATHERING: “We’re tied to our mountain”, October 4
PUBLIC DEBATE: Invitation to a public debate on the environment, October 6
GUIDED WALK: Three Summits of Mount Royal, October 11, 18 and 25

Saturday, September 26: Festival de la marche on Mount Royal

In a group, with family or friends, join this special walk-fest to discover or rediscover Mount Royal. Hike along the mountain’s many wild trails, admire its diverse landscapes and its breathtaking viewpoints, climb its three summits or walk through the neighbourhoods that border its flanks.

Accessible to walkers and hikers of all levels, the Festival de la marche 2009 shines the spotlight on Mount Royal Park and its environs. From Rue Peel to the Westmount summit, from the large institutional properties, to the cemeteries and Beaver Lake, participants will have the opportunity to explore this legendary site and head off the beaten path to discover the lesser known treasures of Mount Royal.

Led by experienced guides, 8 different routes will be featured, as well as an exhibitors’ fair, terrific door prizes, activities at the starting line and a festive gathering for participants at the end of the day. A truly unforgettable day of fresh air awaits you!

Places are limited. Registration is required before September 26. Visit the festival website for more information or to register.

(Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

Sunday, October 4: "We’re tied to our mountain"

On Sunday, October 4, Les amis de la montagne are organizing a great gathering on Mount Royal, presented by Yellow. All friends and fans of the mountain are invited to the lookout near the Chalet in Mount Royal Park at 2 p.m. for an aerial photograph of everyone “tied” to Les amis de la montagne’s giant shoelace! Join in this demonstration of our attachment to the mountain – a strong and symbolic gesture in favour of the mountain’s protection!

Each participant will be able to obtain their official “friend card”, as well as the event’s singular and signature item, a pair of shoelaces, that everyone can continue wearing proudly after the event as a show of their commitment to the cause.

All participants will also be invited to enjoy a fall afternoon on the mountain in the company of artists and DJs at the chalet, where a variety of snacks and beverages will be available.

The “We’re tied to our mountain” event will be held rain or shine!

Mount Royal is the emblem of Montreal. The mountain is the pride of Montrealers and is an integral part of our identity by way of its history, what is provides the community and what it represents to each of us individually – a great asset to be preserved.

Tuesday, October 6: Invitation to a public debate on the environment

The Conseil régional de l’environnement-Montréal invites you to a public debate on the environment to be held between municipal party leaders, candidates for Mayor in the upcoming elections: Louise Harel, Vision Montréal; Richard Bergeron, Projet Montréal; and Gérald Tremblay, Union Montréal (to be confirmed).

Public transportation, reconfiguration of the Turcot interchange, protection of Mount Royal, residential collection of compost, smog episodes in wintertime, etc. This debate is your opportunity to become better acquainted with the municipal party platforms regarding our city’s greatest environmental challenges.

Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m.
Pavillon Sherbrooke, UQAM
200, rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Métro Place-des-Arts, Saint-Laurent or McGill

Places are limited and the CRE-Montréal invites you to register online before October 1st.

Sunday, October 11, 18 and 25: "Mount Royal's Three Summits" guided walking tour - 20th anniversary

Sunday, October 11, 18 and 25
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (about 12 km)
Departure from the G.-E. Cartier Monument, corner Avenue du Parc and Rue Rachel.
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Price: 13 years and over: $15; ages 6 to 12: $10

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - August-September 2009

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

“We’re tied to our mountain”; “Green space not for sale”: project on the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary; launch of the 2009-2010 school programs and more!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, September 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

“Green Space Not For Sale”: news about the project proposed for the site of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary

ACTIVITIES

New day camp for children on Mount Royal: what a lovely summer it was!
Launch of the 2009-2010 school programs

CALENDAR

Environmental Stewardship Program – fall session
“Travelling” animation in Mount Royal Park begins again
September 26: register for the Festival de la marche on Mount Royal

TAKE ACTION

“We’re tied to our mountain!”

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Mount Royal: an election issue?

Following a break in July and August, Les amis de la montagne’s public forum will be back this Wednesday, September 2. Despite appearances of an otherwise tranquil summer, several projects on the mountain have been active. The most important two projects concern the repurposing of the former mother house of the Sœurs-des-Saints-Noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie in Outremont and the development of the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary in Ville-Marie. The latter is a residential project presented in public consultation that comprises 325 units that would increase the built footprint of the property by 70% largely on existing green space. The project risks being authorised by the municipal council soon, albeit with certain modifications. (See the article below, « Green space not for sale ».)

Join us for a discussion on steps to be taken during the soon-to-be electoral campaign, to demand nothing less than exemplary projects on these two important sites and the protection of Mount Royal as an overriding priority.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road in Mount Royal Park
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

"Green Space Not For Sale": Is history repeating itself?

1986: Les amis de la montagne defend the mountain against an inappropriate development project.

2009: Les amis de la montagne defend the mountain against an inappropriate development project.

“Green Space Not For Sale”: project proposed for the site of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary

Les amis de la montagne continued its political advocacy and information efforts throughout the summer to demand that the project proposed for the site of the Sulpicians' former philosophy seminary be reviewed in-depth and that it respect the protection principles upheld by citizens for their mountain. A great number of citizens also expressed their disagreement with the project during the consultations and in the weeks following.

Despite the critical report issued by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal on the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan and the project itself, representatives of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal have declared their satisfaction over the commissioners’ recommendations concerning the change in the sites’ zoning from institutional to residential and have declared their intention to work with the developer to modify the projects’ plans as soon as possible.

The municipal council may decide to accept the project at their final meeting to be held before the elections on September 21. Les amis are concerned this project will be dealt with too quickly given that several fundamental protection issues have not been resolved, such as the definition of the mountain’s “limited capacity to receive new construction”, the preservation of institutional properties on the mountain and the protection of green spaces.

In order for the project to be acceptable, it needs to be reviewed along three criteria:

The protection of green spaces in their entirety;
The reuse of the main building;
A limit to construction within the existing built footprint.

This site is of too great importance for the mountain and for future projects to deny a rigorous planning process in line with the governmental decree and the protection plan.

Les amis’ next public forum will be devoted in part to this important dossier.

ACTIVITIES

New day camp for children on Mount Royal: what a lovely summer it was!

School has begun this week and summer is slowly coming to a close! Nonetheless, many youngsters will have happy memories of their day camp experience on the mountain, a total immersion in nature in the heart of downtown!

For this first year of day camp, Les amis welcomed 76 children ages 6 to 8, who discovered the secrets of the mountain and explored its many riches.

One happy family provided the following eloquent testimonial:

I wanted to congratulate your team for the lovely summer camp you offered. My children are still talking about their discoveries on the mountain. They are now more aware of and careful around nature.

Of course they would like to relive the experience all over again next year if the camp is again provided. Once again, good luck for next year and it will be our pleasure to recommend your camp!

Caroline, mother of Juliette and Zachary

Les amis wish to thank the parents for their vote of confidence and for a delightful time spent with the children this summer. We hope wholeheartedly to see you again next year!

Launch of Les amis de la montagne’s 2009-2010 school programs

Mount Royal is one of the most important green spaces in metropolitan Montreal. Easily accessible, the mountain is an ideal location for students to discover nature and history, or to simply live an unforgettable outdoor experience.

For close to 30 years, Les amis de la montagne have partnered with teachers in the greater Montreal area in reaching their pedagogical objectives.

Our environmental education programs place an emphasis on direct contact with the mountain’s heritage. We have a variety of pedagogical approaches and complementary activities that encourages scientific understanding, a sense of wonder and the emotional and sensorial discovery of the natural environment.

To obtain more information on our programs and services for school groups, please consult our 2009-2010 service offer (available in French). Contact us to reserve an outing in Mount Royal Park or for more information.

CALENDAR

Environmental Stewardship Program – fall session

Increase your knowledge of conservation while contributing to the work of preserving the mountain’s biodiversity. The program this fall consists of controlling alien invasive species and planting indigenous trees and shrubs.

Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon
From August 29 to October 17
Minimum age : 14

Participants must register in advance for the complete program. Contact Claude Drolet by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

Discover the Mount Royal forest and the hidden treasures of the park with Les amis’ environmental educators

On Saturdays and Sundays from September 5 to October 11, Les amis de la montagne’s “travelling” animation on two alternating themes returns in the Beaver Lake area, along Olmsted Road and at the Kondiaronk lookout between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.: The Forests of Mount Royal: An Endangered Biodiversity and The Hidden Face of Mount Royal: Discovering the Park’s Little-Known Treasures.

Festival de la marche on Mount Royal on September 26 - register today!

The Festival de la marche is a unique opportunity to discover the mountain in a group, with your family or friends. This 12th edition of the festival, held for the first time on Mount Royal, is open to walkers and hikers of all levels. Participants will discover the many attractions and little-known corners of Mount Royal Park and its environs. Led by experienced guides, 8 designated trails will be featured, as well as an exhibitors’ fair, activities at the starting line and a festive gathering for participants at the end of the day.

Organized by the Fédération québécoise de la marche, Les amis de la montagne and five walking clubs from Montreal, visit the festival website for more information or to register.

TAKE ACTION

“We’re tied to our mountain!”

Les amis de la montagne are organizing a friendly large-scale gathering suitable for the whole family on October 4th at 2 p.m. at the Chalet du Mont-Royal near the lookout. This extraordinary event will provide participants the opportunity to demonstrate their profound attachment to our mountain.

Details of the activity will be available soon and invitations will be forwarded shortly. Until then, put October 4th in your agenda and we look forward to seeing you atop Mount Royal!

Former philosophy seminary: the Ville is abdicating its responsibilities

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The municipal administration is abdicating its responsibilities and turning a blind eye to the flaws in the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan

Project on the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Montreal, August 26, 2009 – Following the participation of the President of Les amis de la montagne in the municipal council’s question period on August 25, the organization concludes that our elected officials have abdicated their responsibilities in ensuring the transparent and rigorous management of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District and continue to turn a blind eye to the hard-hitting conclusions of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal regarding the faults in the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan and the project proposed for the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary.

Les amis de la montagne are astonished to learn from Helen Fotopulos, member of the executive committee responsible for Mount Royal, that the Ville de Montréal went ahead with the public consultation on the proposed residential project for the former seminary property earlier than the municipal administration would have liked based upon a preliminary favourable recommendation – a highly unorthodox gesture – issued by the Commission des biens culturels du Québec on February 12, 2009.

Moreover, Les amis de la montagne are astounded with Ms. Fotopulos’ judgement that the project proposed for the former seminary property respects the heritage of the site, as well as the Protection Plan, despite the projects’ many violations of the city’s urban plan. The project calls for 325 residential units, the construction of 17 new buildings and 671 parking spaces on a site with institutional zoning, which violates the city’s urban plan in terms of its use, density, height, volume, number of parking spaces and construction on the site. The organization also deplores the city’s unwillingness to provide a clear definition of the mountain’s “limited capacity” to receive new construction.

Les amis de la montagne submitted a letter to the municipal council during question period, which asks the following question: “Who truly stands to gain from the $300M development project proposed for the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary?” (PDF version available here, in French).

While Les amis de la montagne understand that a $300M investment will provide the city with revenues from property tax, how does the Government of Quebec stand to benefit by forcing such a project on Montreal? And who is listening to the citizens of Montreal, who have repeated in survey after survey and public consultation after public consultation that green spaces on the mountain must be protected and restrictions imposed upon any new construction?

The project proposed for the former site of the philosophy seminary is unacceptable and must be reviewed in its entirety. The Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan does not provide sufficiently clear guidelines and the rules governing development projects on the mountain’s periphery, which is largely comprised of institutional properties, must be clarified. This crucial exercise should be undertaken before the project on the former seminary property receives any form of authorisation. Need this matter become an electoral issue?

About Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Former philosophy seminary: reaction to the executive committee's communiqué

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne demand an exemplary project and a transparent decision-making process

Montreal, 14 August 2009 – Reacting to the response by Montreal’s executive committee and by Helen Fotopulos, member responsible for Mount Royal, to the report by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) on the project to develop the former site of the Sulpicians' philosophy seminary, Les amis de la montagne demand nothing less than an exemplary project for the site and transparency in all subsequent decisions regarding the mountain from the municipal administration.

Les amis de la montagne are stunned by the executive committee’s expression of “satisfaction” in their August 13 press release over the site’s change in zoning from institutional to residential. For Les amis de la montagne, the elected leaders are jumping too quickly to conclusions before even ensuring that the project meets the conditions required for its go-ahead. This opinion places serious doubt upon the rigorous examination of the project promised by the executive committee in its August 13 statement. Les amis de la montagne continue to question the benefits of the proposed project for Montrealers and its positive contribution for the future of Mount Royal. The presence of great institutions on the mountain is an inherent part of Montreal’s history and the increasing disappearance of their institutional vocation should be a source of great concern to the municipal administration.

Les amis de la montagne underline that the report from the OCPM criticized the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan for not providing satisfactory criteria regarding the redevelopment of great institutional properties on the mountain: “ … the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan provides for the individual ad hoc treatment of development projects on institutional or residential properties. In so doing, it does not establish clear guidelines and leaves too much latitude to negotiation.” (Translation of reference on p. 83). Moreover, according to the OCPM report: “The clarification of the rules that should be applicable to development projects on the perimeter of the mountain is in the interest of everyone. It is a question of the credibility itself of the Protection and Enhancement Plan.” (Translation of reference on p. 84).

According to Les amis de la montagne, the question regarding the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction remains at the heart of the debate and is integral to the notion of the mountain’s protection. This fundamental question cannot be evaded by a piecemeal planning approach held uniquely between developers and the public authorities.

“We expect the municipal administration to dedicate the most rigorous and necessary efforts to define the concept of limited capacity for the mountain,” said Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne. “The municipal administration that opted for a consultative process in the creation of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal, should treat this question with the same transparency and openness considering the importance of the subject. We expect to be able to discuss this question openly and publicly before any decisions are rendered for the project to develop the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary.”

Les amis de la montagne reiterate the outcome of numerous public consultations and surveys by the OCPM and other professional firms, whereby Montrealers expressed their unequivocal desire to limit new construction as a tangible measure to protect Mount Royal. The OCPM clearly stated in its report that the Cato project as proposed will increase the built surface of the property by 70%. According to Les amis de la montagne, this increase is completely contrary to the message of moderation evoked in the Protection and Enhancement Plan and greatly exceeds the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction.

About Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Project to develop the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In support of the report by the Office de consultation publique de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne ask that clear guidelines be applied to the project to develop the Sulpicians’ site former occupied by Marianopolis College

Montreal, 11 August 2009 – Les amis de la montagne recognize that the recommendations of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) on the project to develop the Sulpician’s former philosophy seminary is a step in the right direction. However, we believe that the most important point regarding the mountain’s limits to receiving new construction is still not resolved. Specifically, Les amis support the OCPM’s position that a project on a site of such exceptional importance on the mountain be nothing less than exemplary.

“We note that the report contains a number of positive elements,” said Peter Howlett, president of Les amis de la montagne. “Nonetheless, the OCPM is of the opinion that the Développement Cato project poses numerous problems regarding its volume, the protection of viewpoints and naturals spaces and public access to the site.” Les amis de la montagne ask, in support of the OCPM’s recommendations, that clear and precise guidelines be applied to the site prior to the approval of any project on the location.

“We are asking the Ville de Montréal to emit a moratorium on the proposed project and to quickly form a working group whose mandate it will be to identify concrete solutions that will allow the economic development of Montreal without any sacrifices to our heritage,” added Peter Howlett. “This exercise must be given the highest priority for the former philosophy seminary site and solutions must be put into effect for all future projects within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.”

About Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne is an independent charitable organization founded in 1986 that works to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

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Information:

Gabrielle Korn

Director of Communications

Les amis de la montagne

T: 514 843-8240 ext. 237

gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - July 2009

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Project on the former site of the Sulpicians' seminary, TD Green Sunday, aquatic plants in Beaver Lake, the mountain's biodiversity, the Festival de la marche and much more!

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE’S PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis’ monthly public forum is taking a summer holiday break, but will return on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Watch your August newsletter for the invitation.

NEWS

Residential project on the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary
Spotlight on Smith House: a salute to the 150th anniversary of this historic domain
TD Green Sunday: 800 trees are planted on Mount Royal
Les amis de la montagne participate in the creation of Montreal’s Geotourism MapGuide
The mountain beltway: construction begins on two sections
The aquatic plant life of Beaver Lake

ACTIVITIES

Les amis de la montagne participate in a project to support Mount Royal’s biodiversity for a 2nd year
Summer activities of the conservation patrol

CALENDAR

September 26: Mount Royal plays host to the « Festival de la marche »
Discover Mount Royal by guided podcast
Enjoy summertime on the mountain

TAKE ACTION

Consider making a monthly donation to Les amis de la montagne

NEWS

Residential project on the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Close to 60 presentations were made during the public hearings this spring on the project proposed for the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary. According to the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM), the commissioners’ report should be made public in early August, in the midst of the summer vacation season.

You may visit the OCPM’s website to consult the position papers and presentations or click here to review press clippings on the subject.

Les amis de la montagne consider the project presented by Development CATO Inc. unacceptable because it does not respect this exceptional site, an integral part of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District. The project does not respect the historic, landscape and social values, or the interests of the community, at the level both expected and acceptable for this site.

This residential development project, the first project put forward since the adoption of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan by the executive committee of the city of Montreal on April 29, 2009, will serve as the reference point and set the precedent for all future development projects within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

To attain a level of acceptability, the project needs to be reviewed in depth along three criteria:

A limit to development within the existing built footprint of the site;
Re-use of the main building only;
Complete protection of green spaces on the site.

This site is of too great importance for the mountain and for future projects to not undergo a rigorous planning process in line with the governmental decree and the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan.

Spotlight on Smith House: Continuité salutes the 150th anniversary of this historic domain

To mark the 150th anniversary of Smith House last year, the magazine Continuité dedicated its “favourites” section to “La maison du mont Royal” in its summer 2009 edition.

In an article written by Dinu Bumbaru, policy director of Héritage Montréal and Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne, the authors recount how the numerous vocations of Smith House have reflected the era of its occupants through time, as well as the evolution of Mount Royal Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Continuité, a publication associated with the Conseil des monuments et sites du Québec, is the only French-language magazine devoted to heritage. You may purchase a copy of the summer edition of the magazine at the Smith House nature-boutique.

TD Green Sunday: 800 trees are planted on Mount Royal

Photo: Karine Gagné

For a fourth consecutive year, nearly 300 TD Bank Financial Group employees and their family reunited on Mount Royal on June 7th to join Les amis de la montagne in planting 800 trees and shrubs and to cut down alien invasive species. These activities were conducted in support of an initiative to protect and enhance Mount Royal’s biodiversity.

Les amis de la montagne extends its thanks to the TD Bank Financial Group and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation whose participation has allowed the planting of more than 2,200 trees and shrubs in Mount Royal Park since 2006.

Les amis de la montagne participate in the publication of Montreal’s Geotourism MapGuide

Les amis de la montagne were proud to participate in the launch of the Montreal Geotourism MapGuide at Montreal City Hall on June 15th last. This map was produced by the National Geographic Society in collaboration with numerous groups and associations, as well as with the participation of Montrealers.

The first urban Geotourism MapGuide in the world, the publication covers the island of Montreal and showcases over 100 natural, cultural and historic attractions, including, of course, Mount Royal. The concept of geotourism promotes the geographic character of a destination, including its environment, culture, aesthetic appeal, heritage and the well-being of its inhabitants.

Published in French and in English at an initial print run of 130,000, the print version of the Geotourism MapGuide is available at Smith House. An electronic version is also available.

The mountain beltway: construction begins on two sections

The Ville de Montréal announced the start of construction on two sections of the new Mount Royal beltway beginning June 22nd last, the latest step in the creation of a path measuring more than 10 km on the western and northern flanks of Mount Royal, resulting in a circular pedestrian and bicycle route around the mountain.

This beltway will extend the Olmsted Road experience, located in Mount Royal Park. Once completed, the beltway will connect the main summit in Mount Royal Park to the Outremont summit, back again to the Olmsted Road along Avenue du Parc.

For information regarding the construction project, citizens may call the city’s “Info-Travaux” hotline at 514 872-3777 or visit the city’s website.

The aquatic plant life of Beaver Lake

Those who frequent the Beaver Lake sector of Mount Royal Park will have noticed the proliferation of aquatic plants in this artificial lake that develop with remarkable speed. Not only do these aquatic plants threaten the beauty of the area’s landscape, but they also disturb the functioning of the pedal boats, a choice family activity in this sector of the park.

Unfortunately, these alien species are difficult to control. The Eurasian Watermilfoil (L. Myriophyllum spicatum) is a submersed plant that takes root in aquatic plant beds and grows towards the surface where it branches out in abundance to form a thick carpet. The Common Reed (L. Phragmites australis) is a plant with thick underground stems that contain buds and roots. The elimination of either species is an enormous challenge and a variety of methods (chemical, mechanical, physical and biological) have been tested elsewhere to eliminate these plants, but with mitigated success. Like most alien species, once the Eurasian Watermilfoil is established, its eradication from the site where it takes root is next to impossible.

In collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, Les amis de la montagne are currently looking for a solution to remove this plant proliferation, at least for the summer season when growth is at its peak.

ACTIVITIES

Les amis de la montagne participate in a project to support Mount Royal’s biodiversity for a 2nd year

For a second consecutive year, Les amis de la montagne are collaborating on a project to restore and develop our urban biodiversity on Mount Royal.

This project targets the protection, conservation and enhancement of the mountain’s natural environment, as part of the “Valorisation Jeunesse – Place à la relève” program, which was put in place to help visible minority youth whose academic performance makes them candidates to enter the work force.

Launch of the project to support Mount Royal's biodiversity in the presence of Helen Fotopulos, member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for Mount Royal Park, nature parks, nature museums and the status of women, and Anne-Marie Prud'homme, of the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement (far right, under the black umbrella).

In total, 10 young people accompanied by a biologist team-leader will carry out a number of tasks on the properties of St-Joseph’s Oratory, the Université de Montréal and Collège Brébeuf. The Ile-de-la-Visitation and Bois-de-Liesse nature parks are other sites also involved in this program.

The project operations, made possible by financial contributions from the Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l’environnement, the Valorisation Jeunesse program (by agreement between the Ville de Montréal, the Ministère des Affaires municipals, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire and the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles du Québec), the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal, Emploi d’été Canada and the C-Vert program of the Stephen R. Bronfman Foundation, will be overseen by Les amis de la montagne. The Société de verdissement du Montréal métropolitain (Soverdi) will provide the plants.

Summer activities of the conservation patrol

The activities of the Mount Royal Conservation Patrol begin again this summer. Ground patrols will be conducted over the entire territory of Mount Royal Park and a series of awareness-raising campaigns on specific problems will be held through August 22.

The patrollers are mandated to raise awareness of and distribute information to citizens and visitors to Mount Royal Park relative to existing municipal by-laws. Within the context of prevention, the patrollers will stroll along the park's trails in order to sensitize visitors to the impact on the surroundings of a number of activities such as feeding wild animals, walking your dog without a leash, walking or cycling off-trail and exceeding the speed limit on your bicycle along Olmsted Road.

Also, the patrollers will oversee the environmental stewardship program this summer, a program that involves the community in indigenous tree-planting activities and the cutting of alien invasive species on the mountain.

CALENDAR

September 26: Mount Royal plays host to the "Festival de la marche"

The Fédération québécoise de la marche, Les amis de la montagne and five walking clubs from Montreal are joining forces to organize the 12th edition of the Festival de la marche to be held on September 26, 2009, on Mount Royal.

Photo: Andrew Dobrowolsky

Open to walkers and hikers of all levels, this edition will provide participants with the opportunity to discover the many attractions and lesser-known treasures of Mount Royal Park and its environs and to explore the many trails specially designed for this occasion, through the practice of a healthy and stimulating activity in good company.

At least 1,000 walkers from all corners of Quebec are expected to participate.

For more information or to register, visit the festival website.

Discover Mount Royal by guided podcast

With a multimedia player in hand, explore the summit loop in Mount Royal Park while listening to and watching a series of short vignettes that help you better appreciate the site. Download the podcasts for free at lemontroyal.qc.ca or rent a multimedia player at Smith House during opening hours. Rental: $5 (photo ID required). Approximate length of the tour: 90 minutes but adaptable to your own pace.

Enjoy summertime on the mountain

Walking through the forest. Observing the flora and the fauna. Taking a nap under the shade of a tree. Mount Royal offers all of these activities and more – at no charge and in the heart of the city, a location waiting to be discovered again and again.

The mountain boasts a rich and diversified historic and natural heritage. Its famous park is an oasis of green space and tranquility, while the many institutions located on its flanks possess an abundance of heritage treasures more fascinating than the next.

We invite you to visit our information services at Smith House for information on the many activities and services available on Mount Royal this summer.

TAKE ACTION

Make a monthly contribution to Les amis de la montagne

Monthly giving is one of the most manageable and effective ways you can support efforts to protect Mount Royal. Your pre-authorized gift is automatically debited from your Visa or MasterCard credit card each month. It's convenient for you and provides Les amis with a steady, reliable source of funding. You may change or cancel your pledge at any time and an income tax receipt for the total of your contribution will be mailed to you at the end of the calendar year. For more information, contact Anna Coscia at 514 843-8240 ext. 239.

TD Green Sunday, June 7, 2009

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

TD Green Sunday: 800 trees planted in Mount Royal Park!

Montreal, June 9, 2009 – Green shield, greener thumb! Nearly 250 TD Bank Financial Group employees get their hands dirty in support of Les amis de la montagne initiative to conserve our city's natural treasure. Employees and their families gathered last Sunday in Mount Royal Park to plant 800 trees and shrubs and to cut down alien invasive species in support of an initiative led by Les amis de la montagne to protect and enhance Mount Royal's biodiversity.

Click on the image above to access the complete photo gallery of the TD Green Sunday event held on Mount Royal on June 7 last. Photos: Karine Gagné, 2009.

"This fundamental cause touches our collective future and that of the next generation," said Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice-President, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust. "Thanks to devoted volunteers who work on behalf of the planet, as well as the commitment of institutions and communities, we can make a difference and protect our environment. This activity is a true success and demonstrates our deep commitment!"

TD Green Sunday is an annual tree-planting activity held by employees of TD Bank Financial Group in support of its national charity TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. This initiative is one of many annual events that TD Bank Financial Group and its employees take part in to promote the protection of the environment.

"Les amis de la montagne are very pleased to collaborate with TD Bank Financial Group, an exemplary partner. This multi-year partnership runs deeper than its financial contribution. By coming to the mountain to participate in hands-on tree planting activities or the removal of invasive plant species, the employees and their families embody their companies' commitment," said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director, Les amis de la montagne.

Photos: Karine Gagné, 2009

Nearly three quarters of the participants planted 800 trees and shrubs including indigenous species such as the Red Oak, Striped Maple, Mountain Maple and Cranberry tree. These plantings took place in the Beaver Lake sector of the park. Another 50 participants cut down buckthorn, an alien invasive species on the mountain, also in the Beaver Lake sector.

Les amis de la montagne have been committed to a series of environmental activities and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of Mount Royal's natural environment since 1998, in keeping with the objectives of the City of Montreal's Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan. All activities are supervised by professionals and are in line with a scientific, research-based process aimed at increasing knowledge of the natural environment and intervention methods for its conservation.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF)

Since 1990, TD FEF has provided nearly $50 million in funding to over 18,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2008, TD FEF provided more than $3 million in support of over 800 projects. Thousands of TD customers and employees donate to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF; this ensures 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects inthe community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit the foundation's website.

TD Green Sunday on June 7, 2009

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne welcome 300 employees from the TD Bank Financial Group who will lend a helping hand to Mount Royal

“TD Green Sunday” on Mount Royal, Sunday, June 7, 2009

Close to 300 employees of TD Bank Financial Group will join Les amis de la montagne to participate in activities to conserve Mount Royal’s natural environment as part of the TD Green Sunday initiative.

Photo: Karine Gagné, 2008

Date:

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Time/location:

9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Registration and words of welcome, Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Mount Royal Park
9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Environmental activities – planting and cutting, Mount Royal Park, Beaver Lake sector

NOTE: Due to the Tour de l’Île de Montréal on Sunday, June 7, the Voie Camillien-Houde will be closed to all vehicular traffic, including public transportation (bus #11). The western access to Mount Royal Park from Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges and Chemin Remembrance will remain accessible.

Click here for more information on the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

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Source/information:

Gabrielle Korn

Les amis de la montagne

514 843-8240 ext. 237

Fiona Hirst

TD Bank Financial Group

514 385-2222 ext. 2474

Les amis' newsletter - June 2009

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

"No more compromises"; the Corvée mountain clean-up; the Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

No more compromises: the campaign to stop the residential project on the former philosophy seminary site continues

ACTIVITIES

18th Corvée mountain clean-up: Once again, Montrealers show their attachment to the mountain
Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony: Recipient, Peter Jacobs, with honourable mention to François Odermatt
Inauguration of the children’s playground, “The Salamander”, for the young and young-at-heart!

CALENDAR

Spring edition of the Three Summits Guided Walking Tour
Fresh air and dining al fresco – summer’s almost here!

TAKE ACTION

Make your annual campaign donation to Les amis

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Your Mount Royal Park

Mount Royal Park is the gem of the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The park is the location of choice for millions of visitors each year. In order to make these visits to the mountain as enriching an experience as possible, the Ville de Montréal has undertaken the restoration of the park’s infrastructures.

The June forum will be the last before the summer hiatus. We welcome Wendy Graham, landscape architect with the Ville de Montréal, who works to improve the quality of the park. Join us to discuss your concerns about the park and means to improve this important site. Topics will include the park’s restoration program, enhancement projects, park signage and the availability of park furnishings.

Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road in Mount Royal Park
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

No more compromises: the campaign to stop the residential project on the former philosophy seminary site continues

Les amis de la montagne were first to present their position paper at the hearings of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) on the project proposed for the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary on May 27 last.

Les amis recently launched a petition addressed to the Minister of Culture and the Mayor of Montreal asking them to reject the project and to stop the consultation process to ensure that the project receives a rigourous evaluation before any decisions are taken on the future of the site.

The proposal to construct residences on this exceptional site coincides with one of the mountain’s most important steps towards achieving true protection in recent history. Never have elected officials at both municipal and provincial levels debated, discussed or confirmed their intentions to protect the mountain to this current extent.

The project for the site of the former philosophy seminary is the first of importance to be presented under the regulations of both the historic and natural district decree and the city’s recently adopted master protection plan. The process, the analysis and the final result of this project will in essence become the test case, or the reference for all subsequent projects on the mountain.

With the stipulations of the decree and the protection plan, we fail to understand the justifications that qualify this project as “receivable” given that the project will include 325 residential units, 17 new buildings and 671 parking spaces on an exceptional historic site that is characterized by the predominance of a main building in the centre of a garden landscape.

The project is not acceptable to Les amis for the following reasons:

The project does not respect the decree creating the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District in all aspects related to the protection of institutional and historic properties on the mountain, a site that, according to the decree, “deserves protection because it is a unique non-renewable resource and constitutes a site of symbolic significance for Québec";
The project violates the city’s urban plan and the amendment to the plan, the only regulatory documents that outline the criteria for guiding development on the mountain’s great institutions, which comprise 80% of the properties on Mount Royal;
The project goes against the spirit and the intentions of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan, which clearly expresses the notion of the mountain’s capacity to receive new construction;
The project has received unfavourable or extremely critical assessments by heritage and urban planning experts hired by the Ville de Montréal to provide counsel to elected officials. These assessments serve also as reference documents available to citizens during the consultation process. These advisory bodies were unanimous in their position about the project’s density, each asking the developer to modify the project.

You can read Les amis’ position paper (available in French) by clicking here.

ACTIVITIES

18th Corvée mountain clean-up, May 10

Click here to view the photo gallery of the 2009 edition of the Corvée du Mont-Royal.

Under grey skies, more than 300 Montrealers showed their attachment to the mountain by participating in the 18th edition of the Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up on May 10, giving Mother Nature a hand on Mother’s Day.

Since 1990, this annual springtime tradition has allowed the participation of close to 11,000 individuals to make a concrete gesture for their mountain, including the collection of close to 5,000 bags of garbage and the planting of more than 5,000 trees.

For this 18th edition of the clean-up, more than 60 bags of trash were collected from only 40% of the park’s territory, with the discovery of an increased number of illegal campsites, a problem on the rise. In total, six makeshift campsites were taken down, including mattresses, sleeping bags and camp fires.

About one third of the participants planted 500 indigenous trees and shrubs in two areas around Beaver Lake, including the Hemlock, Sugar Maple, Shadblow Serviceberry and Cranberry-Tree.

Two teams of volunteers evaluated previous tree plantings and two teams cut down some common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal is the flagship event of “May 2009: Mount Royal Month”, which is the original idea of Les amis de la montagne, realized jointly with the Ville de Montréal, thanks to the generosity of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. May is a month of activities dedicated to the discovery and conservation of the natural environment and the exploration of the many facets of the mountain.

Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony, 2009 edition

The Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony was held in the newly inaugurated children’s playground in Mount Royal Park on May 25.

Helen Fotopulos, member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for Mount Royal, nature parks and great parks, nature museums and the status of women and Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President of Les amis de la montagne, together with Éric Morisset, Managing Director and Group Head, Quebec Investment Banking for TD Securities, awarded the 2009 Prix du Mont-Royal to Peter Jacobs, professor in the School of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Urban Planning at the Université de Montréal, and an honourable mention to François Odermatt, art collector and Montreal philanthropist.

The Prix du Mont-Royal was initiated by Les amis de la montagne in 2005. The Prix is awarded in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, participants for a 5th consecutive year, and through the generosity of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partners. The Prix du Mont-Royal is awarded to an individual, who through their commitment towards the conservation of our collective historic and natural heritage and their vision, are a source of inspiration to us all.

L to R: Helen Fotopulos, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., Peter Jacobs, Sylvie Guilbault, Éric Morisset, Wendy Graham

L to R: Helen Fotopulos, François Odermatt (with his son), Peter A. Howlett, C.M., Éric Morisset

Peter Jacobs, committed to the conservation and enhancement of the mountain

Professor in the School of Landscape Architecture in the Faculty of Urban Planning at the Université de Montréal, as well as an emeritus speaker and recipient of numerous awards in landscape architecture, Peter Jacobs has worked many years for the protection and enhancement of our mountain. Together with Oswald Foisy, he wrote a book titled, “Les quatre saisons du mont Royal”, published in 2000 by Meridian Press. He integrates the findings of his studies into the educational content of his university courses on landscapes using Mount Royal as his canvas, and in so doing, contributes to forming the next generation of professionals sensitive to Mount Royal’s historic and natural heritage.

François Odermatt, collector and contributor to the beauty of Mount Royal

Dedicated to the democratization of art, François Odermatt has made a number of donations of works of art to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art. He receives the honourable mention to underline his generosity in establishing the exhibit of sculptures by Ju Ming in the vicinity of Beaver Lake on the mountain, an exhibit also made possible thanks to the generosity of Power Corporation of Canada. Inaugurated in the fall of 2006, the exhibit has been prolonged to October 2009.

Inauguration of the children’s playground, “The Salamander”, for the young and young-at-heart! Another successful project towards the restoration and enhancement of the Beaver Lake sector

First inaugurated in the 1960s, the children’s playground in Mount Royal Park has undergone a complete makeover that is sure to please the entire family. Built in the shape of a salamander, a small, protected amphibian that can be found in the park, the new playground features a variety of installations to play on. The addition of picnic tables in the area and new park furnishings (benches, tables, drinking fountains, etc.), are designed to make the park experience more enjoyable for families. New trees and shrubs have also been planted in the area in keeping with the landscapes of the park, the ecosystem and Mount Royal. The playground concept was the design of the Groupe Cardinal Hardy and the work was undertaken by Ventech.

The Groupe Cardinal Hardy also designed a new pathway that winds through the playground celebrating children’s rights. Unique in North America, this pathway is the result of an initiative of the Société pour un monde digne des enfants whose activities help finance projects in support of the protection of children. The pathway combines a walk with games and information, in order to help visitors, both young and not-so-young, to understand the rights of children.

Text adapted from a press release issued by the Ville de Montréal on May 25, 2009.

Les amis de la montagne wishes to congratulate the Ville de Montréal and its partners for the success of this enhancement project.

CALENDAR

Three Summits Guided Walking Tour

Les amis de la montagne’s guided walking tours have always been popular with citizens and visitors curious to learn more about the historic and natural heritage of Mount Royal and to discover, in the company of our expert educators, its many hidden treasures. One of the most popular and longest-running tours returns this spring. The Three Summits Guided Walking Tour promises the discovery of the entire mountain through its numerous points of view. This walk is also an excellent occasion to enjoy the spring flowers!

Sunday, June 7
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (about 12 km)
Departure from the G.-E. Cartier Monument, corner Avenue du Parc and Rue Rachel
Reservations required: 514 843-8240, ext. 0
Price: 13 years and over, $15; ages 6 to 12, $10

Fresh air and dining al fresco – summer’s almost here!

The summer season is almost upon us! Fresh air aficionados will soon be able to take a tour of Beaver Lake by pedal boat – an activity that is sure to work up an appetite! And to tame those hunger pangs, why not visit us at Café Smith? Take in the café’s warmth and country-like charm on the outdoor terrace, while enjoying a variety of wholesome offerings: sandwiches, warm platters, hot and cold beverages, wine, St-Ambroise beer and an assortment of sweets!

Schedule: Pedal boat rental at Beaver Lake

Weekends of June 6–7 and 13–14, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
June 20–August 23: weekdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Weekends of August 29–30 and September 5–6–7, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

Cost: $8/30 minutes—maximum two adults per craft

$2 for a third person (child under 12 years of age)

A deposit of $5 is required

Last rental: 30 minutes before closing

Schedule: Café Smith restaurant and terrace

From May 2 to June 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
From June 20 to September 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
From September 8 to November 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

TAKE ACTION

Les amis’ annual campaign: concrete actions for the preservation of our heritage

Les amis de la montagne depends upon generous donations from individuals, foundations and corporations for the majority of its financing. Every dollar counts and allows us to:

Rally the community on the mountain’s protection challenges;
Influence public policy in favour of the mountain’s conservation;
Establish innovative school partnerships providing hands-on nature experiences for thousands of children;
Create unique tools to discover the mountain’s heritage, such as the new interactive map available on the web; and
Deliver environmental education programs, welcome and information services, outdoor rental equipment and dining services to hundreds of thousands of visitors to the park annually.

Support Les amis’ actions – make a donation today. Thank you for your gift!

The time for compromise is over

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The preservation of the mountain demands our call to action!

THE TIME FOR COMPROMISE IS OVER.

The preservation of the mountain demands our call to action!

(Maquette / OCPM)

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal is currently studying a residential development project on the former site of Marianopolis College. The project includes the conversion of the main historic building into prestigious residences and the construction of condominium complexes and single-family dwellings. In total, the project calls for 325 residential units and the addition of 671 underground parking places on the property.

The project, which has obtained preliminary approval from the City of Montreal and the provincial government, violates the city’s urban plan in terms of use, density, height, volume, allowable parking places and construction on the site!

After 10 years of tireless advocacy, we, as a community, have obtained special recognition for Mount Royal from the provincial government as a site of national interest to be preserved, and requiring from the City the creation of a consultative process and protection plan in favour of the mountain’s preservation.

This residential project, the first to be evaluated under the guiding principles of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan, will become the reference project for all others to come.

Les amis de la montagne consider this project to be unacceptable; it must be modified to allow the true preservation of the mountain’s historic and natural heritage for the benefit of Montreal and the community, citizens of today and of the future.

Together, we have the right to demand for ourselves and for our children, those who will inherit this most unique of cities in North America, a project built on excellence and not compromise.

To demonstrate your disapproval of this project, a project that will guide all further decisions on the future of the mountain, we invite you to take action in the following ways:

Sign the petition asking to refuse the project and forward it to your friends, family and colleagues.
Present a written or oral statement to the Office de consultation publique de Montréal expressing your disagreement with the project – the most effective way in ensuring that the community’s displeasure with the project is officially recorded.

For either a written or oral statement, you must register no later than May 21 with the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) by calling 514 872-8510.
Your written statement must also reach the OCPM by May 21.
Hearings begin on May 27.
Please see the attached documents explaining the hearings procedure.

You may also write a letter to the elected officials who will need to make a decision on this project in the coming months:

Ms Christine St-Pierre

Ministre de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine

480, boul. Saint-Laurent, 7e étage

Montréal (Québec) H2Y 3Y7

T : 514 873-2137

F : 514 873-0980

Mr. Gérald Tremblay

Maire de Montréal

275 rue Notre-Dame Est

Montréal (Québec) H2Y 1C6

T : 514 872-3101

F : 514 872-4059

Mr. Karim Boulos

Conseiller de l’arrondissement du district Peter-McGill

Arrondissement de Ville-Marie, Ville de Montréal

888, boul. De Maisonneuve Est, 5e étage

Montréal (Québec) H2L 4S8

T : 514 868-5167

F : 514 872-8347

Invite your friends, family and colleagues to take part.

Thank you again for your support. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

Once again, Montrealers show their attachment to the mountain

Sun, 10 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Corvée Mountain Clean-up, Sunday, May 10, 2009

PRESS RELEASE - for immediate distribution

Corvée Mountain Clean-up, Sunday, May 10:

ONCE AGAIN, MONTREALERS SHOW THEIR ATTACHMENT TO THE MOUNTAIN

Montreal, May 10, 2009 – Under grey skies, more than 300 Montrealers showed their attachment to the mountain by participating in the 18th edition of the Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up this morning, giving Mother Nature a hand on Mother’s Day.

Since 1990, this annual springtime tradition has allowed close to 11,000 individuals make a concrete gesture for their mountain, including the collection of close to 5,000 bags of garbage and the planting of more than 5,000 trees.

About one third of the participants planted 500 indigenous trees and shrubs including the Hemlock, Sugar Maple, Shadblow Serviceberry and Cranberry-Tree, in two areas around Beaver Lake.

Two teams of volunteers evaluated previous tree plantings and two teams cut down some common buckthorn, an exotic invasive species on the mountain.

Photos: Andrew Dobrowolskyj, 2009

“May 2009: Mount Royal Month” calendar of events

A conference on the mountain’s geology will be held on May 13 as part of the Université de Montréal’s “Belles Soirées” (in French). The public will be able to participate in two guided walks with specialists from Les amis de la montagne on the topic of geology on May 20 and on the topic of ornithology on May 22.

The 5th Prix du Mont-Royal will be awarded on May 25 by Les amis de la montagne and the Ville de Montréal to an individual whose vision and commitment to the preservation of the mountain’s heritage is an inspiration to us all.

On Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, the 2nd edition of the exhibit “Sur le toit de Montréal” will be on view at Smith House. This exhibit features works by more than 400 elementary school students in the form of posters created collectively by each class. The project was made possible by the Programme de soutien à l’école montréalaise du ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport and Les amis de la montagne, in partnership with the Université de Montréal, St-Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the cavalry unit of the SPVM.

Activities of the mountain’s great institutions

The activities of eight of the mountain’s great institutions are included for the first time in the calendar of Mount Royal Month events: the cavalry unit of the SPVM, Cimetière Mont-Royal, Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, Musée McCord, Musée Redpath, Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal, Université de Montréal (Les Belles Soirées) and Université McGill.

The complete calendar of activities organized as part of Mount Royal Month is available on the following websites: lemontroyal.qc.ca and ville.montreal.qc.ca/bureaumontroyal.

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Project on the former Marianopolis College site

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

No more compromises for Mount Royal

Montreal, May 4, 2009

Letter of opinion – Les amis de la montagne

Former Marianopolis College site: No more compromises for Mount Royal

After more than 20 years of advocacy efforts by citizens and associations such as Les amis de la montagne to obtain the protection of Mount Royal, the city of Montreal finally announced the creation of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan adopted by council last week, stating that: “Never in its history, has Mount Royal been so well protected.”

Tonight, citizens are asked to participate in the first of three nights of public consultations concerning a vast residential project planned for the magnificent site of the former Marianopolis College, located within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District. This project derogates from the mountain’s protection plan and the city’s urban planning by-laws with regards to use, density, height, volume, allowable installation on the site and adequate protection of vegetation.

Citizens are being subjected to a remarkably short timeframe to prepare comments and opinions for a proceeding on a multi-million dollar project that has all the appearances of provincial and municipal pre-approval.

The astonishing contradiction between our provincial and municipal leaders’ creation of a master protection and enhancement plan for Mount Royal coupled with its decision to push an overtly oversized if not outright unacceptable project through public consultation is a sad indictment of our provincial and municipal leaders’ weakness when faced with making the right decision.

This dramatic abyss between policy and practice is also an affront to citizens and to true democracy. Rather than debate the very nature of the project, we are forced to criticize its minutiae. As citizens, we are left to defend the mountain in the face of this political ambivalence, earning nothing more than the title of antagonists or worse yet, “immobilistes” or those who fight change for the sake of fighting change.

The provincial ministry of culture and the municipal administration have demonstrated an historic unwillingness to live by their political undertakings and regulatory guidelines as manifested in a long line of important projects they failed to protect. This political “immobilisme” is no longer acceptable – the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan is supposed to announce a new day for the mountain and our community.

And so Les amis de la montagne and the community will spend the next several weeks pouring over plans and documentation as part of the consultation process. But are we being lured into thinking that our only possible reaction is to challenge elements of the project being presented, as opposed to the project itself?

Public monies have been invested into commenting upon and shaping the proposed project, which in its current iteration seems to comply with the criteria of the various requested studies. The project, however, does not comply with the current zoning for the site, the starting point and very essence of the nature of the project, nor does it abide by the communities’ desire to maintain the current, limited amount of green space on the mountain.

The project is neither appropriate, nor worthy of the former Marianopolis College site and is sadly, a reminder of the adjacent “Ferme sous les noyers” project of 1999. The Ferme sous les noyers was a very beautiful property located on the southern flank of Mount Royal, located off Atwater and Saint-Sulpice, with a greystone building in the midst of a terraced garden that hugged the mountain’s topography and that could be discovered only by walking through the property, a hidden treasure in the heart of the city.

A massively intense residential development carried out without respect for the historic character of the site completely transformed the landscape to the point where, in 2003, the site was unequivocally removed from within the limits of the Mount Royal protected territory decreed by the Gouvernement du Québec. Instead, a plaque was installed on the greystone building, reminding us all that once upon a time, this property, as is the case of the former Marianopolis site, was part of the Sulpicians seigniorial domain!

The bitter taste of déjà-vu is bubbling to the surface of this proposed project for the former Marianopolis site, a site that is the last remaining institutional domain of the Sulpicians within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

The municipal administration will receive the opinions of the public and the expression of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal and make its determination which will be endorsed or not by the Ministry of Culture under the provisions of the decree which partially governs the mountain.

If enough members of the community express their viewpoints in writing or in person to the city of Montreal and the Ministry of Culture, perhaps this time we can garner the influence needed to end the cycle of poor decision-making for the mountain.

The Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan has been a community-driven effort that provincial and municipal officials have appeared to embrace. What exactly is stopping us today to use whatever measures and means at our disposal to ensure, once and for all, the coherent, effective and unequivocal protection of Mount Royal?

Peter A. Howlett, C.M.

President

Les amis de la montagne

Les amis' newsletter, "May 2009: Mount Royal Month"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

May is a month dedicated to conserving the mountain's biodiversity

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Special forum: guided walk on Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m.

NEWS

A major residential project on the mountain is cause for concern
The Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan is adopted

ACTIVITIES

Les amis de la montagne launch the youth section of the interactive map
New summer day camp: still some places left!

CALENDAR

Photo: A. Dobrowolskyj, 2008

May 2009: Mount Royal Month
18th Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

TAKE ACTION

Make your annual campaign donation to Les amis
Join us on Facebook!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

As part of “May 2009: Mount Royal Month”, Les amis’ forum participants will be taken on a guided visit of the southern sector of the mountain. The walk begins from the Beaver Lake pavilion and will continue to the former Philosophy Seminary, the Trafalgar-Gleneagles site, the former site of the Ferme sous les noyers and will conclude at the Grand Séminaire on Sherbrooke Street. Join us to discover the history and heritage of this area to gain a better understanding of the development projects slated for these sites and their conservation challenges.

Departure from the Beaver Lake pavilion in Mount Royal Park
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

A major residential project on the mountain is cause for concern

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) will hold public consultations on the residential project planned for the former site of the Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary, more recently the former site of Marianopolis College.

The project consists of converting the main historic building into prestigious residences and the addition of condominium complexes and townhouses. In total, 325 residential units will be located on the property, in addition to 671 underground parking spaces. The project, located within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District, derogates from the city’s urban planning by-laws with regards to use, density, height, volume and allowable installation on the site.

During a special forum held by Les amis de la montagne on April 28, numerous participants expressed great concern over the scale of the project on this magnificent institutional site located within close proximity to Mount Royal Park.

We encourage everyone to participate in large numbers in the public consultation on this project!

The information sessions will be held:

May 4, 5 and 11
Offices of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal
1550 Rue Metcalfe, 14^th floor (Peel metro)

Information on the proposed project and the consultation process is available in French from the OCPM’s website.

Click here for the information pamphlet and public announcement.

The Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan is adopted

The Ville de Montréal announced the adoption of the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan by the executive council on April 24 at city hall. The plan is slated for the adoption by the end of the month by the agglomeration council.

This plan underwent public consultation in 2008 and is an update of the Mount Royal Enhancement Plan of 1992. The plan defines the approaches being proposed by the Ville de Montréal to ensure the protection and enhancement of the landscapes, as well as the natural, built and created spaces judged of interest on the mountain.

Les amis de la montagne are satisfied with this plan for Mount Royal, but underline that the true test of its effectiveness will be in the concrete application of the protection measures contained in the document and the execution of an action plan.

Les amis have worked for a very long time in securing protection measures for Mount Royal and are pleased to see results. Following the governmental decree creating the historic and natural district in 2005, the Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan is the Ville de Montréal’s expression of the territory’s unique and emblematic importance.

The plan was finally realized thanks to the human and financial resources put in place by the Ville de Montréal since 2005 and also to the importance attributed to the involvement and the consultation by all interested associations, institutions and the public. The success of the application of the plan will likewise depend upon this continued level of involvement from all sides.

ACTIVITIES

Les amis de la montagne launch the youth section of the Mount Royal interactive map

Les amis de la montagne proudly launched a brand new youth section of the Mount Royal interactive map geared for 8 to 17 year-olds. Games, videos, investigations, slide shows and discovery files – all ensure the most dynamic, playful and interactive discovery of the mountain ever!

With the help of 100 multimedia files, young people – at home or in the classroom - are invited to discover the history, geology, fauna, flora and art on the mountain in a most uncommon and original way.

Photo: A. Dobrowolskyj, 2009

Still places left in Les amis’ summer day camp

Les amis de la montagne are offering a new summer day camp in Mount Royal Park for children 6 to 12 years old, in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal.

The day camp experience on Mount Royal will be an immersion into nature in the heart of the city. Reservations are possible for one to two-week programs between June 29 to August 21, depending on the child’s age and interests.

Photo: S. Montigné, 2008

Register your child today - simply complete the registration form and send it to us with a first installment of $50 (non-refundable) at the following address: Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Montreal, QC H3H 1A2. For further information, please contact Noémie Poirier-Monfette by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

CALENDAR

May 2009: Mount Royal Month

May, officially proclaimed “Mount Royal Month”, is a month of activities dedicated to the discovery and conservation of the natural environment and the exploration of the many facets of the mountain. Mount Royal Month is the original idea of Les amis de la montagne, realized jointly with the Ville de Montréal, thanks to the generosity of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and other sponsors, institutions and collaborators.

Following the public forum, which will take the form of a guided walk on the mountain, two conferences will be held as part of the Université de Montréal’s “Belles Soirées” (in French). A conference on the birds of Montreal will be held May 6 and on the mountain’s geology on May 13. The public will be able to deepen their understanding of these topics with specialists from Les amis de la montagne on geology on May 20 and on ornithology on May 22.

Activities of the mountain’s great institutions:

Click here for the complete calendar of Mount Royal Month activities.

18^th Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

All members of the community are invited to join us at the Chalet du Mont-Royal on May 10 to celebrate Mother Nature on Mother’s Day!

Schedule

8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Individual registration at the Chalet du Mont-Royal. Participants 6 to 17 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. Bicycles, dogs and strollers are not permitted on the Corvée work sites. The event will be held rain or shine.
12:30 p.m.: Activities come to an end; bring your picnic lunch!
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Educational show on birds of prey on the lookout.
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Informational kiosks presented by organizations working in thearea of biodiversity at the Chalet du Mont-Royal.

Photos: A. Dobrowolskyj, 2008

Tune us in!

On Friday, May 8, we invite you to tune in to “Les Midis Libre” on CIBL Radio-Montréal 101,5 FM to listen to Joëlle Lapalme, coordinator of conservation activities, who will discuss events planned during the month of May to help preserve the mountain’s biodiversity.

5^th World Congress in Environmental Education

Les amis de la montagne, partners of the 5th World Congress in Environmental Education, being held in Montreal from May 10 to 14, are pleased to welcome 100 people from the four corners of the world as participants in the 18th Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up on May 10. About 200 trees will be planted to help offset carbon emissions of travellers to the Congress.

As part of the congress, Les amis de la montagne will participant as conference presenters. Éric Richard, director of educational services, will present the environmental stewarship program the Les amis have been running successfully for the last several years, while Jean-Michel Villanove, coordinator of educational services for the general public, will present the interactive map of Mount Royal, designed to provide an original exploration of the mountain.

TAKE ACTION

Donate to Les amis’ annual campaign

Les amis de la montagne depends upon generous donations from individuals, foundations and corporations for the majority of its financing. By mobilizing public opinion, Les amis is a pioneer in developing viable initiatives for the mountain’s long-term protection. Every dollar gets results. To find out more, simply download the annual campaign brochure here. Thank you for your support!

Join us on Facebook!

Residential project on the former Marianopolis College site

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The public consultation is announced

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) will hold public consultations in the following weeks on the vast residential project planned for the magnificent site of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary, more recently known as the former site of Marianopolis College.

For information on the proposed project and the consultation process (available in French), visit the site of the OCPM at: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/ldvdm/jsp/ocpm/ocpm.jsp.

Click here for the information pamphlet and public announcement.

Summer day camp on Mount Royal

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Open house on April 21

OPEN HOUSE: SUMMER DAY CAMP ON MOUNT ROYAL

Les amis de la montagne proudly announce the creation of a new summer day camp in Mount Royal Park for children 6 to 12 years old. The day camp is organized in collaboration with the City of Montreal and offers campers a beautiful nature setting in the heart of the city.

Download the camp brochure (in French) by clicking here.

A variety of programs with animation in French are being offered from June 29 to August 21, with one or two week programs, depending on the child’s age and interests:

“Les secrets de la montagne” and “Les explorateurs de la montagne” will allow children 6-8 years old a mountain of discoveries of the park's flora and fauna.
For the program titled “Les correspondants du mont Royal”, children 9-12 years old will create a multimedia news story on the mountain and its fascinating history.

Register your child today!

An open house and registration session will be held at Smith House on Tuesday, April 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

To reserve a place for your child, please complete the registration form and send it to us with a first installment of $50 (non-refundable) at the following address: Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, Montreal, QC H3H 1A2.

For further information, please contact Noémie Poirier-Monfette by calling 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

News from the April Public Forum

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Challenges and conservation projects for Mount Royal’s natural environment

The public forum was held Wednesday, April 1st at Smith House.

Numerous citizens were in attendance to learn about and discuss the challenges and projects related to the mountain’s natural environment, as well as other issues in the news concerning Mount Royal.

Joëlle Lapalme and Claude Drolet, respectively coordinator of conservation activities and conservation patroller with Les amis de la montagne, made a presentation on the the protection of a natural environment in an urban context and explained the various activities Les amis and the Ville de Montréal have undertaken to increase Mount Royal’s biodiversity. The activities include, but are not limited to the following: litter pick-up in the mountain forest, the cutting of exotic invasive plants, the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs and the continuation of a research project on the control of common buckthorn and Norway Maple.

Discussion with participants following the presentation centred upon the balance between environmental activities and respect for landscape heritage.

The April forum documents may be consulted by clicking here.

Discover Mount Royal on the Web for 8 to 17 year-olds!

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Launch of the youth section of the Mount Royal interactive map

Press release – for immediate distribution

Discover Mount Royal on the Web for 8 to 17 year-olds!

Montreal, March 30, 2009 – Les amis de la montagne proudly launched the brand new youth section of the Mount Royal interactive map geared for 8 to 17 year-olds, in the company of students from the École Saint-Germain d’Outremont today.

A presentation and trial run of the interactive map’s new content available at www.lemontroyal.qc.ca was featured on this occasion – games, videos, investigations, slide shows and discovery files – all ensured a most dynamic, playful and interactive discovery of the mountain ever!

Photos (clockwise) : Samuel Montigné, environmental educator, presents the map. Jean-Michel Villanove, coordinator of educational services (general public), guides students in their investigation. Production team and guests: Gabrielle Korn, Samuel Montigné, Jean-Michel Villanove, Myriam Grondin, Éric Richard, Lina Sarraf (member of the advisory committee), Pierrette Trudel (member of the advisory committee), Diane Lacour de Léry (principal of the École St-Germain d'Outremont), Émilie Paul, André Larichelière (commissioner with the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys for Outremont) and Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne. Helen Fotopulos, member of the executive committee of the Ville de Montréal, responsible for Mount Royal, Sylvie Guilbault, executive director of Les amis de la montagne and Diane Lacour de Léry, principal of the École St-Germain d'Outremont, participate in an investigation.(Photos: © Les amis de la montagne/Andrew Dobrowolskyj).

The younger age group (8 to 11 years) is invited to lead a series of investigations: re-trace the history of a coin found of the mountain dating from 1860 or trek through the forest to trace animal prints in the snow.

The colourful “Friendz” super-guides accompany 12 to 17 year-olds on a variety of multimedia challenges that will see them create posters on conservation issues that could even be published on the interactive map via Les amis de la montagne’s website. A downloadable guide for teachers allows further thinking in the classroom.

The purpose of the interactive map, which went live in the fall of 2008 by Les amis de la montagne, is to trigger the visitor’s desire to discover Mount Royal and its hidden assets in order to better appreciate the mountain and participate in its conservation and longevity. The website presents audio-visual capsules on the mountain’s heritage that can be downloaded from the site free of charge.

This project was made possible due to the program supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Cultural Content Online Program, as well as the participation of a committee of education specialists.

Les amis de la montagne also wish to extend thanks to the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire by way of the Fonds de développement de la métropole, the Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine and the Ville de Montréal as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel de Montréal.

To visit the interactive map of Les amis de la montagne: www.lemontroyal.qc.ca

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Source and information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237
gkorn@lemontroyal.qc.ca

Les amis' newsletter - April 2009

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

What's new on the mountain ...

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, April 1st at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

A heliport on Mount Royal?!
The mountain has its limits! Reuse of the building located at 1420 Boulevard Mont-Royal
Work begins to expand the Percival-Molson Stadium
Obituary notice for Mr. Arthur Bruneau, Governor Emeritus of Les amis de la montagne

ACTIVITIES

New summer day camp in Mount Royal Park for children 6 to 12 years old
Conservation activities: “A community in action for Mount Royal”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Call for volunteers: bird inventory and the 18th Corvée du Mont-Royal
Join the team – employment opportunities with Les amis de la montagne

TAKE ACTION

“Become a Friend”

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The next public forum will be held Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

“Challenges and projects of Les amis de la montagne’s Environmental Stewardship Program”

Mount Royal is a fertile territory of natural environments that needs to be protected and enriched. To this end, Les amis de la montagne have undertaken planting, research and environmental monitoring activities for the last several years in collaboration with subject matter experts and the active participation of groups and citizens. Three years ago, Les amis created the Environmental Stewardship Program in order to support owners and managers of the mountain in their efforts to conserve the mountain’s natural environment.

A presentation and discussion on the challenges, strategies and projects of this program with Les amis de la montagne’s Joëlle Lapalme, coordinator of conservation activities, and Claude Drolet, conservation patroller.

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator at 514 843-8240, ext. 241.

NEWS

A heliport on Mount Royal?!

Recent media reports have raised the question of whether our hospitals specializing in trauma care should be equipped with helicopter medical emergency services to ensure speedy response times to the most serious accident cases.

In May 2008, during the public consultations on the project to expand the Montreal General Hospital, representatives of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) confirmed that no plans were in the works to add a heliport to the mountain site, neither in current nor future projects.

Less than one year later, Les amis de la montagne are astonished to learn by media reports that a serious analysis has already been undertaken by the Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux to construct a heliport on the Montreal General Hospital site.

Considering that the Montreal General Hospital’s new trauma centre will service 56% of the Quebec territory to as far as Ungava Bay, one could presume that the addition of a heliport will bring about an increase air traffic in addition to the density of vehicular traffic already present in this sector of the mountain.

For Les amis de la montagne, this news adds to the arguments already stated in support of establishing the MUHC’s trauma centre on the more appropriate Glen site and therefore, off the mountain, a historic and natural district unique in Quebec.

The mountain has its limits!

The reuse of the building located at 1420 Boulevard Mont-Royal

The project to convert the former convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary into luxury condominiums on the northern flank of the mountain in Outremont is being opposed by many citizens who want to keep our major institutions on the mountain. Their concerns are founded. While it’s true that Mount Royal is currently protected by virtue of a governmental decree, it is not immune to transformation. Maintenance of the institutions located on its flanks, however, comes at a price … click to continue reading …

Click here to read Les amis de la montagne’s position paper (in French) presented March 11^th at the hearings of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal.

NOTE: The building project on the former site of Marianopolis College, located on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges and Avenue Cedar, will be open to public consultations shortly. Les amis de la montagne continue to follow the dossier.

Work begins to expand the Percival-Molson Stadium

The expansion and renovation of the Percival-Molson Stadium on the mountain is moving ahead. The work, evaluated at $29.3 million, will be financed in the amount of $19.3 million by the Gouvernement du Québec, $4 million by the Ville de Montréal and $6 million by the owner of the Montreal Alouettes Football Club, Robert Wetenhall.

The work comprises the addition of 5,000 seats, including 3,800 on the south side of the stands, 18 new corporate loges, the installation of a giant video screen score board and the relocation of the ticket counter and main entrance to Avenue du Parc. The work is slated to begin shortly and will take approximately 15 months in order to accommodate a total of 25,000 fans for the 2010 season.

Numerous modifications to the project have been made since 2006. Nonetheless, once renovated, the stadium is likely to hold more events than just the nine Alouettes’ games. It remains to be seen how the stadium will be managed by its owner in a spirit of good neighbourhood relations.

Obituary notice for Mr. Arthur Bruneau, Governor Emeritus of Les amis de la montagne

Les amis de la montagne wishes to honour Mr. Arthur Bruneau, who died at the age of 85 on December 20, 2008, at Montreal. Mr. Bruneau, a retired executive from Alcan, distinguished himself as a business leader by getting involved in the cause to protect Mount Royal since the founding of Les amis de la montagne. He was actively involved in fundraising efforts for the organization and in seeking financial partners in support of Les amis’ mission, particularly the Smith House campaign.

You may read the Obituary Notice published in The Gazette by clicking here.

ACTIVITIES

New summer day camp in Mount Royal Park for children 6 to 12 years old

Les amis de la montagne proudly announce the creation of a new summer day camp in Mount Royal Park in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. Open to children 6 to 12 years old, the camp offers a beautiful nature setting in the heart of the city.

A variety of programs are being offered depending on the child’s age and interests:

“Les secrets de la montagne” and “Les explorateurs de la montagne” will allow children 6 to 8 years old to discover a mountain of flora and fauna.
For the program titled “Les correspondants du mont Royal”, children 9 to 12 years old will create a multimedia news story on the mountain and its fascinating history.

Animation will be in French. An open house and registration session will be held on Saturday, April 4 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and Tuesday, April 21 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Smith House, located at 1260 Remembrance Road. For more information or to register your child, contact Noémie Poirier at 514 843-8240, ext. 235.

Conservation activities: “A community in action for Mount Royal”

Calling all individuals or groups interested in the conservation of Mount Royal’s natural environment! Get involved in Les amis de la montagne’s conservation activities, starting this spring.

For individuals, the biodiversity intervention program will improve your knowledge of conservation issues while participating directly to the maintenance of the mountain’s biodiversity. The program runs for a seven-week period and includes the identification of plant species, monitoring of previous plantings, intervention methods to control invasive species and in some cases, indigenous tree and shrub planting. The program for participants 14 years and older takes place on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. from May 5 to June 20 and from July 7 to August 22.

For groups, the Environmental Stewardship Program consists of concrete activities on the mountain territory that supports the conservation initiatives of property owners and managers on Mount Royal and their participation in the maintenance of its biodiversity. Activities include the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs and other conservation interventions, including the monitoring of trees planted since 2003, cutting down exotic invasive species and monitoring efforts to control invasive plants.

All proposed activities are supervised by professionals and are in line the Ville de Montréal’s Mount Royal Master Protection and Enhancement Plan, as well as a scientific, research-based process aimed at increasing knowledge of the natural environment and intervention methods for its conservation.

For more information, contact Joëlle Lapalme at 514 843-8240, ext. 234.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Call for volunteers for Les amis’ annual bird inventory

There’s no better time than the springtime migration to discover Mount Royal’s diverse bird life!

Les amis de la montagne are looking for volunteer ornithologists to participate in the 3^rd annual Mount Royal bird inventory. The inventory will take place from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the mountain territory, including Summit Park, Mount Royal Park, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery and Université de Montréal.

An information session will be held Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Smith House. To participate or for more information, contact Claude Drolet at 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

Volunteers needed for the 18th Corvée du Mont-Royal

The 18^th Corvée du Mont-Royal will be held Sunday, May 10, a springtime tradition where nearly 10,500 people have contributed directly to their mountain’s preservation since 1990.

Les amis de la montagne are seeking volunteers to help with the logistical arrangements of the environmental activities planned for this special day, whose theme this year is the conservation of Mount Royal’s biodiversity.

An information sheet on the day’s activities and a description of volunteer tasks are available in French. Other environmental activities are in the planning for May and June 2009 and also require the participation of volunteer team leaders. To become a volunteer or for more information, contact Claude Drolet at 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

Save the date: We invite you participate in the Corvée du Mont-Royal by registering the day-of at the Chalet near the lookout from 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2009, rain or shine. Spread the word to your family and friends!

Join the team – employment opportunities with Les amis de la montagne!

Passionate and dynamic, guided by its mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education, Les amis de la montagne are looking for individuals to join its educational services division. Click here for detailed information (in French) on available employment opportunities and how to apply.

TAKE ACTION

“Become a Friend”

Obtain your “Friends’ card” today and you will join a family of dedicated individuals committed to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. “Friends' cards” are issued on an individual basis and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Available for $20 per person, Friends receive a one-time 20% discount at Les amis’ boutique or Café Smith.

Whether you become a Friend or wish to make a larger gift and become a Donor, your contribution is vital to keeping the mountain healthy and accessible.

There are three ways to purchase your “Friends card”:

In person at Smith House, located at 1260 Remembrance Road;
By secure payment online;
By mail: please download and print the “Become a Friend” brochure.

Reuse of the building located at 1420 Boulevard Mont-Royal

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Opinion piece by Les amis de la montagne

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

THE MOUNTAIN HAS ITS LIMITS!

Let’s recall that the Université de Montréal purchased the convent in 2003. Since then, Mount Royal was decreed a Historic and Natural District and the City of Montreal led a three-year exercise resulting in the Mount Royal Master Protection and Enhancement Plan. This plan recognizes that the mountain has a limit to its capacity for development.

In 15 years, the Université de Montréal and its affiliated schools built six new buildings on Mount Royal (the HEC, Marcelle and Jean Coutu, J-A Bombardier and Lassonde 1 pavilions, and the Centre des technologies en aérospatiale), for a total area of 70,000 m². Considering that the university says its needs the equivalent amount of area for its future expansion, it is difficult to imagine how the current mountain campus can accommodate the equivalent of these six buildings without compromising the fragile balance of the site’s built, landscape and natural heritage.

The former convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary no longer figures in the development plans of the Université de Montréal. If the university is forced to preserve the convent, will it not need to review its strategy to redeploy to the Outremont campus? Will it not need to consolidate its actual campus and pursue the densification of the mountain?

Under these circumstances, the evaluation of the project by the public bodies involved must take into account the consequences of imposing the conservation of this building on the university in its development plan. Ideally, institutions are an important element of the mountain’s heritage and should be given priority. But in this particular case, the continued development of the Université de Montréal on its mountain campus is a threat to Mount Royal.

Considering that the conversion of the convent into condominiums does not require any new construction and will therefore, not add to the mountain’s densification; considering also the favourable opinions and recommendations of the heritage experts consulted by the City as to the quality of the project being presented, the choice is clear. The protection of the mountain necessitates a limit to development.

Les amis de la montagne present their position paper tonight, March 11, before the Office de consultation publique de Montréal. You may read the position paper (in French) by clicking here.

Les amis' newsletter - March 2009

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

What's new on the mountain ...

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

ACTIVITIES

The 12th Tuques Bleues Celebration: a great success!

NEWS

Public consultation
Three sectors of the mountain undergo change

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Montreal All-Nighter on Mount Royal
Smith House, 150 years of history

TAKE ACTION

Your donation makes a difference!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The next public forum will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

“Projects to redevelop the area surrounding Smith House and Remembrance Road”

Les amis de la montagne invite you to join the discussion on the projects to redevelop the area surrounding Smith House and the establishment of an ecological corridor the length of Remembrance Road, two projects currently being planned by the Ville de Montréal. Smith House has been a part of Mount Royal’s history for the last 150 years and is the central welcome and education centre in Mount Royal Park.

Guest speaker: Wendy Graham, landscape architect, Ville de Montréal

The graduating class of the Université de Montréal’s school of landscape architecture studied the two sectors in question and their work will be on display at Smith House.

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator.

ACTIVITIES

12th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event: 800 participants contribute to Les amis de la montagne’s mission to conserve and enhance Mount Royal

The 12th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event was launched by ceremonial canon fire on Mount Royal on February 19, an exceptional wintertime fundraising event benefitting Les amis de la montagne.

Click on the photo to open the photo gallery of the Tuques Bleues event held Thursday, February 19, 2009 on Mount Royal.
Photos: © Les amis de la montagne / Andrew Dobrowolskyj / Tzara Maud

This magical night time sporting activity in the heart of the city was inspired by the snowshoe clubs of the 1840s that would gather at dusk to ascend Mount Royal in a spirit of good cheer and camaraderie. Close to 100 snowshoe racers competed for the gold, silver and bronze medals in both the women’s and men’s categories, while numerous teams from companies and organizations contended for the Corporate Challenge Cup, the Sports Club Cup and the Tuques Bleues Trophy. More than 700 snowshoe walkers revelled in the beauty of the freshly-fallen snow at a more leisurely pace.

The honourary co-chairs of the event, Isabelle Hudon, President of Marketel and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, awarded medals to the race winners during the festivities inside the Chalet. Medals went to: Women: Gold – Stéphanie Simpson, Club sportif MAA (14:14), Silver – Aviva Lavallée-Roberts, Club sportif MAA (14:34), Bronze – Geneviève Masson, Groupe Financier Banque TD, (14:40); Men: Gold – Charles Perreault, Mansfield Club Athlétique (10:42), Silver— Joel St-Louis, Club sportif MAA (11:33), Bronze – Philippe Bertrand, Mansfield Club Athlétique (12:04). The Corporate Challenge Cup was awarded to MacDougall, MacDougall & MacTier, the Sports Club Cup to Club sportif MAA, who won by one tenth of a second over the Mansfield Club Athlétique and the Tuques Bleues Trophy to Manulife Financial.

Les amis wish to warmly thank our three hosts, Rob Kemp and Pete Marier from CHOM 97.7, and Jean-Yves Bourdages, as well as Helen Fotopulos, Mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough, member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal responsible for Mount Royal, who provided words of encouragement to the snowshoers at the departure line.

The Amis team also wishes to thank the many volunteers who joined us this year to help with the organization and logisitics of the event. Special thanks to Circé Labelle of CGI who single-handedly recruited 35 volunteers from her company for the occasion.
Funds raised from the Tuques Bleues Celebration are invested by Les amis de la montagne in educational programs, protection activities for Mount Royal, hands-on projects such as tree-plantings, and the creation of private-public partnerships in support of the revitalization of sectors of Mount Royal Park.

Major sponsors of the evening included Gaz Métro, Manulife Financial, Atmosphere, Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes. We also thank our sponsors of products and services, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, Hewitt, Java U and Le Château, our media partners CHOM 97.7, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse and The Gazette, and the Ville de Montréal.

Note from the webmaster: the Tuques Bleues Celebration photo gallery will be online soon – our apologies for the delay!

NEWS

Three sectors of the mountain undergo change

In the last several months, Les amis de la montagne invited interested citizens and partner associations (Héritage Montréal, Conseil régional de l’environnement de Montréal, Écomusée de l’Au-Delà) to participate in workshops on the topic of three key sectors of Mount Royal undergoing radical transformation: the southern flank of Mount Royal, the Outremont summit and the Parc-Pins sector.

For each of these areas, concrete redevelop proposals have emerged, inspired by the draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan. Maps of each sector have been produced, including explanatory texts and graphics, in order to raise the awareness of those who are concerned with the quality of these respective areas of Montreal.

We invite you to consult these documents (available in French), to forward your comments and suggestions to us and to remain vigilant as to further developments in these areas of concern.

Map 1 – Southern flank of the mountain including the historic domain of the Sulpicians

Map 2 – Outremont summit

Map 3 – Parc-Pins sector

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover” as part of the Montreal All-Nighter

On Saturday, February 28, join Les amis de la montagne for a virtual treasure hunt to explore and discover the many facets of the Mount Royal territory as part of the Montreal All-Nighter.

Discover the hidden treasures of the mountain’s historic and natural heritage via the projection of an interactive map in the warmth of the Redpath Museum, located on the McGill University campus: slideshows, videos, discovery files and true-false questionnaires will be featured.

For hardier explorers, we invite you to visit the area guided by downloadable podcasts along a variety of themes: “Mission Geology”, “In the footsteps of photographer William Notman”, “McGill University Campus” and “Historic Streets”. Multimedia players will be available on loan (quantity limited, identity card required.)

Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Place: Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke St. West
Cost: Free

Smith House, 150 years of history

Les amis de la montagne are proud to present an exhibit of the history of Smith House and its occupants to highlight the 150th year since its construction (1858-2008). Step back in time and discover Montreal and Mount Royal when it was the site of farms and horses, the host of the Internal Sculpture Symposium and the venue for a hunting and nature museum.

Date: Ongoing as of March 2
Time: Daily between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road
Cost: Free

TAKE ACTION

Your donation makes a difference!

Making an online donation is a simple, quick and direct way to make a contribution. All you need to do is complete the online form. Your transaction is secure and arrives automatically to Les amis. You receive an immediate confirmation of your donation. The funds collected by Les amis are invested in education programs and protection and enhancement initiatives for the mountain. We invite you to consult our website to learn more about the projects, programs and actions taken by Les amis de la montagne.

12th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event tonight

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Benefitting Les amis de la montagne

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

12th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event
Benefitting Les amis de la montagne

As part of the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS festival

Montreal, February 19, 2009 – The ceremonial canon of the 2nd Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery will launch the 12th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event on Mount Royal this evening, the exceptional wintertime fundraising event benefitting Les amis de la montagne.

Canon-fire served a pivotal role in the creation of Mount Royal Park. In response to those who claimed that the mountain was inaccessible, Colonel Stevenson climbed Mount Royal with his battery in 1862 and fired the cannon from the summit. His gesture did not go unnoticed!

Les amis de la montagne wish to thank honourary co-chairs Isabelle Hudon, President of Marketel and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, as well as the evening’s participants who, by their presence, contribute to Les amis’ mission to conserve and enhance Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration is made possible thanks to the support of companies and the participation of their employees. Thank you to our principal sponsors, Gaz Métro, Manulife Financial, Atmosphere, Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes, to our sponsors of products and services, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, Hewitt, Java U and Le Château, to our media partners CHOM 97.7, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse and The Gazette, and to the Ville de Montréal.

This magical night time activity in the heart of the city was inspired by the snowshoe clubs of the 1840s that would gather at dusk to ascend Mount Royal in a spirit of good cheer and camaraderie. For this 12th edition, close to 100 snowshoe racers will compete for the gold, silver and bronze medals in both the women’s and men’s categories, while numerous teams from companies and organizations will contend for the Corporate Challenge Cup, the Sports Club Cup and the Tuques Bleues Trophy. The trophy is awarded to the company with the highest number of employees in attendance at the event.

The race is followed by a snowshoe walk by close to 700 participants who revel in the beauty of the mountain at a more leisurely pace. The Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event culminates at the Chalet near the lookout with an outdoor barbecue, followed by a gastronomic buffet and medal and trophy ceremony indoors.

For more information on the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, please visit the Tuques Bleues section under the heading "News and Events".

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Source and information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
514 843-8240 ext. 237

Les amis de la montagne begin the countdown to the Tuques Bleues Celebration

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Yes, there's still snow on the mountain!

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE BEGIN THE COUNTDOWN TO THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Montreal, February 17, 2009 - The countdown has begun to the 12th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event to be held this Thursday, February 19 on Mount Royal beginning from Smith House at 5:45 p.m.

Once again, 800 Montrealers will trade their "Bluetooth" devices for the iconic blue tuque, while tramping through the mountain’s moonlit forest on snowshoes!

This evening is magical and emblematic of Les amis de la montagne; the Tuques Bleues support the organization’s mission to protect and conserve Mount Royal.

Funds are invested in educational programs, protection activities for Mount Royal, hands-on projects such as tree-plantings, and the creation of private-public partnerships in support of the revitalization of sectors of Mount Royal Park.

A handful of tickets are still available and may be purchased by calling Anna Coscia at 514 843-8240 ext. 239.

Details on the event are available on Les amis’ website, including:

Evening’s agenda
Guide for participants
Competitions and snowshoe trail
Menus for the outdoor BBQ and gastronomic buffet

You may also view the photos taken during the partners’ launch event held at Smith House on January 29 and listen to the 30 second public service announcement heard on Astral Radio’s CHOM, CJAD and Virgin Radio 96.

Construction project on the site of the Sulpician’s philosophy seminary

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Montreal’s heritage council recommends against the project

Montreal’s heritage council, the Conseil du patrimoine de Montréal (CPM), has recommended against the reuse project presented for the Sulpician’s philosophy seminary located on Côte-des-Neiges Road and Cedar Avenue. The CPM has recommended that modifications be made to the project with regards the density of the construction and the too-high number of parking spaces, as well as the height of the newly proposed construction that would compromise important views. In its current iteration, the CPM states that the project does not conform to the requirements of the Mount Royal Master Protection and Enhancement Plan and will need to be revised and corrected before proceeding to a public consultation. Les amis will continue to follow the dossier.

Click here to read the full report by the heritage council (in French).

Montreal All-Nighter on Mount Royal

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover”

PRESS RELEASE

“Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover” as part of the Montreal All-Nighter

Montreal, February 2, 2009 – On Saturday, February 28, join Les amis de la montagne for a virtual treasure hunt to explore and discover the many facets of the Mount Royal territory as part of the Montreal All-Nighter.

Discover the hidden treasures of the mountain’s historic and natural heritage via the projection of an interactive map in the warmth of the Redpath Museum, located on the McGill University campus: slideshows, videos, discovery files and true-false questionnaires will be featured.

For hardier explorers, we invite you to visit the area guided by downloadable podcasts along a variety of themes: “Mission Geology”, “In the footsteps of photographer William Notman”, “McGill University Campus” and “Historic Streets”. Multimedia players will be available on loan (quantity limited, identity card required.)

At midnight, the activity will be followed by the guided Flashlight Tours of the Redpath Museum.

Times: 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Place: Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke St. West
Cost: FREE
Info: (514) 843-8240 ext. 0

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Les amis' newsletter - February 2009

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Launch of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and more!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

The Ville de Montréal and the MUHC sign a development agreement for the Montreal General Hospital expansion project
Feeding wild animals: are you for or against?

ACTIVITIES

Help promote the Mount Royal interactive map
A brief history of snowshoeing on Mount Royal

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nordic kicksled demonstration in Mount Royal Park
Montreal All-Nighter on Mount Royal

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Launch of the 12^th edition (listen to our promo here on Astral Radio's CJAD, CHOM & Virgin Radio 96)

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The next public forum will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

"Municipal elections in 2009: what are your election wishes for the mountain?"

2008 was a year rich in public consultations for Mount Royal: draft plans were produced for the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal, a ring-road and north-south access, the Montreal General Hospital, the Radio-Canada antenna and the revision of the Cultural Properties Act. In this year of municipal elections, what would you make of the mountain’s protection and enhancement status and what message would you convey to elected officials? Are you reassured or worried about the future of the mountain?

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator.

NEWS

The Ville de Montréal and the MUHC sign a development agreement for the Montreal General Hospital expansion project

The Ville de Montréal and the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) recently signed a development agreement for the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital that establishes the urban regulations applicable to the property, as well as the responsibilities and terms for the expansion.

Despite this agreement that aims to improve the project, it is important to remember that the Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) and numerous participants in the consultation process, including Les amis de la montagne, strongly questioned the necessity of the MUHC hospital expansion on the mountain, which will increase the above-ground size of the hospital by 30%.

The Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan that was produced by the Ville de Montréal in 2008 recognizes the need to develop and apply the notion of “capacity limits” of the mountain. Considering the substantial projects that have been announced for this sector of the mountain (hospital expansion and development of the former Marianopolis College property), the capacity of Mount Royal to receive new construction must be defined at the earliest.

Illustration of the expansion project. The architectural treatment presented is not necessarily the definitive version of the project; it illustrates the volume of the expansion. (Adapted from Daniel Arbour & Associés, Campus de la Montagne : Projet d’intégration et de développement urbain, 15 janvier 2008, doc. 3.2, sec. 4.1.15).

According to the signed agreement, the MUHC commits to the following:

develop a restoration plan by August 2009 for the Benedictine forest (located at the north-eastern limit of the hospital property);
develop a pedestrian pathway at the eastern limit of the property to allow direct access to Mount Royal Park from Avenue des Pins;
produce heritage studies required to permit the progressive restoration of buildings of heritage interest, such as the Durnford and Birks houses, as well as the indoor tennis courts located on the historic site of the John Wilson McConnell property;
develop a management plan to control traffic generated by hospital activities;
examine the access to the indoor parking garage in order to maximize security of the site;
form a neighbourhood committee for the duration of the construction period.

The public will have the chance to comment on the MUHC’s landscaping plans, once they are made public via the MUHC’s website next summer.

Documents available for consultation (in French):

Feeding wild animals: are you for or against?

Many people question the wisdom of feeding wild animals.

Despite the endearing qualities of the grey squirrel, Montreal has a by-law prohibiting this practice, and with reason: the consequences for squirrels and their habitats can be serious. Feeding squirrels results in an increase in their population. This imbalance causes their habitats to deteriorate and increases the risks of an epidemic.

Photo: Samuel Montigné, 2008

Moreover, squirrels develop a dependency on this food source, which causes a change in their behaviour, occasionally rendering them aggressive. Even though some Montrealers believe that they are helping squirrels by providing them with food, the opposite is in fact true, as demonstrated by studies conducted in the United States that showed illness in squirrels that ate too many peanuts.

If you insist nonetheless on feeding wild animals, a more responsible gesture would be to install a bird feeder in your yard. The impact of feeders on the bird population is positive. Birds do not become dependent upon feeders for their food and the food in the feeders does not make them ill. The only behavioural change in birds is their likelihood to approach humans more easily – usually to our great enjoyment. But be careful – make sure the style of feeder you choose keeps away the squirrels!

ACTIVITIES

Help promote the Mount Royal interactive map

Help promote the Mount Royal interactive map to your web site visitors by downloading a “Discover Mount Royal” button from our web site!

The buttons are free of charge, easy to use and to install on your site. Choose the type of button that best fits your needs and then copy and paste the source code into any page on your web site. (Note: Your webmaster will know what to do!)

A brief history of snowshoeing on Mount Royal

It’s at the foot of the mountain, in 1840, that the Montreal Snow Shoe Club was formed, the first of its kind, with many other clubs to follow. Back then, snowshoes did not come equipped with fancy stainless-steel crampons, but snowshoers still managed to tramp for more 20 km in a single day, or challenged one another by running sprints or jumping hurdles. By the 1890s, however, snowshoeing began to lose its popularity to ice hockey.

Photo: Snowshoers, Mount-Royal (circa 1901), http://www.musee-mccord.qc.ca/

More recently, Quebecers have rediscovered snowshoeing as an enjoyable winter activity. Today, snowshoes are no longer made with bent-wood frames and rawhide webbing, but with lightweight aluminum-alloy frames, synthetic decking materials and crampons.

Snowshoeing is a sport for all ages and abilities – many people join Les amis for a guided snowshoe walk on Mount Royal to try the new equipment. They become quick converts to this increasingly popular sport. Regardless of the era or the modernity of the equipment, the mountain has remained a unique location to enjoy wintertime in the heart of the city!

For more information on Les amis’ guided snowshoe walks on Mount Royal, including a special St. Valentine’s Day outing with your sweetheart on February 14, visit the calendar of events on our website.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nordic kicksled demonstration in Mount Royal Park

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with LaGlisse.ca, invite you to try a Nordic kicksled this Saturday, January 31 in Mount Royal Park, a unique activity accessible to those 3 to 83 years-old!

Discover this Scandinavian tradition that is both fun for the whole family and environmentally friendly, already adopted by millions of Europeans! Enjoy the pleasures of winter either solo or accompanied by your child seated in front of the kicksled. The technique can easily be learned in minutes – and you’re off!

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Beaver Lake pavilion
Cost: 15-minute trial periods are free; available for rent thereafter at $15/2 hours

Photo: LaGlisse.ca

“Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover” as part of the Montreal All-Nighter

On Saturday, February 28, join Les amis de la montagne for a virtual treasure hunt to explore and discover the many facets of the Mount Royal territory as part of the Montreal All-Nighter.

Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Place: Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke St. West
Cost: Free

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Launch of the 12^th edition

Les amis de la montagne launch the 12^th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

As part of the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival

Montreal, January 29, 2009 – As honorary co-chairs of the 12^th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, Isabelle Hudon, President of Marketel and Rémi Racine, Chairman of the board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and President and Executive Producer of Artificial Mind and Movement (A2M), invite members of the community to become snowshoers for one evening by participating in this benefit event for Les amis de la montagne to be held on February 19 in Mount Royal Park.

Left to right: Philippe Batani, Chef de service, développement durable, Gaz Métro, David O’Connor, Vice President Quebec Operations, Group Benefits, Manulife Financial, honourary co-chair Rémi Racine, honourary co-chair Isabelle Hudon, Catherine Sévigny, city councillor, Ville-Marie Borough, Peter-McGill District, Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne. Photo: © Les amis de la montagne/Martin Roy, 2009

“I am very proud to be associated, this time as a company president, with Les amis de la montagne. Those who have the chance, like us, Montrealers, to live in a highly urban area with quick and privileged access to a mountain, have the duty to contribute to the preservation of such a precious asset,” said Isabelle Hudon.

“Once again this year, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is proud to support the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, an activity of special significance to the Board of Trade. Indeed, every metropolis must make an on-going effort to promote its attractions, whether they be of an economic, cultural, or environmental nature. And, for more than twenty years, Les amis de la montagne have worked hard to protect this crown jewel of our heritage, a central element of Montréal’s quality of life. It is therefore important for us all to do our part to promote, protect, and conserve Mount Royal. For this reason, we invite all members of the business community to participate in this colourful event, which enables us to discover or rediscover our mountain in all its glory,” declared Rémi Racine.

During the launch event at Smith House in Mount Royal Park, Isabelle Hudon and Rémi Racine thanked the major partners of the Tuques Bleues Celebration for their commitment and contribution: Gaz Métro, Manulife Financial, Atmosphere, Tubbs Snowshoes and Atlas Snowshoes. The co-chairs also warmly thanked the Ville de Montréal, Brasserie McAuslan, Domaine Pinnacle, Hewitt, Java U, Le Château, CHOM 97.7, CJAD 800 AM, Virgin Radio 96, La Presse and The Gazette for their contributions of products and services.

Les amis de la montagne organize this unique wintertime event where participants re-enact the snowshoeing tradition of sports clubs of the 1840s in support of their mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal. Nearly 800 individuals wearing blue toques either run or walk up the mountain in snowshoes along a 2.5 km trail through the forest, decorated by torchlight for the occasion. They make their way from Smith House to the Chalet near the lookout where the festivities begin with an outdoor barbecue, followed by a gastronomic buffet inside the Chalet.

For more information or to contribute to this benefit event, please contact Anna Coscia by calling 514 843-8240 ext. 239. Complete information on the Tuques Bleues Celebration, including online ticket purchase options, can also be found on Les amis’ website.

Nordic Kicksled Demonstration in Mount Royal Park

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Free trials this Saturday, January 31

Nordic Kicksled Demonstration in Mount Royal Park

Les amis de la montagne, in collaboration with LaGlisse.ca, will provide a demonstration of this original activity suitable for 3 to 83 year-olds, this Saturday, January 31, in Mount Royal Park.

Try out this traditional Scandinavian sport that is both environmentally and family friendly, already adopted by millions of Europeans! Whether solo or in tandem with your child seated in the front of the kicksled, enjoy the pleasures of winter. The technique can be learned within minutes and .. you're off!

Date: Saturday, January 31
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Beaver Lake pavilion
Price: Free for 15-minutes trials; rentals available thereafter at $15/2 hours

Les amis' newsletter - January 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

What's new on the mountain ...

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at Smith House

NEWS

Radio-Canada’s telecommunications tower: update on the report by the public consultation office
Report on the meeting of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal
Plans for a new building on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges
Kudos to Governor Dinu Bumbaru for his appointment to the Order of Canada

ACTIVITIES

A committee of experts is recruited to help build the educational content of Les amis’ interactive map
Snowshoeing on Mount Royal – the "trail" towards responsible recreation

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Cross-country ski lessons for children are now available on Mount Royal
Bird-watching on the mountain – an activity for the whole family

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

With friends or as a corporate team, it’s time to register for this magical event on the summit of Montreal – places are limited!

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The next public forum will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

"Residential renovation within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District"

The Trafalgar, photo: Ville de Montréal

The Mount Royal Historic and Natural District (MRHND) is composed of many residential areas characterized by a diversity of building types and architectural details. Although urban development is now rare within these areas, the multiplication of minor renovations and the lack of maintenance on residential properties can gradually alter the built landscape of the mountain.

Join our invited guests to learn about and discuss the challenges of residential renovation within the MRHND.

On the agenda:

An update on different ongoing projects on the mountain
A presentation by architect Fernando Pellicer of the Groupe DFS Inc., on the restoration of the Trafalgar building located on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges and The Boulevard
A presentation by Dinu Bumbaru on Heritage Montreal’s training program and information on residential renovation

For more information, please contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator.

NEWS

Radio-Canada’s telecommunications tower: update on the report by the public consultation office

The Office de consultation publique de Montréal (OCPM) submitted its report on November 24^th last concerning the Société Radio-Canada’s renewal of its contract to rent space for its telecommunications tower in Mount Royal Park.

Les amis de la montagne applaud the recommendations of the public consultation office, several of which were proposed by Les amis in their position paper on the subject. The main recommendation seeks to reduce the length of the contract from 10 to five years with an option to renew after five years, conditional on three studies. The studies include the feasibility and costs of relocating the tower outside the limits of Mount Royal, the historic and heritage value of the tower and the identification of solutions to lessen the impact of the tower on the mountain landscape.

Following the recommendations of the OCPM, the Ville de Montréal stated that the Société Radio-Canada is about to carry out the study on the feasibility and costs of relocation; collaborate on the enhancement of the tower; and produce a report on the status of the tower with respect to security norms established by Industry Canada regarding modifications to antennas.

While Les amis salute these additions to the contract, the organization remains disappointed that the main recommendation concerning the length and conditions of the contract renewal were disregarded by the parties concerned.

We invite you to consult the following documents (available in French):

Position paper by Les amis de la montagne
Report of the OCPM
Press release from the Ville de Montréal

Report on the meeting of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal

The Table de concertation du Mont-Royal, of which Les amis de la montagne is a member, held its biannual meeting on December 12th last. Numerous important dossiers concerning Mount Royal were treated, including the transportation plan, the security plan, the patrimonial pact and the action plan concerning protection measures for the mountain. We invite you to consult the documents prepared by the Ville de Montréal (Bureau du Mont-Royal) related to these topics and to share your thoughts and ideas with us in advance of the next working group meeting to be held January 30, 2009.

We invite you to consult the following documents (available in French):

Building plans on Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges – Les amis appeal the decision

An eight-storey (27-metre) building of mixed vocation could be constructed on the site of the former service station located at 4470 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, corner Avenue Forest Hill. The building project, named Le Forest Hill, does not conform to the stipulations of the new draft regulations that have been in effect for the last year for all new construction within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District. The project was submitted by the promoter, Groupe SBI, four days prior to the coming in effect of the regulation and is therefore, exempt of the measures put into place to ensure the protection of the mountain. By virtue of this new regulation, the building promoter would have been required to limit the height of the building to 16 metres. Les amis de la montagne are appealing the decision to the Côte-des-Neiges/Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough council.

Image from the presentation made at the demolition

permit request meeting

Click here for further information on the construction proposal that was presented during a meeting of the CDN-NDG borough’s Comité d’études des demandes de demolition.

Dinu Bumbaru is appointed to the Order of Canada

Dinu Bumbaru, Governor of Les amis de la montagne and Policy Director of Héritage Montréal was appointed to the Order of Canada on December 30, 2008, in recognition of his leadership in promoting, protecting and enhancing the historical, natural and cultural heritage of the Montreal area, and for his dedication to preserving world heritage sites. Congratulations!

ACTIVITIES

Educational content for school children will soon be added to the interactive map of Mount Royal

The interactive map of Mount Royal, online since last October, is an original and information-rich tool that invites you to discover Mount Royal’s many assets. Les amis de la montagne are currently continuing the development of the site in order to add points of discovery for school children.

The interactive map will therefore contain pedagogical tools combined with activities geared to children, together with a variety of downloadable podcasts. Teachers interested in helping Les amis evaluate the content of the site are invited to contact project coordinator Jean-Michel Villanove before the end of January.

Snowshoeing on Mount Royal – the "trail" towards responsible recreation

There’s nothing like fresh-fallen snow to bring out snowshoers on Mount Royal! For a second year, a designated trail has been marked for snowshoers in Mount Royal Park, a 3 km loop beginning at the Beaver Lake pavilion. This trail allows you to discover the beauty of the mountain forest under its blanket of snow, the footprints of wild animals and the spectacular views of the city and river below, while conserving the natural environment of the mountain.

In fact, by following this designated trail, you help to reduce the degradation of the fragile underbrush since foot traffic in the area breaks branches and the tops of young saplings hidden by the snow, threatening their ability to regenerate. In the last several years, tree plantings have been held in the wooded areas most accessible from Beaver Lake. Natural regeneration of trees in this disturbed area is problematic. A large number of otherwise vulnerable saplings are present in this area. One study has demonstrated that the low survival rate of saplings planted on Mount Royal is due in large part to the disturbances caused by snowshoers walking through the underbrush.

This winter, for a pleasant and forest-friendly tramp in the woods, please take the designated snowshoe trail!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

“Jackrabbit” cross-country ski lessons for children on Mount Royal are now offered

Beginning January 10, 2009, Les amis de la montagne are launching the Ski de fond Québec cross-country ski initiation course called “Jackrabbit” in Mount Royal Park.

This program is for children 6 to 9 years old and will teach both the classic and freestyle methods. The Jackrabbit course has four technical levels and emphasizes the progressive integration of additional techniques, such as waxing, equipment, safety and ethics.

To help with skill perfection in an atmosphere of fun, the instructor will use a variety of educational tools, including a series of 70 activity cards, as well as games, chases, relays, races and courses. The course duration is for six 1.5 hour sessions over six consecutive Saturday mornings, beginning January 10, 2009 to February 14, 2009. Courses are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The course costs $200 plus taxes including equipment rental (boots, skis and poles) or $160 plus taxes, if you have your own equipment. Registration will end the morning of January 10, 2009.

To register your child, you must complete the registration form and payment in person at the following locations:

At Les amis’ equipment rental counter on the main floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road):
- Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the boutique in Smith House, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the Chalet near the lookout (1260 Remembrance Road):
- Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with closing on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Bird-watching on the mountain – an activity for the whole family

Evening Grosbeaks, photos: Les amis de la montagne

To fully appreciate the birds of Mount Royal this winter, come and join Les amis de la montagne for a family-friendly guided walk along the bird feeder circuit on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. beginning January 10 to March 14, 2009.

Accompany a member of the conservation patrol as they fill the feeders along this 2 km loop around the mountain’s summit and spot the many species of birds that feed, their different habitats on the mountain and the type of food they seek this time of year.

Different questions will be explored: does the presence of feeders influence the birds’ behaviour? Do birds become dependent upon the feeders? Where have all the Evening Grosbeaks gone? … and more!

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Registration is now open – places are limited!

On February 19, Mount Royal will be aglow during one of the most magical events of the Montréal winter season, the 12^th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event.

Honourary co-chairs, Isabelle Hudon, President of Marketel, and Rémi Racine, Chairman of the Board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and President and Executive Producer of Artificial Mind & Movement, invite all mountain admirers to contribute to the evening’s success in the following manner:

By organizing a corporate team of 10 people or more;
By purchasing tickets for friends or yourself at a cost of $200 each;
By making a donation to Les amis de la montagne.

Every year, some 800 people gather on the mountain for this exceptional and unique night time fund-raising evening that recalls the famous torchlit snowshoe hikes of the early 19^th Century and that has an objective of raising $250,000, a third of the goal set for Les amis’ annual campaign.

To register, please complete the registration form or visit the event webpage to make a secure online payment.

"Jackrabbit" cross-country ski lessons for children (6 to 9 years)

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Registration begins on Monday, December 22

Les amis de la montagne are launching the Ski de fond Québec cross-country ski initiation course called “Jackrabbit” in Mount Royal Park starting January 10, 2009.

Les amis de la montagne will create three groups of about 10 children for this first year of the program.

The course duration is for six 1.5 hour sessions over six consecutive Saturday mornings, beginning January 10, 2009 to February 14, 2009. Courses are offered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The course costs $200 plus taxes including equipment rental (boots, skis and poles) or $160 plus taxes, if you have your own equipment.

Registration begins Monday, December 22, 2008 and will end the morning of January 10, 2009, or earlier if the maximum number of students has been reached.

To register your child, you must complete the registration form and payment in person at the following locations:

At Les amis’ equipment rental counter on the main floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the boutique in Smith House, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the Chalet near the lookout (1260 Remembrance Road)
- Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with closing on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Les amis launch their winter activities on Mount Royal

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

New in 2009: Cross-country ski lessons for children

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE LAUNCH THEIR WINTER ACTIVITIES ON MOUNT ROYAL

Montreal, December 5, 2008 – Mount Royal is a winter sports paradise in the heart of the city. Les amis de la montagne, partners of the Ville de Montréal, offer you a complete range of outdoor sporting equipment and a choice of stimulating animations on Mount Royal this winter, in addition to our welcome services at Smith House with the Café Smith restaurant and its menu of healthy, hearty food.

Skating enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the fresh new ice of the artificial skating rink near Beaver Lake as of 9 a.m. this Saturday, December 6. Tobogganers, skiers and snowshoers will have to wait a little longer – the snow is on its way!

Equipment rental counter at the Beaver Lake pavilion

All the equipment required to practice your favourite winter sports are available for rent at our counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion: skates, cross-country skis, snowshoes, Nordic kicksleds, carrier sleds for babies, children’s helmets, learn-to-skate walkers, and for sliding, inner-tube rentals.

Interpretation activities

Les amis de la montagne also offer a variety of interpretation activities for the general public in addition to our programs for school groups. Back by popular demand, the evening snowshoe walks include “Snowshoeing by the light of the city”, an “illuminating” way to discover the mountain, and “A mountain of energy”, a snowshoe walk at a more energetic pace.

“The birds of Mount Royal, for all ages” is an invitation to the whole family to join a member of our conservation patrol for a walking visit of the birdfeeders along the summit loop to discover the many birds that feed in the park. “Discover Mount Royal by guided podcast” takes you along the summit loop trail with a multimedia player in hand to listen/watch a series of short podcasts to better appreciate the site.

NEW IN 2009: Cross-country ski lessons for children

Les amis de la montagne are launching the “Jackrabbit” cross-country ski initiation course of Ski de fond Québec in Mount Royal Park as of January 2009. This program is for children 6 to 9 years old and will teach the fundamentals of the sport. The course emphasizes the progressive integration of additional techniques, as well as games, relays and races to help with skill perfection in an atmosphere of fun. The course duration is for six 1.5 hour sessions over six consecutive Saturday mornings. Full program information and fees, with or without equipment, will be available soon on Les amis’ website.

WINTER SCHEDULE AND SERVICES

Information and fees: visit our "Calendar of Activities”

Group reservations: 514 843-8240, ext. 235

Outdoor equipment rental counter

Located in the Beaver Lake pavilion, main floor. Please note that rentals end one hour prior to the closure of the rental counter. An identity card with photo is required for all rentals.

December 1^st to December 18, 2008

Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

December 19, 2008 to March 15, 2009

Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Holiday hours

Closed as of 5 p.m. on December 24 and 31, 2008

Closed on December 25, 2008 and January 1^st, 2009

Open at 10 a.m. on December 26, 2008 and January 2, 2009

Skates

$7 - 2 hours

Skis

$8 - 1 hour

$15 - 3 hours

Snowshoes

$7 - 1 hour

$13 - 3 hours

Nordic kicksled

$15 – 1.5 hours

Carrier sled for babies

$5 - 2 hours

Locks

$3 plus $5 deposit

Children’s helmet

$2 - 2 hours

Learn-to-skate walker

$4 - 2 hours plus $10 deposit

Skate sharpening

Ski waxing (not available on weekends)

$6 / $9 / $15 (varies depending on the service required)

Refrigerated skating rink

Please note that the Ville de Montréal is responsible for maintaining the ice and a maintenance schedule is posted on-site. Free.

December 6, 2008 to March 8, 2009

Sunday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Holiday hours

Closed as of 5 p.m. on December 24 and 31

Closed on December 25, 2008 and January 1^st, 2009

Inner-tube rentals

From December 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009 (snow conditions permitting)

Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed as of 4 p.m. on December 24 and 31, 2008

Closed on December 25, 2008 and January 1^st, 2009

Holiday period from December 26, 2008 to January 4, 2009 and during spring break from March 2-6, 2009

Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fees:

4 to 12 years, $5

13 years and over, $8

Passes are valid for the day. One person per inner-tube.

Children 4 years of age and under are not permitted on the inner-tubes.

The pass provides access to one inner-tube and the reserved lanes for sliding.

Group rates (min 12) are available by reservation and on weekdays only.

Please call us at (514) 843-8240, ext. 0.

Welcome centre and boutique at Smith House

From October 14 to December 14, 2008

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

From December 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Saturday until 7 p.m.

Holiday hours

Closed as of 4 p.m. on December 24 and 31, 2008

Closed on December 25, 2008 and January 1^st, 2009

From March 16 to May 1^st, 2009

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Café Smith restaurant (at Smith House)

From October 14 to December 14, 2008

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

From December 15, 2008 to March 15, 2009

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Saturday until 7 p.m.

Closed as of 4 p.m. on December 24 and 31, 2008

Closed on December 25, 2008 and January 1^st, 2009

Holiday period from December 26, 2008 to January 4, 2009 and during spring break from March 2-6, 2009

Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

From March 16 to May 1^st, 2009

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

-30-

Les amis' newsletter - December 2008

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

What's new on the mountain ...

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Wednesday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Shriners Hospital for Children

NEWS

New park planned for the northern summit?
Sale of the former Marianopolis College
Mountain biking in Montreal – project update

ACTIVITIES

Bravo to our volunteers of the Environmental Stewardship Program
The National Geographic Society wants to know your top picks for Montreal
Peter A. Howlett, C.M., is named to the Academy of Great Montrealers

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Guided snowshoe walks at night – make your group reservations now!

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Welcome to Isabelle Hudon and Rémi Racine, honorary co-chairs of the Tuques Bleues Celebration, 2009 edition

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

The next public forum will be held Wednesday, December 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shriners Hospital for Children, located at 1529 Cedar Avenue.

Photo: Ville de Montréal

What does the future hold for the Shriners property and the other hospital properties on the mountain?

The Shriners Hospital was built on the southern flank of the mountain in 1925 to provide orthopaedic care to children whose families could not afford the care otherwise. Due to a shortage of space and the fact that expansion on the existing site is not possible, the hospital plans to leave its current property on Cedar Avenue to build anew on the Glen site.

A guided tour of the Shriners Hospital will be provided, followed by a discussion with special guests on the future of hospital properties on the mountain. For more information, please contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator.

NEWS

New park planned for the northern summit?

The 2009 municipal budget announced November 26 includes the creation of a park on the mountain’s northern summit.

Since 1986, Les amis de la montagne have advocated for the protection and enhancement of this “forgotten” summit, located in Outremont that is the least known by the community due to the absence of any formal landscaping or public access points. Les amis will follow the progress of this announcement with great interest.

Sale of the former Marianopolis College

The Gentlemen of Saint-Sulpice have sold their property located at 3880 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, the former location of Marianopolis College. Property developers Tony Miceli and Carlo Bizzotto have purchased the site with plans to construct a significant residential project. The area is currently zoned institutional and is occupied in part by St. George’s School and The Study. Les amis de la montagne met with the developers in order to sensitize them to the mountain’s protection challenges. The project will eventually be submitted for public consultation.

Mountain biking in Montreal: Towards finding paths to sustainable solutions

More than a year has passed since Les amis de la montagne launched their project concerning mountain biking in Montreal with the participation of a working group on this issue. Les amis’ Conservation Patrol led an awareness-raising campaign between June and October, where contact was made with close to 4,000 people. In order to arrive at concrete sustainable solutions, there is no question that alternatives to Mount Royal must be found for the mountain biking community. A working group of representatives from the cycling community has been formed to look for alternative sites on the island and Les amis will continue to follow the project.

ACTIVITIES

Bravo to our volunteers of the Environmental Stewardship Program

The 2008 edition of Les amis de la montagne’s Environmental Stewardship Program was a resounding success thanks to the participation of 1,082 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to carry out a variety of tasks for the benefit of Mount Royal.

More than 2,300 hours of time and energy were devoted to the mountain territory between May and October, with the following formidable results:

460 volunteers planted 1,470 indigenous trees and shrubs in Mount Royal Park and on the property of the Université de Montréal. These plantings serve to sustain the natural regeneration of the forest, diversify the age classifications of the trees and reduce the number of exotic invasive species.
68% of the indigenous trees and shrubs planted have survived since 2003, according to follow-up studies on the survival rates and growth of plantings, an encouraging result for a territory under tremendous urban pressures.
40% of Mount Royal Park benefited from litter pick-up activities with a total of 100 bags of garbage collected during the traditional Corvée this year, despite the heavy rain.
More than 2.5 tonnes of stems, branches and saplings from exotic invasive species were cut down on Mount Royal as part of a research project led by Les amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and a scientific committee.

The detailed results of the program will be available shortly on our website under the heading “Conservation Activities.”

The National Geographic Society wants to know your top picks for Montreal

Montreal became the first city in the world to sign the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destination’s Geotourism Charter in 2007! Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well being of its residents.

By having signed this Charter, and to promote Montreal as a sustainable destination on the international scene, a working group in Montreal, including Les amis de la montagne and the National Geographic Society, are in the process of producing a tourism Mapguide of the island.

The National Geographic Society wants to know your favourite Montreal picks. Visit the website geomontreal.com before January 15, 2009, in order to nominate your choice attraction, place, activity or treasure on the mountain, in Montreal or your neighbourhood. Your choice just might be selected one of the 200 favourites to be included in the Montreal and National Geographic Society tourism Mapguide.

Peter A. Howlett, C.M. is named to the Academy of Great Montrealers

Peter A. Howlett, C.M., founding president of Les amis de la montagne, was named to the Academy of Great Montrealers by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal on October 29, together with Heather Munroe-Blum, Denise Robert and Rémi Marcoux. Each year, the Academy honours four well-known Montreal personalities. Their contribution to society and initiatives in their respective fields are a shining example for all of us and an exceptional asset to our city’s prestige. Mr. Howlett was recognized under the social sector for his many contributions to the community.

Mr. Howlett is a second-generation member of the Academy in his family. His mother, Mrs. Alphonsine Howlett (1913-1992) was named in 1978, the first woman to receive the honour in the inaugural year of the Academy.

Peter A. Howlett, C.M., Heather Munroe-Blum, O.C., Ph.D., MSRC, Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal, Denise Robert and Rémi Marcoux, C.M., O.Q., F.C.A. (Photo: Maude Lajeunesse)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Guided snowshoe walks at night – make your group reservations now!

What can be more invigorating than a walk under the stars in the company of a guide from Les amis de la montagne to discover the mountain under a blanket of snow, while enjoying a winter sport in the heart of Montreal?

Les amis de la montagne are offering “brilliant” guided snowshoeing walks at night for groups of friends or work colleagues. The guided walk titled, “Snowshoeing by the light of the city” is a night time discovery of the mountain forest, while the activity titled, “A mountain of energy” is for those snowshoers seeking a quicker, more energetic pace. The evening snowshoe walks begin as of January 10, 2009, but reservations are being accepted now.

Custom outings are also available for groups of 10 to 60 participants.

Complete dates and details are available on our website under the heading “Activities and services – Calendar of events” or you can call us at (514) 843-8240, ext. 235.

THE TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION

Stars and superstars: the Tuques Bleues Celebration, 2009 edition

Les amis de la montagne are proud to welcome two “superstars” of the Montreal business community as honorary co-chairs of the 2009 edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event, Isabelle Hudon, President of Marketel and Rémi Racine, Chairman of the Board of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and President and Executive Producer of Artificial Mind & Movement.

Photo: Marie-Claude Hamel

The Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event is Les amis de la montagne’s signature fundraiser, one of Montreal’s most original and dynamic wintertime events. Next February 19, strap on your snowshoes and join the hundreds of mountain fans for a magical evening that raises funds towards the conservation of Mount Royal.

Don’t forget that places are limited! No need to wait for your invitation in the mail. You may register for the Tuques Bleues Celebration – on your own or as a team – with just a few mouse-clicks by secure payment on the Internet. Details can be found on our website in the “News and events – Tuques Bleues Celebration” section, or call us at (514) 843-8240, ext. 239.

A ring road will encircle Mount Royal

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A 10 km path will be constructed by 2011

The Ville de Montréal and the Government of Québec announced a project to create a ring road and north-south roads on Mount Royal during a press conference at the Beaver Lake pavilion on November 14, 2008. A new 10 km ring road creating a loop around the mountain will provide access to pedestrians and cyclists from the western and northern flanks of the mountain, a project estimated at $7.5 million.

During Les amis de la montagne’s presentation of their position paper before the Office de consultation Publique de Montréal on June 19, 2008, Les amis brought a number of concrete questions forward, despite their generally enthusiastic approval of the project.

“This project is very worthwhile for Mount Royal, an opportunity to correct accessibility issues and an occasion to “step outside” the Park in order to explore the mountain in its entirety,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of the organization.

Nonetheless, the project must avoid giving the impression that it consists of six divided sections spanning three boroughs, rather than a single ring road on the mountain. On top of the project’s planned development, the concept must be supported by correspondingly appropriate management practices that meet the high quality of standards expected for a site of such emblematic importance.

“Our elected officials must now answer questions regarding the means to be deployed for this project, the staffing that will be assigned to it and which borough will be responsible,” added Sylvie Guilbault. “While the city is preparing to add close to a dozen kilometres of public infrastructure on the mountain, an efficient management model is essential.”

Call for volunteers for the FeederWatch project

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Every Friday and Saturday from November 14, 2008 to March 28, 2009

The FeederWatch project is an inventory of winter birds at feeders that began in Canada and the United States in 1976.

The patrol will be participating for a fourth winter. If you would like to become a volunteer participant or have any further questions, please contact Claude Drolet at (514) 843-8240, ext. 242.

Renewal of the lease with the Société Radio-Canada for their antenna

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne present their position paper at the OCPM

Les amis de la montagne react to the renewal of the lease with the Société Radio-Canada for their antenna on the mountain

Les amis de la montagne presented their position paper before the Office de consultation publique de Montréal on October 29, on the project to renew the lease between the Ville de Montréal and the Société Radio-Canada for their antenna located in Mount Royal Park.

Les amis are pleased that the renewed lease includes a financial compensation to be directed exclusively towards the protection of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District.

With the renewal of the lease, occurring for the first time since the creation of the protected district in 2005, Les amis propose that different scenarios be envisioned to better integrate the tour in the mountain landscape. You can read Les amis’ position paper (available in French) here.

Launch of the interactive map, "Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover"

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne make innovative use of new technologies to encourage the discovery of Mount Royal

Montreal, October 3, 2008 – Les amis de la montagne are inaugurating a new online tool today that encourages the discovery of Mount Royal through the innovative use of new technologies. “Mount Royal, A Territory to Discover” located at www.lemontroyal.qc.ca is an interactive map that focuses upon the discovery of the mountain’s historic and natural heritage through the creative use of Internet technologies.

“The Mount Royal Historic and Natural District is a priceless ‘collection’ of locations, buildings, landscapes, activities and monuments that have all contributed to the history of this country and, as the symbol of Montreal, continues to represent the city’s dynamism and its quality of life,” said Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les amis de la montagne. “To provide Montrealers and visitors alike the opportunity to capture all the richness and uniqueness of Mount Royal, the new interactive map is an interpretive site for the discovery of the unexpected and little known assets of the mountain, its makeup and its inhabitants. Everything is within reach of the visitor, who opens themselves to this proposed adventure and be guided by their senses.”

The purpose of the interactive map is to trigger the visitor’s desire to discover Mount Royal and its hidden assets in order to better appreciate the mountain and participate in its conservation and longevity. The website presents audio-visual capsules on the mountain’s heritage that can be downloaded from the site free of charge. Daring in its means and original in its approach, the interactive map offers a choice of walks or the possibility to create one’s one walk through a variety of themes or itineraries through neighbourhoods or across pubic or institutional properties on the mountain.

This project, that meets the objectives of both sustainable development and sustainable tourism, was made possible by the ministry of Heritage Canada, the Ministère des Affaires municipales et des Régions and the Ville de Montréal and the ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine as part of the Entente de développement culturel de Montréal, as well as the expertise of our partners in technology, the companies SedNove and Lichen Communications.

Les amis de la montagne would especially like to thank Mr. Raymond Bachand, Member for Outremont, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Montreal region for his support this project, as well as the 16 institutional and association partners on Mount Royal who contributed to the realization of the site.

To visit the website of Les amis de la montagne: www.lemontroyal.qc.ca

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Source:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
514 843-8240, ext. 237

Reports from the Office de consultation publique: Les amis' reaction

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Les amis de la montagne receive the reports of the Office de consultation publique de Montréal with enthusiasm on the subject of the draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan and the project to expand the Montreal General Hospital.

PRESS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Les amis de la montagne react with enthusiasm to the Office de consultation publique de Montréal’s report on the draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan

Montreal, 26 August 2008 – Les amis de la montagne are in favour of the report by the commission of the Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal on the City of Montreal’s draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan rendered public today.

“The draft Mount Royal Protection and Enhancement Plan proposed by the City of Montreal for consultation purposes brings together an impressive amount of professional expertise. The draft plan draws a precise picture of the state of the mountain and its heritage assets, as well as its major challenges and problems. Nonetheless, the draft plan remains incomplete on a number of essential matters, which the commissioners corroborate in their report,” said Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President, Les amis de la montagne.

According to Les amis de la montagne, the following elements are missing from the draft plan:

A vision for the entire territory of the mountain. The document limits itself to the boundaries of the historic and natural district decreed by the Quebec Government.
Treatment of the concept of the three summits and a vision that orients objectives and determines priorities.
Guarantees for the plan’s realisation and follow-through on announced intentions.

More fundamentally for Les amis, the process that oversees development on the mountain as outlined does not meet the requirements that Montrealers would expect for a territory of such importance, including objectives related to transparency, consultation and participation. The municipal administration evoked these objectives in the creation of the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal and they were the primary motivation behind Les amis’ involvement in the process overall. These objectives also reflect the concerns brought forward by the participants at the consultations.

According to Mr. Howlett, “Through our analysis of the draft plan, we conclude that good work was done in the analysis and the identification of needs, but that much remains to be accomplished, what with the real work only just beginning. To ensure the success of this process, the municipal administration must direct the appropriate financial and human resources to the realization of this plan. Otherwise, the plan will become just another reference document, filled with good intentions.”

Les amis de la montagne are likewise convinced that the objectives of this plan will never be realized without the involvement of the greater Montreal community. To garner support, mechanisms need to be put into place to provide information to the population on an ongoing basis, to ensure transparency in decision-making and to encourage the real involvement of citizens and various mountain partners in the process.

Recall that during the public consultations, Les amis de la montagne put forward the following specific recommendations related to the draft plan:

That the cities (Westmount and Montreal) and boroughs demonstrate their willingness to preserve the mountain’s heritage over-and-above the current ministerial requirements and work towards a more global definition of the territory to be protected.
That the Table de concertation du Mont-Royal takes on the exercise of translating into action a global vision for the protected territory.
That the City of Montreal, together with the Table de concertation, quickly establishes a plan identifying priorities, measurable objectives, timelines, budgets and the individuals responsible for the plan’s realization.
That the Table de concertation becomes incorporated in the Charter of the City of Montreal and that its role becomes central in the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal.
That the Table de concertation has a say in the establishment of priorities entered into annual and tri-annual planning.
That the Table de concertation receives a report annually on accomplishments and financial statements related to the plan.
That the members of the Table de concertation are invited to benefit from this privileged platform of information and exchange to make known their needs, projects, development plans and accomplishments related to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal.
That the elaboration of the Patrimonial Pacts and the development agreements that ensue are realized in a spirit of openness and transparency to include all stakeholders of the process thereby allowing for the improvement of said initiatives.

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The expansion of the Montreal General Hospital (MUHC) on Mount Royal still raises important questions: the report of the Office de Consultation Publique de Montréal arrives at the same conclusions as Les amis de la montagne.

Les amis de la montagne are in agreement with the conclusions of the public consultation report held on the project to expand the Montreal General Hospital. Les amis are relieved that the commissioners share the organization’s doubts as to the pertinence of the project within the protected historic and natural district and have therefore, fixed limits on the site in question.

“The MUHC’s reorganization project will be an important marker in the history of this city and the mountain. The time has come for elected officials to make the decisions that best reflect the concerns of the community expressed in the commissioners’ report, as much in the name of excellence in health care delivery, as in the protection of this exceptional heritage we have in the heart of our city,” said Peter A. Howlett, C.M., President of Les amis de la montagne.

Recall that in 2001, the Heenan Commission recommendations for the Montreal General Hospital stated “that no other project should be authorized on these grounds.” The heritage evaluation conducted of the site also demonstrated that the construction of the hospital marked the beginning of a collective consciousness-raising on the limits to the mountain’s capacity and the importance of limiting development. In 1957, the Association of Architects adopted a proposal in a similar vein, limiting the number of new buildings on the southern flank of the mountain to six stories, legally recognized in a 1963 zoning by-law. Today, the MUHC project proposes a 50 percent expansion of the hospital. Will this project be the last?

Convinced that the Mount Royal context requires projects that take strides to significantly reduce their impact and even contribute in an exemplary fashion to the enhancement of the collective heritage of the mountain, Les amis de la montagne participated with Héritage Montréal in a number of discussions on the hospital project with the MUHC. The Montreal General Hospital project requires above all else correctives to the hospital’s place in the mountain landscape through architectural interventions and landscaping that would reduce the place of the automobile on the site and the imposing mass of the structure to the benefit of its relation between the city and Mount Royal Park. The hospital project and the protection of the mountain should not be treated as opposing objectives, but developed with a global vision for the sector.

Les amis de la montagne is an independent organization founded by the Montreal community in 1986 dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Les amis pursue therefore, a very long tradition in Quebec of citizen involvement in the preservation of the mountain.

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Information:
Gabrielle Korn
Director of Communications
Les amis de la montagne
(514) 843-8240 ext. 237

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Spring Break on Mont Royal, 2012

15 Candles for the Tuques Bleues Celebration in 2012

NEW!

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THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN EDUCATION

SOLID RESULTS FOR THE 2011 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

LES AMIS FILED THREE BRIEFS IN NOVEMBER 2011

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OPEN HOUSE ON NOVEMBER 12 AND 13, 2011

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Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - October 2011

MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPANSION PROJECT

Regulation of telecommunication antennas

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - September 2011

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - August 2011

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance, July 16-17, 2011

“Belvédère Éphémère” vernissage and video performance

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - July 2011

Presentation of Les amis’ position paper on the Montreal General Hospital’s expansion project:

June 27: Public hearings on the expansion of the Montreal General Hospital

REMINDER: consultations on the Montreal General Hospital's new expansion project

The May 2011 calendar continues

Hélène de Billy et Gilbert Duclos remportent le Prix du Mont-Royal pour le documentaire Sacrée Montagne de l’ONF

Mont Royal Month continues!

Les amis' newsletter - May 2011: Mont Royal Month

2011 Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up

CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL CLEAN-UP, SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, 2011

The Corvée du Mont-Royal clean-up: zero waste objective in 2011

Call for proposals: "Belvédère Éphémère" on Mount Royal

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - April 2011

Tuques Bleues photo gallery and other news from Les amis - March 2011

Spring Break on Mount Royal 2011

Summer Day Camp 2011 - for a mountain of fun!

Cross-country ski sale

14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event 2011

PHOTO GALLERY - 2011

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - February 2011

Launch of the 2011 Tuques Bleues Celebration

Les amis de la montagne launch the 14th edition of the Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

14th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - January 2011

The MUHC properties on the mountain make headlines

Wintertime activities on Mount Royal

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Press release - No referendum for the former Sulpicians' philosophy seminary

Press release - Registration procedure – former Sulpicians’ philosophy seminary

Les amis renew their commitment to the Montréal Community Sustainable Development Plan 2010-2015

Biodiversity pays!

The Three Summits guided walking tour makes the front page!

To understand the history and traditions of a local community, visit its cemeteries!

Manulife Financial provides “green and blue” support to Mount Royal!

A big thank-you to the volunteers of the 2010 Environmental Stewardship Program

The Conservation Patrol and park surveillance

2010 AQPERE conference

Preparatory work for the renewal of the permanent exhibit in Smith House

Temporary draining of Beaver Lake in Mount Royal Park

Closure of the southern lane and reconfiguration of Remembrance Road

Welcome to Les amis's newsletter - October 2010

New: four interactive terminals at Smith House

Winners of the 2010 photo contest

Welcome to Les amis' newsletter - september 2010

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Les amis de la montagne launch the 14th edition of the
Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE RECEIVE AN AWARD

12th Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event
Benefitting Les amis de la montagne