Biodiversity corridor

Pilot project 2022

In collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF-Canada ), the city has launched a pilot project to promote the presence and protection of biodiversity, in particular pollinating insects, birds and flora native to Québec.
Where will the project be located?
The target area for this innovative pilot project is the S area, more specifically the green spaces along the bike path between boulevard Rome and boulevard Rivard.

The spaces beneath Hydro-Québec’s power lines offer excellent opportunities for the development and creation of vast environments conducive to the presence of a variety of species. What’s more, these spaces are easily accessible to you and are present in several areas, which would make this type of project feasible and multiplyable in the future.

Pilot project: study and analysis

This pilot project will enable the City to evaluate and analyze several key elements to ensure the multiplication and sustainability of this type of project throughout the territory, including:

• Social acceptability;
• The level of management and maintenance required;
• Effectiveness of developments and interventions;
• And much more!

Pilot project | Partners and financial support

As part of this pilot project, the city benefited from the expertise and support of WWF-Canada, as well as the volunteer involvement of three (3) biology and environment students.

We should also mention Hydro-Québec’s essential support for this biodiversity corridor project, given that some of the landscaping and work will be carried out directly on land belonging to this Crown corporation.

Landscaping and Interventions
But how do you get there?
To achieve this, landscaping and environmentally-friendly interventions will be carried out in various predefined areas, identified as biodiversity zones, located on either side of the cycle path. Also, to ensure harmonious integration of the project, the work was carried out in phases and spread out until 2023.

• Spring 2022: Allow existing vegetation to grow
• Fall 2022 or spring 2023: Complete mowing of the area

Projects Parc Santerre

Creating a food forest and an urban forest

As part of the 2022 pilot project and in line with the city’s urban agriculture and urban forestry objectives, a food forest (edible landscaping zone) and an urban forest have been created in Santerre Park.

Creating a nourishing forest
Here, we gather ideas

In line with the orientations set out in the Urban Agriculture Policy and the Urban Agriculture Action Plan, a food forest – an area of edible landscaping – has been created in Santerre Park.

Bringing together a variety of fruit trees and shrubs, edible flowers and herbs, this initiative introduces citizens to the many possibilities offered by urban agriculture for ornamental and edible landscaping. A wide variety of healthy, low-cost gourmet options that residents can replicate on their own property.

What’s more, this area will also contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, providing shelter and food for a variety of insects and birds.

Citizen Participation – Volunteer Committee
To ensure the long-term survival of the food forest, a volunteer committee of citizens committed to urban agriculture and its benefits will be formed. Supported by the Town, the committee will enthusiastically manage, harvest and maintain the landscape for the well-being of their community.

Creating an urban forest

Here, a little seedling will grow big

Following the spread of the emerald ash borer, many ash trees had to be felled on the territory, notably at Santerre Park. To remedy this situation and once again promote the preservation of biodiversity, the City, in collaboration with several partners, will be creating an urban forest in Santerre Park.

To achieve this, various actions have been carried out at this location:

• Summer and fall 2022: Cut ash trees affected by EAB.
• Summer and fall 2022: Leave wood snags in place to provide shelter and food for a variety of species.
• Autumn 2022: Planting of native trees, shrubs and plants in predefined areas of the park.

The objective of this project is to carry out interventions aimed at recreating the basic elements that make up a forest, and thus benefit from the many advantages generated by this environment, such as :

• Purify and improve air quality;
• Create cool zones (shaded areas);
• Provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife species (birds, insects, etc.);
• Contribute to the preservation of biodiversity;
• Absorb large quantities of rainwater;
• Promote a sense of well-being and peace of mind among users;
• Raising public awareness.

Projects Parc Santerre | Partners and financial aid
In 2022, in collaboration with the Société pour la nature et les parcs (SNAP Québec), financial assistance was obtained from the Yves Rocher Foundation, which helped finance the purchase of the plants needed to complete the projects. In addition, a partnership with the Arbre-Évolution organization has been signed to provide trees and logistical support for the planting of the urban forest and the feeder forest. The organization will also provide support for the creation of a volunteer committee to manage and maintain the edible plot.

Work Parc Santerre | 2023-2024
As part of the redevelopment of Santerre Park starting in 2023 and continuing in 2024, it is a priority for the City to maintain the park’s biodiversity vision. New developments and construction strategies take into account the urban forest, the food forest and the planting of new compensation trees in 2022. An exhaustive survey of existing trees has been carried out and they will be protected or transplanted; in line with the City’s norms and standards.

Project 2023

Landscaping and Interventions : Biodiversity zone
Here, the grass is long for good reason
In line with the objectives of the pilot project, in 2023 the city will continue its efforts to implement landscaping and environmentally-friendly interventions on additional sections along the bike path.

As a result, new areas will be created under the power lines over almost the entire right-of-way. It should be remembered that the mowing frequency reduction zones are set up in various predefined areas, identified as biodiversity zones, located on either side of the cycle path. As a result, from spring 2023 onwards, areas of reduced mowing frequency will be visible in the following sections:

• Avenue Tisserand to boulevard de Rome;
• Boulevard Rivard to avenue San Francisco;
• San Francisco Avenue to Matte Boulevard;

Note that mowing frequency reduction zones are located at least 10 metres from residential properties and at least 3 metres from bicycle paths. Since grass has always been cut and maintained in these areas, inventories will be carried out over the summer to enable us to discover what will grow there. Finally, one complete mowing will be carried out per year, with targeted interventions planned as required.

A project in constant evolution
New biodiversity zones have now been created under the power lines over almost the entire right-of-way. This innovative project is constantly evolving, and work to increase its accessibility is scheduled for 2023 and 2024.

Preserving biodiversity while promoting active mobility
Starting this fall, a brand-new pedestrian path will be integrated along the bike path between Tisserand and San Francisco avenues, improving traffic flow for users while promoting active mobility. Bicycle stops and street furniture will also be installed at various points along the route, enhancing the experience of local residents.

Project 2024 - Sector A

Landscaping and Interventions : Biodiversity zone
Here, the grass is long for good reason
Aware of the importance of continuing to implement measures aimed at preserving biodiversity on the territory, the City has set up a biodiversity corridor in sector A in line with its environmental objectives, in addition to offering residents of this neighborhood a natural environment conducive to the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.

Thus, since July 2024, a reduction in the frequency of mowing has been carried out in areas defined for this purpose on either side of the cycle path located under the power lines in the following sections:

• From boulevard Grande Allée to rue Alarie;
• From rue Alain to rue Baillargeon.

Note that mowing frequency reduction zones are located at least 5 metres from residential properties and at least 3 metres from bicycle paths. Since grass has always been cut and maintained in these areas, field visits will be scheduled over the summer to help us identify the plant species that will grow there. Finally, one complete mowing will be carried out per year, with targeted interventions planned as required.

Tall, diversified vegetation
Tall, diverse vegetation is therefore to be expected in this area during the summer period, as is the coveted presence of pollinators (butterflies, bees, etc.) and birds.

Information and awareness-raising
An information and awareness campaign is underway to inform local residents and users. In addition, information and awareness panels identical to those used in the first biodiversity corridor project are installed.

Corridor projects are also invaluable awareness-raising tools for the city, since they raise public awareness of current environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss, and of the solutions to be implemented, while offering a natural spectacle that evolves with the seasons.

Targeted interventions
Should the city notice a significant presence of undesirable or harmful species (ragweed, poison ivy or common reed), targeted interventions will be carried out within the zone to limit and control the proliferation of these species. Your well-being and safety are Ville de Brossard’s top priorities.

Information and awareness-raising
To ensure the social acceptability of this biodiversity corridor project, an information and awareness campaign was deployed as part of the pilot project and will continue during the implementation of subsequent phases. If appropriate, the citizen participation component of this project will also be communicated through this campaign when the time comes.

In addition, signage specific to this project, including identification and awareness panels, are always installed near the zones and facilities to keep users of the bike path and the area well informed.