Associated with the page Environment
Natural environments close to home
The citizens of Brossard are fortunate to live in an environment that includes several natural environments of interest, including Parc des Sansonnets, Rivière Saint-Jacques and Bois de Brossard. The city is constantly adopting new measures to protect and enhance its habitats, which provide refuge for many emblematic and vulnerable species.
As set out in its Environmental Action Plan 2020-2021the City gives priority to safeguarding its natural environments and is committed to the following actions:
- Obtain nature reserve status for the City’s properties in the Bois de Brossard ;
- Pursue the acquisition of properties within the Bois de Brossard for conservation purposes;
- Continue planning the outdoor center and trail development in Bois de Brossard (Bioparc);
- Develop a territory-wide strategy for the enhancement of natural environments and waterways;
- Inform and promote the natural environment to citizens through the various media.
Bois de Brossard: a flagship environmental project
In December 2021, five plots of land in the Bois de Brossard were granted nature reserve status by the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC). These lands, totalling 178 hectares, or the equivalent of 333 American soccer fields, will be added to the 230 hectares that already have reserve status within the woodland.
Bois de Brossard is :
- a natural reserve forming part of the Mont St-Bruno forest corridor (CMM).
- a total surface area of 974 hectares;
- one of the Montérégie’s greatest ecological treasures;
- A biopark – Nearly 600 hectares available for development (trails, cross-country ski trails, etc.);
- a 408-hectare nature reserve (shared by Ville de Brossard and Nature-Action Québec);
- a territory mainly made up of forests and wetlands;
- wildlife and plant species likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable;
Access to Bois de Brossard is restricted depending on conditions and layout. However, we have some exciting projects underway that promise to open up new possibilities in nature.
Access to Brossard Woods is via the outdoor center at 6015 chemin des Prairies, Brossard.
Partnerships that go a long way!
March 2017
Innovative agreement between CDPQ Infra, the UPA and the CMM to enhance the value of agricultural land – in response to the concerns of the City of Brossard.
April 2019
The City of Brossard and its partners announce the creation of an agricultural social utility trust (FUSA).
November 2019
Ville de Brossard is taking part in a public event organized by the CMM to request additional measures and new powers to protect the natural environments of Greater Montreal.
December 2021
Five properties in Bois de Brossard have been granted nature reserve status by the MELCC.
August 2022
Nature-Action Québec, the Réseau express métropolitain and the Ville de Brossard ensure the protection of 23 hectares of natural environments, more than half of which have been restored as part of the Bois de Brossard vision. Read more
Autumn 2024
If all goes according to plan, we’ll start building the first trails resulting from the Biopark project. This exciting initiative will open up new horizons for hikers and nature lovers alike.
Development and protection potential
- Proximity to REM and Parc métropolitain agricole (planned for 2025)
- Area comparable to Mont Saint-Bruno Park (890 ha)
- Four (4) times Mount Royal Park (214 ha)
Discovery trail for the chorus frog
Measuring just 3 cm as an adult, the Chorus Frog can be recognized by its three dark dorsal stripes, wider flank band and white upper lip line. Its color varies from brown to olive gray, and it rarely lives longer than a year.
In Quebec, this amphibian is an endangered species. This is one of the reasons why the City of Brossard is committed to protecting its habitat; almost half of the woodland area is dedicated to restoration and natural preservation.
Biodiversity corridor
What is a biodiversity corridor?
A biodiversity corridor is a place where landscaping and environmentally-friendly interventions will be carried out to create environments conducive to the presence and protection of a variety of plant and wildlife species, such as native bees, swallows and monarch butterflies. Affected in particular by the impacts of climate change and the destruction of their habitat, these species have a precarious status, meaning that their population has declined significantly and rapidly.
In this video, discover this evolving ecosystem located between Avenue Tisserand and Radisson. It preserves our environment while providing a haven for wildlife, where astonishing transformations are underway.
Biodiversity zone
What is a biodiversity zone?
It’s a place where interventions adapted to the characteristics and uses of the space will be carried out to create environments conducive to the presence and protection of a variety of plant and wildlife species (biodiversity).
