The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and the Kenauk Institute (KI) are both charitable organizations partnering in an extraordinary effort to protect the world’s largest temperate forest dedicated to research and education: Kenauk. The Kenauk property is well known to many scientists and researchers around the world for its extensive 26,300 hectares (65,000 acres), numerous lakes and untouched wilderness. The area is home to many species at risk, which are found in the area’s old growth forests, swift river waters and the deep lakes.
Deeply rooted in Canadian history, the Kenauk property was once owned by the first bishop of New France in 1674. Impressively, throughout the 350 years of private ownership, this property has only known four owners. The property was kept whole and is now uniquely located in the heart of one of the few remaining natural corridors of continental importance for the survival of wildlife facing the impacts of climate change. Today, with such close proximity to our nation’s capital and the Montreal metropolis, development pressures threaten the area’s natural spaces. This is why permanently protecting the property is a priority.
NCC and KI are partnered to ensure this incredible property is not only protected for the long term but that it is also dedicated to natural sciences and educating future generations. By partnering with universities and public stakeholders, we aim to create the largest temperate research forest in the world.
A strategic conservation partnership of this magnitude is critical to Canada’s fight against climate change. Our research and education initiatives will benefit Canadians for generations to come.
Legend
Research and Education Forest
Kenauk Property
Nature Conservancy Protected Area
Érable-Noir Ecological Reserve
Kenauk lies within the heart of one of the last significant wildlife corridors on the continent in terms of size and biodiversity. These land or water corridors connect natural areas and are critical for the survival of many species.
The area could not sustain its unparalleled biodiversity if it became isolated from other habitats in the region. The greater the diversity of species, the more productive a forest is and the better it can withstand stresses and illnesses. With more than 112 rare and endangered species identified at Kenauk, increased conservation efforts and research are vital to the property’s long term health and survival.
Expanding conservation within the Kenauk property and the wider ecological corridor will advance efforts to consolidate the largest protected temperate forest in the world and assure its sustainability for generations to come.
The Kenauk Institute is a charitable organization established in 2014 on the property of Kenauk in Montebello, Quebec. Its mission is to support scientific research and create environmental education programs with the goal for long term conservation.
Thanks to a partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, multiple universities and a dedicated team of biologists, we hope to accomplish the permanent protection of the world’s largest temperate forest dedicated to research and education.
Funds raised will allow the construction of the Kenauk Institute ’s first state of the art research and education facility.
In the last few years, the Kenauk Institute has seen a lot of progress toward becoming an established and permanent center for ecological studies. This includes 28 research projects and an international network of universities like the University of Vermont and the University of Massachusetts. It also includes Canadian universities, such as McGill, Concordia and Université du Québec en Outaouais – which has an onsite biology undergraduate program, and the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences (ISFORT) dedicated to the study of temperate deciduous forests.
Bringing Natural Sciences to the Leaders of Tomorrow
It is essential to present today’s youth with opportunities to discover the secrets of nature in order to awaken their passion for wildlife and give them tools to ensure their protection. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Kenauk Institute want to offer youth an innovative educational program where they can learn about the natural sciences and participate in cutting edge research on the Kenauk property.
Free educational programs are already in place for young students however, we need your help to expand programming options and reach more students – the leaders of tomorrow.
Legend
Research and Education Forest
Kenauk Property
Nature Conservancy Protected Area
Érable-Noir Ecological Reserve
