CONTROLLING EXOTIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN ANSE BROWN

08/10/2023

Québec City, August 10, 2023 – The Fondation québécoise pour la protection du patrimoine naturel (FQPPN) has received $14,700 in funding from the Port of Québec and the St. Lawrence Action Fund (FASL), through its program promoting biodiversity in the St. Lawrence (Programme maritime pour la biodiversité du Saint-Laurent). The Government of Québec has provided the financial support as part of its Avantage Saint-Laurent initiative promoting a new maritime vision. This financial support will allow for monitoring of the spread of European buckthorn and poison ivy present on the Anse Brown site in 2023. 

The project will ensure safe access for all to the green space on the Anse Brown site by controlling the poison ivy found there. Contact with poison ivy can cause painful allergic reactions. In addition, controlling European buckthorn promotes a healthy ecosystem for different flora and amphibious species. Its dense vegetation cover prevents the growth of the native species that surround it. Controlling native species is essential to protecting Québec’s natural environments and promotes a safe experience for Anse Brown users. 

The FQPPN team will control these species using manual and mechanical harvesting methods as well as through the use of a biological pesticide in the form of a fungus to control the European buckthorn on site. Regular field monitoring will take place to monitor the evolution of invasive species colonies and to adapt control methods as needed. 

About the Port of Québec
One of the five largest ports in Canada in terms of tonnage handled and economic benefits, the Port of Québec is strategically located to serve the industrial and agricultural heart of North America. Annually, cargo ships coming from or going to nearly 50 countries stop there to connect the Great Lakes and Midwest American markets to the rest of the world. Twenty percent of the port territory, which extends from Beauport to the South Shore, is devoted to recreational tourism activities.

About the FQPPN
Founded in 1981, the Fondation québécoise pour la protection du patrimoine naturel (FQPPN) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect Québec’s natural heritage. Its main areas of intervention are the conservation, restoration and enhancement of natural areas of interest, the sound management of properties subject to legal conservation agreements, awareness-raising activities, and supporting riverside communities along the St. Lawrence freshwater estuary.

About the St. Lawrence Action Fund
The FASL is dedicated to providing financial support to projects that promote the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity of the St. Lawrence River and its Gulf as well as maintaining and enhancing usage. 

About Avantage Saint-Laurent
Launched in 2021, Avantage Saint-Laurent is the Government of Québec’s maritime vision to provide the St. Lawrence with modern and competitive port infrastructure, to ensure efficient navigation on the river that is respectful of its ecosystems, and to provide promising and sustainable development opportunities for maritime communities.

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For more information 
Camille Beauchemin
Coordinator
Fondation québécoise pour la protection du patrimoine naturel (FQPPN) 
418-655-9399
[email protected]

Frédéric Lagacé
Director of Communications
Port of Québec
418-648-5031
[email protected]