The Ecological Reserve

The Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

About the Ecological Reserve

Officially established in 2003 by decree of the Quebec government, the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve preserves one of the last representative examples of the primitive forest of southwestern Quebec.

The ecological reserve also provides protection for many plants that have been or are likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable.

Image de la forêt
Image d'arbres vers le haut
Photo : Marquis Cloutier

Mission

The Friends of Forêt-la-Blanche is a non-profit organization whose mission is to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Forêt-la-Blanche territory through forest awareness, conservation and public engagement.

The Forest

The ecological reserve covers an area of over 2,000 hectares and is made up of a number of exceptional forest stands, many of which have never been disturbed by human activity.

The advanced age and rarity of these forest ecosystems make this ecological reserve a unique experience for any visitor wishing to venture there.

Image de champignons de couleur orange
Image d'une passerelle en bois en forêt

Our Trails

The many trails winding through the ecological reserve give the public the chance to visit one of the last old-growth forests in Quebec, with trees that are over 400 years old.

In addition to learning more about the flora and fauna from our educational panels, the trails in this large ecological reserve offer many incredible panoramas and unique hiking routes.

Our Objectives

Education

The educational vocation of the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity in the natural environment and contribute to sustainable development.

Conservation of Natural Heritage

The main goal of Quebec's network of ecological reserves remains the integral and permanent conservation of the ecological and genetic wealth of our natural heritage.

Appreciation of Forests

As one of the only ecological reserves in Quebec open to the public, the Forêt-la-Blanche Ecological Reserve is a great place to learn about and appreciate forests.

What is an Ecological Reserve?

An ecological reserve is any territory preserved in its natural state, whether it is a forest, a watershed, an island or any other natural environment with distinctive ecological characteristics.

Sentier près d'un marais

Why Conserve Land
in its Natural State?

Preserving an area in its natural state protects our natural heritage from disturbance caused by human activity and exploitation for economic purposes.

The main objective of the network of ecological reserves in Quebec remains, with a focus on sustainable development, the integral and permanent conservation of environmental samples representing the diversity of the ecological and genetic wealth of our natural heritage. In addition to guaranteeing the protection of natural environments, ecological reserves have scientific research, educational and conservation objectives for endangered or vulnerable species of flora and fauna.

Access to ecological reserves is limited to management, research or educational activities, and is subject to special authorizations designed to ensure the ecological integrity of these sites. Thanks to the involvement of the Friends of Forêt-la-Blanche, the trails in the ecological reserve are exceptionally accessible to the public.

Additional Information

For more information on Quebec's ecological reserves, visit the website of the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (French only).