Mélissa Gélinas LJI Reporter
A coffee meeting at the Accès Volunteer Action Centre in Aylmer was held on February 5 to present the mission, development and achievements of the Boucher Forest Foundation.
The foundation was formed from a citizen movement in 2007. Its mission is to raise awareness among the population to protect and conserve the Boucher Forest, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change and human activities.
In total, the Boucher Forest covers an area of over 700 acres, with over 1,145 species of flora and fauna, including endangered species and rare types of trees. It also includes 11 ecosystems essential to the conservation of biodiversity, as well as numerous wetlands.
In addition, over eight km of trails allow you to explore the area while respecting nature, whether on foot, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or cycling. “We have now built 2.5 km of universal trail that is accessible to everyone, especially people with reduced mobility,” emphasized Mageland Yepmézoué, Executive Director of the Boucher Forest Foundation. This natural environment also serves as an educational activity for young people. “There are many schools in the area that go to the forest,” explained Yepmézoué. This allows young people to learn different subjects with the help of different elements of nature. “It’s interesting to see how the dynamic can change depending on whether they are in a classroom surrounded by four walls or in the forest. We have received testimonials from teachers who have seen great improvement in their students.”
A range of recreational, fun, artistic and sports activities are also offered throughout the year. It should be noted that there are also activities intended for seniors.
“Today, generally speaking, the foundation has received a mandate from the city to manage the 55% of the territory that belongs to it with the aim of protecting it,” commented Yepmézoué. “This does not mean that we do not work with private landowners,” he continues. “We have what we call rights of way that allow us to use part of their land and their properties to make certain presentations.”
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that future generations can experience this forest and its benefits as we do today,” he says. The success of the Boucher Forest Foundation would not be possible without its partners, the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) and Loisir sport Outaouais (LSO), as well as its many donors, including the City of Gatineau, which is also the owner, the Government of Quebec, Brigil, the Caisse Desjardins de Hull-Aylmer, Slush Puppie Canada, Gazifère, Énergie 104.1 and many others. For more information on the Boucher Forest Foundation, and to find out about the activities offered and new projects, visit their website at: https://fondationforetboucher.ca/ or their Facebook page: Boucher Forest Foundation/Fondation forêt Boucher.
Photo: Poster of the Boucher Forest at the Samuel Edey entrance (February 5, 2025) (MG) Photo: Mélissa Gélinas