Published April 15, 2024

LJI Reporter
Tashi Farmilo

Omega Park is thrilled to unveil the achievements of the Makwa Foundation in its first year. This
initiative, dedicated to the preservation of endangered species, education, mental health, and
cultural enrichment, has made significant strides under the leadership of Ève Senneville. The
Foundation has embarked on a variety of projects, including the protection of the Red-Headed
Woodpecker, a species classified as “endangered” federally and “threatened” provincially. A
collaboration with the Ornithological Development of Argenteuil aims to inventory lands and
protect this species.

The Foundation has also conducted an Avian Species Census at Parc Oméga, identifying 77
species, including three considered threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. Additionally, the
Loggerhead Shrike Reproduction project, supported by the Foundation, has enabled the park to
host eight birds for captive breeding, with the goal of releasing the chicks into the wild.
In the realm of education and research, the Makwa Foundation has partnered with Dansereau-
St-Martin Primary School in Grenville to create an educational booklet about the Monarch
butterfly, enhancing children’s understanding of pollinating insects. The CFER Rivière-du-Nord
benefitted from a donation that provided students and teachers with an educational experience
at Parc Oméga, promoting environmentally friendly practices.

The Foundation has also contributed to the appreciation of the arts by supporting the Cultural
Action Centre of the Papineau MRC and the Symphonic Youth Orchestra of Outaouais,
providing opportunities for young people to discover orchestral music.

Promoting mental health is another key pillar of the Foundation’s mission. Escale pour Elle, a
centre for women and children experiencing domestic violence, was invited to Parc Oméga for a
day of respite, promoting well-being and mental health.

The Makwa Foundation’s efforts are supported by the sale of plush toys at the Parc Oméga
store and donations collected through Canadon. With a total investment of $12.4k, the
Foundation has allocated funds to various themes, including protection and conservation,
culture and arts, education and research, and mental health.

The Makwa Foundation’s board of directors, led by Ève Senneville as President, is committed to
continuing its mission to preserve our natural heritage for future generations. For more
information on the Foundation’s accomplishments in 2023, please visit fondationmakwa.ca.

Photo: An animal caregiver at Parc Oméga provides care for a caribou, an endangered species
residing in the park. (TF) Photo courtesy of the Makwa Foundation

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