Moving Giant The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Ecosystem Yours to Discover

Designed for kids, but interesting for all!
This major exhibition was specifically designed for 9-to-14-year-olds. Environment Canada’s Biosphère hopes to educate young people about and raise their awareness of the ecosystem so that they appreciate it and take concrete action to ensure its protection. Although the exhibition is intended for kids, its theme and format will be of interest to families and adults, too.

An exhibition at the heart of more than 1.5 million square kilometres
Did you know that the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence ecosystem covers 1,610,000 km² and contains one of the world’s largest freshwater reserves? The new exhibition takes visitors on a journey of exploration of this vast area, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its best known attractions include Niagara Falls, the Lachine Rapids, the seaway, Lake St. Pierre (a UNESCO world reserve), and the whales in the Gulf.

An inhabited territory
The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence ecosystem takes in six Canadian provinces and nine U.S. states. More than 40 million people live along its banks, and close to 60% of Quebecers live in riverside municipalities along the St. Lawrence and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Human activities are damaging the ecosystem and compromising its balance. It is essential that its deterioration be curbed by raising young people’s awareness about the importance of the ecosystem.

A teeming, diverse world
This ecosystem is rich in diverse wildlife and plants that are threatened by human activity, climate change, erosion and shrinking wetlands. Through a better understanding of environmental issues, we can appreciate and respect this unique area and take whatever action is needed to protect it.

An interactive exhibition
The exhibition takes a playful approach, featuring simulations, computer games, video montages, scale models, giant maps, a nautical setting and information panels to interest the young and young at heart in discovering this amazing ecosystem that remains too little known.

A decade of environmental and sustainable development awareness and education
The Moving Giant – The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Ecosystem exhibition completes the renewal of all of the Biosphère’s exhibitions and educational activities. Environment Canada’s Biosphère, which opened in 1995, is marking its 10th anniversary this year. In keeping with its mandate, the Biosphère raises the awareness of young people and the general public about major environmental issues, including those related to water and climate change, and the sustainable development of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence ecosystem.

Come one, come all!
The Biosphère is located on St. Helen’s Island in Montreal, and can be reached from the Jacques Cartier Bridge or Jean Drapeau metro station. For more information, call (514) 283-5000 or visit www.biosphere.ec.gc.ca .

(aussi disponible en français)