Québec National Parks, one of the three magnificent Sépaq Networks

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	Conservation Mission

Mission Statement

Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville was created to ensure the permanent protection of a representative segment of the natural region known as the St. Lawrence Lowlands.

Natural Environment

From its mid-river location, Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville offers lovely views of Montréal and historic Old Boucherville. Its five islands-Sainte-Marguerite, Saint-Jean, Pinard, Commune, and Grosbois-are part of a twelve-island archipelago and cover a total of 8.14 sq.km.

The islands, created by the motion of the waves and currents, are composed of marine clay that settled on the bottom of the Champlain Sea about 12,500 years ago. As the sea receded, it left behind a nascent river, which spawned a string of islands. These flat expanses of land, barely 9 metres above sea level, include two wooded areas and groves of trees and shrubs that shape the landscape of meadows and fields where golden-rod abounds.

Although its climate is similar to Montréal's, the island exhibits slight seasonal variations because of the river. Temperatures are warmer in fall, whereas in spring, warmer weather is delayed somewhat by the ice.

Wildflowers, marsh plants, and shrubs abound in this landscape. The vegetation along the water's edge is quite diverse, with the various species distributed according to their flood tolerance. The 18-hectare wood at the south end of Île Grosbois includes red ash, silver maple, American elm, and American linden.

Birds flock to this river oasis rich in aquatic grass beds. More than 190 species of land and water birds frequent the area during the year. The channels are home to Black Terns, Great Blue Herons, Common Snipes, Common Moorhens and Northern Harriers, as well as 14 species of duck, including the Northern Pintail, the American Black Duck, the Green-winged Teal and the Blue-winged Teal. Migratory birds found in the park include the Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Black-bellied Plover, Canada Goose and Osprey.The archipelago also attracts warblers, Bobolink, sparrows, swallows, and several species of owl.

More than 40 species of fish live in the waters of the archipelago. The most sought-after are Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass. The islands are also home to nearly 10 species of mammal-the muskrat, white-tailed deer, skunk, grey squirrel, raccoon, and of course, the meadow vole. The islands also provide a habitat ideal for amphibians and reptiles, such as the painted turtle, the garter snake, and several species of frogs.