Presentation

Québec's national parks are set up and operated according to the same standards as national parks everywhere in the world. They have two major goals: to permanently protect their natural surroundings and provide the public access for educational and recreational purposes that are compatible with the mission. In April 1999, the government entrusted Sépaq with the task of running park activities and services and creating a parks network of international caliber through ongoing protection and development efforts. Sépaq has assumed these responsibilities via its Parks Québec network.

The Parks Québec mission is to permanently protect and develop representative natural areas in Québec's 43 natural regions and areas with exceptional natural characteristics. For example, Parc national d'Aiguebelle in Abitibi represents the natural region called the Abitibi clay belt. Parc national de Miguasha in the Gaspé is a fossiliferous site unique in the world. Thus a major part of park management is devoted to research, species monitoring, studying the environmental impact of facilities, and protecting parkland. The information gathered is also used for educational and interpretation purposes throughout the network.