Biodiversity Festival
Celebrate nature on campus!
Join biodiversity experts on guided nature walks, learn how to identify and document species to support their protection, and connect with 涩里番 groups and local organizations working on environmental initiatives.
As 涩里番 celebrates its collective and coordinated efforts to protect and improve biodiversity, come discover how the Biodiversity Plan guides university-wide actions through to 2030.
Downtown Campus
Kiosks
On Tuesday, September 23, 涩里番 groups and local organizations working on environmental initiatives will host kiosks and be available to share their work and answer your questions. You鈥檒l find them on East Field near Burnside Hall from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Organization |
About |
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The Gault Nature Reserve is a 涩里番 research station located at Mont Saint-Hilaire. It protects more than 1,000 hectares of natural habitats. Come and chat with their team about opportunities for students and staff at Gault. |
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涩里番 aims to monitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity through our research, teaching, and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses. |
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The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada鈥檚 wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all. Our youth and adult programs are always looking for people to join as a participant and/or volunteer to help lead activities. Our WILD Education program is looking to recruit new bilingual Facilitators to lead workshops across Quebec. Stop by our booth to learn more. |
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GUEPE is a non-profit organization offering educational and professional services to youth and the general public in the field of natural and environmental sciences, as well as in outdoor recreation. By making nature more accessible to our clientele, we increase awareness and encourage the respect of biodiversity. |
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Les Amis de la Montagne is a non-profit organization that protects, improves and promotes the sustainability of Montr茅al鈥檚 Mount Royal through advocacy, community involvement, environmental education and stewardship. |
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Mission Monarch is a participatory science program that aims to map the breeding habitat of the monarch butterfly. This open-access database helps researchers and cities to improve conservation measures. |
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The Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science (QCBS) is a partnership between 14 academic institutions, a public institution, and a federal ministry that brings together more than 110 researchers and 400 students and postdocs. The QCBS's strategic mission is to increase Quebec's ability to monitor the state of its various ecosystems and their biodiversity, to make predictions about changes in biodiversity and to use this knowledge to support decision-making. |
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UrbaNature's goal is to connect people of all ages to nature in the city, through outdoor education and hands-on experience. |
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Founded in Montreal in 1917, Bird Protection Quebec is the oldest bird conservation charity in Canada and among the oldest in North America. We envision a world in which people appreciate the intrinsic benefits of birds and act to protect our planet and its wildlife. Our mission is to protect birds and bird habitat while fostering an appreciation of them through conservation, observation, research, and education. |
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Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is Canada's leading wetland conservation organization. As a charitable organization, DUC's mission is to conserve wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North American waterfowl, and to promote a healthy environment for wildlife and people. Active in Quebec since 1976, DUC carries out habitat conservation, research, education and awareness activities to protect, restore and better manage wetlands. |
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Built in 1882, the Redpath Museum houses extensive collections of natural history and world culture. These 700,000 objects and specimens are historical, cultural, and natural relics that serve research and education. Come and discover the richness of our collections by visiting the Redpath Museum booth! Seize this opportunity to engage with our guides, see, touch and observe the biodiversity that surrounds us! 听 |
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| Little Forests 涩里番 (LFM) is a student-run club focused on planting small, very dense, and highly biodiverse urban forests, using the Miyawaki method! We also host events surrounding our values, changing how we think about nature and finding ways to form a closer bond with our non-human neighbours and relatives. | |
| The听涩里番 Students for Wildlife Conservation Club听(MSWC) is dedicated to spreading awareness about conservation and sustainability around campus. We organize events to encourage our members to engage with environmentally friendly policies and to discuss how to successfully protect wildlife. Our activities include fundraising for various conservation organizations, participating in nature walks, and leading wildlife discussion panels in collaboration with 涩里番 professors. | |
| A community of outdoor enthusiasts - a club providing uniquely accessible resources for outdoor recreation - a space to learn, practice, and enjoy going outside in all its forms | |
| Project Bird Safe 涩里番 is an initiative dedicated to reducing bird mortality rates caused by window collisions at 涩里番鈥檚 downtown campus. |
Guided walks and activities
Tuesday, September 23
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization/Expert |
Details |
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10 am 鈥� 12 pm |
Guided Bird Walk on Mount Royal |
The 涩里番 Students鈥� Birding Club is offering a guided birdwatching walk on Mont-Royal the morning of the 2025 涩里番 Biodiversity Festival! Fall migration is underway, and many migratory birds can be spotted moving through urban greenspaces on their way south! |
Meet at the Monument to Sir George-脡tienne Cartier just prior to 10:00am on Tuesday, September 23. We will spend a couple of hours birdwatching through Parc du Mont-Royal and conclude at the Y-Intersection of the Downtown Campus at noon for the start of the festival proper. No registration is required, simply show up at the meeting place just prior to 10:00am. Participants need to dress appropriately for the weather. If you have your own binoculars, please bring them鈥攁lthough these are not required for participation. |
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2 鈥� 3 pm |
Tour of the Blacker Wood Natural History Collection |
From the earliest printed illustrations of animals in the Western world, to 19th century watercolours and botanical scrapbooks, the treasures of the Blacker Wood Natural History Collection in the Rare Books & Special Collections department span the histories of biology, ornithology, botany, and early scientific exploration. Join us for a rare chance to marvel at original artwork, field notebooks, and other highlights from one of the largest natural history collections in North America. This tour, organized as part of 涩里番鈥檚 Biodiversity Festival, will be given by Lauren Williams, curator and librarian for the Blacker Wood Natural History Collection. |
涩里番 Library, Rare Books & Special Collections (led by Lauren Williams, curator and librarian for the Blacker Wood Natural History Collection) |
Registration required. Maximum 20 people for in-person event. Register for the tour . |
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3 鈥� 4 pm |
Insect Biodiversity Walk with GUEPE |
Join a GUEPE naturalist for a stroll around the campus to discover some of our 6-legged friends who share this beautiful campus with us. |
GUEPE |
Meet at the MOOS kiosk. Please arrive 5 minutes in advance and come dressed for the weather (e.g., water bottle, sunscreen, hat, etc.). It is recommended (but not mandatory) to download iNaturalist before the walk, as we will be using it to help us ID insects. No registration required. |
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4 鈥� 5 pm |
Guided Tour of Urban Agriculture Gardens |
Join Peter Garber, MOOS Sustainability Officer, on a tour of 涩里番鈥檚 urban agriculture projects, biodiversity patches, and gardens. Learn more about these projects鈥� history and the student groups running them and find out about our campus鈥� landscape management secrets! |
涩里番 Office of Sustainability (led by Peter Garber, Sustainability Officer) |
Meet by the 涩里番 Office of Sustainability Booth. Please be ready to leave at 4 pm. Adapt your clothing to weather conditions. No registration required |
Wednesday, September 24
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization/Expert |
Details |
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11 am 鈥� 12:30 pm |
Speaker Series on Biodiversity Science (hybrid event) |
Join the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science and hear from 涩里番 graduate students who will present their biodiversity-related research in quick 4-minute presentations. |
Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science |
Burnside Hall, Room 426 Registration is required to attend remotely and strongly encouraged for in-person attendees. Pizza will be served after the presentations. Find the list of speakers, Zoom link, and registration link . |
Friday, September 26
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization/Expert |
Details |
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11 am -12 pm |
Guided Tour: Evolution and Extinction |
Join the Redpath Museum to explore the role of evolution and extinction in shaping life and the world as we know it today! After the tour, you will have time to discover the rest of the Museum independently. 听 For 涩里番 students, staff, and faculty. 听 |
Redpath Museum (led by the Education Team) |
Meet in the Museum Lobby at 11 am. Registration required. Find more information and RSVP |
Macdonald Campus
Kiosks
On Friday, September 26, 涩里番 groups and local organizations working on environmental initiatives will host kiosks and be available to share their work and answer your questions. You鈥檒l find them in the Ceilidh from 10:30 am to 2 pm.
Organization |
About |
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涩里番 Bird Observatory (The Migration Research Foundation inc. ) 听 |
The 涩里番 Bird Observatory is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. The observatory is run by the non-profit The Migration Research Foundation Inc. Operations at MBO emphasize birds migration monitoring, research, conservation, education and volunteer training. |
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The Gault Nature Reserve is a 涩里番 research station located at Mont Saint-Hilaire. It protects more than 1,000 hectares of natural habitats. Come and chat with their team about opportunities for students and staff at Gault. |
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涩里番 aims to monitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity through our research, teaching, and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses. |
|
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The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada鈥檚 wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all. Our youth and adult programs are always looking for people to join as a participant and/or volunteer to help lead activities. Our WILD Education program is looking to recruit new bilingual Facilitators to lead workshops across Quebec. Stop by our booth to learn more. |
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The Ecomuseum Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the importance of biodiversity through environmental education. Located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, we are the only outdoor zoo on the island of Montreal and only have animals indigenous to Quebec in our care. In addition to education, we are actively engaged in research and the conservation of wild populations and their natural habitats - all while keeping animal well-being at the heart of our mission. |
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| Lyman Ecological Museum | The Lyman Entomological Museum is a biodiversity 鈥渉otspot鈥� on the Macdonald Campus of 涩里番. This insect collection holds nearly 3 million specimens, making it one of the largest insect collections in Canada. Come visit our booth for a sneak peak of this remarkable insect collection while meeting passionate entomology graduate students to learn more about their research and the fascinating world of insects! |
Guided walks and activities
| Friday, September 26 | ||||
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization/Expert |
Details |
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Guided bird walk at Macdonald Campus |
Join Dr. Kyle Elliott for a guided bird walk at Macdonald Campus. Fall migration is underway, and many migratory birds can be spotted moving through greenspaces on their way south! |
Professor Kyle Elliott, Department of Natural Resource Sciences |
Meeting point at 9:00 from shuttle bus pick up point, in front of the Centennial Centre. Wear walking shoes and outdoor attire. Binoculars are optional. No registration required |
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| 10 am 鈥� 11:15 am | Trees & Morgan Arboretum Biodiversity (Visit #1) | Manager of the Morgan Arboretum, for a guided walk through the forest reserve. Discover how to recognize emblematic tree species and learn about the fascinating ecology and hidden life of the forest. | Morgan Arboretum (led by Scott Pemberton) |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 9:50 am. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register |
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10 am |
MacMOC Biodiversity Blitz! |
As a part of 涩里番's 2025 Biodiversity Festival, MacMOC will be hosting a guided exploration of campus involving the identification of birds, plants, insects, and other life on campus using iNaturalist. |
MacMOC (Led by Xavier MacLaren) |
Meet at the entrance of the Ceilidh at 10am! Come with lenses or binoculars if you have them. No registration required 听 |
| 11 am 鈥� 12 pm | Pollinator Habitat Exploration and Maintenance |
Help in the removal of unwanted vegetation from re-wilded areas. On the east side of the S-road toward the shore of Lac St Louis, there are several areas where native vegetation has been planted or encouraged to establish, and ground nesting bee habitats installed. Some maintenance is needed to remove vegetation from these ground-nesting bee habitats and to check for and remove burdock fruiting heads and other debris from surrounding areas. |
MacMOC (Led by Xavier MacLaren) |
Open to all! Meet at the Pollinator Meadow at 11am. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Volunteers will be provided with gloves and tools. |
| 11 am 鈥� 12:15pm |
Recognizing the signs of highly diverse forests at the Molson Reserve (Visit #1) |
The Molson Nature Reserve is a highly diverse forest and wetland complex on Ile Perrot, a short distance from Macdonald Campus. A shuttle bus will provide transportation to the Reserve, where Dr. Beauregard, curator of the 涩里番 Herbarium, will take participants on a guided walk to view different plant communities. | Dr. Frieda Beauregard |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 10-:45 pm. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register |
| 1:30 pm 鈥� 2:45 pm | Trees & Morgan Arboretum Biodiversity (Visit #2) | Join Scott Pemberton, Manager of the Morgan Arboretum, for a guided walk through the forest reserve. Discover how to recognize emblematic tree species and learn about the fascinating ecology and hidden life of the forest. | Morgan Arboretum (led by Scott Pemberton) |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 1:20 pm. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register |
| 2 pm 鈥� 3:15 pm |
Recognizing the signs of highly diverse forests at the Molson Reserve (Visit #2) |
The Molson Nature Reserve is a highly diverse forest and wetland complex on Ile Perrot, a short distance from Macdonald Campus. A shuttle bus will provide transportation to the Reserve, where Dr. Beauregard, curator of the 涩里番 Herbarium, will take participants on a guided walk to view different plant communities. |
Dr. Frieda Beauregard |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 1:45 pm. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register |
Gault Nature Reserve
Saturday, October 4
As part of 涩里番鈥檚 Biodiversity Festival, join us at the Gault Nature Reserve on October 4 for a . A free shuttle will bring 涩里番 students and staff from the Downtown Campus to Gault, where you鈥檒l have free access to explore the Reserve and take part in the Festival鈥檚 activities. Space is limited鈥� today!
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Land Acknowledgment
涩里番's campuses are located on lands that have long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst Indigenous peoples. For example, 涩里番's downtown and Macdonald campuses sit on the traditional lands of the Haudenosaunee and Kanien'keh谩:ka nations, while the Gault Nature Reserve is situated on Waban-Aki ancestral lands. 涩里番 honours, recognizes, and respects these nations as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters where the Biodiversity Festival's activities take place, as well as the critical role they hold in protecting the rich biodiversity inhabiting these territories.
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The 2025 Biodiversity Festival is proud to hold Sustainable Event Certifications from 涩里番鈥檚 Sustainable Events program, with a Platinum certification for the downtown campus and a Gold certification for the MacDonald Campus.听