Conservation organization Appalachian Corridor is hosting the very first edition of its “Open House Days” on July 7 and 8 with the goal of raising awareness around the importance of preserving the natural environments of the Eastern Townships and developing a sustainable relationship with nature.
While Appalachian Corridor typically works one-on-one with private landowners that want put their land in conservation, the organization wanted to provide the wider public with the opportunity to discover its work, the different steps that are involved in developing a conservation project, and the environmental concerns that are facing the region. A variety of activities, conferences, and kiosks will be offered on site by a number of professionals and experts.
As the region’s natural landscapes face new pressures, offering these experiences to the public are necessary to informing citizens about the environmental issues facing their communities and encouraging them to take action in the face of a climate crisis, according to Mélanie Lelièvre, executive director of Appalachian Corridor.
“This is our first edition because we are motivated to get in touch with a larger public. We are really in a crisis, a biodiversity crisis and a climate change crisis. It’s time to discuss these issues more widely by not just explaining the problems, but giving people solutions, showcase to them how they can make a difference in their community and in their day-to-day lives,” explained Lelièvre. “It’s a way to get in touch with them and [lead them to action.] The more people that are aware and take action towards these issues, we will have more of an impact, more success, and we will [limit] the problems and the threats that are actually present on our magnificent territory.”
Lelièvre added that the Eastern Townships is known for its “incredible, nice, and very important” natural habitats and landscapes. However, these natural environments are facing pressure as more people seek to move to the region, making awareness and providing educational opportunities are important now more than ever.
“It’s an area that is craved, everyone wants to come and live in the Eastern Townships. People from Montreal can now work from their home. We have nice landscapes, we have nice views, lakes, but it’s important that people understand where they are and what the ecological issues are,” she said. “(…) It’s just to showcase different angles of how nature is important for artists, authors, for doctors, and so on. It’s a celebration of nature.”
In a former interview with CIDI, Lelièvre highlighted that many people are interested in conserving their land, but oftentimes they do not have the information they need to get started, something that the organization also hopes to address through its Open House Days.
“It’s an open house so people can come in, visit us, ask questions. We will have kiosks on the species at risk, the science we are conducting, the conservation projects - where to start and how it works - and general information. We will also have a kiosk represented by the affiliated members. So different local organizations will be there, some located on different parts of the territory, to share with people what they are doing and where they are working,” she said. “People can enjoy the activities, the music, the activities for kids (…) but get informed as well to know what they can do and how they can be involved.”
Appalachian Corridor’s Open House Day will have a birdwatching field-trip in a protected area, encounters with predatory birds, a focus on species of special status in the Eastern Townships territory, and more.
“Usually it’s landowners that call us and invite us to visit their piece of land, this time it’s kind of the opposite. We are [reversing] the trend and inviting the community into our home. We hope that we will have a lot of people and that it’s going to be a success,” said Lelièvre.
For the full programming of Appalachian Corridors Open House Day.
Listen to the full interview below: