A couple of years ago, Bird Protection Quebec (whose president is guess who?) contributed $300,000 to help the Nature Conservancy of Canada acquire a vast tract of land in the hills north of Montreal between Piedmont and Prévost.

Today, the government finally signed off on the designation of this land as a recognised nature reserve and, naturally, held a press conference to announce the fact.  This meant a drive north to Piedmont in foul weather – fortunately I was not driving – and a short, but moving (so several people told me afterwards) speech in my best French.  I also got to shake the hands of the Quebec Minister of the Environment who seems to be a good egg in the conservation stakes.  Gosh, what high circles one moves in.

This project has been – and will continue to be – a wonderful thing.  It’s lovely piece of forest with bears and birds.

Small lake near the Prévost cliffs inside the reserve

Small lake near the Prévost cliffs inside the reserve

Speaks for itself - not a dry eye in the house

Speaks for itself – not a dry eye in the house

Your here with the Minister (he's the one with the neat beard)

Your hero with the Minister (he’s the one with the neat beard)

The Falaise de Prévost where the Peregrine Falcons nest

The Falaise de Prévost where the Peregrine Falcons nest