Boucher Forest Foundation in partnership with Gatineau

Approval of a partnership agreement between Gatineau and the Boucher Forest Foundation was voted on and approved during a meeting of the Municipal Council on Tuesday, May 16. The decison marks a major turning point for the protection of the Forest. After 10 years in existence, the Foundation is now seeing the first official mandate towards the creation of the Boucher Forest Park.

“This agreement is the result of dedicated and ongoing work by the Boucher Forest Foundation over several years,” said the organization’s president Adrian Corbo. “The partnership was presented to the city in April of last year and we were pleased with the favourable response it received from decision makers and the administration. We feel our role and our efforts have been recognized.”

The partnership agreement will focus on the elaboration of a protection and enhancement plan set forth by the Foundation. Corbo said that “for the Foundation, it is clear that this unique forest is not only of great ecological value but also of economic value for all of Gatineau.”

The plan would ensure the long-term conservation of the forest and facilitate public access. Several elected officials are praising the advancement of the initiative. Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin said, “The Boucher Forest is a major asset of great importance for Gatineau and we are very happy with this partnership.” Councillor Richard Bégin for the Deschênes district, where the forest is located, stated that he is “rejoicing that we have finally managed to reach an understanding between the City and the Boucher Forest Foundation that will allow the awareness program to advance and to showcase this forest, and even to seek out partners and financing to take the initiative even further.”