Nature as a playground

Visitors arriving in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord are always charmed by the ecotourism destinationAventure Rose-des-Vents. Is it an eco-friendly youth hostel? A home base for a "human-powered" outdoor excursion? A local food café-bar, a cultural hub, and a meeting place for locals? Rose-des-Vents is all of these things combined in one place. A model in adventure ecotourism, this young company's mission is to bring a sparkle to travellers' eyes by providing a unique fjord experience without altering the natural environment.

In Wakefield, the hundreds of acres of the Parc nature Éco-Odyssée are bursting with life. Rich in biodiversity, the area is the natural habitat of many mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects. However, the park's purpose is to promote co-existence with the beaver, the true architect of the water labyrinth, which delights adventurers passing through the region. By kayak, pedal boat, canoe, or paddleboard, visitors follow in the beaver's footsteps in this vast, preserved marsh. The ecotourism destination also offers sustainable accommodation options on site.

Built on a vast natural playground, Tremblant is especially sensitive to the preservation of the mountain and its surrounding nature. This is why the company is stepping up its efforts to ensure that all of its activities incorporate eco-responsible practices. Here, every action counts: electrification of the vehicle fleet, saving resources in mechanical snowmaking, offsetting CO₂ emissions by visitors, encouraging carpooling, reducing light pollution, and more. As the first company to achieve Ecocert Canada Level 3 certification and through its concrete initiatives, Tremblant positions itself as an example to be followed.

“People before profits” sums up the philosophy of the Coopérative de solidarité Vallée Bras-du-Nord in Saint-Raymond, which oversees the sustainable recreational and tourism development of this region. Through its En Marche social and professional reintegration program, the cooperative hires around ten young people each year who have experienced various challenges (dropping out of school, delinquency, drug addiction). For six months, they contribute to the development and maintenance of hiking and mountain biking trails. Since 2002, nearly 230 local youth have built and maintained these trails, embodying the co-operative's commitment to future generations and nature.

In Amos, the ANISIPI Circuit offers a fabulous setting leading visitors to discover water and the importance of this precious and vulnerable resource for humans and the environment. In the Anicinape language, anicipi means “the pure water that we drink”. The immersive tourist circuit, which passes through various symbolic places, also pays homage to this vast territory crossed by six eskers fed by countless lakes and rivers.

Vacationers who fish in the Kenauk Nature setting in Montebello are guaranteed a sustainable fishing experience. The lakes of the majestic estate are stocked annually with around 25 tonnes of fish from its fish farm. The resort destination also partners with local businesses to produce its own honey and offer local products to guests. With a unique natural environment at its disposal, Kenauk has established a permanent research institute to support the advancement of knowledge on the impacts of climate change on the environment.

Nestled in the bucolic Laurentians, the Hôtel Manoir Saint-Sauveur is one of the Green Key establishments, a certification recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The resort's commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of its guests' stay. From energy-efficient facilities to organic vegetables grown on site and prepared by the hotel's chefs, green initiatives affect every area of ​​the hotel.

Another attraction in Amos: le Refuge Pageau offers shelter, care and love to wild animals in need. Beavers, white-tailed deer, coyotes, wolves, lynx, foxes, birds of prey, moose and black bears become residents there while they recover until their release. Thanks to visitors, this organization can continue its wildlife conservation activities. The refuge offers guided and unguided tours with an interpreter along its 1.5-kilometre forest trail. You can also experience a change of scenery on site with an immersive experience by spending the night in the heart of the Boreal forest, in the company of its inhabitants.

In the Far North, Wiinipaakw Tours offers a glimpse into the wild nature of the northern taiga and its majestic wildlife—belugas, caribou, polar bears—with its day-long eco-cruises around the coastal islands. In this region with James Bay and its islands, Cree captains are best placed to guide excursions that respect northern flora and fauna. In opposition to mass tourism, the Coopérative de solidarité Wiinipaakw Tours is developing sustainable coastal tourism that is beneficial to Eeyou (Cree) communities.