Protecting the three sisters: Dumoine, Coulonge, and Noire Rivers; presentation by Friends of Dumoine and CPAWS Ottawa Valley.

This WCA interactive zoom session will feature a joint presentation by John McDonnell (Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Ottawa Valley Chapter), and Wally Schaber (Head Volunteer, Friends of Rivière du Moine) giving an overview of the Three Rivers project led by CPAWS, to create a large environmentally protected area in the watersheds of the Dumoine, Coulonge, and Black rivers (adjacent to the Ottawa River in west-central Quebec), and continuing efforts to extend protected status to adjacent watersheds, as well as specific measures to support wilderness recreation on the Dumoine.

Over the last decade Friends of Dumoine has mobilized efforts to support sustainable wilderness recreation on the Dumoine River, including the installation of campsite thunder boxes, portage maintenance (including boardwalks at the busy Grande Chute portage), refurbishment of the Tote Road recreational trail from the mouth to Grande Chute, and the conversion of an old cabin at Grande Chute to a visitor centre and trail museum. Current plans are to convert a property at the south end to a trailhead gateway and information centre.

CPAWS Ottawa Valley led efforts starting in 2008 to protect the Dumoine River and part of its watershed, with full protection of 1,776 km2 granted in 2022. Protection means there will be no logging, mining or hydro-electric development, but recreational activities will continue to be permitted. Protection for another 850 km2 of the Noire and Coulonge watersheds was added in 2023, accompanied by ongoing activities that support regional biodiversity. Current efforts are also focused on extending protected status to as much as 5,000 km2 of lands including iconic rivers like the Kipawa, the Fildegrande and the Poussiere (an under-appreciated tributary of the Dumoine).

Tune in to learn more about these exciting opportunities and how you can help FOD and CPAWS-OV protect these special places for current and future generations.