News

Invitation to the public forum, November 25, 2009

... and more: Tuques Bleues Celebration 2010, cross-country skiing and the FeederWatch Project

Invitation to the public forum
Become a partner of Les amis' Tuques Bleues Celebration 2010
Enroll your children in "Jackrabbit" cross-country ski lessons on Mount Royal
Cross-country ski rental equipment sale
Call for volunteers for the FeederWatch project

INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC FORUM

Les amis de la montagne’s next public forum will be held on Wednesday, November 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House.

What does the future hold for institutional properties on Mount Royal?

The Mount Royal territory comprises numerous institutions with great historic interest as much for their heritage properties as for their cultural missions. Yet these institutions are undergoing an important transformation and many will eventually leave the mountain, turning over their properties to private developers, as in the case of the Sulpicians’ former philosophy seminary and the former Mother House of the Soeurs-des-Saints-Noms-de-Jésus-et-de-Marie. Are we to preserve the inherent public land use character of these institutional properties located on Mount Royal? And how do we ensure that the greater community benefits from the transfer of these properties and the protection of their heritage assets?

Invited guests:

Marie Lessard, urban planner and professor at the Institut d’urbanisme, Université de Montréal and President of the Conseil du Patrimoine de Montréal.
Jean-François Girard, lawyer, specialist in environmental law at Dufresne Hébert Comeau and biologist. Chair of the Board of the Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement.

For more information, contact François-Xavier Caron, public forum coordinator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 241

BECOME A PARTNER OF LES AMIS’ TUQUES BLEUES CELEBRATION 2010

The Tuques Bleues Celebration and Snowshoe Event is the most important fundraiser for Les amis de la montagne. The 13^th edition will be held February 18, 2010 on Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration gathers close to 800 people from the Montreal business community for an evening of good company that features a moonlit snowshoe tramp through the mountain forest and a gastronomic dinner. The objective of the event is to raise $250,000, nearly one third of the annual campaign goal. Profits are invested in educational and protection programs for Mount Royal.

The Tuques Bleues Celebration provides individuals and companies a unique way to contribute to the conservation of such an important site in Montreal. You may contribute to the success of the event in several ways:

Become a sponsor
Provide a gift of products or services
Form a team of participants by buying tickets

For more information, contact Katie Whitehead, director of development, at 514 843-8240, ext. 243.

(Photo: Andrew Dobrowolskyj)

ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN IN “JACKRABBIT” CROSS-COUNTRY SKI LESSONS ON MOUNT ROYAL

Les amis de la montagne are now accepting registrations for the Ski de Fond Québec “Jackrabbit” initiation courses in cross-country skiing for children on Mount Royal. The registration period will close on January 4, 2010.

The Jackrabbit program is suited for children 6 to 10 years old and initiates students to both classical and freestyle cross-country skiing. The lessons include one evaluation session followed by seven (7) 1.5 hour lessons scheduled on 8 consecutive Saturday mornings from January 9 to February 27, 2010. Children will be divided into beginner and advanced levels, with 8 children per group.

The cost of the program is $225 including rental equipment (boots, skis and poles) or $180, if your children have their own equipment.

To register, please come in person to complete the registration form and make the payment in full:

As of now: at Les amis de la montagne’s boutique in Smith House, 1260 Remembrance Road, located mid-way between Beaver Lake and the chalet near the lookout
- Daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As of December 5: at Les amis de la montagne’s equipment rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion (2000 Remembrance Road)
- Sunday to Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

For more information, contact Daniel Leblanc, director of outdoor activities and sales, at 514 843-8240, ext. 232.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI RENTAL EQUIPMENT SALE

Les amis de la montagne are organizing a sale of their rental FISCHER cross-country skis (+ poles and boots), in order to renew a portion of their current rental ski equipment. One day only - don't miss out!

WHEN: Saturday, November 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Rental counter located on the ground floor of the Beaver Lake pavilion, Mount Royal Park

PRICE: $100 and less

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FEEDERWATCH PROJECT

Under the auspices of the Mount Royal Conservation Patrol, Les amis de la montagne are calling all interested volunteers to participate in the FeederWatch project every Friday and Saturday from now to April 3, 2010.

The FeederWatch project is an inventory of winter birds at feeders that began in Canada and the United States in 1976. The patrol will be participating for a 5^th winter.

For more information, contact Claude Drolet, environmental educator, at 514 843-8240, ext. 242.

(Photo: Samuel Montigné)