Press releases

(Montréal, March 24, 2025). Since 1986, Les Amis de la montagne has been working to protect and enhance Mount Royal by adopting a collaborative approach with municipal and provincial authorities, owners of large private and institutional properties, and the community to find solutions for preserving Mount Royal as a shared heritage.

Montréal, January 13, 2025 – Les Amis de la montagne is pleased to announce that Christophe Derrien has been named its new executive director. Appointed by the board of directors of Les Amis, Mr. Derrien assumed his duties on Monday, January 6, 2025, marking the start of the new year with a focus on renewal. This change represents a promising step for the organization and will further strengthen its mission to protect, enhance and promote Mount Royal. Drawing on a wealth and diversity of experiences, Christophe Derrien will breathe new life into the organization’s general management and provide a vital strategic vision to help guide future projects undertaken by Les Amis de la montagne.

Montréal, November 21, 2024 – Les Amis de la montagne, as part of its mission to protect, educate and advocate for the territory covered by Mount Royal, has launched a fun and educational winter program for all ages. From December 21, 2024 to mid-March 2025, you can participate in guided discovery walks, new cross-country ski classes for adults, and outdoor activities like snow tubing and ice skating. There are over 60 guided walks to choose from, featuring six different themes, including: snowshoeing at night to catch the city lights, forest walks to learn more about flora and fauna, and birdwatching tours to observe different local species at bird feeders. 

Montréal, November 7, 2024 – For the past 20 years, Les Amis de la montagne has paid an annual tribute to individuals and institutions whose commitment and remarkable actions contribute to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal. Thus, the prestigious Prix du Mont-Royal 2024 was awarded to the Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal on November 6, 2024, in recognition of the quality of its exhibition titled Our Mountain. Memories of Mount Royal. Highlighting the history, conservation and development of Mount Royal, the exhibition helped raise awareness of the importance of this iconic site in the heart of Montréal among thousands of visitors.

Montréal, September 3, 2024 – Les Amis de la montagne is proud to introduce Learning in the Open Air, a new immersive nature program designed for primary school students, made possible thanks to financing from the Government of Québec. The goal of this program is to offer students the opportunity to start learning about environmental science and technology at a young age, to raise their awareness about protecting natural spaces, and to experience the benefits of being in nature. This accessible and innovative program that explores environmental science will also support teachers’ pedagogical goals for their students.

Montreal, 18 June 2024 - An initial scan by Les Amis de la montagne of the draft Urban Planning and Mobility Plan 2050 (PUM) released by the City of Montréal earlier this month reveals specific intentions for Mount Royal. The chapter on ‘’emblematic territories", in which Mount Royal is discussed in more detail, as well as other sections of the document, offers perspectives that require careful analysis to ensure that the PUM provides conditions necessary for the mountain to remain a leading contributor to Montrealers’ quality of life and greenspace connectivity.

Photo : Freddy Arciniegas

Montréal, February 5, 2024 – Les Amis de la montagne is pleased to announce important changes to their management and governance. These changes have been carefully planned to ensure that the leaders now arriving will inject new blood into the nearly 40-year-old organization, while retaining the experience and knowledge acquired by previous leaders, who will now take on new roles at Les Amis.

Photo: NathB photographe

Montréal, December 14, 2023 - Les Amis de la montagne is thrilled to announce the launch of their winter programming, with plenty of activities to help Montrealers of all ages enjoy 220 hectares of natural splendour in the heart of the city.

Montreal, November 1, 2023 – As part of a major day of activities held at the Mount Royal Chalet to celebrate the mountain with the Montreal community on October 29, Les Amis de la montagne was pleased to award the Prix du Mont-Royal to Peter A. Howlett, C.M., the organization’s Co-Founder and outgoing President. 

Montreal, September 13, 2023 – Les Amis de la montagne welcomes the announcement that Camillien-Houde Way is to undergo redevelopment. The project represents positive action in the fight against climate change and is consistent with the ambitious objectives set by the City of Montréal.

Photo Kenan Alboshi

Montreal, August 21, 2023 - Les Amis de la montagne is launching its fall program of activities designed to give Montrealers the opportunity to enjoy nature while raising their awareness of the issues affecting the green lung of the city: Mount Royal.

Montreal, May 18, 2023 - For more than 35 years, Les Amis de la montagne has worked in partnership with the City of Montréal to implement education, conservation and environmental stewardship programs in Mount Royal Park. Les Amis de la montagne is pleased to announce that the City of Montréal has renewed its financial commitment with funding of more than one million dollars over three years, so that our organization can continue to maintain a high-quality, natural environment that meets the needs of locals and tourists alike. 

Photo Sebastien Foray