Yamaska Park
Like many of the parks in Quebec Parc Yamaska places wildlife protection at the forefront. Making sure that all wildlife is protected in the area is so important that there has actually been a buffer belt of land that encompasses the park. This buffer area is privately owned and prevents activities that may be harmful to the wildlife from coming too close to the national park and is known as the “Green Belt”. The park uses frogs to better gauge how the park is doing at keeping the area clean and free of harmful elements. Their permeable skin helps determine if there is anything in the environment that is harmful to the animal and plant life living there. It is important for the park to constantly monitor the quality of animal and plant life to ensure that this and other areas around are preserved for a long time to come. The park makes big efforts in conservation, and that pays off big time when visitors can enjoy all the natural elements the park has to offer.
Located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains on the outskirts of Montreal, Park Yamaska provides a varied terrain for hiking. The park also houses a large body of water called the Reservoir Choiniere, making water conservation and purification a top priority for the health and maintenance of Park Yamaska. The park offers cabin accommodation, camping and ready-to-camp (Huttopias) while relaxing in privacy and serenity. To know more of the natural history of the park, join in on a discovery tour while you are there. The guide will give you all the information you need on the park’s history and its conservation efforts.
Park Yamaska features a unique collection of wildlife. If you are especially interested in birds, there are two peak times to visit the park to see the most birds possible. Visit during the spring or the fall and you have good chances of seeing a wide variety of different species. During certain years there have been as many as 170 different types of birds recorded to be within the park grounds. There are also mammals in the area to keep your eyes and ears open for moose, the artic fox, caribou and wolves.
The plant life within the park is important to the balance of park wildlife. If there is not enough food resources for the animals they will go elsewhere. This has been something of major concern to the National parks lately. Yamaska National Park is carefully monitoring the plant life and looking into programs to help conserve and populate the plants that are native to the area. There is also concern about blue algae growing in the area that interferes with the aquatic life. This is a bacteria that blooms in the water causes contamination which is harmful to humans, animals and aquatic life. The park administration ensures the health of the park with its water conservation and purification program.
Parc national de la Yamaska invites you to come camp at the heart of nature! There are 140 campsites, with and
without services, found in close proximity to the park activities. Huttopia tents, canoeing and camping sites are also available. Many activities are offered, such as hiking, trail cycling, swimming at the beach and even boat rentals.
While there are always going to be conservation efforts in the area, Park Yamaska is a great park to visit for scenic views, wildlife and plant life. Plan your next visit to Park Yamaska and you will not be disappointed.
