Image credit: William Verge
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has launched its Nature Force initiative in Quebec, kicking off a major project in the Capitale-Nationale region. The effort is aligned with the City of Quebec’s ongoing work to strengthen the resilience of the flood-prone Lorette River sub-watershed.
The project is financially backed by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), as well as a coalition of property and casualty insurers that support The Nature Force. Other backers include the City of Quebec and DUC’s North American partners such as Fall Flights, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Focusing on restoring wetland and aquatic environments along the Lorette River and its tributaries, the initiative aims to reduce flood risks, enhance climate resilience, and improve water quality. Similar to other Nature Force projects across Canada, it utilizes natural infrastructure to achieve these goals, while also promoting biodiversity and capturing carbon.
“When we protect nature, we give it the power to protect us,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault. He emphasized that nature-based climate solutions, like the Lorette River Project, contribute to carbon storage and provide critical habitats for wildlife, while also improving water quality by filtering pollutants.
The project will apply hydrogeomorphological principles, drawing on local expertise and advanced hydrological models to guide restoration efforts. DUC’s field team is already identifying priority areas for conservation, working closely with local landowners to balance conservation goals with the needs of the community.
The core of the initiative is around upstream actions to prevent downstream flooding. By restoring wetlands and other natural environments upstream, the project aims to improve water retention, helping to reduce the severity of floods – an increasingly important service as extreme weather events become more frequent.
DUC’s director of provincial operations for Quebec, Mélanie Deslongchamps, declared: “With extreme weather events expected to increase... the risk of flooding along the Lorette River is growing. By collaborating with the City of Quebec and our partners, we’re working toward an effective game plan that will address the various agricultural, residential, and commercial needs in the region.”
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