BEACONSFIELD, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 30, 2015) - The Mayor of Beaconsfield, Mr. Georges Bourelle, is very pleased to announce that following more than 30 years of various efforts and negotiations towards this goal, Angell Woods has been officially designated for permanent protection and conservation as a nature park within Greater Montreal.
At public meetings held this week, the municipal council of Montreal and the Agglomeration council both ratified Montreal's new land use and development plan for the protection of Angell Woods as a nature park.
"This crucial step in the preservation of Angell Woods confirms the protection of this exceptional wooded area with its great ecological value. My great pride in this achievement stands from the fact that it was one of my main political commitments - a commitment that has now been fulfilled," says Mayor Bourelle with satisfaction.
The Mayor also stressed the collaboration received from the administration of City of Montreal Mayor, Mr. Denis Coderre, and from the executive committee member responsible for the land use and development plan, Mr. Russell Copeman, as well as the exemplary work carried out by Montreal and Beaconsfield employees in completing this critical step towards designating Angell Woods as a green space.
The Angell Woods forest is one of the largest on the Island of Montreal. It is a gem of nature for Beaconsfield thanks to its two exceptional forest ecosystems (EFE): the sugar maple groves, with their bitternut hickory trees, and the red ash plantation. Both of these forest populations are considered rare in Quebec.
As part of the policy to protect and develop the City of Montreal's natural settings, this official designation now provides protection for 10% of its territory. The City of Beaconsfield had already acquired a part of the forest in 2007, to the extent of its means.
Past Recognitions
The Mayor is all the more proud of this confirmation by Greater Montreal because the exceptional ecological value of Angell Woods has been highlighted many times in the past. Examples include the area's status as a natural reserve accorded by the provincial government; recognition of the Angell Woods exceptional forest ecosystems in 2005; and the fact that the former Montreal Metropolitan Community designated it as a wooded area of interest for the Metropolitan Land-Use and Development Plan (MLUDP) and expressed a vision for its protection and development. Angell Woods is now under permanent protection.
The next step is acquisition by the City of Montreal of the private lots that make up Angell Woods.
"We know that Montreal is a motivated buyer and that reserve funds have been set up for this acquisition. Let us now hope that the forest property owners and the City of Montreal will quickly reach agreements so that we can move on to the next stage, namely, development of the forest in ways that respect its exceptional habitats," concluded Mayor Bourelle.
Contact Information:
514 428-4410