Baie de L’Isle-Verte National Wildlife Area

Baie de L’Isle-Verte National Wildlife Area (NWA) covers a riparian strip running some 20 kilometres (km) on the south shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary northeast of Rivière-du-Loup. It protects coastal habitats and waterfowl.

Description

Environment Canada created this protected area of 568.71 hectares in 1980. The NWA protects the intertidal cordgrass marsh of L’Isle-Verte and coastal habitats that are important for waterfowl, particularly the American Black Duck, and other animal species. The L’Isle-Verte Marsh is one of the largest cordgrass marshes in southern Quebec. It is recognized as a Wetland of International Significance under the Ramsar Convention. Although the NWA only includes a section of the L’Isle-Verte Marsh, it forms a protective strip between this wetland and human pressures from the south. With its adjacent areas, the NWA is one of the most important nesting sites for the American Black Duck in Quebec.

This NWA is composed of black spruce forest patches and habitat such as:

• cordgrass marshes
• swamps
• farmlands
• wildlands

The diversity of its habitats contributes to the year-round presence of a large number of animal species. More than 100 species of birds are found in this territory, a large proportion of which are possibly breeding. The NWA is also home to several species at risk, or of precarious status, such as the Peregrine Falcon, Short-eared Owl, Bobolink, and Nelson’s Sparrow.

Thousands of migratory birds pass through the wildlife area every spring and fall, amongst them are:

• Greater Snow Goose
• Canada Goose
• American Black Duck
• Green-winged Teal
• Northern Pintail
• Common Eider
• Scoters

Shorebirds abundant during migration include the Dunlin, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Least Sandpiper.

Mammals found within the wildlife area are the Hoary Bat, a species of precarious status. Other species include:

• Snowshoe hare
• American porcupine
• Red squirrel
• Woodchuck
• Red fox
• Muskrat
• American mink

The wildlife area is exposed to a number of threats and management challenges, such as:

• neighbouring land development
• land drainage
• presence of invasive alien species
• the risk of oil spills in the St. Lawrence

More information on Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA is provided in the summary table below.

Management

Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all other activities are prohibited in all NWAs. For more information, consult the NWA management and activities section and the Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA management plan.

However, some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations. Any authorized activities are listed on signage at access points and can be found in the summary table below.

Hunting for migratory birds is permitted in the fall within the wildlife area with required permits, with the exception of the following areas:

• Salicorne facilities (des Vases River)
• Roitelet
• Soucy-Duvetnor
• du Quai and Aboiteau Girard wildlife enhancement works
• an agricultural parcel located east of du Quai road
• l’Isle-Verte Migratory Bird Sanctuary
• Marais-de-Gros-Cacouna

Permits may be issued for research activities in keeping with the priorities set out in the management plan for the wildlife area or for conservation activities such as surveys, or the enhancement or restoration of habitat.

Priority will be given to collaborative activities with local agencies and organizations to promote the protection and the conservation of wildlife species and their habitats in the NWA. For example, initiatives could be launched or continued with the following entities:

• universities or research centers to address gaps in scientific knowledge
• the province to implement recovery measures for species at risk (particularly those falling under provincial jurisdiction)
• non-governmental organizations or municipal authorities to build public awareness of the wildlife area's objectives

More information on access and permitting for Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.

Plan your visit

Corporation PARC Bas-Saint-Laurent offers activities and services within Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA, including guided hiking tours, activities to build awareness of wildlife species habitat conservation, and a reception and interpretation service at the Maison Girard. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available to the public at Maison Girard.

Please contact that organization for additional information.

Special warnings

• biting insects in summer
• camping prohibited
• dogs allowed on leash
• waterfowl hunting in the fall

Location of wildlife area (access)

Several access points along Route 132, in L’Isle-Verte, about 30 kilometers east of Rivière-du-Loup.
Maison Girard Sector – Interpretation Centre
371, route 132
L'Isle-Verte QC G0L 1K0

Tél. : 418-898-2757

More information on services offered to public can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.

Map of the area

Map of Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA

This map is for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to define legal boundaries.

Summary

Protected are designation

NWA

Province/Territory

Quebec

Latitude/Longitude

48°01' North / 69°21' West

Size

568.71 ha

Reason for creation of protected area

Protection of a cordgrass marsh and coastal habitats along the St. Lawrence Estuary to benefit various waterfowl species (particularly the American Black Duck and the Snow Goose) and other animal species.

Date created (Gazetted)

1980 – Legal description

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category

Habitat/Species Management Area – (IV): protected area aims to protect particular species or habitats and management reflects this priority

Additional designations

• overlaps with the L'Isle-Verte Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS)
• part of the Baie de L'Isle-Verte Ramsar site
• part of the Marais de la Baie de L'Isle-Verte Important Bird Area (IBA)

Keystone or flagship species

• American Black Duck
• Green-winged Teal
• Bobolink
• Salt-water cordgrass

Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)

At least six species listed under the Species At Risk Act, including the Short-eared Owl, Peregrine Falcon and Least Bittern. Nine species under the Quebec's Act Respecting Threatened or Vulnerable Species, such as Nelson’s Sparrow.

Main habitat type

Tidal cordgrass marsh

Faunistic and floristic importance

With adjacent areas, the wildlife area is one of the most important nesting sites for the American Black Duck in Quebec. The area is also important for the Nelson's Sparrow, which could be designated as threatened or vulnerable by the provincial government. The site serves as a major staging area for the Greater Snow Goose and the Canada Goose.

Invasive species

Common reed and purple loosestrife

Other species

Birds:

• Northern Pintail
• Common Eider
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Song Sparrow
• Common Yellowthroat

Mammals:

• Snowshoe hare
• American porcupine
• Red squirrel
• Woodchuck
• Red fox
• Muskrat
• American mink

Main threats and challenges

• impact of human activities
• land fragmentation
• neighbouring land development
• land drainage
• presence of invasive alien species
• risk of oil spills associated with maritime transportation

Management Agency

Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)

Public access and usage

Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA, include:

1. non-commercial wildlife viewing on designated trails and at lookouts and observation towers and in designated areas
2. non-commercial hiking on designated trails
3. participation in a non-commercial group meal or non-commercial group event involving 15 or more people in designated areas
4. non-commercial operation of a vehicle, other than a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle, on designated roads and in designated parking areas
5. non-commercial snowshoeing on designated trails
6. sport hunting of migratory birds — including with dogs off-leash — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset in designated areas, if the hunting is carried out
   1. in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Quebec for sport hunting in that province; and
   2. without the use of toxic shot

Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page, any notice posted at the NWA site and the law, the law prevails, as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.

Contact us

Environment and Climate Change Canada - Quebec Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas
801-1550, D’Estimauville Avenue
Québec QC G1J 0C3

Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Corporation PARC Bas-Saint-Laurent
43, rue Alexandre, suite 100
Rivière-du-Loup QC G5R 2W2

Phone number: 418-867-8882 ext. 201
Email: direction@parcbasstlaurent.com
Web Site: Parc Bas-Saint-Laurent (in French only)

Related links and documents

• Baie de L’Isle Verte NWA area map
• L'Isle-Verte Migratory Bird Sanctuary
• Baie de L'Isle-Verte Ramsar site
• Marais de la Baie de L'Isle-Verte Important Bird Area (IBA)
• Canada Wildlife Act
• Wildlife Area Regulations
• Nature Counts – The State of Canada’s Birds
• Species at risk public registry
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA management plan
• Baie de L’Isle-Verte NWA on Google maps (Please note that the Google maps is a complementary source of information and does not represent the official map or site name)