Over 200 participants attend the “Living in Harmony with Nature in Brome-Missisquoi” Open House
Cowansville, April 23, 2026 — As part of Earth Day, the Brome-Missisquoi RCM held a regional-scale open house on April 22 at Espace Diffusion in Cowansville, under the theme “Living in Harmony with Nature in Brome-Missisquoi.” The event was a great success, bringing together more than 200 participants, including 180 citizens, around thirty partners, and representatives from the RCM.
In a warm and welcoming atmosphere, participants had the opportunity to engage directly with experts and deepen their knowledge on coexisting with wildlife and plant life, adapting to climate change, and accessing tools and resources for the enhancement, restoration, and protection of natural environments.
A total of 17 partner organizations working in biodiversity, conservation, forestry, agroenvironment, and water management were present at the event. Through their information booths and expertise, they provided practical support to landowners of natural environments across the territory.
This community-focused event was organized in collaboration with Mission Faune Granby Zoo, with support from the Fondation de la faune du Québec.
“The goal is simple, yet essential: to create an accessible and welcoming space for exchange between you and local experts in conservation, forestry, water management, and agroenvironment. Because ultimately, we all have a role to play. As citizens, as landowners, as a community—we are the stewards of our territory and its natural wealth,” emphasized Ms. Sylvie Beauregard, Prefect of the Brome-Missisquoi RCM and Mayor of Cowansville.
The conference “The Hidden Side of Natural Environments,” presented by Ariane Charron and Laurie Dufour from Mission Faune Granby Zoo, highlighted the many often-overlooked benefits of natural environments. Concrete actions were also proposed to foster better coexistence with nature and contribute to its preservation.
During her presentation, Ms. Ariane Charron noted: “A natural environment of interest is valuable because it supports life, helps nature function properly, and provides essential services for both ecosystems and humans. Research also shows that spending time in natural environments—hearing calming sounds like water, birds, and nature—helps reduce stress and improve mood in a tangible way. It is therefore in our best interest to protect these environments.”
Ms. Charron also added: “The strong turnout at this event clearly demonstrates the growing public interest in protecting natural environments, which is very encouraging!”
A concrete action under the Regional Plan for Natural Environments
This first open house is directly part of the implementation of the Brome-Missisquoi RCM’s Regional Plan for Natural Environments (PRMN). It responds to three priority needs expressed by citizens during a 2022 survey:
- collaborating with conservation organizations and stakeholders;
- raising community awareness about the importance of natural environments;
- supporting landowners in the sustainable management of their properties.
Better understanding natural environments in the region
Natural environments include forested areas (woodlots and forests), wetlands (marshes, swamps, peatlands, ponds), and aquatic environments (lakes, rivers, and their shorelines).
To learn more and view the interactive map of natural environments of interest located on their property, citizens are invited to visit: https://bit.ly/4bpYp00
To read the Living in Harmony with Nature in Brome-Missisquoi brochure: https://bit.ly/4vP04pr
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Source:
Isabelle Paquette
Communications Advisor
Brome-Missisquoi RCM
450-266-4900, ext. 241
ipaquette@mrcbm.qc.ca
Interviews:
Valérie-Anne Bachand
Planning and Conservation Strategies Advisor
Brome-Missisquoi RCM
450-266-4900, ext. 263
vbachand@mrcbm.qc.ca