Educational Visits

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Tree planting with the Friends of the Mountain
The Corvée du Mont-Royal® – 18th edition

The beginning of May heralds one of Montréal’s most important springtime conservation events. Since 1990, the Corvée du Mont-Royal has given nearly 10,500 Montrealers the opportunity to make a concrete gesture, appreciate the richness and fragility of the natural environment and give thought to the impact individual actions can have on the biodiversity of Mount Royal by taking part in a tree-planting event. As part of this year’s Corvée du Mont-Royal, 100 Congress delegates will have the chance to plant 200 trees on the mountain. Following the tree-planting ceremony, the Friends of the Mountain will organize a short walking tour through the forest. Tools and gloves will be supplied. Don’t forget your water bottles and cameras to take advantage of the magnificent panoramic views of the city and St. Lawrence River.

Eco-hike: exploring the Mount Royal forest. Nearly half of the two square-kilometres of Mount Royal Park is made of natural woods, right in the heart of the City of Montréal. This tour will allow you to discover the mountain’s vibrant ecological diversity as you wind your way through a network of small foot trails. Step into the forest and be transported to a world where nature rules all!

Note: $15 charge are to cover the purchasing costs of the trees.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: an accompanying person will walk the group to the Mountain

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Day trip to the Gault Nature Reserve

This is a self-guided day hike on trails in the reserve where you can picnic with friends on the shore of a small lake surrounded by ancient forest or atop a hill with views across the St-Lawrence River valley. In May the forest is rich with wildflowers and migratory song birds, the weather mild and with luck sunny.

Notes: The 25 km of trails are of diverse length and difficulty to suit individual interests. Bring a daypack, sunscreen and water; wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothes for hiking. Le repas est inclus et peut être végétarien, sur demande.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: included

Exploring eco-district projects

During this activity, you will tour various eco-district projects, including:

A representative of each eco-district will be on hand to greet you and describe the various projects. Each tour will run approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Notes: There will be a scheduled stop for lunch; the meal is not included in the price of this activity. Anticipate a cost of $10 to $15. The visits will be in French but an accompanying person will be there to translate to English.

The visit is offered in: French with partial commentary in English

Transportation: included

Montréal Botanical Garden and Insectarium - Visit #1
Insectarium, Japanese Garden and Tree House

At each stop, a warm welcome, animated activities and a guided tour await you. A guide will accompany each group from site to site. Free time will be available after the tour to continue exploring the Insectarium and Botanical Garden on your own.

Note: Meal is not included, though there is a restaurant on site.

The visit is offered in: French and English

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk

Montréal Botanical Garden - Visit #2
Greenhouses, First Nations Garden and Chinese Garden

At each stop, a warm welcome, animated activities and a guided tour await you. A guide will accompany each group from site to site. Free time will be available after the tour to continue exploring the Insectarium and Botanical Garden on your own.

Note: Meal is not included, though there is a restaurant on site.

The visit is offered in: French and English

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk

Tour Mount Royal summit with the Friends of the Mountain

Tour around the summit of Mount Royal and discover the many facets of Montréal’s mountain and surrounding park. Learn about the area’s history, geology and ecology while hiking along the small trails that crisscross the oak groves on the mountain’s peak and bring you past the cross and Mount Royal Chalet. Take advantage of the lookout points to enjoy breathtaking views of the city and St. Lawrence River and to gain a better understanding of the lay of the land. A great opportunity to learn all about the educational approaches used by the Friends of the Mountain for more than a quarter century.

Note: Be sure to bring your water bottles and cameras!

The visit is offered in: French and English

Transportation: an accompanying person will walk the group to the Mountain

The Biosphère

The Biosphère is an exclusive venue to better understand major environmental issues, including those related to water, air, climate change, sustainable development and responsible consumption. Take part in this guided tour and discover exhibitions and displays designed to showcase and raise public awareness about ecotechnologies, green transportation and the main environmental issues of today. This activity will also include a tour of a solar home!!

Note: Transportation and meals not included.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk

Guided tour of the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex

This visit to the C.E.S.M., a former limestone quarry that became an urban landfill site right in the heart of the City of Montréal, includes a tour of all of the complex’s facilities: the Centre for Waste Expertise technology showcase, Saint-Michel Éco-Centre, Gazmont power plant, Montréal sorting and recovery centre (TIRU), wood enhancement site (sécure-boralex), composting site, systems for converting biogas and leachate, and monitoring programs to control landfill hazards. Special focus will be on the site’s current and future vocation with the gradual transformation of a portion of the site into a park and the development of cultural, sports and economic activities around the periphery.

Note: Departure by bus from the Palais des Congrès at 10:00 a.m., returning at approximately 2:00 p.m. – Lunch included.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: included

    

Montréal Science Centre

CANCELLED

Amazing, fun and exciting, the exhibitions at the Montréal Science Centre are an opportunity to explore, discover and gain greater understanding through a wide variety of interactive activities. On this visit, you will experience:

AQUA: Dive into the underwater universe, an uncharted environment where music, sound effects, 360-degree projections, water facilities and plays of light blur the lines between the real and the virtual. Immerse yourself in the experience of touching, smelling and tasting water. Become aware of its vital nature and join the cause of clean water for all, today and tomorrow.

Mission Gaia: A planet in peril! An endangered environment! At a time when the needs of humankind are growing and the economy is deteriorating, meet the challenge of Mission Gaia: to extend the survival of humankind.

Note: Departure on foot from the Palais des Congrès at 12:15 p.m., returning at approximately 4:00 p.m. – A cold buffet will be served courtesy of the Montréal Science Centre.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: an accompanying person will walk the group to the Montréal Science Centre

Visit to Odanak Village and the Abenaki Museum

CANCELLED

Odanak is a more than 6,000 square-kilometre Indian reservation located on the banks of the Saint-François River, about 30 kilometres east of Sorel-Tracy. The village is inhabited by more than 400 Abenaki Indians, and the Abenaki Museum pays tribute to the nation’s rich cultural traditions and evolution over time. The Museum features a permanent exhibit, “Wôbanaki, People of the Rising Sun”, showcasing creative works by craftspeople and artists from the Odanak native community, as well as two temporary exhibits. Immerse yourself in Abenaki culture through its wickerwork, artefacts, documents…

The visit includes a 20-minute multimedia presentation, guided tour of the museum and tour of the nearby Catholic Church, followed by a lecture by Abenaki community member, historian and senior Museum guide Réjean O’Bomsawin.

Note: Departure by bus from the Palais des Congrès at 12:30 p.m., returning at approximately 7:00 p.m. – Meals not included.

The visit is offered in: French

Transportation: included

Rabaska canoe outing on the Mille Îles River

Walking and canoeing activity. Guided walking tour across a piled footbridge overlooking a Milles Îles River wetland. Striking biodiversity only 30 minutes from downtown Montréal. Rabaska canoe ride on the Mille Îles River (variety of bird species, turtles, beaver dams, etc.). Background on the Mille Îles River and its pollution.

Note: No running water on site; dry toilets only. This activity is open to all, including persons with reduced mobility.

The visit is offered in: French and English

Transportation: included

   

Montréal Botanical Garden and Insectarium - Visit #3
Greenhouses, Insectarium and Tree House

At each stop, a warm welcome, animated activities and a guided tour await you. A guide will accompany each group from site to site. Free time will be available after the tour to continue exploring the Insectarium and Botanical Garden on your own.

Note: Meal is not included, though there is a restaurant on site.

The visit is offered in: Spanish

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk

Guided tour of the Petites Mains workshop

PETITES-MAINS is a non-profit organization operating in the field of industrial sewing. A member of the Network of Insertion Enterprises of Quebec, the goal of this is to help women, particularly new immigrants, single mothers, the unemployed and welfare recipients, overcome their isolation, learn a trade, integrate the work force and live in dignity. PETITES-MAINS also assists young entrepreneurs starting out in the garment sector by offering them competitive rates and quality workmanship. The organization’s products include organic bags and t-shirts that can be ordered for congresses or other eco-responsible events.

This visit includes a video presentation on insertion enterprises as well as a guided tour of the sewing room, cutting room, boutique and all new L'Inter-Mission restaurant. The total length of this visit is about 45 minutes.

Note: Transportation and meals not provided.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk

Guided tour of the La TOHU Pavilion: architecture in harmony with nature and the environment, followed by the Youth and Environment Forum

La TOHU, Cité des arts du cirque is a complex for the circus arts that includes the La TOHU Pavilion (home to Canada’s first-ever circular performance hall), the National Circus School, and the international headquarters and artists’ residence of the famous Cirque du Soleil. Visiting the La TOHU Pavilion means entering a universe where environmental concern permeates every space and every experience. "Green" not only in spirit but in body, this Pavilion is an outstanding example of green architecture. Awarded the "gold" level in the international LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate program, this building is one of the first projects in Canada to achieve such a level of ecological performance (green roofs, ecological heating, natural/hybrid ventilation, natural basin, recycled architectural elements, ice bunker, geothermic pumps, etc.).

Following the guided tour of the Pavilion, visit the kiosks set up by young environmental leaders from the Saint-Michel district and across Quebec to learn all about their innovative and inspiring environmental initiatives. Take the time to chat with them and rally to the cause!

Note: This second half of the visit shall be confirmed at a later date.

The visit is offered in: French, English and Spanish

Transportation: Directions/instructions available at the Information desk