Journal - Quebecgetaways.com
Transcription
Journal - Quebecgetaways.com
English version PARC NATIONAL DES Journal 2011 - 2012 HAUTES-GORGES-DELA-RIVIÈRE-MALBAIE Welcome! Information Telephone : 418-439-1227 Email : parc.hautes-gorges@sepaq.com Reservations 1 800 665-6527 ou www.parcsquebec.com The entire parc national des Hautes-Gorgesde-la-Rivière-Malbaie team is happy to welcome you and help make your visit a memorable experience. Created in 2000 to preserve this exceptional territory while making it accessible to visitors, the park has become a destination dear to the hearts of nature lovers. Production team Drafting team and collaborators : Miriane Tremblay, Claire Ducharme, Mariette Pilote, Dave Lajoie, Miriane Demers-Lemay and Isabelle Lavallée. Photography : Sépaq, Julien Robitaille, Nathalie Saint-Pierre, Jean-Pierre Huard, Denis Hamel, Valérie Brandt. Exploring our trails is the best way of taking in the immense wealth hidden in our forests. From base to summit, the Acropole-desDraveurs trail offers hikers a unique experience by making them travel through a vegetable mosaic containing samples of all types of Québec forests ranging from Southern Québec to the Far North. The United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. It is a wonderful Have a pleasant visit! opportunity to fully appreciate how privileged we are to be able to access our forests, that The park team play a fundamental role in the protection of biodiversity. Graphic Design : Lico Imprimeur Printing : Norecob Translation : Gary Callaghan and Anglocom Révision Linguistique : Claude Frappier This document was printed on 100% recycled paper made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumption fibres and produced without using elementary chlorine. The inks used for this production contain vegetable oils. Summary Discover.......................................................... 2 Entry fees....................................................... 3 On the water............................................... 4-5 Camper’s page............................................ 6-7 Le Riverain: from dream to reality................. 8 Picnic and boutiques...................................... 9 Protect and Discover Park Map and Trails................................ 10-11 Discovery activities............................ 12-13-14 Outsmart the fox...........................................15 Nature observation..................................16-17 On the lookout for new species.............. 18-19 Brain Teaser!................................................ 20 1 Discover Entry fees Entry fees valid until March 31, 2012 The Mission of Parcs Québec With a view to achieving harmonious development at the cultural, social, economic and regional levels, Parcs Québec is responsible for the conservation and development of territories that are representative of Québec’s 43 natural regions and exceptional sites, due notably to their biological diversity, while ensuring that they are accessible for educational and outdoor use. All of Québec’s national parks were created in accordance with World Conservation Union standards. A national park is a relatively vast area: • that represents one or more ecosystems that are moderately or not at all transformed by exploitation; • where animal and plant species, geomorphological sites and habitats are of particular interest from a scientific, educational or recreational viewpoint, and that offers scenery of great beauty; • in which the highest competent authority of the country has taken measures to eliminate exploitation and to instill respect for the ecological, geomorphological or aesthetic aspects on the whole; • where a visit is authorized, under certain conditions, for educational, cultural or recreational purposes. ENTRY FEES DAILY RATES ANNUAL PARK CARD ANNUAL NETWORK CARD $ 5.50 $ 8.00 $ 11.00 $ 2.50 $ 27.50 $ 40.00 $ 55.00 $ 12.50 $ 49.50 $ 72.00 $ 99.00 $ 22.50 (taxes included) Adults (18 years and over) Family (1 adult with children) Family (2 adults with children) Children (6 to 17) Shuttle Schedules Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-RivièreMalbaie was so named because of its deep valleys cut out from high mountains. They are the highest cliffs east of the Rockies! The important differences in height, the beauty of the landscapes and the particular trajectory of the Malbaie River make this an enchanting area. Here are two sectors of the park really worth discovering. The Malbaie River valley is a must see Its beauty and history inspired Félix-AntoineSavard, author of the famous novel ''Menaud, Maître Draveur!'' The gorges are really a glaciated valley with impressive walls which offers a grandiose landscape and where fauna thrives all summer long. How can you discover it? In all kinds of ways! Upstream from the Érables dam: by riverboat, bicycle, rabaska, canoe, kayak or on foot. We can also admire the valley from afar, high up on Le Riverain trail. The plateaux On the mountaintops are large plateaux with lakes, fauna and flora typical of boreal and alpine climates. Combined with the valleys that knife through the area, they form a spectacular landscape. Among the most starling sights you can maybe observe there are caribou that have been regularly visiting the Acropole-des-Draveurs summit for some years now. You can discover the plateaux by taking the Acropole-des-Draveurs trail. Use of the shuttle to get around in the park is compulsory when it is in service (except to get to and from your campground). This service allows us to protect the environment by limiting the construction of vast parking lots and roads inside the narrow Malbaie River valley and it encourages visitors to explore the park by means other than the automobile. MAIN SHUTTLE (free) MAY 21 TO JUNE 23 Times daily Weekdays Weekend Last departure from centre de services le Draveur No Service 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM 6:00 PM JUNE 24 TO AUGUST 28 8:00 AM TO 7:30 PM SEPTEMBER 3 AND 4 AUGUST 29 TO OCTOBER 10 No Service No Service except Monday Sept. 5 8 :00 AM TO 7 :30 PM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM 7 :30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM Shuttle frequency varies according to periods and number of users. Main shuttle frequency varies between 7 and 30 minutes. SHUTTLE WITH TRAILER FOR BOATS AND BIKES (taxes extra)* OPERATING PERIODS JUNE 24 TO 26 JULY 1 TO 3 JULY 15 TO AUGUST 28 9:00 AM TO 6:00 PM Times daily last departure from centre de services le Draveur Information 5:30 PM Daily visitor $ 9.50 / Per adult. Children free Camper $ 5.25 / Per adult. Children free Bike Canoe / Kayak Daily visitor Camper $ 15.25 / For each one $ 8.50 / For each one * Rates and schedules subject to change without notice. The frequency of the shuttle with equipment trailer varies between 45 and 60 minutes. 2 ParcsQuebec.com Ruisseau Blanc Falls Protect and Discover Telephone The landline telephone does not extend out to the park, and cellular phones do not work in this area. A true nature getaway! A public pay phone is available at Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs. Methods of payment Purchases in the park can be paid Cash or by Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club). Debit card (Direct Payment Card) service is not available. 3 On the water ✤ Riverboat Discovery Cruise Let the Riverboat Captain and the park interpretive guide lead you through the park's most spectacular area. Duration: 1 hr 30 min DATES TIMES * May 21 to June 17 May 23 (Fête des Patriotes) June 18 to July 8 July 9 to August 21 August 22 to 28 August 29 to September 2 September 3 to 4 September 5 to october 10 Weekdays: 1 PM / Weekends: 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM 1 PM, 2:45 PM 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:30 PM 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM ✤ 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:30 PM 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:30 PM 11 AM, 1 PM, 2:45 PM 20% Rebate for campers on the 6:30 PM Twilight Cruise. Discovery Cruise Rates* (taxes extra) ADULT CHILD (6 TO 17) CHILD (0-5 YEARS) $ 31.82 $ 23.92 ** Free ** * Rates subject to change without notice. ** Proof of age mandatory. * Weather permitting. Schedule subject to change without notice. Equipment Rental Since equipment rentals are very popular, we recommend reserving your canoe, kayak, or bike in advance. The rental center is located in Les Érables dam sector. Come check us out! EQUIPMENT RENTAL * (taxes extra) HOUR 4 HOURS DAY Bicycle (adult) Bicycle (child) Bike trailer (luggage or baby) Canoe Single kayak Double kayak Lifejacket Boat rack $ 11.85 $ 7.24 $ 7.46 $ 14.26 $ 14.70 $ 19.75 - $ 23.48 $ 11.63 $ 14.70 $ 28.31 $ 29.19 $ 39.50 - $ 33.57 $ 16.90 $ 20.85 $ 40.38 $ 41.47 $ 56.40 $ 5.27 $ 5.27 Rent the New Automated Tour Guide to discover the Malbaie River at your own pace. : Hourly rentals from 3 PM only * Rates subject to change without notice. Identity card with photo mandatory. We suggest you reserve one day ahead. Please note that it is not possible to reserve the same day. Fishing (MAY 27 TO SEPTEMBER 5, 2011) Proof of ID is mandatory. Limited quantities. Available at the equipment rental centre The Equipment Rental Centre is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. ON THE MALBAIE RIVER & LAC NOIR* (taxes extra) Park fishing access rights ( mandatory ) Park fishing access rights + canoe rental (max 2 people) for 1 day (Malbaie River) or a rowboat (lac Noir) Electric motor rental, 4 hours Electric motor rental, daily 1 pers.: 2 pers.: 3 pers.: $ 16.55 $ 54.45 $ 71.00 $ 87.55 $ 27.87 $ 38.18 At the end of the day, you must register your catch at the Equipment Rental Centre or at the Gatehouse. Please remember to weigh your fish before eating them. This practice is essential to ensure good management of fish stocks. * Rates subject to change without notice. FREE! 4 ParcsQuebec.com Québec fishing permits and daily park fishing access rights can be purchased at the Gatehouse. Protect and Discover 5 Camper’s page Campground rates Please take note! CAMPINGS Additional information available on: www.parcsquebec.com Le Cran campground 4 RATES (taxes extra)* 24 2 Ice and Firewood Ice and Firewood : Ice and Firewood can be purchased at the gatehouse. Ice is also available at Centre de services Le Draveur. Prices: Ice : $4.50, wood : $6.14 (taxes extra). Reusable bags for firewood Primitive campground Semi-serviced campground Groups (8 to 12 pers.) Ready-to-Camp (Huttopia tent) Bedding $ 20.25 / site / night $ 26.00 / site / night $ 6.50 / pers. / night $ 113.00 / site / night $ 15.80 / stay 1 3 6 5 22 9 7 23 8 11 21 10 12 14 13 19 15 17 20 25 26 48 18 59 46 44 58 82 60 80 86 87 83 88 81 90 79 61 91 92 78 Twilight Discovery cruise 31 Charlevoix delight in your plate Give your canoe a rest You have a canoe or kayak and are spending several days in the park? Note that it is possible to leave it at the Equipment Rental Centre. Inquire! Équerre package from $149.11 Rate is for 2 people. (taxes extra) 62 43 33 77 65 41 35 64 39 36 93 63 40 20 % REBATE for campers on the 6:30 PM Twilight Discovery Cruise. Firewood previously packed in plastic is now distributed in reusable bags. 42 32 34 Gestures for the environment 2 nights at l’Équerre camping + 3-day canoe or bike rental 57 89 84 30 Thank you for helping us by bringing your reusable bags back to the following drop-off points: gatehouse, toilet blocks and equipment rental centres. The park team encourages you to use firewood sparingly. 56 55 45 16 * Rates subject to change without notice Returning reusable bags Loose firewood is provided by a local supplier to minimize risks of introducing insects and diseases into the park. 47 29 85 54 51 52 49 28 27 53 50 66 38 68 37 67 76 95 94 74 97 96 98 101 75 73 69 72 71 105 104 99 70 While in the park, treat yourselves to the Culinarium’s delicious vacuum-packed meals. Gastronomy and wilderness, an experience to be fully savoured! 106 100 102 103 Le Pin-Blanc campground Legend 2 2 Huttopia tents / One tent per site only TAKE-OUT DISHES: • Civet de pintade in white wine with wild mushrooms • Duck Cassoulet in Charlevoix Gourganes and Rabbit Sausage • Charlevoix Rabbit Fricassee in two mustards • Île d'Orléans Juniper berry Bison Bourguignon Parking / Shower ($) Sentier de L’Acropole-des Draveurs L’Équerre campground 25 Washroom / Shuttle stop for gear Water (drinkable) / Water (non drinkable) 2 24 23 Sentier La Chute-du-RuisseauBlanc 22 18 Pump-out station / Garbage can 17 15 21 14 20 Bear poles / Recycling 19 16 7 13 12 11 8 6 4 3 2 1 Shuttle stop / Access to campsites 5 10 9 6 ParcsQuebec.com Protect and Discover 7 Le Riverain: from dream to reality Le Riverain trail Difficulty : Moderate Length : 14,7 km. (round trip) since the summer of 2006. Briefly, here are the challenges and implementation criteria involved in organizing this trail: In 2005, while drawing up the 2006-2011 business plan, we wanted to enlarge the park's trail network. In doing so, we would expose new facets of the territory, decrease the pressure on the Acropole-des-Draveurs trail by spreading the clientele out on a larger network of paths, and finally, offer a path of intermediate difficulty, more accessible than the Acropole trail. 1. Innovate in the field of work methods to respect the highest environmental standards. The idea of connecting the park entrance to the Érables dam by a trail was the most interesting. It made the park even more accessible without a vehicle and allowed for the reuse of a trail dating back to the days of the regional park ( Le Riverain trail, hence the present name ). Won over by the project, Parks Quebec management approved the project and the trail. Le Riverain lives again and has kept growing 2. Make the walking surface wide enough to accommodate families who walk side by side and to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles. Picnic and boutiques 6. Build a footbridge over the Martres River to reach the Érables dam via the West bank. The trail that's taking shape is the park's pride but certainly even more that of those who built it with their sweat. Thank you, guys, for work that will change the park's history and the visitors' experience. 3. Compose with the park's torrential runoff characteristics: we installed numerous low stone walls and culverts to absorb the potential water surges, keep the trail in good condition (limit future maintenance) and minimize impacts on the surrounding natural environment (sedimentation, erosion, drainage). 4. Maintain an 8 to 15% grade to keep the trail's difficulty level intermediate. Come and stock up on energy! The comforts of a terrace, a fireplace, breathtaking landscapes and tasty health food dishes await you in Le Draveur service centre. Our paninis, pasta and beverages are sure to please everyone. In colder weather, let our soups warm you up. Take a drive up to admire the beautiful landscapes right in the heart of the valley. La Grande Aventure Daily Menu • Soup of the day • Sandwichs • Muffins • Salads • Pasta • Paninis • Smoked meat • Crêpes And much more… (details on pages 12 and 14) 5. Provide a maximum number of different viewpoints overlooking the valley. The team (left to right): Maxime Bouchard, Dave Lajoie, Dominic Gagnon, Alex Simard, Raphael Simard, Maurice Simard • Absent from photo: Raphael Girard, Michel Guérin-Lavoie, Jean Charles Morin. 8 ParcsQuebec.com Protect and Discover 9 Park Map and Trails DETAILED PARK MAP Hiking trails L’Équerre campground End of hiking and canoeing circuit TRAILS 4 $ 5.27 L’Équerre Equipment rental center Kayak / Canoe / Bicycle (taxes extra) Centre de services du Draveur Legend Les Eaux Mortes Visitor center / First aid Lac au Porc-Épic La Pomme d’Or Parking / Interpretation La pointe aux inukshuks Lac Malfait Convenience store / Nature Boutique Ticket office La vallée suspendue APPROX. DURATION 1,5 0,2 0,5 1 20 30 60 70 1 h 30 15 min 20 min 30 min 14,7 (round trip) 160 4 h 30 13,9 (round trip) 10,9 (round trip) 10,4 (round trip) 170 170 800 4 h 30 3 h 45 4 to 6 h (round trip) * (round trip) (boucle) (round trip)** 3 Equipment rental / Locker rental Walking sticks TO RENT! Shuttle stop / Shuttle stop for gear Rivière des M artres L'Érablière Le Belvédère Le Pied-des-Sommets La Chute-du-Ruisseau-Blanc Le Riverain A) Starting from centre de découverte et de services Félix-Antoine-Savard B) From Du Cran campground C) From Des Érables bridge 6 L'Acropole-des-Draveurs APPROX. HEIGHT. (m) **Does not include the approach route: Malbaie River or bike trail along the Malbaie River (16 km return). Le Cran campground 2 Barrage des Érables 1 2 3 4 5 TOTAL LENGTH (km) *Does not include getting to the trailhead via a forest trail along the Malbaie River (2km return). Toilet / Firewood Lac Noir To Route 381 DIFFICULTY Can be rented at our Boutique Nature stores 6 Picnic Area / Without service campground Gatehouse $10.53 (taxes extra) Rustic campground / Group campground Major road Centre de découverte et de services Félix-Antoine-Savard Public transport Forestry road Le Pin-Blanc campground Bike paths Water (drinkable) / Water (non drinkable) 1 DESTINATIONS STARTING FROM CENTRE DE DÉCOUVERTE ET DE SERVICES FÉLIX-ANTOINE-SAVARD Kayaking / Canoeing Bicycle path Cruise / Bike trails Hiking trails 5 Services Centre de services du Draveur L'Équerre sector Ice / Snack bar Environment Easy Preservation Ecological Reserve 0 0.5 1 2 Km To Route 138 To Route 138 Saint-Aimé des-Lacs Clermont Show how proud you are to have mastered the Acropole-des-Draveurs trail! 10 ParcsQuebec.com 16 (round trip) 32 (round trip) Paved Paved / gravel Difficult The following pictures illustrate the impact of trampling on the Arctic-alpine vegetation along the Acropole-des-Draveurs trail. To contribute to our mission of preserving and conserving the environment, you must stay inside the trails and watch your step. Thank you for staying inside the footpaths and pleasant discoveries! Charlevoix Parc national des Grands-Jardins 100% Biological cotton TYPE OF SURFACE Caution! Parc national des Hautes-Gorgesde-la-Rivière-Malbaie Souvenir of the Acropole Developed and made in Québec Moderate LENGTH (km) Saguenay 381 Don't leave the park without this magnificent T-shirt, a worthy reminder of your climb. DIFFICULTY 138 381 Saint-Urbain Baie-Saint-Paul 138 Saint-Hilarion Les Éboulements La Malbaie 362 138 Québec Isle-aux-Coudres Before trampling Protect and Discover After trampling 11 Discovery activities Posted activity Rencontre avec Menaud Posted activity: 15 min. Menaud has many a tale to tell of the times when he defied the Malbaie River brandishing his peavey. Come discover the story of the river drive on the Malbaie, from yesteryear till now, thanks to this larger than life character. Guided Hike De feuilles en aiguilles Guided Hike : 1 hr The park hosts stands of trees that are usually found several thousand kilometres apart. During a short hike, an interpretive guide explains the phenomena that account for the coexistence of species with such different needs. In the heart of the valley ! Riverboat discovery cruise (details on page 4) Environment under surveillance On the water La Grande Aventure Rabaska* family excursion (2 hrs 30 min) Along with Joe or Josephine, go up the Malbaie River and back in time aboard a large freighter canoe! You will discover the stories of the men who worked in the valley. Minimum : 6 years of age. Rates : Adult / $ 15.95 • Child / $ 7.98 (taxes extra). L’Explo Malbaie Half-day Rabaska* excursion in the valley (5 hrs 30 min) Offer yourselves a day of exploration and discovery on the Malbaie River, in company of a park warden. Every outing is different and unforgettable, regardless of the weather. Bring a lunch to stock up on energy at Ruisseau-Blanc Falls and appropriate clothing (windbreaker, hiking boots, raincoat if necessary, binoculars). Minimum: 9 years of age. Rates: $29.93 / Adult • $14.97 / Child (taxes extra). * Depending on the number of participants and their experience, the activity could take place in canoes. Riverboat Discovery Cruise Quiz (55 min) Do you know the best spots in the park to observe caribou, moose and deer? You'll soon find out because caribou moose and white-tail deer are the stars of this fun-filled evening. Si la drave m’était contée… Theatre play: 45 min. That's Menaud all right! Always willing to share his adventures on the Malbaie River! Together with Bishop Félix-Antoine Savard and Menaud himself, we invite you to come and discover the story of the log drivers. Let the interpretive guide and the Riverboat Captain help you discover the Malbaie River valley's spectacular landscapes, it's history and it's inhabitants. Rates and Schedules: can be found on page 4. Quiz (45 min) You think you saw a golden eagle gliding over the river? Or maybe it was an osprey? To find answers to your questions, come and take part in our quiz. This game will allow you to discover which giants of the sky soar high above the park. Afterwards, it will be easier for you to tell them apart and you will know here to look to increase your chances of spotting them. L’Ours noir Talk : 45 min. A interpretive guide unshrouds the mystery about the fascinating animal called the black bear. Come and discover its characteristics and behaviour, and learn which attitudes to adopt in it's presence Québec's National Parks: protected territories (class activity: 1 hr 15 min.) A park warden comes to the school to present the class with Québec's network of National Parks, their reason for being and HautesGorges park itself. An activity which makes students take part in the park's development can also benefit the park warden. This program was especially designed to help geography teachers provide their students with the skill levels required by the Ministry of Education. Les Géants du ciel ParcsQuebec.com The exhibits allow you to tour the park in a few minutes. Before or after your visit, come and test your knowledge and discover peculiar aspects about the park. The first one is in the Centre de découverte et de services Félix-Antoine-Savard and the second one is inside the Érables dam. School programs 24 Hour Nature packages The packages provide Secondary level youngsters with the opportunity to take advantage of special rates for camping, canoe excursions or hikes. They also include a one-hour meeting with a park warden. Youth-oriented packages (groups) Information and reservations: 418 439-1227 or parc.hautes-gorges@sepaq.com Photo credit : Monique Gravel IC Oadmin Automated Tours Go with the flow Automated Tour Guide Rent the new Automated Tour Guide to explore the Malbaie River at your own pace. Proof of ID is mandatory. Limited quantities. Available at the equipment rental centre FREE! 12 Sculpté par le temps, Au pays de Menaud and Le goût de l’eau Malbaie River cruise (1 hr 30) Evenings Sur la piste des caribous Posted activity (15 min) A park warden brings you to the summit of the Acropole des Draveurs. Discover what is being protected there and how you can make a difference to preserve this environment! Expositions Cadet Corps 1239 hiking on the Ruisseau Blanc Falls trail, in company of Sylvain Rousseau, park naturalist guide. Protect and Discover 13 Schedule of activities 2011 Outsmart the fox Spring Schedule | From May 20 till June 23✪ The fox is a nocturnal animal that feeds on whatever he chances upon in his natural environment: wild fruit, small mammals, birds, carrion. Instinctively, foxes are afraid of man. DAYS TIMES ACTIVITIES Saturday 7:15 pm L'Ours noir MEETING POINTS For the past few summers, red foxes have made their den near the service centre. A mother was seen nursing her cubs, lying in the middle of the road. They became used to the presence of human beings and roam in broad daylight. What are the causes of this abnormal behaviour and what are the consequences? Summer Schedule | From June 24 till August 21✪ DAYS TIMES ACTIVITIES Monday 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm 1:15 pm 1:30 pm 7:15 pm La Grande Aventure De feuilles en aiguilles Sur la piste des caribous La Grande Aventure Rencontre avec Menaud L'Ours noir La Grande Aventure Milieu sous protection Si la drave m'était contée L'Explo Malbaie De feuilles en aiguilles Sur la piste des caribous La Grande Aventure Rencontre avec Menaud L'Ours noir La Grande Aventure Milieu sous protection Si la drave m'était contée La Grande Aventure Rencontre avec Menaud Les Géants du ciel Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday MEETING POINTS TIMES ACTIVITIES Friday 7:15 pm Sur la piste des caribous 7:15 pm L'Ours noir • • • them and leave no trace of your passage: garbage, crumbs, food in the fireplace, dishwater in the woods. Don't let it reach the point of feeding them. Let's contribute to maintain the foxes in their wild state. Decreasing their independence, their survival instinct and the skill to feed by themselves; Increasing their chances of transmitting diseases; Increasing the number of collisions with vehicles; Damage to personal belongings and nuisance problems; Familiarization of the fox's predators such as wolves or lynx. Actions within your reach… Outsmart the foxes and resist the urge to get close to them. Observe animals from a distance, without chasing Photo credit : Nathalie Saint-Pierre Meeting points : Centre de services du Draveur : Equipment rental centre MEETING POINTS (Sept. 2 only) Saturday • • The opportunistic fox Living near the park reception and seeing the visitors who try to approach them, the foxes lost their fear of man. Furthermore, just like in La Fontaine's fable where the smart fox gets the raven's cheese, they discovered it was possible to obtain food from man. Autumn Schedule | From August 22 till October 10✪ DAYS Gestures that seem harmless Those who approach or feed wild animals are have nothing but good intentions. Others who neglect to collect their garbage or their food endanger the fauna. These gestures are fatal to foxes (and other species) because they risk: : Centre de découverte et de services Félix-Antoine-Savard (extérieur)* * The shuttle service is not operational after the activity, so please use your automobile to get to and from the activity or arrange to return to your campground by bike or on foot. ✪ Most activities are offered in French only. 14 ParcsQuebec.com Protect and Discover 15 Wildlife Observation Colonizers of extreme environments American mink. Photo credit : Nialat A mustelid with some nerve! Last summer, visitors fishing on the Malbaie River had quite a surprise when a funny animal came up to them. Smart and agile, the small mammal managed, between two somersaults, to seize some fish they had just caught. The animal even had the nerve to tug at fish on a string, like a dog pulling at its leash. Who was this "robber"? It was a mink, a mustelid that looks like a weasel. It's a curious and skilful animal that feeds on fish, frogs, snakes, birds and small mammals. Did you know that... Mink are especially active at dawn and dusk. We can often observe them on the edges of streams, where they can dive down 5 metres to fish. All these observations were quite possible without leaving the trails and respecting the limits of authorized activities. Thank you for doing the same thing and contributing to the park's conservation mission. when you reach the summit of the Acropole, you are dazzled by the landscape. But if you look beneath your feet, you will find natural miracles that are a little more discreet, but so surprising! Multicoloured rosettes color the rocks and green Lilliputian bushes cover the ground. During your hike, you might also have noticed strange hair dangling from tree branches. All these organisms are lichen, the product of a symbiotic association between mushroom and algae. The algae supply photosynthesis sugar to their host in exchange for protection against desiccation and the intense rays of the sun. Lichen are pioneer species that colonize new environments and prepare the ground for the establishment of more demanding species. They can thus survive under extreme life conditions. Did you know that … A good-sized sighting! A group from France were quite surprised during a stroll along the Malbaie River when they came face to face with two grey wolves! Discreet animals, wolves nevertheless roam the park's territory in search of their favourite prey: beavers, moose, white-tailed deer and caribou. Even though they hunt in packs, wolves spend a lot of energy feeding. The species contributes to the regulation of the cervid population that, otherwise, destroy their natural environment, like they do on Anticosti island. It's the caribou lichen (Cladonia) that attracts these animals to the summits of the Acropole: they constitute their main winter food source. Photo credit : Valérie Brandt Did you know that... Formerly plentiful across the entire northern hemisphere, the grey wolf disappeared from several regions of our globe, a victim of its bad reputation. Canoe, kayak, bike! Equipment Rental (details on page 5) Photo credit : Denis Hamel Caribous that like the South? We usually find caribou in Northern Quebec, in the heart of the tundra and the boreal forest. Then how is it we see some at the summit of the Acropole? Formerly, there were over 10 000 wood caribou in the Charlevoix region. Victims of hunting, poaching, hunted down by wolves and bears, and finally after losing an important part of their environment, they disappeared from the region in the 20s. In the 70s, the efforts of the researchers bore fruit: more than 80 individuals were successfully reintroduced in Charlevoix. Today, the herd totals approximately 85 individuals. Of this number, three females regularly visit the Acropole summit in search of the vegetation they are fond of. Good observation! Did you know that... The forest caribou was designated endangered species by the government. South of the 49th parallel, two isolated herds of forest caribou remain: one in Val-d'Or and one in Charlevoix. Share your interesting discoveries with us by writing them on the sighting sheets posted on the park billboards 16 ParcsQuebec.com Protect and Discover 17 On the lookout for new species Listening for bats A rare fern rediscovered Since the summer of 2009, efforts are being to identify the species of bats that live in the valley. Recorders installed in trees or on buildings have recorded sounds made by bats which are inaudible to humans. Bats make ultrasounds between 12 kHz and 160 kHz. The human ear cannot hear above 16 kHz. Sonograms obtained from the recordings are analyzed, much in the same fashion as seismographs (see photo below). Each species possesses its own sound imprint that allows it to be identified. The work enabled us to confirm the presence in the valley of the big brown bat and the hoary bat, a species with particular status. Some sonograms also lead us to suspect the presence of red bats, a species likely to be designated as endangered. Last year, several employees of the park, volunteer members of Flora Québeca and Mother Nature met to try and find a rare fern, a polystichum acrostichoides or Christmas fern, a species susceptible of being designated threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. It had been observed in the 1970s but had not been seen since. Sonogram of a little brown bat Thanks to everyone's efforts, the team localized numerous plantations in the valley, healthy and well dispersed. These observations lead us to believe that they are well protected. Also thanks to this field trip, the list of the present species in the park was expanded and the environment in which the fern lives is now better known. Further to this action, the park team can follow the state of the populations and explore the other sectors where the fern could be, always in the perspective of insuring the territory's mission of conservation. Regulations All our efforts would be useless without your participation. In a sense, park regulations are the visitors' code of ethics, a practical guide to be followed in order to better respect the protected natural habitat you have the privilege to discover. You must refrain from: The park team wishes to thank the members of Flora Québeca and the other participants who took part in the drive for having so generously shared their experience, their time and their passion for the flora. Sonogram of a big brown bat Bringing animals, except for guide dogs; Feeding or domesticating an animal; Collecting dead wood; Disposing of garbage anywhere axcept in the appropriate containers; Cutting or damaging a tree, a shrub or a herbaceous plant; Did you know that... All eight species of bats that live in Quebec are insectivorous. Hunting by night, they use echolocation to track down their prey. They emit ultrasounds that bounce off their environment and come back to them. Analysis of these very shrill sounds allows them to get detailed information on the obstacles to be avoided and on the position of their prey. 18 ParcsQuebec.com Leaving food or dishes lying around. Protect and Discover 19 Brain Teaser! 7 23 10 20 21 18 1 19 2 3 16 4 11 24 22 6 9 13 25 14 5 15 1. It carries you down the Malbaie river during La Grande Aventure. 2. One of Québec’s national parks’ three missions. 3. It must be disposed of at designated locations. 4. Another of Québec’s national parks’ missions. 5. Type of vegetation found at the summit of the Acropole des Draveurs. 6. 7. 8. 9. Park’s thematic animal species. They help you discover the park. You must register your daily catch of fish there. It flows through both of Charlevoix’s national parks. 10. This magazine is made from……paper. 11. They can be hairy, downy or blackbacked. 12. It is public to minimize the parking lots inside the valley. 13. Here, it is of the brook species. 1.Rabaska - 2.Conservation - 3.Trash - 4.Recreation - 5.Alpine 6.Marten - 7.Warden - 8.Gatehouse - 9.MalbaieRiver - 10.Recycled - 11.Woodpeckers - 12.Transport - 13.Trout - 14.Caribou 15.LogDriver - 16.Elm - 17.Exhibit - 18.Trail - 19.Solar - 20.Auger 21.Équerre - 22.Menaud - 23.Bear - 24.Acropole - 25.Antoine 17 12 8 14. He sometimes shows up in the park but is much more common in the parc des Grands-Jardins. 15. He ruled the river for generations. 16. Tree species that owes it’s survival to the Cran des Érables. 17. We find two on the dam and one at the Félix-Antoine-Savard Discovery and Interpretation Center. 18. We must stay in them to protect the vegetation. 19. Type of energy that powers the Félix-Antoine-Savard Discovery and Interpretation Center. 20. Type of valley with flat bottom and steep sides, usually of glacial origin. 21. This area owes it’s name to the right angle in the valley. 22. Main character in one of FélixAntoine Savard’s novels. 23. His presence in the park warrants strict garbage disposal. 24. Seen from here, the log drivers appeared to dance down the Malbaie river. 25. That part of the writer’s name that is found in the activity called « Si la drave m’était contée ». 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