Nestled on the western tip of Montréal, a 245-hectare forest reserve stands as a testament to conservation, education, and research. The Morgan Arboretum, part of McGill University’s Macdonald Campus since 1945, is not just a green oasis but a living laboratory, according to Scott Pemberton, Operations Manager. This unique facility, open to the public year-round, serves a crucial four-pillared mandate of promoting education, research, recreation, and conservation. From daycares to graduate-level programs, the Arboretum offers immersive, experiential learning opportunities in biology, environment, and conservation.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Morgan Arboretum is a 245-hectare forest reserve, situated on the western end of the island of Montreal in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and has been part of McGill University’s Macdonald Campus since 1945. In addition to its teaching and research purposes, it is a recreational facility open to the public throughout the year.
What problem does it aim to solve?
The Morgan Arboretum has a four-pillared mandate of promoting education, research, recreation and conservation. The Morgan Arboretum is a “living laboratory” where schools from day care to graduate level instruction come to learn in immersive, experiential learning related to biology, environment and conservation of the natural world.
When did you start/join it?
The Morgan Arboretum was donated to McGill University in 1945 by the Morgan Family. From 1945 onwards McGill has been in charge of running the operations of the Morgan Arboretum.
What made you want to get involved?
I got involved due to my love of the great outdoors and my desire to be a small part in the solutions for environmental and conservation-related issues facing our planet.
How has it changed since?
From 1945 until around 1965 extensive renaturalization efforts took place to re-establish native environments in what was interspersed fragments of natural habitat that was a mixture of untouched land, and land that had been used for a variety of usages including but not limited to maple syrup sugar bush, firewood, agricultural (both crop & livestock), gardens and other recreational uses. From 1965 onwards the reserve has been maintained as a natural environment that echoes the natural state of the St Lawrence Lowlands prior to intensive development in this part of the country.
What more needs to be done?
Continued efforts are needed in protecting natural habitat, progressing education and research related to conservation, and promoting biodiversity and wildlife protection.
How can our readers help?
Readers can help by becoming members at the Morgan Arboretum, or by making donations. Donations are receivable at the Arboretum office as well as on the Canada Helps Website.
Do you have any events coming up?
Events upcoming can be found on our Facebook and Instagram.
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We work with a number of partners in the non-profit sector including Le Nichoir, MBO, and Ecomuseum.
