An INTRODUCTION to the Arboretum

 

If you need or want to get in touch with us this is how -

By e-mail:
e-mail

By telephone:(514) 398-7811

By fax:(514) 398-7959

By post:
Macdonald Campus
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue
Quebec H9X 3V9

Click here for a copy of the arboretum brochure

A brief introduction to the Arboretum, some ways to contact us and a short history of the facility.

The Morgan Arboretum is a 245 hectare forested reserve, situated on the McGill University Macdonald Campus in Ste. Anne de Bellevue on the western tip of the island of Montreal. The Arboretum is open daily throughout the year from 9 am to visitors who can walk and ski its trails in season. The public contributes to the development and maintenance of the Arboretum through the Morgan Arboretum Association, a non-profit organization.

In addition to an expanse of natural woodland containing examples of most of Quebec’s native trees, the property supports 18 collections of trees and shrubs, from across the world, that include fir, oak, birch, maple, linden, spruce and flowering trees. The arboretum is also home to 30 species of mammals, 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 170 species of migratory and overwintering birds.

The links above will take you to pages with details on how to get here, what to expect when you arrive, entry fees and regulations as well as information on how to join the Friends and a selection of articles about the Arboretum and its flora and fauna. This page will tell you about the history and objectives of the Arboretum and will help you get in touch with us.

ENTRY FEES

Members of "The Friends" have year-round free entry as a benefit of their membership. Non-members are very welcome at the arboretum but are asked to pay a nominal entry fee - currently this is $5 per person per day.

Please note: Dog walking is a privilege restricted to Friends of the Arboretum who have previously registered their dogs with the MAA. Certain restrictions concerning leashes etc apply. Further details about dog access are given elsewhere on the site.

The Morgan Arboretum has a lengthy history and involvement with forest preservation, research, recreation and education.



A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ARBORETUM

Since 1945, when McGill University acquired the property, the Morgan Arboretum has been the site of teaching, research, and public education related to the management of woodland resources. The first Master Plan for the property, which is under the joint management of the University and the Morgan Arboretum Association, was prepared in 1980 and this revised Master Plan was approved by the McGill Board of Governors in February 1992.

The present 245 ha site was once divided into 21 individual properties and today represents a variety of habitat types with a rich diversity of soils and plant and animal communities.

In 1952, to assist the university in realising the potential of the property, a group of private citizens led by Dr. W.H. Brittain formed the Morgan Arboretum and Woodland Development Association, a non-profit, separately chartered organization.

Since 1954, when the first woodlot management courses were offered, the teaching and research use of the site has evolved to meet McGill's needs and it now serves to support the University's work in the Environmental Sciences.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The principle aims for the Morgan Arboretum have evolved since the property was acquired and they can be summarized as follows:

  • To preserve the urban ecological forest resource and its unique variety of species.
  • To maintain the Arboretum as a site for teaching and research activities related to the management of woodland resources.
  • To develop a public education resource, emphasizing forestry matters, nature interpretation and conservation.
  • To provide a forest recreational facility compatible with the above aims.

More specific objectives are :

Forest Preservation:

To preserve not only the site, but the integrity of this truly unique ecological, historical and cultural resource.

Research:

  • To continue research related to maintaining the health of the Arboretum plantations and woodlands.
  • To develop new programs related to selecting species adapted to developing environmental conditions.
  • To develop silvicultural practices that preserve and enhance biological diversity in both natural stands and plantations.

Teaching:

  • To maintain and enhance the site to accommodate current and future teaching needs of McGill (as well as other local universities), local colleges (in particular CEGEP John Abbott) and local primary and secondary schools.

Environmental Education:

  • To provide support for local school programs in the natural sciences and environmental studies.
  • To develop an on site interpretation program that would enhance visitor understanding of the site, help accomplish management goals related to site maintenance, and help promote public understanding of the Association's goals and objectives.

Recreation:

  • To provide a variety of recreational opportunities that enhance the multiple-use management philosophy of the Morgan Arboretum, and in particular to provide activities that have a strong educational component.

 

 

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