Pointe de l'Est
National Wildlife Area

(Cadastral map of site also available: 37 K)

A unique ecosystem in Quebec, this National Wildlife Area (NWA) in the Magdalen Islands has a broad diversity of habitats: beaches and dunes covered with beachgrass, heaths, large lagoons, saltmeadows, stunted forests, and many ponds of fresh, brackish or salt water. A rich and equally diverse flora is associated with these various environments. Furthermore, seven threatened or vulnerable vascular plant species have been inventoried at the site.

Birds are also omnipresent in the NWA, with 144 species recorded. This is a very important stopover place for migrating shorebirds. Two threatened avian species, the Piping Plover and the Horned Grebe, also visit the Wildlife Area. The Magdalen Islands is the only place where they are known to nest in Quebec.

Landscape of the Pointe de l'Est National Wildlife Area near Baie de Clarke. Photo: Léo-Guy de Repentigny, CWS

The Canadian Wildlife Service set out to consolidate this National Wildlife Area in order to reduce fragmentation of the landscape, and it succeeded in acquiring some additional parcels of land. The Nature Conservancy of Canada also helped with this consolidation plan by purchasing three properties. Thus, through joint action by the government and this non-governmental organization, nearly 326 hectares of habitats have been protected; they will soon receive National Wildlife Area status.