Spring flowers along Lauriault trail

Spring is the time of year when we can observe the emergence of spring wildflowers.
​These ephemeral flowers bloom in early spring, taking advantage of the sunlight before it is blocked by the trees in full leaf. Join Monique, nature interpreter, on a virtual hike along the Lauriault trail. She will tell you more about these flowers, which delight hikers and pollinating insects!

Stargazing in winter

Stephan Paape has been an amateur astronomer for nearly 20 years. He most enjoys public outreach activities and live observing.
​He is a founding member of AstroPontiac, a group that offers free observing events in Gatineau Park (Luskville) and a travelling planetarium theatre service for schools and community groups.
His talk will be an introduction to amateur astronomy, with an emphasis on what we can see in the winter night sky using common binoculars.

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Wilderness skills

You are planning to go on an outing on foot, ski or snowshoe. Are you well prepared to avoid mishaps? Do you know what to do if you get lost in the forest?
With two members of Sauvetage Bénévole Outaouais - Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue (SBO-OVSAR), we discuss the following topics:
. survival priorities
. how to avoid hypothermia
. trip planning
. list of essential items to bring with you
. navigation tools
. search and rescue techniques.

Animals in winter

Have you ever wondered what the animals of Gatineau Park do in winter? If they stay here during winter, what are they doing to survive this difficult season?
We invite you to join us during our virtual guided tour on trail 60 to learn a little more about the park's animals in winter: their strategy and teir adaptations that will allow them to successfully go through this period.

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Annual Research Forum

For the 16th edition of the Annual Research Day in Gatineau Park, we are offering a program that combines nature and history. Discover or watch again the presentations that researchers working in the park gave during this day:

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The Chelsea Creek Beaver

Beavers are active year-round, and this beaver, spotted close to the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre, is particularly active at the moment (January, 2020).

Whenever observing wildlife, please make sure to never bother the animal. Let it judge its own comfortable distance, and pay attention to signs of stress your presence may be causing. This is even more important in winter because of the rarity of food and the high energy expenses. The perfect picture, video, or vantage point is not worth the potential harm to the animal.

You like to walk your dog close to the Visitor Centre? Please follow the Gatineau Park rule that dogs (where they are permitted) must be on leaches. If not, it could bother this beaver and keep it from feeding.

Thumbnail picture by Estelle Rother.

Vertical Divider

Libre Accès: The Friends of Gatineau Park

We would like to thank MAtv Outaouais for the production of this TV show.
(Show in French only.)

Additional photo credits: the uncredited photos were provided by Estelle Rother, Gershon Rother, Kathy Krywicki and Susan Boyd, Jon Stuart and Carolyn Cahill, as well as Simon Landry.

Bill Mason: A Life in Nature

On November 25, 2018, the Friends of Gatineau Park and the Gatineau Valley Historical Society organised an event about the renowned Canadian movie director Bill Mason. Family members, coworkers, and friends of the late Bill Mason talked about him and his work and shared stories of his life.

Here, we bring you clips from this memorable event. 

Journée de la recherche 2017

2017 Annual Research Forum

Every year, the Friends of Gatineau Park organize a forum about research being conducted in the Park or about the Park. This year, we decided to focus on history and the links between humans and nature and we also decided to film some clips.