The Fonds d\u2019action Saint-Laurent (FASL) is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the St. Lawrence River. It was created in 2017 by Strat\u00e9gies Saint-Laurent. The FASL works towards \u00ab\u00a0the conservation of ecosystems and the continuing usability of the St. Lawrence River and its gulf\u00a0\u00bb. To do so, it supports initiatives that preserve, showcase and rehabilitate the river, and others involving education and awareness raising. These projects are carried out in partnership with local organizations. Among those are the ZIP committees (zone d\u2019intervention prioritaire\/area of prime concern).<\/p>\n
In particular, the FASL has funded the ZIP Committee \u00ab\u00a0des Seigneuries\u00a0\u00bb in its work monitoring riverbank erosion. Set up in Verch\u00e8res, this project aims to assist the researchers in terms of logistics, acquisition and transfer of data. As well, it informs citizens and intervenors in the region about the information collected.<\/p>\n
East of Montreal, the FASL supported a project for the enhancement of the copper redhorse\u2019s habitat. That project sought to restore aquatic vegetation and add plant species in order to rehabilitate the St. Lawrence River shoreline. As well, on \u00cele Bouchard, another shoreline area restoration project in an agricultural area aims to improve water quality. It will alsopreserve the habitats of several species.<\/p>\n
Raising awareness about the importance of conserving natural environments and their biodiversity is an essential part of the Fonds d\u2019action Saint-Laurent\u2019s mission. That is why it also supports several mobilization and education initiatives. Among them are the Rallye d\u00e9couverte des \u00celes de Contrec\u0153ur, which allows participants to discover the islands\u2019 flora and fauna by kayak. In so doing, they also acquire knowledge in a fun way aided by QR codes placed along the circuit. This and other projects all serve to support the preservation of the St. Lawrence\u2019s ecosystems.<\/p>\n
The Fonds d\u2019action Saint-Laurent is mainly supported by Avantage Saint-Laurent, the Government of Quebec\u2019s new maritime strategy, as well as the marine industry. It has also received funding from the Fonds Fondation Pierre Chamberland at FGM in recent years.<\/p>\n