Pollinator Garden Project Planned in the Pontiac

Pollinator Garden Project Planned in the Pontiac

Action Chelsea for Environmental Respect (ACRE), a local conservation organization, is launching a new phase in the restoration of Place Éco Rubin in Pontiac—and you’re invited to help!

Join volunteers on Saturday, November 8, at 9 a.m. at 344 Bradley Road, Pontiac to plant wildflower seeds. (In case of rain, the event will be held on November 9th.)

These wildflowers will attract pollinators and bring new life to this unique space.

This initiative is supported by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and marks the second major restoration project at Place Éco Rubin, a nearly 15-hectare property adjacent to Gatineau Park. In 2023, close to 10,000 native trees were planted, most of which have survived and continue to grow. More recently, ash and elm trees were added to the site.

Formerly used for agriculture—with vegetable fields at the front and hay fields and woodland at the back—the land was donated to ACRE in 2022 by Ken and Debbie Rubin, who had practiced organic farming there for over 40 years.

This summer, the bridge connecting the front and back fields over a small stream was repaired, making it easier for visitors to explore the property, observe its rich birdlife and biodiversity, and access the tree plantation at the back. The terrain, with soils ranging from sandy to clay, hosts a unique variety of flora and fauna, including mosses, lichens, trees (cedar, birch, maple, oak, elm, pine, and more), fruits (raspberries, blackberries, etc.), herbs, and wildlife. It also features small wetlands, deep ravines with running water, springs, and a wooded area with a rocky outcrop at the back, adjacent to Gatineau Park.

With increasing residential development surrounding the site, Place Éco Rubin serves as a natural park for the Pontiac community and functions as a vital ecological corridor to and from Gatineau Park.