Accomplishments

In operation since 1999, the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation strives to raise awareness, in young and old alike, of the importance of environmental science, by supporting original projects at Montréal’s nature museums.

The Foundation contributes to the advancement of natural science and scientific literacy, with a view to dissemination. By sponsoring educational activities, it raises people’s interest in the environment, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation.

Through its educational, scientific, cultural, social and artistic involvement, the Foundation awakens people’s scientific curiosity and lifts the veil on some of nature’s secrets. It thereby contributes to enhancing and preserving our natural heritage for current and future generations.

Major accomplishments

With the funds collected (almost $5 million) over the past nine years or so, the Foundation has contributed to the nature museums’ activities for the general public, and to smaller projects, aimed primarily at young people:

• Creation of 40 temporary jobs, under the “Relève scientifique” program (in cooperation with the Fonds Jeunesse Québec and the Muséums nature de Montréal).
• Participation in the various Great Gardening Weekends at the Botanical Garden.
• Creation of a research scholarship program for Master's and PhD students.
• Contribution to the school awareness-raising program of the First-Nations Garden.
• Redesign of the otter habitat at the Biodôme.
• Participation in the cultural programming of “Fall at the botanical garden” (The Magic of Lanterns and the Great Pumpkin Ball).
• Financial participation in the Biodôme exhibition “10 years after Rio”.
• Support of Montréal nature museum educational activities in Québec schools and for visiting students.
• Creation of La Palme verte, Teachers in action category, a contest addressed to Québec teachers who do something positive for the environment, working with their classes to bring about changes in their surroundings and in the attitudes of the people around them.
• Financial participation in the creation of “Ars Natura,” an interactive multimedia show produced by a group of artists (SAT) and presented in the rotunda of the Square Victoria metro station.
• Assistance to the organization “Les Scientifines” and to the YMCA Hochelaga-Maisonneuve to allow underprivileged children to participate in the Youth Gardens.
• Contribution to the Jérôme Brisson-Curadeau scholarship, allowing underprivileged children to attend the Botanical Garden day camps.
• Support for events, exhibitions, and educational activities organized by the Montréal Chinese Garden Society.
• Establishment of a corporate partnership with Rio Tinto Alcan ($4M) for the construction of the new Planetarium relocated near the Montréal Biodôme.
• Donors' Square: Located at the main entrance to the Botanical Garden, the square recognizes the generosity of donors, whose names or families' names are engraved on the flagstones.
• Contribution to an environmental scholarship at the regional finals of the Bell Science Expo.
• Contribution to the 2008 UNICEF campaign “Un filet d'espoir,” to stop the spread of malaria.
• Contribution to an adaptation class at the Kénogami secondary school for their “Pouce Vert” program.