Celebrate nature on campus!
Join us for the three-year anniversary of McGill’s Biodiversity Plan launch on Tuesday, September 22, on the Downtown Campus, on Thursday, September 24, at the Macdonald Campus, and on Saturday, September 26th at the Gault Nature Reserve.
Connect with McGill groups and local organizations working on conservation and other biodiversity initiatives, learn how to identify and document species with biodiversity experts during guided nature walks, and meet other biodiversity enthusiasts for interactive workshops and activities.
As McGill celebrates its collective and coordinated efforts to protect and improve biodiversity, come discover how the Biodiversity Plan guides university-wide actions through to 2030.
Downtown Campus
Kiosks
On Tuesday, September 22, McGill groups and local organizations working on environmental initiatives will host kiosks and be available to share their work and answer your questions. You’ll find them near the Roddick Gates from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Organization |
About |
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The Gault Nature Reserve, owned by McGill University, is located at Mont-Saint-Hilaire and protects more than 1,000 hectares of natural forest. |
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The McGill Office of Sustainability oversees the university’s efforts to monitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity through our research, teaching and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses. |
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GUEPE is a non-profit organization offering educational and professional services to youth and the general public in the field of natural and environmental sciences, as well as in outdoor recreation. |
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Founded in 1986, the nonprofit organization Les Amis de la Montagne works to preserve and protect Mount Royal, this heritage gem that serves as both the heart and lungs of Montreal. |
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Mission Monarch is a community science program aiming at gathering data on monarch and milkweed distribution and abundance. This knowledge will allow researchers to identify the monarch’s breeding hotspots and implement efficient conservation actions. Discover steps you can take to help protect monarch butterflies here: https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/4-steps-help-monarchs |
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Founded in Montreal in 1917, Bird Protection Quebec is the oldest bird conservation charity in Canada and among the oldest in North America. We envision a world in which people appreciate the intrinsic benefits of birds and act to protect our planet and its wildlife. Our mission is to protect birds and bird habitat while fostering an appreciation of them through conservation, observation, research, and education. |
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The Redpath Museum fosters an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our biological, geological and cultural heritage through scientific research, collections study and education. |
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The Morgan Arboretum is a 245-hectare forest reserve, situated on the western end of the island of Montreal in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and has been part of McGill University's Macdonald Campus since 1945. A cherished local institution, the Arboretum serves as a hub for science communication, community outreach, and outdoor recreation. |
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Jardin Buzz (Jardin pour la biodiversité urbaine et les zones de zoodiversité) is a Verdun-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating urban gardens for pollinators. Their mission is to transform urban spaces, large or small, into hubs of biodiversity, namely by offering local seeds, pollinator-friendly plants, garden design, and educational workshops. |
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Project Bird Safe McGill is an initiative dedicated to reducing bird mortality rates caused by window collisions at McGill’s downtown campus. |
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McGill Students for Wildlife Conservation Club |
The MSWC club is dedicated to spreading awareness about conservation and sustainability around campus. We organize events to encourage our members to engage with environmentally friendly policies and to discuss how to successfully protect wildlife. Our activities include fundraising for various conservation organizations, participating in nature walks, and leading wildlife discussion panels in collaboration with McGill professors. |
Guided walks and activities
Tuesday September 22
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization |
Details |
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10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Guided Bird Walk on Mount Royal |
The McGill Students’ Birding Club is offering a guided birdwatching walk on Mont-Royal the morning of the 2025 McGill Biodiversity Festival! Fall migration is underway, and many migratory birds can be spotted moving through urban greenspaces on their way south! |
Meet at the Monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier at 9:50 am. Participants need to dress appropriately for the weather. Binoculars are recommended but not mandatory, and birders of all skill levels are welcome. No registration is required. See the Facebook event for more information. |
Wednesday September 23
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization |
Details |
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11:00 am – 12:30 pm |
Speaker Series on Biodiversity Science (hybrid event) |
Join the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science and hear from McGill graduate students who will present their biodiversity-related research in quick 4-minute presentations. |
Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science |
The in-person event will take place in Burnside Hall, Room 426. Registration is required to attend remotely and strongly encouraged for in-person attendees. Pizza will be served after the presentations. Find the list of speakers, Zoom link, and registration link here. |
Friday September 25
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization |
Details |
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11:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Guided Tour: Evolution and Extinction |
Join the Redpath Museum to explore the role of evolution and extinction in shaping life and the world as we know it today! After the tour, you will have time to discover the rest of the Museum independently. |
Redpath Museum (led by the Education Team) |
For McGill students, staff, and faculty. Meet in the Museum Lobby at 11 am. Registration required. Find more information and RSVP here. |
Macdonald Campus
Kiosks
Organization |
About |
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McGill Bird Observatory (The Migration Research Foundation inc.) |
The McGill Bird Observatory is a member of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. The observatory is run by the non-profit The Migration Research Foundation Inc. Operations at MBO emphasize birds migration monitoring, research, conservation, education and volunteer training. |
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The Gault Nature Reserve, owned by McGill University, is located at Mont-Saint-Hilaire and protects more than 1,000 hectares of natural forest. |
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The McGill Office of Sustainability oversees the university’s efforts to monitor, protect, and enhance biodiversity through our research, teaching and operations, while raising awareness and engaging community members both on and beyond our campuses. |
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The Ecomuseum Zoo is the only outdoor zoo on the Island of Montréal and is dedicated exclusively to Québec wildlife, housed in living spaces inspired by their natural environments. Its residents, often orphaned, rehabilitated, or born under human care, live according to the zoo's mission of environmental education, wildlife conservation, and animal well-being, backed by CAZA-AZAC accreditation, which ensures excellence in animal care and management across Canada's zoological institutions. |
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Technoparc Oiseaux is a fully volunteer-run non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the conservation of 215 hectares of forests, meadows, wetlands and green spaces located between Technoparc Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. Since 2016, citizens, ornithologists, naturalists, photographers, scientists and nature enthusiasts have worked together to document the area’s biodiversity, raise awareness of its ecological importance, and advocate for its protection and continued accessibility for present and future generations. |
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The Morgan Arboretum is a 245-hectare forest reserve, situated on the western end of the island of Montreal in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and has been part of McGill University's Macdonald Campus since 1945. A cherished local institution, the Arboretum serves as a hub for science communication, community outreach, and outdoor recreation. |
Guided walks and activities
Thursday September 24
Time |
Topic |
About |
Organization |
Details |
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09:00 – 10:00 |
Guided bird walk at Macdonald Campus |
Join Dr. Kyle Elliott for a guided bird walk at Macdonald Campus. Fall migration is underway, and many migratory birds can be spotted moving through greenspaces on their way south! |
Professor Kyle Elliott, Department of Natural Resource Sciences |
Meeting point at 9:00 from shuttle bus pick up point, in front of the Centennial Centre. Wear walking shoes and outdoor attire. Binoculars are optional. No registration required. |
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10 am – 11:15 am |
Morgan Arboretum Biodiversity and Tree Identification |
Join Scott Pemberton, Manager of the Morgan Arboretum, for a guided walk through the forest reserve. Discover how to recognize emblematic tree species and learn about the fascinating ecology and hidden life of the forest. |
Morgan Arboretum (led by Scott Pemberton) |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 9:50 am. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register here. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. |
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1 pm – 2:15 pm |
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Morgan Arboretum |
Join Dr. Jessica Ford, Professor at Dawson College, for a herpetology-themed guided walk through the forest reserve. Find out how to spot and identify amphibians and reptiles and learn more about the fascinating ecology and hidden life of the Arboretum's herpetofauna. |
Dr. Jessica Ford, Dawson College |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 12:50 pm. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register here. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. Shoes/boots that could get muddy are recommended, as well as long socks that pants can be tucked into to avoid ticks. Please avoid bug spray (it is harmful to any amphibians we may catch). Similarly, no sunscreen on hands. Water bottle and snack recommended. |
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2 pm – 3:15 pm |
Morgan Arboretum Biodiversity and Tree Identification |
Join Scott Pemberton, Manager of the Morgan Arboretum, for a guided walk through the forest reserve. Discover how to recognize emblematic tree species and learn about the fascinating ecology and hidden life of the forest. |
Morgan Arboretum (led by Scott Pemberton) |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 1:50 pm. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register here. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. |
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5 pm – 6:30pm |
Recognizing the signs of highly diverse forests at the Molson Reserve (Visit #1) |
The Molson Nature Reserve is a highly diverse forest and wetland complex on Ile Perrot, a short distance from Macdonald Campus. A shuttle bus will provide transportation to the Reserve, where Dr. Beauregard, curator of the McGill University Herbarium, will take participants on a guided walk to view different plant communities. |
Dr. Frieda Beauregard |
The free shuttle will leave from the Centennial Centre parking lot at 4:45 pm. Limited spots on the shuttle! Register here. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather. |
Gault Nature Reserve
As part of McGill’s Biodiversity Festival, join us at the Gault Nature Reserve on September 26 for Gault’s biggest science event of the year: Gault Open Day! Meet experts, discover ongoing scientific projects, and explore the biodiversity of Mont Saint-Hilaire. You’ll also have a rare opportunity to tour select research facilities through guided visits.
A free shuttle will bring McGill students and staff from the Downtown Campus to Gault, where you’ll have free access to explore the Reserve and take part in the Festival’s activities. Space is limited - reserve your spot today!
Land Acknowledgment
McGill University's campuses are located on un-ceded lands with a long and rich history of occupation and environmental stewardship by many Indigenous peoples. McGill's downtown and Macdonald campuses sit on the traditional lands of the Kanien'kehá:ka nation, while the Gault Nature Reserve is situated on Abenaki ancestral lands. We recognize, honor, and respect these nations as the traditional stewards of the lands and waters where the Biodiversity Festival's activities take place, as well as the critical role they hold in protecting the rich biodiversity inhabiting these territories.
