More and more tourist sites and public places are adopting eco-responsible practices. Here are six in Quebec City and the surrounding area to visit with children, while raising their awareness about the environment. Because having fun while learning is a good idea!
Rediscovering the newly certified Montmorency Falls
What if we took a closer look at Montmorency Falls? In January, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency became the first attraction in the Quebec region to obtain Biosphere certification in the Outdoor Tourism category.
The park, which receives more than a million visitors per year, completed 65 actions and 202 activities in the Sustainable Tourism Guide to earn this distinction. These include accessibility to the site, with new facilities at the bottom of the falls, and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits.
Photo: Sépaq
Eating bugs at the Insect Festival
According to several experts, insects are the food of tomorrow. In order to become familiar with these little creatures, but also to taste crickets, the Insect Festival is the perfect time to learn more and even handle them.
Organized in collaboration with the Bibitte mobile, it travels across Quebec throughout the year. Good news: it will be back at the Aquarium du Québec on April 20 and 21 .
Featuring Indonesia and the scorpion stick insect, this 11th edition will present more than 10,000 live or naturalized specimens.
Photo: Stéphanie Allard for La Bibitte mobile
Feeding the rays at the Aquarium du Québec
During our visit to the Aquarium du Québec, we will stop in front of the ray pool in the Pavilion of the Depths. Why? Because the donations collected by purchasing food to feed the rays are paid into the Conservation Fund.
Created in 2005, this Fund finances various projects related to the protection of marine species and their environment. It is directly linked to the educational and awareness mission of the Aquarium du Québec.
Another way to contribute is to round up our bill when we buy a stuffed animal, clothing or any other product from the souvenir shop.
Photo: Sépaq
Learn about ornithology at the Marais du Nord
With 194 species of birds listed, the Marais du Nord site is a true paradise for ornithology. Easily accessible for families (even toddlers), its eight kilometers of trails allow you to discover exceptional fauna and flora, and this, 20 minutes from the city center!
Did you know? The site is managed by Agiro, a non-profit organization whose mission is to carry out environmental actions in order to protect water and natural ecosystems.
Photo: Quebec City
Shopping at the Grand Marché
It's time to reserve your organic vegetable basket at the Grand Marché de Québec ! La Ferme La houle, run by up-and-coming farmers, offers a great mini-market type formula that allows you to choose the contents of your basket yourself from among the 60 varieties of freshly harvested vegetables, fruits and herbs. This is a formula that families love!
When we go to pick up our basket, we will take the opportunity to visit the stands of the market gardeners and producers in the region.
Psst! Make it a game: in the aisles, look for products from Quebec or seasonal fruits. These products reduce transportation costs and the famous greenhouse gases (GHG).
Photo: The Grand Marché of Quebec
Rediscovering the Saint-Charles River
With its 32 km of a long and unique winding path with a low gradient, crossing the city from north to south, the Saint-Charles River linear park is ideal for a family walk.
We stop at the Maison Dorion-Coulombe to learn more about the history of this river that was carved out by glaciers. Its permanent exhibition takes us back to different eras, including that of its intense industrialization that once transformed it. Coming back to life, it is now at the heart of a vast recreational tourism project.
Eco-friendly tips for our outing:
- Bring a zero waste lunch
- Have a reusable water bottle
- Use public transportation to get there or carpool
- Avoid disposable packaging and unnecessary purchases
- Buy your tickets (when necessary) online in advance
