NATURAL ENVIRONNEMENT

The wooded area covers an 89-km² territory. It is typical of the Laurentian forest as evidenced by the dominant presence of maple and yellow birch. Over the years, the forest has been developed for various uses including logging in an educational perspective and recreational activities through the laying out of hiking and crosscountry ski trails. The maple forest is a major point of interest, due not only to the diversity of spring flowers but also to the fall colours. In spring, the operation of a small experimental sugarhouse is part of the interpretation activities that help reveal the many secrets of the maple syrup industry for the benefit of visitors.

The resort is located alongside Lac Saint-Joseph, a body of water known for the quality of resort-vacationing activities in the region. A beach intended for the clientele staying at the resort is located in the Villa sector. Another twelve small lakes and a peatland are found on the territory.

Geology
The continental glacial retreat left behind till deposits and various morphologies associated with the glacial era. Champlain Sea is thought to have covered the southern part of Duchesnay, namely the part associated with the St. Lawrence Lowlands up to an altitude of 224 metres, with only the hill peaks being visible. The glacial deposits present on the site come for the most part from the scarring and abrasion of the rock substrate. This substrate is made up of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian origin where granite and gneiss dominate. Numerous erratic blocks dot the forest, forming rock shelters.

Vegetation
The maple forest dominates a large part of the territory. Other stands occupy smaller areas. The presence of peatlands, 1.8 km from the building complex, represents a very rich environment in terms of plants and birds. Yellow birch, larch, sugar maple, white spruce, red maple, black spruce, beech, balsam fir and black ash are the main species found in the forest.

Terrestrial wildlife
This territory is home to a few winter yards of white-tailed deer and moose. The other characteristic animal species include the black bear, porcupine, coyote, mink, red fox, river otter, beaver, fisher, muskrat and ruffed grouse.

Winged wildlife
Over the years more than one hundred species of birds have been surveyed on the territory of the resort, but as there are close to 200 varieties in the surrounding areas, visitors may occasionally encounter other species.

Aquatic wildlife
Among the resort's 18 bodies of water, some are home to a few or several of the following species: brook char, pearl dace, perch, lake trout, brown bullhead, smallmouth bass, white sucker, lake whitefish, northern sucker, shallowwater cisco, pumpkinseed and eel.