The secrets behind the creation of a national park

As you may already know, a newcomer has been added to the great family of national parks in Québec: Parc national d’Opémican, located in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. But what does the creation of a new national park involve? Here are some capsules that will take you behind the scenes of setting up a national park.

Parc national d'Opémican Parc national d'Opémican
Parc national d'Opémican Mathieu Dupuis | © Sépaq

A glimpse of our newest park

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Such a magnificent territory leaves few people indifferent! Bordered on both sides by lakes Témiscamingue and Kipawa, Parc national d’Opémican aims to protect a sample of the southern Laurentides natural region. The park is located in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region, some 5 hours from the Gatineau area and the city of Ottawa, and only 4½ hours from Toronto.

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Opémican Point: the heart of the park

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As a privileged witness to a number of episodes of Témiscamingue’s history, Opémican Point is the focal point of Parc national d’Opémican. Geography, artifacts, and archeological remains are evidence of a rich past, stretching from the last glacial period to the Aboriginal use of the territory and on to the logging of recent decades. All these features led the Ministère des Affaires culturelles to give Opémican Point cultural property status in 1983.

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Happy blend of nature and culture

Beside | © Sépaq

In a unique and diverse ecosystem, nature and culture come together in a happy blend enabling visitors to enjoy a special contact with the exceptional natural environment of Parc national d'Opémican. (Video in French only)

A new park to be developed

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After a night under the stars between Lac Témiscamingue and Lac Kipawa, the Go-Van team had the privilege of visiting the facilities under construction for the latest addition to Quebec's national parks family. There are four threatened bird species in the area, representing quite a challenge for those who have worked so hard to create this park.

Protecting the park's fish

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The arrival of a new national park is changing the way the territory is managed. To ensure a healthy ecosystem, studies must be conducted to gain knowledge of fish populations in surrounding waterways.

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