The Foundation
Together for the rivers and streams of Quebec
Our mission
The Rivers Foundation works to provide access, protection, enhancement and restoration of rivers with the aim of preserving their natural character and ensuring responsible and sustainable human use.
We participate in public debate, we make recommendations, we contribute to science, we innovate.
We support water stakeholders with consulting services to optimize wastewater and stormwater management. We highlight problems throughout Quebec with an interactive map of wastewater outfalls and propose solutions and tools to help solve them.
What are the areas of intervention of the Fondation Rivières?
Water quality
Nearly 53,000: that's the number of times wastewater was discharged into Quebec's rivers in 2020 because it could not be treated by municipal wastewater systems. The Rivers Foundation is at the forefront of this battle to help municipalities solve this problem.
Access to water
Imagine a world where we could all access rivers throughout Quebec... Too many banks are private, inaccessible. With the support of members and the collaboration of citizen committees and our partners, the Fondation Rivières works to protect and develop public access to water.
Preservation of the natural character of rivers
Our rivers are beautiful, natural and wild. Yet they are heavily impacted by the cumulative effects of human activity: bridges, dams, mines, logging, farming and urban development. The Foundation is working to preserve these precious landscapes so that everyone can enjoy this important cultural heritage!
What causes does the Fondation Rivières campaign for?
Unjustified hydroelectric dams
The concreting of rivers destroys falls and modifies ecosystems and landscapes. Hydroelectricity production is falsely presented as a solution to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions when lower impact alternatives exist. To find out more, watch the documentary Chercher le Current, the Avec Énergie campaign as well as the documentary theater play and podcast J'aime Hydro.
Protecting our rivers with riverbanks
The shoreline acts as a filter, retaining material and preventing soil erosion.
Pollution that suffocates rivers and streams
Small streams and land drainage systems feed the rivers. They often constitute open sewers, affected by diffuse pollution and erosion.
The excessive privatization of the banks
Public access to water is a fundamental right which tends to disappear quietly, while lakes and rivers help promote well-being and adapt to heatwaves, which are more frequent and intense due to climate change. Water is a collective resource and access to it should be protected.
Our vision
The Rivers Foundation is an essential reference organization for the population and decision-makers when it comes to proposing or analyzing policies or carrying out actions to ensure the preservation and enhancement of the natural character of rivers.
We want there to be protected areas where rivers flow freely so that people can fully enjoy them;
We want a well-developed ecotourism industry to enhance the social character of rivers. This way, some will benefit for their health, others for their personal development;
We want to ensure that the ecological and environmental aspects of our environment are respected. This way, current and future generations will also be able to discover and appreciate them.
Our values
Thoroughness
Our positions are based on science and professionalism.
Eco-citizenship
We believe that every Quebecer is an eco-citizen, with rights (such as the right to live in a healthy environment), but also with responsibilities towards the rivers (such as contributing to the protection of the collective natural heritage).
Independence
We stand for rivers and the Quebec public interest. We refuse any influence that could harm our mission.
Solidarity
We are committed to mutual aid, collaboration and exchange. Together, we can protect our rivers.
Discover the rivers for which Fondation Rivières acts positively. Contribute to our actions by adopting the one of your choice.
