Behind a line of fencing in the woodlands of Mount Royal Park, a white trillium plant is slowly gaining strength, safe from passing runners and cyclists. It can take up to 10 years for the plant to produce its first bloom, which lasts for around three weeks in early spring. This trillium is considered an at-risk plant species in Quebec.
But as Mount Royal, Montreal's landmark park, becomes more popular — at last count there were more than five million visitors annually — its rich plant life is more vulnerable to humans. "It's an evolving problem," said Antonin St-Jean, the head of conservation at Les Amis de la Montagne , the stewards of Mount Royal. On a recent walk through the park, St-Jean explained how visitors can damage plants through their recreational activities, such as mountain biking, trail running and walking off-trail.
Conservationists are trying to strike a balance between keeping the park accessible to visitors and preserving the natural environment that makes it special. "There were many fewer people on the mountain maybe 20-odd years ago," he said. "I think now it has become very popular, and since COVID, even more popular.
" WATCH | Protecting plants on Mount Royal: Plants on Mount Royal are being fenced-off, even hidden from the public, for their protection 4 days ago Duration 1:52 With more and more people making use of Montreal's Mount Royal Park for various activities, conservation efforts have increased to protect some of the park's unique plant spec.