Île aux Lièvres, Island in Saint Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada
Île aux Lièvres is an island in the Saint Lawrence River stretching about 7 kilometers long with white birch forests covering much of its terrain. The landscape peaks at about 86 meters above sea level and features dense woodland with a rugged shoreline along the river.
Jacques Cartier arrived at the island in 1536 and named it after the hares he saw there during his expedition. Centuries later the provincial government recognized its ecological value and put protective measures in place.
The island is managed by Duvetnor, an organization that runs astronomy evenings and wildlife observation programs for visitors. These activities let people experience the local animal life and night sky in their natural setting.
The island is only accessible by boat, with ferry services from the mainland operating at varying times depending on the season. Visitors should check ahead about current departure schedules since conditions vary with weather and time of year.
The site was designated a biodiversity reserve in 2013, protecting a large portion of the land from development. This decision safeguarded habitats for many bird species and marine animals that live in the region.
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