The Société de protection et d'aménagement de l'Île aux Pommes (SPAIAP) is a Canadian private nonprofit foundation holding charitable status, dedicated to the preservation and management of Île aux Pommes, a small natural island located in the St. Lawrence River in the Trois-Pistoles region of Lower St. Lawrence, Quebec. Its primary mandate is to plan, coordinate, and oversee protection and development activities on the island, with a focus on conserving its biodiversity and natural environment[1][2].

History

Île aux Pommes has a rich history, initially part of the Seigneurie de l'Isle-Verte during the New France era until 1816. Ownership changed hands multiple times until the Déry family acquired the island in 1927. The acquisition was driven by Dr. Stanislas Gaudreau, encouraged by his brother-in-law Dr. David-Alexis Déry, both dentists from Quebec City with a passion for nature and science[3]. Dr. Déry had also been instrumental in founding the Société Provancher in 1920, aimed at promoting natural history knowledge and protecting winged fauna in the region, which underlined the family's long-standing commitment to environmental conservation[3].

Conservation Efforts

Since 2004, Île aux Pommes has been officially recognized as a protected area in perpetuity by the Quebec Minister of the Environment, making it the first private island in the St. Lawrence River estuary to receive such status. This recognition underscores the island's ecological importance and the successful conservation work undertaken by SPAIAP[1].

The Déry family, now in its fourth generation of stewardship, continues to lead efforts to preserve and enhance the island's biodiversity. Their work has been supported by collaborations with scientists across multiple disciplines, focusing on the island's sustainable restoration amidst challenges such as invasive species and habitat changes[3][5].

Mission and Activities

SPAIAP fosters environmental stewardship by engaging the community and encouraging individual actions to support biodiversity protection. The foundation actively raises funds, all of which are reinvested into conservation projects for Île aux Pommes. It also promotes awareness through conferences and educational initiatives highlighting the critical role individuals and families play in environmental protection[1][5].

Recognition

The revitalization and conservation initiatives on Île aux Pommes have been formally recognized and rewarded, reflecting the society's impactful contributions to preserving a vital natural habitat in the St. Lawrence River region[1].

The Société de protection et d'aménagement de l'Île aux Pommes exemplifies a committed, family-driven approach to private land conservation, blending scientific collaboration with community involvement to safeguard an ecologically significant area for future generations.