Montréal and the Space for Life Foundation present a major new project worth $14.5 million to the Montréal Botanical Garden, called Pathway to Phytotechnologies
22 juin 2017
Montréal, June 21, 2017 – Mrs. Manon Gauthier, executive committee member in charge of culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women, presented today in a press conference a major new project to be rolled out in the years to come called Pathway to Phytotechnologies.
“The investment of $14.5 million that we are announcing today is a solution worthy of a modern metropolis concerned for its environment. Montréal, through its Space for Life service, is proud to carry out Pathway to Phytotechnologies at the Botanical Garden, the result of many years of research. Phytotechnologies are an excellent alternative to conventional engineering approaches. It is an ambitious project spread over seven stations harmoniously integrated in the heart of the Botanical Garden. Space for life now combines phytotechnology with its basic operations, while continuing to develop its mission in conservancy and education. With the collaboration of scientists at the Botanical Garden and the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Space for life will offer green and bold solutions to various environmental problems. It's a fabulous project that all Montrealers can be proud of and inspired by,” said Mrs. Gauthier.
“The Space for Life Foundation is proud to partner with the city to finance Pathway to Phytotechnologies at the Botanical Garden. We would like to give a warm thank you to four visionary donors who already responded to the call: the Claudine and Stephen Bronfman Family Foundation, RBC Royal Bank, the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation and the Québec Mining Association,” outlined Mr. Pierre Meunier, chair of the Space for Life Foundation. “Their contributions totalling one million dollars have already made it possible to launch the work of the station Filtering Marsh and to start the development of the educational component of the project. We are continuing our efforts to contribute to the financing of the Pathway,” he added.
The Montréal Botanical Garden, thanks to its Pathway to Phytotechnologies, will be able to treat runoff and wastewater, reduce the heat island effect of its parking lot, stabilize the banks of ponds, control invasive plants, demonstrate how to reduce the impact of city noise and how to decontaminate soils. Phytotechnologies are valued for the environmental benefits they generate and their aesthetic qualities.
A global project of $14.5 million plus $1.6 million for the education component
Carried out progressively between 2017 and 2023, the seven stations of the project will be financed jointly by the city and the Space for Life Foundation. An additional amount estimated at $1.6 million will be dedicated to the education component. The Filtering Marsh station located in the Aquatic garden will be the first to be created in 2018. It will serve to purify the water circulating in the various ponds of aquatic plants using filtering marshes that ensure the maintenance of quality water.
An educational and inspiring journey
Throughout the stations, visitors will discover how plants help preserve the biodiversity of the Botanical Garden by ensuring the conservation and restoration of existing habitats. Using demonstrations, animations and models, phytotechnologies will reveal how they work so that visitors can connect them with their everyday lives and learn from them at home, at work and in the community.
Space for Life
Space for Life includes the Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Botanical Garden and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. These four prestigious Montréal institutions form the largest natural science complex in Canada. Together, by rethinking the link between humankind and nature, and by cultivating new ways of life, they are embarking on a bold, creative and urban movement in favour of biodiversity.
The Space for Life Foundation
The Space for Life Foundation is an autonomous public foundation whose mission is to raise funds from businesses and philanthropists for Space for Life. Since its inception in 1999, the Foundation has contributed more than $ 8 million to the innovative projects of the four major space institutions.
