Spotlight on biodiversity and the wonders of horticulture
A once abandoned 40-hectare tract of land in Ascension in the Lac Saint-Jean region has now become a veritable tourist attraction for nature lovers. Horticulture scholar Brian Scullion is the architect behind this ambitious undertaking that has continued to grow and gain in popularity. Today, Jardin Scullion ranks as one of the top tourist stops in northern Lac-Saint-Jean.
Focussing on biodiversity
Since 2001, thousands of visitors have been coming each and every year to admire Jardin Scullion’s exceptional botanical landscapes. In light of this growing tourism traffic, the company found itself in need of better visitor facilities. A forest and biodiversity interpretation centre was therefore built to teach guests about the forest environment. This uniquely-designed wooden building features a 285-foot long fresco depicting the region’s biodiversity. Artists were able to produce this work using a state-of-the-art technique that enabled them to study over-sized images of their subjects taken through macro photography.
“The support we have received from Canada Economic Development for our projects has given us leverage, enabling us to ensure our growth and diversify our activities.”
Today, Jardin Scullion ranks as one of the top tourist stops in northern Lac-Saint-Jean.
At the present time, the garden features more than 900 varieties of perennials, shrubs and evergreens. Canada Economic Development provided financial support for the installation of an ingenious low-consumption lighting system developed by a Quebec company. This installation, once complete, will enable Jardin Scullion to extend its opening hours into the evening.
“The spectacular effects of this new system will allow visitors to see the garden in a whole new light,”
noted Brian Scullion. “The support we have received from Canada Economic Development for our projects has given us leverage, enabling us to ensure our growth and diversify our activities.”
A garden alive with activity
As well as visiting the greenhouses, Jardin Scullion offers nature lovers the opportunity to meander along a two-kilometre walking trail through the forest. A petting farm and playground are also open to the public and an on-site restaurant, L’Estacade, serves up a healthy menu of organic vegetables and local cheeses. Jardin Scullion also has an environmental policy aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating disposable waste.
The Fondation du Jardin Scullion was established in 2001 to promote recreational and tourism activities centred on animal and plant life. Its aims are to bring about greater public awareness and education on the forest and the resources that depend upon it for survival, test and develop activities associated with ornamental horticulture and foster social development through support of humanitarian causes.
Jardin Scullion today employs some 30 people in a sector that is steadily gaining in importance in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
