• Press release: Prix du Mont-Royal Awards Ceremony, May 24, 2007
• Press release: Corvée du Mont-Royal, mountain clean-up, May 6, 2007
• Press release: Launch of Mount Royal Month, May 1st, 2007
• May calendar of events
• Thank you to our partners

PRIX DU MONT-ROYAL AWARDS CEREMONY AND CONFERENCE ON THE WORK OF AMERICAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED

Montreal, May 24, 2007 – The closing event of May 2007: Mount Royal Month was held on the anniversary of Mount Royal Park today on the terrace of Montreal City Hall, which boasts a spectacular view of the mountain. Helen Fotopulos, Mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough and member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal responsible for the environment, parks, green and blue spaces, Mount Royal and the status of women and Peter A. Howlett, President of Les Amis de la montagne, awarded the Prix du Mont-Royal 2007 to Edith Jacobson Low-Beer, C.M.

An initiative of Les Amis de la montagne, the Prix du Mont-Royal, now in its third edition, pays tribute to an individual whose commitment and remarkable contributions further the conservation and enhancement of Mount Royal.

Mrs. Low-Beer, together with her husband, Mr. John Hans Low-Beer (d. 1993), created The EJLB Foundation in memory of their son, with the initial goal of supporting medical research on schizophrenia. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Low-Beer became President of the Foundation, which is presently focused on medical and scientific research in all areas of neuroscience, support of community organizations providing mental health support services and the protection of the environment mainly through the acquisition and preservation of natural areas of ecological significance or of importance to the urban landscape.

Mrs. Low-Beer has been a supporter of Les Amis de la montagne for nearly 20 years and continues to volunteer her services, as she has for the last 65 years, to numerous community organizations.

“In support of Les Amis de la montagne’s initiative, the municipal council of the Ville de Montréal has officially dedicated the month of May to Mount Royal. The Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony is an important event since it underlines citizen’s contributions towards the enhancement of our mountain. The history of Mount Royal is one of passion and devotion. The Prix du Mont-Royal is an occasion for the Ville de Montréal to honour and to say thank-you to individuals, such as Mrs. Low-Beer, whose often unacknowledged work in the shadows is carried out for the good of the entire community,” said Helen Fotopulos.

“Our 2007 Prix du Mont-Royal recipient is part of a generation of women in Quebec who, through their commitment to society and their devotion, paved the way for current and future generations. Mrs. Edith Jacobson Low-Beer is a truly exceptional person who deserves our fullest admiration and who is, without a doubt, a reference for us all,” said Peter Howlett.

The first edition of the Prix du Mont-Royal in 2005 was awarded to Pierre Dansereau, considered the father of ecology in Quebec and Phyllis Lambert, architect and founding director and chairman of the Board of Fiduciaries of the Canadian Centre for Architecture in Montreal.

In 2006, Jean Décarie was awarded the Prix du Mont-Royal. In addition, special mention was made to Héritage Montréal, Les Amis de la montagne and the Centre de la montagne.

The Prix du Mont-Royal awards ceremony was preceded by a conference in the Great Hall of Montreal City Hall by eminent American historian, Dr. Charles E. Beveridge, who has dedicated almost 40 years of study on the work of celebrated landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. Dr. Beveridge presented the results of his studies on the place that Mount Royal occupies in the work and career of Olmsted and on the inspiration that formed the basis of his design work for Mount Royal Park in 1876.

Click here for the biography of Mrs. Edith Jacobson Low-Beer, recipient of the 2007 Prix du Mont-Royal.

Click here for the list of projects and events that furthered the heritage preservation of Mount Royal in 2006-07.

THE CORVÉE DU MONT-ROYAL™ MOUNTAIN CLEAN-UP: CLOSE TO 500 MONTREALERS ANSWER THE CALL TO ACTION

Montreal, May 6, 2007 – “Small Actions with Big Results” – close to 500 citizens answered this call to action for the 16th Corvée du Mont-Royal™ mountain clean-up on Sunday, May 6, an annual tradition that has allowed close to 10,000 individuals to make a significant gesture for their mountain since 1990.

Stéphane Bourguignon, writer and spokesperson for Amis de la montagne, participated in the event today in the company of Helen Fotopulos, Mayor of the Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough and member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal responsible for Mount Royal, Drew Wawin, representative of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Sylvie Guilbault, Executive Director of Les Amis de la montagne.

Work teams covered the hills and forested areas of the mountain to pick up litter and to plant 450 indigenous trees and bushes.

Participants also conducted scientific environmental studies to evaluate the success of tree plantings from previous years and the condition of the pathways and soil.

The Corvée du Mont-Royal™ is organized by Les Amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal and thanks to the support of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of Mount Royal Month activities.

MOUNT ROYAL MONTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Les Amis de la montagne are offering a series of activities during May to discover and better understand the historic and natural heritage of Mount Royal. Les Amis’ Mount Royal Conservation Patrol™ will hold awareness-raising activities on two consecutive weekends (May 12-13 and 18-19) to sensitize visitors of behaviours that may be detrimental to the natural environment. The Sulpicians' properties on the mountain will be explored during a guided walking tour (May 16) and Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision for Mount Royal and Montreal will be presented by American historian Dr. Charles E. Beveridge (May 24).

Finally, as the closing event of Mount Royal Month, Les Amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal will award the Prix du Mont-Royal™ on May 24 to an individual who has made a remarkable contribution for the conservation and enhancement of Mount Royal. The awards ceremony coincides with the anniversary of the founding of Mount Royal Park in 1876.

For more information, please call (514) 843-8240 ext. 0.

STÉPHANE BOURGUIGNON, WRITER AND SPOKESPERSON FOR LES AMIS DE LA MONTAGNE LAUNCHES MOUNT ROYAL MONTH WITH THE THEME “SMALL ACTIONS WITH BIG RESULTS”

Montreal, May 1st, 2007 – Stéphane Bourguignon, writer and spokesperson for Les Amis de la montagne, launched “May 2007: Mount Royal Month” today at Smith House in the heart of Mount Royal, together with Helen Fotopulos, Mayor of Plateau-Mont-Royal Borough and member of the Executive Committee of the Ville de Montréal responsible for Mount Royal, Robert Ghazal, District Vice-President, TD Canada Trust and Peter A. Howlett, President of Les Amis de la montagne.

The goal of Mount Royal Month is to raise awareness about and mobilize the community for the conservation of Mount Royal. The activities are organized by Les Amis de la montagne in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal, with the generous support of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation as principal partner of Les Amis.

By accepting the role of spokesperson, Stéphane Bourguignon hopes to share his love for Mount Royal. He invites all Montrealers to become a friend of the mountain by contributing “Small Actions with Big Results”, the theme of this year’s activities.

“Mount Royal has always been there, somewhere in the corner of my eye, watching over my city, constant, unavoidable. The reference. Wherever I am in Montreal, I see its silhouette, nonchalant on the horizon. And when I return from the country or even from out of town, it’s the sign that I’m finally home. Without it, my life wouldn’t be quite the same and my city certainly different. It’s for this reason that I decided to become involved and I invite you to do the same,” said Stéphane Bourguignon.

Helen Fotopulos said that the Ville de Montréal has officially proclaimed May “Mount Royal Month” for a third consecutive year, as witness to the municipal administration’s willingness to recognize the distinct character of Mount Royal and to pursue the enhancement of its historic and natural assets. Helen Fotopulos further encouraged the involvement of all citizens for the Mount Royal cause, stating, “During this month of activities dedicated to Mount Royal, each of us is called upon to take action and to get to know the mountain in order to contribute to its preservation.”

For a second year, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation have joined Les Amis de la montagne as the principal partner of Mount Royal Month. “An increasing number of citizens in the greater Montreal region have become involved in the challenge to protect our environment. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which has been supporting Canadians’ efforts for the health of our environment for the last 17 years, is therefore, very proud to contribute to a project that allows each and everyone to come and rediscover the mountain and help in its protection,” said Christine Marchildon, Senior Vice President, TD Canada Trust, Québec.

According to Peter A. Howlett, “Mount Royal Month is an invitation for reflection and for action. The mountain is both a fascinating and fragile site. The health of our planet begins with simple and concrete gestures in our immediate lives and Mount Royal is a part of that environment. I extend thanks to all our partners and to all our volunteers who join us in believing that together, we will arrive at great results.”

Mount Royal Month remains the most important springtime conservation activity in Montreal. The calendar of events includes the Corvée du Mont-Royal mountain clean-up on Sunday, May 6, an annual tradition for hundreds of Montrealers who, on a voluntary basis, help beautify the mountain during its springtime awakening. 2007 will also be the third year of the Prix du Mont-Royal awarded on May 24. The award pays tribute to individuals for their remarkable contributions towards the conservation and enhancement of Mount Royal.

Les Amis de la montagne is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Mount Royal through community involvement and environmental education.

MOUNT ROYAL MONTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Public Forum of Les Amis de la montagne
Wednesday, May 2
The forum in May is part of the regular forum series held monthly. Agenda items include: a presentation of the project to restore the cross in Mount Royal Park, development projects underway on the mountain, results of the consultations on the $30 million investment for the enhancement of Mount Royal and the Park-Pine intersection.
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith House, free

Awareness-Raising Days by the Mount Royal Conservation Patrol
Saturday and Sunday, May 12-13 and 19-20, rain or shine
The intensive use of Mount Royal puts its health, beauty and accessibility under enormous pressure, one of the great challenges before its defenders. The Mount Royal Conservation Patrol will organize a series of activities over two weekends aimed at sensitizing park users and visitors of the devastating effects of seemingly innocent practices, such as mountain biking in the forest, feeding wildlife and picking plants.
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Smith House, free

Guided Walking Tour of the Sulpicians’ Properties on Mount Royal
Wednesday, May 16
Join this guided visit of the Grand Séminaire and Marianopolis College properties to discover the built, landscape and natural heritage of these great institutions and the challenges in maintaining them for the long-term. A unique opportunity to get a glimpse of these treasures located within the Mount Royal Historic and Natural District. The guided walk will be preceded by a 30-minute presentation of the history of the properties by Josette Michaud of Beaupré Michaud Architectes. Offered in French.
Departure from the main entrance of the Grand Séminaire, 2065 Sherbrooke St. West (Metro Guy or Atwater), 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; free, but reservations required: 514 843-8240 ext. 0

Frederick Law Olmsted’s Vision for Mount Royal
Thursday, May 24
American historian, Dr. Charles E. Beveridge, will present the results of his research on the vision that Frederick Law Olmsted had for Mount Royal Park from his work titled, “The Park and the City: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Vision for Mount Royal”.
Great Hall, Montreal City Hall, 275 Notre-Dame St. East, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; free, but reservations required: 514 843-8240 ext. 0

Prix du Mont-Royal Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 24
As part of May 2007: Mount Royal Month, Les Amis de la montagne will present the Prix du Mont-Royal in collaboration with the Ville de Montréal. The Prix will pay tribute to individuals for their remarkable contributions towards the conservation and enhancement of Mount Royal. The awards presentation coincides with the founding of Mount Royal Park in 1976.
By invitation, information: (514) 843-8240 ext. 240

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Principal Partner:
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

In collaboraton with:
Ville de Montréal

Platinum:
Sports Experts
Pratt & Whitney Canada
Banque Nationale du Canada

Gold:
Université de Montréal
Cogeco

Media:
Astral Media
Standard Radio : CJAD 800 AM, CHOM 97,7 FM, Mix 96 FM
La Presse
The Gazette
Les Affaires
Journal Métro