Québec’s national parks are special natural laboratories for scientific research because they preserve ecosystems with a high level of ecological integrity. They can be used as reference sites to study phenomenon that we see only rarely elsewhere, or to better understand the impacts of human activities on unprotected lands.
Scientific knowledge is at the foundation of conservation in the parks. Inventories, follow-ups and research aim to improve our understanding of the land to clarify our decisional processes. The results of these studies also contribute to the development of relevant and enriching educational programs for visitors.
Throughout the network, many projects take place every year. Some are featured in the National Parks Conservation Newsletter.
Are you a researcher who would like to do a scientific study in a park?
There is still a great need for research in the parks, and we hope to develop more research partnerships with the scientific community. Doing a research project in a park is easy, and can represent several advantages:
- The parks have interesting historical data, some of which goes back many years.
- Studies in several fields have been done, which makes it possible to draw up a good portrait of the territories.
- The parks’ conservation status allows projects to be monitored over the long-term, without fear that the study site will disappear.
- The parks’ teams know their territory and are happy to share their knowledge.
- In some cases, measures on the field can be carried out by the park teams, saving travelling time for the researchers.
If you would like to do a research project in a national park, we first invite you to contact the person responsible for the conservation and education department of this park and, if necessary, complete the research authorization form.
Obtain a research permit
The request for scientific research authorization aims to implement an agreement between a national park and a researcher for the development of a research project and/or to fulfill a legal obligation allowing the researcher to carry out activities not stipulated in the regulations.
The request for authorization process is intended to be simple, fast, and efficient. The researcher or project leader must complete the form provided for this purpose following a discussion with the park research director.
Request for scientific research authorization form (Word document)
Thereafter, park management analyzes the application and issues, when appropriate, an authorization as quickly as possible. At all times, the work carried out must have an acceptable minimal impact on the integrity of the park. The results of the work must be communicated to the park team to enable dissemination of the knowledge acquired and to incorporate this information into park management procedures.
Authorization required under the Parks Act
The research authorization signed by the director allows the researcher and his or her team to carry out activities that are generally not permitted in the park. The research authorization issued by the park does not free the researcher from his or her obligation to obtain all other permits required.
Parc national du Bic
