Alfred Kelly Piedmont Properties

Chemin de la Rivière - Piedmont, Quebec

Located on chemin de la Rivière in Piedmont, Quebec in the Laurentian Mountains, north of Montreal, the property is made up of two parcels of land bequeathed to Bird Protection Quebec in October 1981, by a long-standing member, Mr. Alfred Kelly. In 2010, Nature Conservancy Canada (Quebec) purchased an extensive tract of land in the hills between Prévost and Piedmont that borders on the BPQ properties. In 2013, the Quebec government recognised the extended property as the Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve, according it all the protections that the designation entails.

The property owned by Bird Protection Quebec is in two parts. The northernmost part is the site of the Kelly house (now demolished) and has neighbouring residential properties. A short distance south along the road from Piedmont to Prévost is the larger property originally put together by Kelly as his personal nature reserve. Along one side of this forested land is a very tall, sheer rock cliff face that usually has nesting Common Ravens and Peregrine Falcons. In winter the land at the foot of the cliff is used as a sheltered retreat by groups of deer.

The sanctuary is an eBird hotspot. To see the complete list of species which have been reported, go to https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1187943

The original Bird Protection Quebec properties are best observed from along chemin de la Rivière. There are private residences and property bordering on the BPQ land. Visitors should be respectful of the neighbouring properties. Recommended are extensive, well-marked and accessible trails throughout the bordering Alfred Kelly Nature Reserve.

The Legacy of Alfred F. Kelly

Long-time member Alf Kelly had a passion for the preservation of birds and their habitats.

A reserved man who lived alone, he died in 1981. Unexpectedly, he left a significant portion of his estate, including property he owned in Piedmont, in trust to Bird Protection Quebec (or, as Alf knew it, the Province of Quebec Society for the Protection of Birds Inc., our legally registered name.) It is due in large part to the income from Alf’s legacy that BPQ has been able to expand its habitat and conservation work, and its research and education grants program.

The land, apart from the two areas which BPQ has owned since Alf’s death, was purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada; however, the purchase in 2010 was made possible in part by a large grant to the NCC from BPQ. We are partners with them and other local conservation groups in the management and success of this stunning property.