Water Maze Takes Cues from Beavers

Discover an extraordinary world in the heart of the Outaouais, just 30 minutes from Gatineau and Ottawa. This is an ecotourism activity for the young and the young at heart.

Eco-Odyssée is a water labyrinth located on an enchanting site just minutes from Wakefield. It is over six kilometres (3.75 miles) long with 60 intersections and is a fun and educational experience taking you through the adventure and magic of the marsh, comfortably seated in a pedal boat. As you make your way through the labyrinth, you get to know the different species of animals and plants that live in the marsh and enjoy the calm of memorable encounters in an oasis of green.

During the excursion, visitors encounter animal replicas and other installations to help guide them through the labyrinth, learn more about the ecosystem of the marsh and share the biodiversity of an environment that is normally inaccessible and little known to humans.

The Origin of Eco-Odyssée
Above all, Michel Leclair is passionate about nature. Michel has spent his life working in the forest and calls animals, trees and natural phenomena his colleagues. Following his experience as an Animal Conservation Officer in Gatineau Park, Michel started his own business, "Wild Animal S.O.S.", in which the principal goal was to manage the beaver population, as well as the beaver habitat & the marsh.

Having almost disappeared from its natural habitat in the last century, the beaver came back to the North American continent in full force, bringing with it several advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, dams built by the beavers promote the development of marshes, which are home to rich and diverse animal and plant life. On the other hand, these dams can flood the agricultural lands and wooded areas, along with forest and municipal roads and pathways, and when they collapse, the water that escapes can destroy everything its path, causing significant financial losses.

One question remains to be answered: Can we cohabitate with the beaver, or should it be eliminated? For Michel Leclair, the answer is obvious. Human beings can cohabitate with this animal, but in order for this to occur, we must properly manage its habitat. Over time, Michel developed an unmated expertise in managing the beaver and its habitat. Today, he is proud to be known as an expert in his field. Gatineau Park contains more than 152 beaver dams spread over 360km², and more than 200 devices to check water levels. These devices help to limit the negative impacts that the beaver can have on the human way of life.

The Eco-Odyssée Concept
In 1997, Michel Leclair developed the idea of sharing his precious knowledge on the beaver and its habitat following the purchase of his vast property in Wakefield. The concept of the water maze came to him from the beavers that he worked alongside for 25 years; the beaver, upon settling in a habitat, digs a network of underwater canals that are similar to a labyrinth. This network allows it to move around throughout the entire year in order to find food and wood in order to build dams.

So what does one do with 70 acres of land? A vast water maze with an interwoven canal system to allow those who wish to discover, in true beaver fashion, the richness of the marsh environment. During your paddle boat journey through the marsh, you will experience the environment from a perspective similar to that of a beaver. In fact, aboard the paddle boat, you will be just above the waters surface, which will focus your field of vision to the labyrinths edges, putting you directly in contact with the plants and wildlife located there. In addition, thanks to the dams build by the beavers, the water level in the maze is controlled. With the table set, all that remained, with the help of family and friends, was to refine the elements that would give birth to the Eco-Odyssée project.

The Development of Eco-Odyssée
The development of the maze project began in 2002, and continued over 5 years. 2007 was a monumental year for Eco-Odyssée. The installation of the labyrinth as well as the planning and development of different adventures led to a month of trial runs with the public. The originality of the concept, the relaxation, and the beauty of the environment charmed the participants, and this positive feedback allowed Eco-Odyssée to take off.

Eco-Odyssée is, first and foremost, a vast water labyrinth comprising 64 intersections spread out over more than 6,4 km. By paddle boat, visitors can discover the labyrinth and learn about the rich diversity of plant and wildlife living there.

Eco-Odyssée is also an ecotourism venture. The purpose of ecotourism is to promote the discovery of animal and plantlife while respecting the environment and ecosystems. As a general rule, ecotourism activities aim to be both educational and interpretive, and we kept this in mind while designing our adventures. The process of completing the adventures allows participants to develop their knowledge of nature and promotes the existence of a healthy relationship between humans and the environment.

In 2008, Eco-Odyssée celebrates its official opening to the general public. Experience a journey by paddle boat that will allow you to discover the wonderful water maze and enjoy the marsh's splendor!

www.eco-odyssee.ca