“Come on, commies,” says Annie Cloutier, as 12 sheep disembark from a trailer to sink their teeth into clover and dandelions.
” What an adventure ! », exclaims the woman who is one of the leaders of the Biquette ecopâturage organization.
The scene is as touching as it is unusual: we are not in the middle of a field, but at Armand-Bombardier Park in the Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles district. “It’s the pleasure of having the countryside in the city,” volunteer Mathieu Ménard couldn’t better illustrate.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The very moment the sheep arrive at Armand-Bombardier Park.
Increasingly known to Montrealers, the Biquette sheep arrived in Montreal on Tuesday morning after leaving the Berthe-Rousseau farm, in South Durham, in the Eastern Townships.
It was the first time that Denis Rondeau transported farm animals to the island of Montreal. He will return at the end of June to move the herd to Maisonneuve Park, where Biquette has had his “den” for several summers (with chickens and a vegetable garden).
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Denis Rondeau had the task of driving the sheep from Durham-Sud to Montreal.
Sheep are not just a source of pleasure. By grazing and ruminating, the animals produce eco-grazing. In other words, they are an ecological alternative to lawn mowers for maintaining green spaces.
Ecograzing crushes the soil less than mowers and fertilizes it. It’s less noisy for the birds.
Mathieu Ménard, volunteer
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Tall grass in less busy areas of a park keeps the temperature lower than a closely shaven lawn.
Volunteers loyal to the post
The approximately 150 volunteers from Biquette take turns at the park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. With their shepherd’s staff or a broom, they ensure that the sheep stay together and ensure their well-being. They also take care of the maintenance of the sheepfold and its supply of hay during the night.
Michel Brisson has been volunteering for around ten years, particularly in food banks. “Just to keep busy,” says the retired man.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
It was a first experience with sheep for volunteer Michel Brisson.
I never thought I would one day take care of sheep.
Michel Brisson, volunteer
Last Monday evening, Michel had training, and less than 24 hours later, he was surrounded by curly heads at Armand-Bombardier Park. “When you volunteer, you have to be open-minded. It was my boyfriend Richard who said to me: “Would you come and look after sheep? ” »
“It’s zen,” Richard rightly praises. It’s beautiful to see people stop and see that the sheep make their day special. »
Mathieu Ménard still remembers the first time he saw Biquette’s sheep at Maisonneuve Park.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The Madrid sheep happily let himself be petted by volunteer Mathieu Ménard.
It’s improbable and magical to share with other people the wonder of coming across sheep in the city.
Mathieu Ménard, volunteer
As a volunteer, he enjoys educating curious people about eco-grazing and enjoys calming contact with animals. “We get to know the sheep with their little personalities,” he explains.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
It’s the nature of sheep to stay together.
Like many volunteers and employees of Biquette, Charlotte Leclerc became one by chance, along the way for a course at CEGEP Maisonneuve. When she saw the sheep, she had a sort of revelation. She spent the rest of the day and the next day with them. Today she is one of the responsible shepherdesses.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Charlotte Leclerc is particularly close to Chalette, the “eldest” of the herd who is the mother of Madrid and the grandmother of Cécile and Agnès.
A researcher by trade, Annie Cloutier suggested that her daughter become a volunteer for Biquette before lending a hand in turn. One thing led to another and she became a key employee of Biquette and a true urban farmer! “A great attachment was created towards the team and the sheep,” says the woman with a big heart.
You should know that the sheep belong to the founder of Biquette Marie-Ève Julien-Denis, but that the latter suffers from farmer’s lung disease.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Annie Cloutier is one of those responsible for Biquette ecopasturage, whose sheep have become a summer tradition at Maisonneuve Park.
Calling all: the Biquette team is looking for a farm – ideally in Greater Montreal – where the sheep could spend the winter. This would be more convenient for the volunteers who continue to take care of it. And the NPO could organize educational and school visits whose income would make it possible to sustain its existence.
All districts and institutions that have large plots of land to maintain can ask Biquette if his sheep can spend time there. There is also talk of research projects with students, adds Annie Cloutier.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Surprise: a fox!
Please note that you can support the activities of Biquette ecopasturage by purchasing “Granu-laines”, or fertilizer manufactured by Les Laines Finn D’Or, a breeder and wool producer located near Sherbrooke. Biquette gives him some of his wool and the soiled and poor quality wool is used to make fertilizer.
“Granu-wools contain more nitrogen than chicken manure,” emphasizes Annie Cloutier.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
The mobile sheepfold was delivered by electric truck: thanks to FFC Électrique for the sponsorship.
Finally, Annie Cloutier invites the public to take part in the free activities that will take place at Armand-Bombardier Park. These include an introductory wool spinning workshop on May 25, outdoor yoga and a knitting activity.
And when will the sheep arrive at Maisonneuve Park? June 25.
Visit the Biquette ecopasturage website