Teaching and research are essential activities at the Gault Nature Reserve. The first scientific studies at the site date back to 1859. Famous scientists such as Sir John W. Dawson, T. Sterry Hunt and Brother Marie-Victorin have explored the vast forests of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Today there are over 400 scientific articles, nearly 100 graduate and postgraduate theses, more than 50 reports, and approximately 30 chapters or books that have focused on Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Mont Saint-Hilaire has a worldwide reputation for the diversity of its minerals as well as that of its flora and fauna. The mountain is also covered by an old-growth forest that has never been cut since the European colonization.
The exceptional nature of the mountain, its rich scientific history, its proximity to Montreal, its accommodations, as well as its teaching and research facilities make it an exceptional venue for academic and scientific activities.
Bibliography
Complete bibliography
The first scientific studies at the site date back to 1859. Famous scientists such as Sir John W. Dawson, T. Sterry Hunt and Brother Marie-Victorin have explored the vast forests of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Today there are over 400 scientific articles, nearly 100 graduate and postgraduate theses, more than 50 reports, and approximately 30 chapters or books that have focused on Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Research projects
The Gault Nature Reserve provides a living laboratory for university students. Field studies are a rewarding experience in the academic process and an essential complement to the classroom.
Courses available
Teaching thrives at the Gault Nature Reserve. Classes are lively and students can acquire practical and theoretical skills in various fields of study.
Ecology and Behaviour
Ecology and Behaviour
BIOL 331 — 3
Biology (Sci): Field course in methods of sampling natural populations.Testing hypotheses in nature.
Research equipment
The Gault Nature Reserve has a lot to offer to researchers and students. In addition to our wet lab and our classroom, you can also use our rowboat, pontoon, and the following facilities :

Lac Hertel Mesocosms
An experimental dock used to study phytoplankton communities links observational field studies and controlled laboratory experiments. It can contain up to 32 replicates (mesocosms), enabling environmental conditions manipulation without adverse impacts on the natural ecosystem.

Dome
Experimental pond (6.5 m in diameter and 2 m deep) covered by a geodesic dome for environmental control. This infrastructure enhances the ecological realism of our experiments while retaining very high levels of control and replication.

Hydrology lab
This laboratory was the old chlorination station for the RIEVR (Régie Intermunicipale de l'Eau de la Vallée du Richelieu). It provides direct access to water from Lac Hertel.

Weather stations
The Gault Nature Reserve contains a network of autonomous weather stations that continuously monitor environmental conditions in the forest ecosystem. These weather stations are linked via radio to a central server that records and stores the information.

Stearn teaching laboratory
This laboratory was once the old Stearn Lithological Library, used to preserve rock samples collected by McGill University researchers.Today this space is a teaching lab.
Summer work experience
The Gault Nature Reserve depends on the work of the next generations to fulfill its mission. We, therefore, welcome several McGill University students at the Reserve every summer. This experience is an opportunity for these students to develop conservation, research, customer service, and natural habitat management skills.
If you want to inspire future scientists and help other students have a rewarding experience, you can support McGill University’s Gault Nature Reserve.