Science is at the heart of our mission
Plan a research project
Requesting a research permit
You must request a research permit before starting your fieldwork.
To apply:
- Fill out the Research Permit Application
- If you wish to stay overnight, please also fill the Lodging Form
Once your request is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the Reserve. We will be in touch by email with more information.
Access to data
- For more information on Mont Saint-Hilaire's biodiversity, consult our species lists.
- For scientific data please contact us at science@reservegault.ca.
Bibliography of past research
Consult the list of publications to know more about past research taking place at Gault Nature Reserve.
Gault Research Awards
Gault Nature Reserve takes pride in supporting research endeavors. Research projects offer a rewarding experience and serve as a significant stepping stone for the academic and professional growth of students.
Quantifying the form and function of aquatic plants in Southern Quebec
Lindsay Trottier, Ph.D.
Supervisors: Prof. Lars Iversen
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Lake Hertel (Gault Nature Reserve) and Lake Memphrémagog (Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Conservancy)
Projects funded by the Gault Research Awards
Adaptation to Multiple Simultaneous Stressors in Freshwater Bacterioplankton
Akhil Sanjay Kholwadwala, Ph.D.
Supervisors: Prof. Rowan Barrett and Prof. Jesse Shapiro
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2023
Research area: Large Experimental Array of Ponds
A Case Study on Ticks and Lyme Disease: Exploring the Impacts of Humans on Wildlife, Ecosystem Health and Disease Risk.
Kari Hollett, M.Sc.
Supervisor: Prof. Virginie Millien
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2021
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve
Monitoring the Effects of Herbicides on Bacterioplankton
Emma Derrick, M.Sc.
Supervisor: Prof. Jesse Shapiro
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2022
Research area: LEAP
Using Drones and Thermal Imagery to Estimate White-Tailed Deer Overpopulation on Mont Saint-Hilaire
Savannah Bissegger O'Connor, B.Sc.
Supervisors: Dr. Tim Elrick and Prof. Jeffrey Cardille
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2021
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve
Assessing the Impact of Surrounding Microbial Community Interactions on Rhizobium Following Herbicide Stress
Maxime Guglielmetti, B.Sc.
Supervisor: Prof. Rowan Barrett
Affiliation: McGill University
Start date: 2022
Research area: LEAP
The Effect of Contaminants on Mercury Buildup in Aquatic Food Webs
Maude Lachapelle, Ph.D.
Supervisors: Prof. Irene Gregory-Eaves et Dr. Zofia Taranu
Affiliation: McGill University and Environment and Climate Change Canada
Start date: 2021
Research area: Lac Hertel
Finding Common Ground: How Hikers Influence White-Tailed Deer Space-Use Patterns in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Frédérique Truchon, M.Sc.
Supervisors: Prof. Virginie Millien and Prof. Martin-Hugues Saint-Laurent
Affiliation: McGill University and Université du Québec à Rimouski
Start date: 2018
Research area: Gault Nature Reserve
The Gault Research Awards program funds projects at Gault Nature Reserve (Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC) or at the Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Conservation (Lac Memphrémagog, QC).
For more information regarding application deadlines, project development, or to confirm eligibility and relevance, please reach out to us at: science@reservegault.ca.
Research equipment
The special nature of the mountain, its rich scientific history, its proximity to Montreal, its accommodations and its teaching and research facilities make it an exceptional venue for academic and scientific activities.
Adaptable Earth Observation System (AEOS) Laboratory
Inaugurated in 2022, the Adaptable Earth Observation System (AEOS) serves as a laboratory for advanced ecological and meteorological research. Learn more.
Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP)
Inaugurated in 2016, the Large Experimental Array of Ponds (LEAP) at Gault Nature Reserve consists of 96 “ponds”, which can be filled with water from Lac Hertel to conduct mesocosm experiments. Learn more.
Stearn teaching laboratory
This laboratory is dedicated to field courses. It was once known at the Stearn Lithological Library. McGill University researchers used it to preserve rock and mineral samples.
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.
Lac Hertel Mesocosms
An experimental dock used to study aquatic communities. It can contain up to 32 replicates (mesocosms), enabling environmental conditions manipulation without adverse impacts on the natural ecosystem. Learn more.
Fleet of research boats
Gault offers a fleet of boats for aquatic studies and data collection. Oars and electric motors are provided, as well as life vests.
Network of white-tailed deer exclosures
Since 2006, numerous exclosures have been built on Mont Saint-Hilaire. These fenced areas allow for the study of vegetation response to white-tailed deer browsing. Each exclosure is paired with a control plot of the same size. Learn more.
Biological Observation Buoy (BOB)
This buoy takes continuous measures of environmental variables in Lac Hertel water column (temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, turbidity, etc.) Learn more.
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.
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.
Want to learn more about our infrastructures before applying for a research permit? Contact us at science@reservegault.ca.
Recent research projects
Each year, numerous scientists and students explore Mont Saint-Hilaire, contributing to our understanding of its ecosystems.
