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The Dumoine River drains a remarkable wild watershed in southwestern Quebec. Its headwaters lie in the boreal forest landscape of La Vérendrye wildlife reserve and it ultimately flows into the Ottawa River about 200 kilometers upstream from Ottawa/Gatineau.
The Dumoine is…
• The last undammed wild river in southern Quebec.
• The largest area of unfragmented southern boreal forest in Quebec
• A renowned wilderness paddling destination
• A continentally significant wildlife corridor, protecting a critical link from
La Vérendrye wildlife reserve in the north to Algonquin Park, which in turn links to Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) corridor to the Appalachian Mountains to the south.
The opportunity to create a large protected area in this basin exists under the Quebec Strategy on Protected Areas (SQAP). The Ottawa Valley chapter of CPAWS has concrete goals for long-term protection of the Dumoine River and its expertise is based on field work experience and strong land protection in western Quebec and Eastern Ontario. The protection of Dumoine is a priority for CPAWS.
The Dumoine River 'in paint' 2008-present:
In 2008 I began to create the first series of paintings to artistically document the natural beauty of Dumoine River...
It began on a rugged logging road, heading to a friend's camp on Lac La Forge . Actually, I'm not even sure it was a road!
I had heard of Dumoine for years and these things they called "alligator tugs" yet it was my first trip. After several hours of what I would call an exhilarating 30 km drive, I walked through the dense bush onto a white sand beach and was in awe! Every time I go back I feel the same way!
I felt early in my artistic career the "artist" if given opportunity should give back to the subject of the artwork. For the Dumoine River 'in paint' my subject is the Dumoine and, it's preservation has become important to me.
The Dumoine River is 129 km from source to mouth. Dumoine has strong current, 30 sets of rapids, and development along the river is sparse. The Dumoine valley has a significant history from the native Indian era to exploration, fur trading, and logging. Rich in history the Dumoine is a wilderness that escalates from serene and tranquil shores, to the exhilaration of rushing rapids. My hope is to capture the rivers beauty and vitality, through the experiences and paintings.
Through the work created I can provide valued information to raise public awareness of the Dumoine River and its need for preservation and protection, along with the beauty of Canadian landscape art.
In 2009 I began working in collaboration with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Ottawa Valley to assist in raising awareness of the CPAWS Dumoine River Campaign.
Material supports for my portions of my trips have been generously provided by Trailhead Adventure Sports and last but not least my great friends who all are avid fishermen who are the best guides for an artist such as myself.
I donate a percentage of the sale of my original Dumoine artwork to CPAWS in support of campaigns to preserve special places like the Dumoine. It is my aim to leave a lasting artistic interpretation of the Dumoine River for present and future generations.
Recent Achievements
CPAWS-OV is working to ensure that a protected area is established in the majority of the 4400 sq. km. Dumoine watershed, and that any forestry operations taking place in the remainder of the watershed are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Over the last few years, the movement to protect the Dumoine River watershed as been stronger than ever, we are now looking at establishing a core protected area which encompasses the majority of the watershed and encouraging forestry certification in the remaining part. Concerned citizens have been trying to raise awareness to preserve this wonder of southern Quebec for over 75 years….
For more information visit: www.cpaws-ov-vo.org
Support for Shelley's series have be provided by the following:
  
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