The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion will welcome ultramarathoner Anthony Battah on Saturday, July 29, when he visits the region as part of his Ultra-Trail Monarque project.  

The athlete will reach Vaudreuil-Dorion in the late afternoon, where he will stop after the first leg of his journey at Le 405 park, to present his Ultra-Trail Monarque project to the public, a 4,500 km ultramarathon following the same migratory route as the monarchs.

Taking advantage of Mr. Battah's visit, the City will be holding a number of environmental activities at Parc Le 405 from 3 p.m. onwards: insect observation with the company Insectambulant, a seed bomb creation workshop, seed distribution, an information booth on pollinators and much more.

The ultramarathoner's arrival is scheduled for around 4:45 pm. Local runners are also invited to join Mr. Battah on his final kilometers to Le 405 Park. Those interested should meet at 4:30 p.m. at Sabourin Park (next to the Taschereau Bridge), at the entrance to Vaudreuil-Dorion.

"We can only salute Anthony Battah's determination, and I encourage everyone to join us in welcoming him on July 29. In addition to the physical challenge that awaits him over the coming months, he is undertaking this ultra-trail to defend his convictions and promote the cause he holds dear to his heart. Hats off to Mr. Battah," says Mayor Guy Pilon.

The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion has been certified a Monarch-Friendly City by the David Suzuki Foundation since 2021. It has adopted an action plan for the protection of pollinators that includes, among other things, the creation of gardens conducive to the monarch butterfly, the ecological control of vegetation on city property, the reforestation of public spaces and the organization of events such as the horticultural fair.

"The monarch butterfly is an emblematic species of North America. Like all pollinators, it plays an essential role in biodiversity. Unfortunately, its population has fallen by over 90% in the last 20 years. When Mr. Battah approached us, the municipal council did not hesitate to support his Ultra-Trail Monarque project by passing a resolution to that effect. And we're delighted to welcome him to Vaudreuil-Dorion on July 29," explains Oriana Farina, head of the environment section at the Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion.

Mr. Battah's goal is to raise $1 per metre walked, i.e. $4.5 million, to be donated to organizations recognized for their mission to protect the monarch butterfly and its habitat. Full details of Anthony Battah's Monarch Ultra-Trail and its fundraising campaign can be found at ultratrailmonarque.com.

For more information on monarchs and pollinators, residents are invited to consult the Environment section of the Town's website, or contact the Environment Section at [email protected] or 450-455-3371, option 1.