Restoring the rivière à Mars: A Community-Driven Project for the Region

This year, through our pro bono policy*, Transfert had the privilege of supporting Contact Nature in a community-led process to restore the hydromorphology of the rivière à Mars, an emblematic ecosystem in the Saguenay region.

Carried out between November 2024 and May 2025, the project culminated in a participatory workshop held in January 2025, bringing together residents and key stakeholders.

The workshop had three goals:

  1. To share the results of hydromorphological and social acceptability studies;
  2. To collect participants’ feedback on the restoration plan;
  3. To identify ways to improve it so the project truly meets community needs and remains sustainable over time.

Transfert played a central role in the project’s success, thanks to our colleague Marc-Olivier Fortin’s involvement. Ahead of the workshop, our team helped design communication tools, provided strategic advice, and guided the client through event planning. During the workshop, we facilitated the discussions and created a space for listening, reflection, and co-creation.

Afterwards, we produced a report summarizing the concerns raised, the strengths and weaknesses of the plan, and key recommendations for the next steps.

The Transfert Effect

Our contribution gave Contact Nature a clear and structured external perspective to guide the next phases of the project. The Transfert effect could be felt at every step: a well-prepared client team, a smooth and engaging workshop, thorough documentation, and above all, a clear strategic vision to ensure the project’s long-term success.

This project reflects our commitment to putting our expertise at the service of meaningful causes, guided by social responsibility and the power of dialogue.

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*About Our Pro Bono Policy

To make our team’s skills accessible to organizations and groups that need them most, Transfert has adopted a pro bono policy.

Through this initiative, we share our expertise free of charge with selected partners whose mission align with ours. Our pro bono support takes different forms depending on each project’s needs but always stays true to our values and areas of expertise.

We prioritize collaborations with:
• Non-profit organizations working to protect the environment
• Groups from or working with indigenous communities

Would your organization benefit from our support? Please, submit your project proposal by filling out this form.