Normand Huberdeau Groupe NH photographes
Prévost, September 24, 2025 – Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ) and the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund are the winners of the 2025 Tourism Excellence Award (Prix excellence tourisme) in the Sustainable Development – Network category. This is an award presented by the Ministère du Tourisme and delivered by the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec.
Five years ago, AEQ launched the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund with the help of member businesses who dared to believe in it. Since then, a total of $1.2 million has been invested in 27 nature protection and climate action projects in Quebec. Examples of the fund’s positive impact abound: donations helped protect 282 hectares of land, preserve the habitats of 60 species in precarious situations and educate 22,000 students about climate issues!
The fund has also enabled AEQ to support the socioecological transition in the adventure tourism and ecotourism sector. To date, over 215 member businesses have benefited from AEQ’s support on their path toward sustainable development.
“The landscapes and ecosystems that we live in, walk through, boat in, climb and ski on represent a valuable tourism asset for Quebec. We are convinced that protecting nature is not a constraint but an investment for the future, and that tourism can support environmental awareness.”
— Pierre Gaudreault, Executive Director of Aventure Écotourisme Québec
AEQ wishes to thank the businesses that have committed to the Fund over the years. The businesses in bold (below) are those that have been committed since the Fund’s inception in 2020.
Aventures Archipel, Contact Nature, Ekilib – Le monde à vélo, Fjord en kayak, Karavaniers, KSF, La Navette Nature, Tyroparc, Vallée Bras-du-Nord, Alpha Premium, Attitude Montagne, Authentik Canada, Aventure Rose des vents, Camping Au jardin de mon père, Cime Aventure, Club nautique de voile Sansoucy, Descente Malbaie, Kinadapt, La Liberté Nord-Sud, La Cime, Les Refuges perchés, Locapaq, Matapédia Nature Aventure, Noryak Aventures, Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux, Parcours Aventures, Passion Escalade, POP Spirit, Progression Kite, Quatre Natures, Rafting Momentum, Rafting Montréal, Rafting Nouveau Monde, Repère, Rivière Concept, Saguenay Aventures, Trail Sentinel, Voile Mercator, York Expédition
About the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund
The 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund is coordinated by Aventure Écotourisme Québec under a unique partnership with the 1% for the Planet global network. AEQ member businesses voluntarily donate 1% of their turnover to the fund. The proceeds are administered by a management committee, composed of representatives from the donating businesses and from civil society, and then awarded to Quebec non-profit organizations. The committee’s decision-making process is guided by a sustainable development expert. To find out more, visit fondspleinair.ca.
Left to right on the image: Benjamin Ferreira, Hearts & Science (jury member); Pierre Gaudreault, Executive Director of AEQ; Andréanne Ouellet, Executive Director of Saguenay Aventures (a business committed to the Fund); Jean-Michel Hébert, President of AEQ; Stéphane Jeannerot, Director of Development at AEQ.
