Mer Bleue

Mer Bleue is a massive 3,500-hectare peat bog and conservation area located near Ottawa, Ontario. It resembles a northern boreal landscape but is situated surprisingly close to an urban center.

The wetland was officially designated as a Ramsar site of international importance in 1995. This status helps protect the bog's unique ecosystem and ensures continuous conservation efforts by local authorities.

Yes, the conservation area features a boardwalk trail that allows visitors to walk directly over the sensitive peat moss without damaging it. It is a popular spot for hiking and observing unique flora, like Labrador tea and black spruce.

Despite being in southern Canada, the bog supports vegetation typically found much further north, such as Arctic cotton and blueberries. The highly acidic water slows down decomposition, allowing dead plants to accumulate as deep peat over thousands of years.