Ms. Lachance has a bachelor's degree in biology with a concentration in animal ecology at Laval University (2014), as well as a research master's degree in biology at the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (2017). Her research project focused on developing a systematic planning approach to wetland and waterfowl conservation through a case study in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Her expertise was taken up as a consultant by the Protected Areas Department of the Quebec Ministry of the Environment in order to develop an approach to identify the areas of interest for conservation in connection with the expansion of the network of protected areas currently in the territory of the « Plan Nord ». The main objective was to reconcile ecological, economic and social issues for a coveted territory.
Ms. Lachance took part in the development of several decision support tools based on existing geomatic data to allow the classification of terrestrial and aquatic habitats across the province of Quebec. Among these achievements, she collaborated with Ducks Unlimited Canada to update a wetland classification method (from the Quebec Ministry of Forest eco-forest map) and she worked with the Quebec Ministry of the Environment to create a new classification of terrestrial ecosystems (from data from three separate inventories).
In recent years, Ms. Lachance has participated in several committees, round tables and public consultations. These experiences have led her to collaborate with various representatives of Aboriginal communities, government entities, private industries and for-profit and non-profit organizations. More recently, she met the tallymen of the Cree community of Mistissini to discuss their concerns regarding the exploitation of the Renard mine on their hunting ground.
Ms. Lachance's versatility gives her a critical eye in order to optimize the environmental aspect of major projects. Ms. Lachance is familiar with the regulatory framework in force and will be able to make the right recommendations when making decisions.
