Phase 1: Taking Care of Our Destination Together 2023-2024

From Nov 23, 2024 to Jan 15, 2025, the Corporation de développement économique de Sutton (CDES) and the Corporation d’employabilité et de développement économique communautaire (CEDEC) surveyed 339 visitors to learn about their views on sustainable tourism in Sutton.

Key Findings:

• Strong attachment to the region’s natural heritage, support for the local economy, and growing interest in eco-friendly practices
• Nature and outdoor activities are the top reasons people visit Sutton
• Over 45% of respondents consider sustainable tourism “very important,” and 80% rate it as at least “somewhat important”
• Top priorities include protecting landscapes, promoting local products, and improving eco-friendly infrastructure (e.g. recycling, active transportation, EV charging stations)
• 88% of respondents were unaware of existing sustainable tourism initiatives in Sutton—highlighting a clear need for better communication; many expressed interest in digital guides or interactive tools
• Suggestions included: more cultural events, clearer signage, a wider range of year-round activities, better access via collective transportation, reduced plastic use, greater support for local artists, and stronger recognition of local heritage

This survey is an important tool to guide our next steps and confirms our shared vision of making Sutton a sustainable, inclusive destination. Thank you to all who participated

On September 28–29, 2024, as part of the Journées de la culture, the CDES hosted the Vitrine event at D’Arts et de rêves. This event showcased the outcomes of the “Taking Care of Our Destination Together” initiative and invited the public to actively participate in co-designing a future sustainable community trail.

Visitors explored a self-guided exhibit featuring key project milestones, ideas from the June 12 prototyping workshops, and preliminary trail design proposals. They were also invited to provide feedback and complete a short survey. We were thrilled with the public’s response—116 people participated, and 99% said they would enthusiastically recommend the future trail to friends and visitors.

Under the direction of artist Marek Latzmann, participants helped create a large-scale beaver lodge installation, symbolizing the importance of collective creation. Fred Nony’s charming illustrations were especially inspiring, sparking many meaningful interactions through their playful and visual approach.

The participatory process revealed strong enthusiasm for local history, toponymy, access to water, nature conservation, and inclusive and interpretive installations. The event confirmed the project’s relevance and the community’s keen interest in a trail rooted in the region’s values.

In spring and summer 2024, the Taking Care of Our Destination Together project made significant progress through a series of inclusive, participatory activities. These gatherings brought together residents, partners, artists, experts, and organizations to collaboratively shape a shared vision for Sutton’s future sustainable trail.

• Community mapping sessions held over two meetings engaged 34 participants, including representatives from 17 local organizations, to identify meaningful places, values, and themes for a cultural, ecological, and accessible trail. With guidance from environmental, urban planning, and facilitation experts, we laid the foundation for a detailed project brief. Participation and quality of proposals exceeded expectations.
• At the CDES AGM, a project presentation attracted a large audience and sparked about fifteen insightful questions, helping clarify objectives and strengthening local support for the initiative.
• On June 12, prototyping workshops enabled participants to transform their ideas into inspiring sketches with the creative support of Fred Nony and Aza Lussier. These prototypes were later refined and showcased at the Vitrine event.
• Finally, a consultation visit to Odanak opened new pathways for collaboration with the W8banaki Nation, particularly around archaeological studies and the promotion of Indigenous heritage. Strong interest in cultural collaboration was also evident through high participation in the Ashukan training session.

On March 21, 2024, the CDES held a public event to spotlight six potential trail initiatives in Sutton, led by community groups, citizens, and local organizations, with a focus on active mobility.

More than 120 people attended. The event featured presentations by representatives from the Sutton Environment Park (PENS), Plein air Sutton/MTB, the Parc Godue project, the Village Sutton Trail Group, the Sutton–Lac Brome project, and the CDES—each showcasing projects at various stages of development.

The event was a great success, generating enthusiasm and strengthening collaboration among project leaders. It was part of the Taking Care of Our Destination Together initiative.

Video links to the presentations from Trail Night:

Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton (PENS)

Plein air Sutton /MTB

Projet Parc Godue

Sentier multifonctionnel Sutton-Lac Brome

Groupe Sentiers Village Sutton

Sutton comes together for local, sustainable, “slow tourism” with $250,000 in grant funding

The Sutton community is mobilizing for a local, sustainable, and slow tourism thanks to a $250,000 grant. The CDES received this funding through the Destination durable et action concertée program, administered by the Fonds d’action québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD). This initiative is part of Quebec’s 2030 Plan for a Green Economy and 2020–2025 Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism.

Link to press release