History

Since its founding in 1963, CPAWS has become a leader in conservation in Canada, and has played a key role in protecting nature across the country. Our 60+ years of success are thanks to the people behind the organization, who bring their expertise, public education and advocacy experience, relationships, and local knowledge to the job, as well as our dedicated donors, supporters, and friends.  

We are experiencing unprecedented impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change, to the degree where they are now two of the top global crises. Each crises exacerbates the other, and both will devastate nature and living conditions for people if left unchecked.  

Over the next years, we hope to inspire a new generation of conservation enthusiasts with a shared vision: permanently protecting at least half of the land, freshwater, and ocean in Canada to sustain nature and people for current and future generations. 

In 2022, Canada adopted the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, protect at least 30% of land and ocean by 2030, and respect and recognize Indigenous rights and leadership. CPAWS is committed to continuing its work with Indigenous Peoples, federal, provincial and territorial governments, and other partners to ensure effective and equitable implementation of this plan in Canada. 

In 2023, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) celebrated our 60^th anniversary. This milestone marked six decades of conservation work by dedicated staff, board members, and volunteers. It was also a time that caused us to think about our past, present and future. When our organization was founded, conservation was undertaken in very different ways, and in a model that inherently excluded the First Nations, Metis and Inuit who had stewarded these lands and waters for millennia. They were not consulted in the decision-making processes, and in many cases, their lands and livelihoods were taken from them. This is the shameful history of our sector, but it’s one that we need to acknowledge if we want to do better now and into the future. 

CPAWS, as an organization, is committed to learning from our past. And while we now work very differently, we are still learning, and we know that to work in a good way means recognizing the leadership of First Nations, Metis and Inuit, and using our resources to support their conservation goals. 

As the journey continues towards achieving this vision, we recognize that the work we do today builds on decades of prior efforts, including those made by Indigenous Peoples. CPAWS is committed to moving forward in the spirit and practice of truth and reconciliation, acknowledging and supporting the essential leadership of the Indigenous stewards who have cared for lands and waters since time immemorial. 

Join our communities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for news, updates, and events at CPAWS. You can also donate today to help make the coming years a pivotal time for nature protection.