Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

Description

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, known as CPAWS, is Canada’s only charity dedicated to protecting public land, freshwater and ocean areas. It was founded in 1963, originally as the National and Provincial Parks Association, and has chapters across every province and territory.

CPAWS advocates for the long-term protection of ecologically and culturally significant areas, working in ways that respect the sovereignty of Indigenous nations. It combines knowledge-based advocacy with public education, engagement and partnership to influence conservation policy. Its vision is to see at least half of Canada’s land, freshwater and ocean permanently protected.

The organization works exclusively on public land and ocean, which covers most of Canada’s territory and all of its ocean. It helps establish new parks and protected areas and acts as a watchdog to ensure existing ones are properly managed. It also works on protecting species at risk and promoting nature-based solutions to climate change.

CPAWS is made up of 13 community-based offices from Yukon to Newfoundland along with a national office in Ottawa. It collaborates with governments at all levels, Indigenous communities, industry and other environmental groups on conservation solutions.