Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society News

Environmental groups suspend further work with Resolute under Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement

2013-05-21T16:39:59+00:00

Commitment to ongoing work with other forestry companies remains strong

On the third anniversary of the signing of the historic Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement (CBFA), environmental signatories are suspending further work with Resolute Forest Products. We remain committed to continuing our work with other signatory companies to plan for protection of critical Boreal woodland caribou habitat and sustainable forest management practices.

The Spectacular North! Special presentations on Thaidene Nene - the Land of the Ancestors

2013-04-25T18:32:37+00:00

The Lutsel’Ke Dene First Nation and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society are pleased to invite you to join us for special presentations in Calgary and Ottawa about an incredible proposed protected area in the Northwest Territories: Thaidene Nene (the Land of the Ancestors). Come and learn about this magnificent, large and bountiful land around and beyond the East Arm of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories.

Meet elders and others from the Dene community at the heart of this intact wilderness. Have the chance to learn about Dene culture.

Find out how you can help make this unique conservation opportunity a reality by lending your voice.

Call for nominations for the J.B. Harkin Conservation Award 2013

2013-04-18T15:25:21+00:00

Who do you think deserves national recognition for their contribution to the conservation of Canada’s parks and wilderness? Let us know!

2013 - CPAWS’ 50th Anniversary

Since 2013 is a special year, the J. B. Harkin award this year will focus on life-long conservation efforts, nationally or regionally, in long-term association with CPAWS. Association with CPAWS is intentionally broad in interpretation, including financial, staff or volunteer links.

The Big Wild Challenge: It’s back!

2013-03-27T18:36:01+00:00

Planning a summer trip into the great outdoors? Want to help protect the nature you love? Well stop right there – and get ready to register your trip as a Big Wild Challenge!

We’re inviting nature lovers from across the country to dedicate your next outdoor adventure – whether for a day, a week, or longer – to conserving Canada’s wilderness. This is a unique way for you to help protect Canada’s amazing wilderness, and have a great time doing it.

Once you register trip as a Big Wild Challenge you can invite friends and family to support your adventure with a donation to CPAWS – Canada’s leading public wilderness conservation organization – right from your own web page.

There will be great prizes for participation, donated by Mountain Equipment Co-op!

Stay tuned for registration, opening mid-May!

CPAWS seeks commitment to conservation as devolution of powers to Northwest Territories advances

2013-03-11T17:31:30+00:00

Yellowknife - In anticipation of this afternoon’s announcement on the devolution of powers from the federal government to the NWT, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is seeking assurances that the territorial government (GNWT) will continue efforts to protect ecologically and culturally important lands and waters through the NWT Protected Areas Strategy.

“As it takes on more government powers over the next few years and develops a land-use framework, we are looking to the GNWT to commit to a path of sustainable development that balances economic development opportunities with the protection of important cultural and ecological values,” said Kris Brekke, CPAWS - NWT chapter executive director.

Read the full release on CPAWS-NWT's website here.

CPAWS welcomes new protected areas for Nova Scotia

2013-02-28T21:41:31+00:00

HALIFAX – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) welcomes today’s announcement by the Nova Scotia government that it will significantly expand the provincial protected areas system. In total, an additional 241,010 hectares of land is proposed for protection, creating 44 new protected wilderness areas, 120 new nature reserves, and 4 new provincial parks. Additionally, several existing protected areas will be expanded, including 32 wilderness areas, 10 nature reserves, and 12 provincial parks.

CPAWS welcomes Okanagan Nation Alliance’s support for a national park in South Okanagan-Similkameen

2013-02-26T20:54:07+00:00

Vancouver – Earlier today, the Okanagan Nation Alliance and its South Okanagan bands announced support for establishing a national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region, a critically threatened landscape that is home to 57 endangered species. This announcement follows completion of a comprehensive, two year feasibility study conducted by the Alliance, which concluded that the creation of the park will significantly benefit their communities. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is encouraged by this announcement by the Okanagan Nation and its bands.

CPAWS submits comments on proposed Parks Canada fee increases

2013-02-18T15:56:11+00:00

In response to Parks Canada’s public consultation this winter on proposed fee increases for users, CPAWS is recommending that the federal government not increase fees for "Learn to Camp" and other heritage presentation programs. In CPAWS’ submission, we state that “these are key programs that will enable Parks Canada to introduce more Canadians to the benefits of experiencing wild nature, and help nurture a constiuency of nature lovers who will appreciate and support our parks system into the future.”

Click here to view CPAWS’ full submission to Parks Canada.

CPAWS welcomes legislation for Sable Island National Park, but oil and gas allowances worrisome

2013-02-12T16:51:38+00:00

HALIFAX – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) welcomes today’s announcement that the federal government has introduced legislation in the Senate to formally protect Sable Island National Park Reserve under the Canada National Parks Act.

“Sable Island is a national treasure,” says Jennifer Smith, Outreach Coordinator for CPAWS Nova Scotia. “We’re pleased that we’ve reached the final stage of providing long term legal protection for this iconic wilderness.”

Canada falls further behind world leaders in marine protection: CPAWS Report

2013-01-21T12:52:11+00:00

Ottawa -- Canada has made limited gains over the past 18 months in protecting our coastal waters, with the federal government and other levels moving at too slow a pace to meet the challenge issued by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) to protect 12 special marine areas by December 2012.