Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
Registered Name: CANADIAN PARKS AND WILDERNESS SOCIETY La Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada
Business No: 106865272RR0001
This organization is designated by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a registered charity. They comply with the CRA's requirements and has been issued a charitable registration number.
CPAWS is a national charity that works collaboratively to protect our country’s amazing natural places and the critters that call them home
About Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change.
With over 60 years of success, we are Canada’s leader in conservation and have played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory! Our vision is that at least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations.
Our Mission
CPAWS advocates for the effective, long-term protection of ecologically- and culturally-significant land, freshwater and ocean areas in Canada. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we achieve our mission through knowledge-based advocacy, and public education and engagement, underpinned by collaboration and partnership.
Read our Strategic Plan to 2025
Conservation across Canada - CPAWS is comprised of 13 community-based offices from Yukon to Newfoundland, and a national office located in Ottawa.
Protecting our public land and water - CPAWS works exclusively on public land and ocean, which makes up 90% of our terrestrial territory and 100% of our ocean.
Safeguarding the integrity of our parks - We help establish new parks and protected areas, and act as a watchdog to ensure existing ones are managed to protect the nature within them.
Working together for a healthier tomorrow - We work collaboratively with all levels of government, Indigenous communities, industry, and other environmental groups to develop innovative conservation solutions.
Improving the management of our lands and waters - We work to advance conservation actions to protect species at risk and their habitat across Canada, and promote the use of nature-based climate solutions that benefit biodiversity and reduce climate change impacts.
60+ years of wilderness protection - Founded in the 1960s, CPAWS has been helping to create new parks and protected areas on land and in the ocean for more than 60 years.
Annual Impact Report
Financial Statements
CPAWS works hard to maximize the proportion of revenue spent on our wilderness work. Our goal is a sustainable financial foundation for our conservation efforts, and sustained protection of Canada’s wilderness.
Each year, our 13 chapters and the national office devote over 70 per cent of its budget to conservation and education, spending less than 15 per cent on fundraising costs.
When leaving a gift to CPAWS, you'll be helping to conserve the magnificent wilderness in Canada forever.
Your gift will help CPAWS influence the protection and effective management of at least 25% of land, freshwater and ocean by 2025 in networks of protected areas; plan for the protection of 30% by 2030 and beyond; and defend other ecologically-significant areas from harm.
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