Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) was founded in 1963 to help protect Canada
's wilderness. Named in the Top 10 Canadian organization in 2007 , CPAWS has a membership of nearly 15,000, and 13 local chapters across Canada.
The Boreal forest is one of the last three large wild forests on the planet and one of the world's most important ecosystems.
The Eastern Woodlands from Algonquin Park (Ontario) to the Adirondacks (NY) and across the Northern Appalachians/Acadian Mountains in Quebec, New-Brunswick, and Nova-Scotia, conservation initiatives are undergoing to preserve wilderness corridors on public and private lands.
Yellowstone to Yukon is a region stretching from Yellowstone in Wyoming to the Yukon in Canada, this stretch of mountain chains connect a web of life and large landscape connectivity conservation is important for the survival of many species, even more with the threat of Climate Change.
Marine and Ocean Canada has the longest coastline in the world and more than 20% of the planet's fresh water. This abundance causes many people to take it for granted but CPAWS with partners work on increasing marine protected areas and change policy around marine conservation.
Parks Forever, if our national and provincial parks are a symbol of Canada's national identity, CPAWS and volunteers across the country stay vigilant regarding conservation management and policy.
In partnership with Mountain Equipment Coop in Canada, CPAWS created The Big Wild / Horizons sauvage to celebrates Canada's large wild expanses: our forests, lakes, free-flowing rivers and stunning coasts. It's an online community of people who are passionate about that wilderness. And it's people working together to ensure at least half of our wilderness is protected forever.
This will be achieved by:
Conservation Award, which is awarded to Canadians who promote conservation. Notable recipients of the Harkin Award include:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's wilderness. Named in the Top 10 Canadian organization in 2007 , CPAWS has a membership of nearly 15,000, and 13 local chapters across Canada.
CPAWS Work
CPAWS vision is to keep at least half of Canada's public land and water wild — forever focusing on protecting many important areas of Canada's wilderness:The Boreal forest is one of the last three large wild forests on the planet and one of the world's most important ecosystems.
The Eastern Woodlands from Algonquin Park (Ontario) to the Adirondacks (NY) and across the Northern Appalachians/Acadian Mountains in Quebec, New-Brunswick, and Nova-Scotia, conservation initiatives are undergoing to preserve wilderness corridors on public and private lands.
Yellowstone to Yukon is a region stretching from Yellowstone in Wyoming to the Yukon in Canada, this stretch of mountain chains connect a web of life and large landscape connectivity conservation is important for the survival of many species, even more with the threat of Climate Change.
Marine and Ocean Canada has the longest coastline in the world and more than 20% of the planet's fresh water. This abundance causes many people to take it for granted but CPAWS with partners work on increasing marine protected areas and change policy around marine conservation.
Parks Forever, if our national and provincial parks are a symbol of Canada's national identity, CPAWS and volunteers across the country stay vigilant regarding conservation management and policy.
In partnership with Mountain Equipment Coop in Canada, CPAWS created The Big Wild / Horizons sauvage to celebrates Canada's large wild expanses: our forests, lakes, free-flowing rivers and stunning coasts. It's an online community of people who are passionate about that wilderness. And it's people working together to ensure at least half of our wilderness is protected forever.
CPAWS Mission
CPAWS envisages a healthy ecosphere where people experience and respect natural ecosystems.This will be achieved by:
- protecting Canada’s wild ecosystems in parks, wilderness and similar natural areas, preserving the full diversity of habitats and their species;
- promoting awareness and understanding of ecological principles and the inherent values of wilderness through education, appreciation and experience;
- encouraging individual action to accomplish these goals;
- working co-operatively with government, First Nations, business, other organizations and individuals in a consensus-seeking manner, wherever possible.
James B Harkin Conservation Award
In 1972, CPAWS established the James B. HarkinJames B. Harkin
James Bernard Harkin served as Canada's first commissioner for national parks from 1911 until 1936.A former journalist, Harkin, known as "Bunny" to his close friends, was a strong believer in protecting the natural beauty of the environment and was influenced in part by the writings of John Muir,...
Conservation Award, which is awarded to Canadians who promote conservation. Notable recipients of the Harkin Award include:
- 2008 Bob Peart
- 2007 Dr. Jim Thorsell
- 2005 Dr. J. Gordon Nelson
- 2003 Mike HarcourtMike HarcourtMichael Franklin Harcourt served as the 30th Premier of the province of British Columbia in Canada from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor of BC's major city, Vancouver from 1980 to 1986....
, Derek Thompson - 2002 Elizabeth MayElizabeth MayElizabeth Evans May, OC, MP is an American-born Canadian Member of Parliament, environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and the leader of the Green Party of Canada. She was the executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada from 1989 to 2006. She became a Canadian citizen in 1978.May's...
- 2001 Monte Hummel
- 2000 Mike and Diane McIvor
- 1999 Dr. Stephen HerreroStephen HerreroStephen Herrero is a Canadian doctor of animal behaviour and ecology, and was a professor at University of Calgary. He is the author of Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, which has been described as "authoritative" and "required reading" on the topic.Herrero was born in San Francisco, and...
- 1998 Dr. John Theberge (with special recognition of Mary Theberge)
- 1997 Cliff Wallis
- 1996 Chief Emeritus Ruby Dunstan
- 1994 Dr. J. Stan Rowe (d. April 6, 2004)
- 1992 Jennifer ShayJennifer ShayJennifer Mary Shay, OC is a Canadian academic and ecologist.Born in Hull, England, the daughter of Frank and Kathleen Walker, she received a Bachelor of Science from the University of London in 1952. After moving to Canada in 1957, she completed her Master of Science in 1959 and her Doctor of...
, Vernon C. Brink - 1990 Andy RussellAndy Russell (Canadian author)Andy Russell, was a famed conservationist and author who had a passion the wilderness. He was also a noted outfitter, mountain guide, photographer, television broadcaster and story teller. In 1976, he received the Julian T...
- 1989 Gavin Henderson
- 1987 Alex T. Davidson
- 1985 Michael J. Nolan, George W. Scotter, Charles SauriolCharles SauriolCharles Joseph Sauriol, CM was a Canadian naturalist who was responsible for the preservation of many natural areas in Ontario and across Canada.-Early life:...
- 1981 George F. Ledingham
- 1978 William Fergus Lothian
- 1975 Roderick Haig-Brown
- 1972 Hon. Jean ChrétienJean ChrétienJoseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....