It is with a heavy heart that the CPAWS family learned of the untimely passing of the Honourable Jim Prentice earlier today in a shocking plane crash in BC. Mr. Prentice worked closely with CPAWS in his time as Canada’s Environment Minister and had a deep passion for conserving Canada’s wilderness. His contributions to creating and expanding national parks in Canada were numerous. CPAWS worked most closely with Mr. Prentice on the massive expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve in 2008 and 2009. Whether it was species at risk like caribou or creating new protected areas, Mr. Prentice had a vision for nature conservation that was impressive. He sought to be the Roosevelt of Canada when it came to expanding our national park system and, given the progress under his watch, he may have been successful had he continued as a Member of Parliament before leaving public life (the first time) to go work in the private sector. While we may not always have agreed with Minister Prentice, his collaboration in the interests of conservation was well appreciated by all of us within CPAWS. His legacy will be felt for many generations to come in Canada. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.