Mission & Vision
Who is CPAWS ?
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. We are Canada’s leader in conservation with 60 years of success based on our expertise, public education and advocacy, relationships and local knowledge. We are a credible, trusted, knowledge-based, nationally coordinated, collaborative organization, focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change.
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.
Our vision
At least half of land, freshwater and ocean in Canada is permanently protected to sustain nature and people for current and future generations.
Download our Strategic Plan to 2025
CPAWS is comprised of 13 community-based offices from Yukon to Newfoundland, and a national office located in Ottawa.
We work collaboratively with all levels of government, Indigenous communities, industry, and other environmental groups to develop innovative conservation solutions.
CPAWS works exclusively on public land and ocean, which makes up 90% of our terrestrial territory and 100% of our ocean.
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.
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.
Founded in 1963, CPAWS has been helping to create new parks and protected areas on land and in the ocean for 60 years.