1930s: Mabel Frances Whittemore

Our founder, Mabel, shared her love of nature as far and wide as she could. The original Canadian Nature magazine was shared with hundreds, and eventually thousands of eager readers across Canada.

1940s, 50s and 60s: Audubon Society of Canada

Canada’s passionate naturalist community, now called the Nature Network, continues to grow and flourish, supporting on-the-ground projects and advocating for nature with leaders across Canada.

1977: The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

Played a lead role in establishing a system for listing the status of endangered, threatened and at-risk specie, including an action component with each review. Together, we have been firm when government has attempted to back off their commitments.

1980s, 90s: Working in Partnership to be a Strong Voice for Nature

Was a founding member of the Canadian Coalition on Acid Rain and launches national campaign with partners called the Endangered Species Coalition and leads to securing federal legislation to save species at risk. (8 years later!)

2000s: Green Budget Coalition & Early Warning About Climate Change

In 1999, we pulled all of Canada’s major environmental groups together to present a unified request that the federal budget invest in nature conservation. Over the 20+ years, our coalition has won major victories for nature, including some you’ll see later in this timeline!

Nature Canada published a major article called “The Greenhouse Effect” and launched the NatureWatch series in 2000 for our members to gather citizen science data to show climate change is occurring and making the case for action.

2010s: A Decade of “Firsts” Wins for Nature

Canada’s First Marine Wildlife Area

We advocated for years for the protection of Scott Islands off the coast of BC, and the many seabirds that depend on this marine area.

Canada’s First Urban National Park

Toronto’s Rouge Valley is our first urban national park!

Canada’s First Indigenous Protected & Conserved Area

Nature Canada was proud to support and celebrate the creation of Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area in the Northwest Territories.

2020s: New Protected Areas

Helped secure $3.2 billion dollars in funding in government budget in 2021 for new protected areas. Celebrated the protection of Tang.ɢwan-ḥačxʷiqak-Tsig̱is, a deep sea oasis off the coast of BC, the Monarch Conservation Area in Southern Ontario and our continued efforts to protect more grasslands, the most vulnerable ecosystem on the planet.

2024: Nature Now Fund

Nature Canada establishes a special fund to direct urgent funds to nature protection projects as part of the government’s promise to protect 25% of land and water by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

Today, Tomorrow, and Forever…

Together with the dedicated support of loyal and cherished members like you, Nature Canada continues to halt and reverse nature loss, safeguard wild species and protect wilderness. Your gifts today fund urgent and immediate support across Canada, and your promise to protect nature forever with a gift in your Will provides us hope and confidence to continue taking conservation action every single day.

Jodi Joy
Director of Development
1-800-267-4088 or 613-562-3447 ext. 239
[email protected]