MAJOR CAMPAIGNS
What We Do
We are a non-profit conservation organization working to promote thriving, healthy, and diverse lands and waters in Alberta. Since 1967, CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter has led conservation efforts to protect areas in Banff National Park, Kananaskis, the Whaleback and the Castle. Our chapter is also a leader in environmental education, offering award-winning programs to help build the next generation of environmental stewards.
Thriving ecosystems support biodiversity, provide natural solutions for climate change impacts, and promote a healthy, wild Alberta. Not only do healthy ecosystems benefit our landscape, but they benefit us. They provide us with clean water, support our communities and economy, supply us with food, protect us from natural disasters, and allow us to recreate and enjoy Alberta’s landscape. When nature thrives, we thrive.
We're committed developing relationships across all sectors, non-profit, businesses, and government, and Indigenous partners to ensure everyone’s values are respected. Join us in bringing Albertans together to fight for a resilient landscape.
Before Coal Mining
After Coal Mining
TAKE ACTION
Protect the Eastern Slopes
Whether it’s the coal dust, soil erosion, water pollution, closed access to public lands, or the particulate matter entering our air, soil and water, Albertans across the political spectrum agree: Coal makes for a bad neighbour. It also makes for a bad investment — the economics simply don’t add up. The Government of Alberta MUST develop a coal policy that protects Albertans and our future.
The proposed Coal Industry Modernization Initiative (CIMI) is being developed without consideration of Alberta’s values. It has only consulted coal mine industry insiders and has ignored public consultation. Over the past five years, Albertans have been loud and clear that they oppose ANY new coal exploration or mining in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains and Eastern Slopes, yet the government continues to push its coal agenda forward. Send a letter now asking for a coal policy that reflects the will of Albertans and prevents any new destructive coal mining.
Photo Credit Left: East Cherry
A Legacy of Impact
Our vision is to see an Alberta landscape which has a growing abundance of parks, protected areas and wilderness, where nature thrives because of the conservation efforts of and for all Albertans.
Photo Credit: Victor Liu
Parks
Years
CPAWS has been protecting our Canadian Wilderness since 1963. The Banff / Calgary Chapter (now CPAWS Southern Alberta) was one of the first to be established.
Albertans Engaged in Nature Education.
Our award-winning environmental education programs have been delivered to Calgary and surrounding areas since 1997.
UPDATES
Latest News
Fortress Mountain Resort: An Amusement Park in our Wilderness
New Plan for Parks Released
New Storymap: Widespread Erosion and Sedimentation in Critical Habitat
Logging Permits Approved in Key Trout Spawning Area of Oldman River
All-Seasons Resort Policy Released
Critical Habitat and Industry Lobbying Part 4: How DFO Allows Critical Habitat Destruction
GET INVOLVED
Take Action
Parks and protected areas make Alberta resilient. They provide us with places to escape the everyday, connect with nature, and feel refreshed and peaceful. On top of the individual mental and physical health benefits of parks, they also provide us with clean drinking water, store carbon in their trees, soils and grasses, and provide homes for the wildlife that many of us admire and depend on for food. Yet these beloved places continue to be threatened.