FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2020

Calgary – Brad Clute, a lifelong Albertan and nationally known environmental leader, has been appointed Executive Director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Southern Alberta Chapter, the Board of Directors announced today.

Clute joins CPAWS-SAB after a long and successful career with Mountain Equipment Coop and two decades of activity in the environmental community. He was Regional Community Investment Specialist, Western Canada, for MEC for seven years and most recently Regional Human Resources Business Manager.

During his career at MEC, Clute created, implemented and managed sustainability programs and green operations that won both an Emerald Award and a Calgary Award for Corporate Environmental Achievement.

His volunteer environmental work includes acting as Board Chair of the Alberta Council for Environmental Education, Director and Advisor for Calgary Community Economic Development, Advisor and Consultant for the City of Calgary Carbon Reduction and Sustainable Development Initiatives, as well as other NGOs. He was also President of the Calgary Area Outdoor Council from 2012 to 2014.

“I have a long history of working with and supporting the chapter and have always held its work and values in the highest regard,” he said.
Clute said he would concentrate on engaging CPAWS-SAB’s stakeholders in a deeper and more meaningful way, building operational capacity, and continuing to be “the balanced voice of reason in the ever-polarizing age of opinion.”

He said his initial priorities in the new role will be freshwater and watershed conservation, land-use planning, and working to strengthen relationships between interest groups in Alberta.

“There are more things that connect us than separate us,” he said. “Conservation shouldn’t have a political stripe to it.”

Board Chair Phil Nykyforuk said the chapter’s board chose Mr. Clute for the role because of his passion for conservation and skill at finding common ground among divergent interests.

“As the population of Alberta grows, the pressure on our wild spaces is greater than ever,” said Nykyforuk. “We believe Brad and the team at CPAWS-SAB can find a way to work with those various interests and ensure those spaces are protected for generations to come.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Doug Firby, CPAWS-SAB Board of Directors at 403-831-8812 or dougfirby@gmail.com