Join us in our journey to break down social barriers and get everybody outside and taking conservation action.
Social justice and conservation goals belong side by side.
The world of conservation is shifting. Organizations, academics, and individuals in Alberta are realizing that conservation and social justice goals belong side by side. At CPAWS Southern Alberta, we believe this work is long overdue for us and Alberta’s conservation community as a whole. By working closely alongside partners from equity deserving communities, we hope to change the reality of colonial environmentalist culture by promoting diverse voices, framing nature as a positive space for all, and removing barriers against participating in conservation. CPAWS Southern Alberta recognizes that decolonization and social justice are the future of conservation and commits to a healthy, resilient, wild Alberta for all. We look forward to working with all Albertans to spark even more smiles and faces in nature and conservation.
Read through our bioDIVERSITY commitments and explore our resources section below for more educational information and links to some great organizations promoting diversity in the outdoors.
The Facts
Working on social justice and conservation goals together leads to stronger, more effective conservation outcomes.1
If we do not approach sustainable land use through a lens of decolonization and social justice, we do so at both human and ecological costs.2
Equity deserving communities, including those with disabilities, queer individuals, newcomers, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities, may face numerous barriers in accessing nature, including physical distance to green spaces, expensive activities, unsafe or inappropriate gear, lack of resources on recreating safely, and social barriers such as lack of representation. These barriers make it difficult to connect with nature, which is essential for driving environmental action.3,4
Indigenous peoples have been denied access to their lands through colonization, which has impacted their ability to carry out their ancestral responsibilities as land stewards, creating yet another barrier for taking eco-action.5
IF WE WANT TO PROTECT ALBERTA'S LANDSCAPE, WE NEED TO SEE INCLUSIVE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
Our bioDIVERSITY commitments
Reduce barriers for individuals and communities that feel unwelcome or excluded from the outdoors
Photo Credit: Erika Jensen-Mann
Amplify diverse voices and stories in conservation
Photo Credit: Christopher Landry
Amplify Indigenous-led conservation efforts to protect Treaty lands for future generations
Acknowledge and educate on the history of Indigenous erasure in conservation and the outdoors
Support the great work being done in conservation by equity deserving communities
Work towards an inclusive, welcoming, and safe CPAWS Southern Alberta
Photo Credit: Erika Jensen-Mann
At CPAWS Southern Alberta, we are proud to be propelling the We Are Changemakers program, an initiative dedicated to fostering inclusivity and diversity in conservation efforts. This program aims to use our platform to empower equity-deserving communities, including those with disabilities, queer individuals, newcomers, and BIPOC communities, by providing resources, support, and opportunities to engage in environmental stewardship.
We Are Changemakers helps us achieve this through:
- Providing online knowledge-sharing courses on WeAreChangeMakers.ca
- Encouraging online discussion forums
- Participating in partners’ in-person events and outreach
- Creating events and outreach opportunities that reduce barriers for equity-deserving communities
Through We Are Changemakers, we strive to be a leader in our local conservation sector by breaking down barriers to nature access, promoting diverse voices doing amazing work, and creating a more inclusive and resilient natural environment for all. We hope you join us in this transformative journey towards a just and sustainable future.
Resources
Support these great organizations led by equity deserving communities!
We hope to continuously update this list. Continue to check back for more resources.
Indigenous-led conservation groups and organizations to support:
- Niitsítapi Water Protectors
- Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association
- Naapi's Garden and Katoyiss Seed Bank
- Miyoonakishkatoohk, Future Ancestors Services
- Indigenous Climate Action
- Conservation Through Reconciliation
- Blackfoot Confederacy
- Métis Nation of Alberta Environment and Climate Change
- Keepers of the Water
Further reading on why and how we can be more inclusive in the world of conservation:
- Recommended reading list on intersectional environmentalism by Sarah Coquillat
- Books, podcasts, and videos on diversifying and decolonizing environmentalism by Leah Thomas
- Leading Voices in Engaging Racialized Communities in Nature Webinar by Sustainability Network
- Reconciling Ways of Knowing dialogue series