Wilderness in Canada is healthier and more robust because of a half-century of work by staff and volunteers with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Since 1963, CPAWS has been instrumental in the creation of more than two-thirds of Canada’s protected areas.
Founded in 1967, the CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter has worked with other non-profits, First Nations, government, industry and individuals throughout this region to safeguard our lands and waters. Here is a sampling of some of the shared successes over the years:
1967
Regional Chapter Established In Calgary
The Calgary chapter of the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada (NPPAC), now CPAWS, was established.
1971
Defeated the Prairie River Improvement Plan
Helped defeat the Prairie River Improvement Plan, which would have diverted water from northern Alberta watersheds to the southern part of the province.
1972
Helped defeat large-scale development and Olympic bid in Banff National Park
1975
Fish Creek Park Established
Fish Creek Park was established, with the support of the NPPAC.
1980
Nose Hill Park Designated As Protected Area
Nose Hill Park, initially proposed by Harvey Buckmaster of NPPAC, was designated as a protected area.
1985
NPPAC renamed Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
The Calgary chapter of the National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada (NPPAC), now CPAWS, was established.
1988
Influenced an amendment to the National Parks Act
Influenced an amendment to the National Parks Act, which included wording to prioritize ecological integrity first in park management.
1992
Helped protect the Wind Valley from development
1994
Hired the first staff position.
1995
Wildlife Crossing Structures in Banff National Park
Supported the creation of the now world-famous wildlife crossing structures in Banff National Park.
1996
Caps on Commercial Development in Banff National Park
Encouraged the Banff Bow Valley study on ecological integrity resulting in caps on commercial development in Banff National Park.
1997
Environmental Education Program Began
Environmental education program began – the only chapter with this unique program.
1998
Advocated for the creation of the Elbow-Sheep Wildland and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Parks
1999
Defeated flawed Alberta Natural Heritage Act
Defeated the proposed and flawed Alberta Natural Heritage Act; Pressed for the Kananaskis Country Recreational Development Policy, which defined the region and its land-use policy.
Prevented Exploratory Well Drilling in the Whaleback
Intervened to prevent exploratory well drilling in the Whaleback; Bob Creek Wildland Provincial Park and the Black Creek Heritage Rangeland were established.
2000
Spray Valley Provincial Park Established
Protected the Spray Valley from a major resort development; Spray Valley Provincial Park was established.
2003
Influenced Twinning Plans of the TransCanada
Influenced twinning plans for the 12.5-kilometre section of the TransCanada east of Lake Louise.
Advised Federal Officials for G8 summit
Advised federal officials on environmental mitigation for G8 summit legacy wildlife crossing structures in the Bow Valley.
2004
Spray Valley and Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Parks Expanded.
2006
Grizzly Bear Hunt Suspended
2008
Won the Alberta Emerald Award for education program
2009
CPAWS Calgary/Banff renamed CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter
2010
Grizzly Bears Listed As Threatened Species
Grizzly bears listed as threatened species under the Alberta Wildlife Act.
2011
Stopped Bill 29
Stopped Bill 29, which would have undermined Alberta’s parks and protected areas.
2012
Logging in the Castle wilderness suspended
2013
Sunshine Village's Required To Meet Water Quality Standards
Pressured Parks Canada to ensure Sunshine Village’s proposed Goat’s Eye Mountain day lodge development required to meet national park water quality standards.
2014
Mandatory Travel Restrictions implemented on the Bow Valley Parkway
Seasonal mandatory travel restrictions were implemented on the Bow Valley Parkway.
Defeated The Proposed Maligne Lake Hotel
Influenced the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP)
Influenced the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP), which increased protection and improved management of the eastern slopes.
2015
Environmental Education Program Reached The 100,000-Student Milestone
2016
Won Award Of Excellence For Outstanding Non-Profit Organization
Won the award of excellence for outstanding non-Profit organization for environmental education from the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM).
2017
Castle Provincial Park Created
Castle Provincial Park was created, and the Castle Wildland Provincial Park was expanded.
2018
Castle Wildland and Provincial Parks Management Plan Released
Castle Wildland and Provincial Parks management plan released, prioritizing nature and with a commitment to phase-out off-highway vehicle use by 2021.
Management Plans Released For Porcupine Hills-Livingstone Regions
Management plans released for Porcupine Hills-Livingstone regions, with broad stakeholder support and placing limits on roads and trails to protect wildlife.
Helped Create A Vision For The Southern Eastern Slopes
Worked with a coalition of 15 conservation groups to create a comprehensive and collaborative vision for the Southern Eastern Slopes.
Helped Release Recommendations on Reudicng Human-Wildlife Conflict
Worked with the multi-jurisdictional Bow Valley Human Wildlife Co-existence Round-table Technical Advisory Group to release a series of recommendations on reducing human-wildlife conflict.
2020
Protected 175 provincial parks and recreation areas from being removed from Alberta’s provincial park system
2021
Helped to reverse the cancellation of the 1976 Coal Policy
Ensured that the Grassy Mountain coal mine project in Alberta’s southern Eastern Slopes was rejected
2023
Our conservation education work won the Inclusion Award from the Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre as part of their Everybody Belongs initiative
