ANNUAL REPORT | 2019/2020 Looking at tomorrow. Giving back today. CPAWS Southern Alberta acknowledges that they work in the traditional territories of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikani First Nations; the Tsuut’ina First Nation; the Stoney Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations; the Ktunaxa Nation; and the Métis Nation of Alberta. Today, southern Alberta is home to Indigenous people from all over North America. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Contents (CPAWS) is Canada’s voice for wilderness. We are a non-profit Letters from the executive environmental organization 4 director and board chair working to protect half of Canada’s public land and water. Learn about who we are, our Since 1967, CPAWS Southern 6 history, and our people Alberta has led conservation efforts to protect areas in Banff Our work in southern Alberta National Park, Kananaskis, the 10 Whaleback and the Castle. Our chapter is a leader in Albertans mobilize to defend environmental education 12 Alberta parks offering award-winning programs to help build the next Fighting for the life of southwest generation of environmental 14 Alberta’s Rockies stewards. We’re hooked on native trout: A Canadian Parks and Wilderness 16 spotlight on Alberta’s native fish Society Southern Alberta Chapter Take action today! 17 c/o Canada Olympic Park 88 Canada Olympic Road SW Inspiring Alberta’s future Calgary, AB T3B 5R5 18 environmental stewards www.cpaws-southernalberta.org Because here is home: Alberta’s Email: [email protected] 20 most underrated ecosystem shines Tel: 403-232-6686 PM Agreement: 40043929 Small actions making a big impact: 22 Youth are incredible change makers Get involved with CPAWS Southern 24 Alberta Cover Photo: Christopher 26 Financial statements Landry Inside Cover Photo: Rebecca FREE defend Alberta parks Schortinghuis 27 poster! What are we fighting for? Brad Clute, Executive Director I would like to take this opportunity “So then we need to ask CPAWS Southern Alberta is a unique to introduce myself as the new ourselves — will our organization within the environmental Executive Director of the Canadian children and their children non-profit community, one that Parks and Wilderness Society — be able to benefit from the is able to meet both our present Southern Alberta Chapter. I’m thrilled landscapes we value now? challenges and opportunities, while be part of an organization with such Will they have the same working towards a more resilient and a solid track record of science-based access to clean air and healthy future. drinking water? Will they conservation work, and award- be able to enjoy our parks winning education programs. Our conservation team is working and wilderness the same Joining CPAWS was an easy decision way we do?” to ensure that wild areas and public to make, as organizations like CPAWS lands maintain their ecological value, help build healthy communities. We all know and understand that established protected areas are well the impacts of the decisions we managed, and that the creation of After a career of more than 20 make today will be felt by future new protected areas is a priority. years in the outdoor recreation generations. So then we need to ask industry, focusing on community ourselves — will our children and their Our education team is working to investment and sustainable business children be able to benefit from the build generations of environmentally development, I’ve seen first-hand landscapes we value now? Will they literate and engaged citizens through how the bottom line and supply have the same access to clean air curriculum approved, hands-on chains are dependent on the health and drinking water? Will they be able environmental education programs of our environment, and how reliant to enjoy our parks and wilderness in both in the classroom and in the field. businesses and communities are on the same way we do? Whether it’s healthy ecosystems. Any forward- due to overuse, poor management, Both conservation and education thinking business strategist who’s or bad policy, if our children and their programs play a key role in creating focused on long-term sustainability children won’t be able to experience a thriving, healthy and resilient future will tell you how important it is to and benefit from our landscapes the for Alberta. So we ask you today to understand what is truly needed same way we do today, do the same help us build a thriving, healthy, and for sustained wellbeing. We all rely things in the same places, and see, resilient future. With you as part on Alberta’s natural heritage, and smell, and hear the same things — of the CPAWS community we can the work CPAWS does is crucially then we have a problem. work together to give back to nature important to both present and future now, so that we can move forward. Albertans. With both conservation and Together, we can build the future that education teams under one roof, Alberta needs. Page 4 Moving forward, together Phil Nykyforuk, Board Chair Our Board of Directors is a group times over the past year. Survey areas. Unfortunately, the current of dedicated volunteers with varied after survey indicates that Albertans nature of public debate is to vilify backgrounds. Our experience includes cherish and use our provincial parks those that express disagreement. science, education, journalism, and protected areas more than Conservation groups have been marketing and communications, any other Canadians. This has been characterized as anti-Albertan, organizational planning, law, particularly noticeable since the start left-wing radicals who want to harm accounting and national parks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Albertans our economy. With respect to our management. Despite our varied have turned to the outdoors in chapter, nothing could be further backgrounds, each board member massive numbers to walk, hike, cycle, from the truth. Our chapter and board has a shared belief in three fish, paddle, camp, and recreate in are non-partisan and include people foundational principles. a variety of ways. Despite all the of all political leanings. We respect uncertainty in our world, the peace, different perspectives. We believe in First, we all believe that Alberta is a beauty, and restorative capacity of rational decision making based on wonderful place to live, with many nature has brought comfort to huge science. We believe in consultation spectacular natural wonders. We numbers of Albertans. and collaboration with all levels of are proud to call Alberta home. government, industry, Indigenous Second, we see a need for vigilance Ironically, as more Albertans than people, and stakeholder groups. and advocacy in ensuring that our ever have been getting out into our parks, protected areas and natural parks, our provincial government is We are proud Albertans with deep landscapes are properly valued and proposing unprecedented cuts to roots here. We want our province and managed on behalf of all Albertans our world class network of parks economy to succeed. by our government. Third, we believe and protected areas (see page 12). in the importance of educating At the same time, a 44-year-old As the board looks ahead, we Albertans, especially our children government policy prohibiting open take pride in our chapter’s many and new residents, about our natural pit coal mines in sensitive areas achievements in conservation landscapes and conservation issues. on the front ranges of our Rocky and education. We have played an Mountains was rescinded (see page important role in protecting some of In our capacity as board members, 14). Proposals for new mines in these Alberta’s most treasured landscapes. we provide guidance and oversight to areas are being encouraged. All of We are not, however, stuck in our talented and hard working staff. this has been done without any public the past. We are forward-facing In addition to the board’s strategic consultation. and ready to deal with the many planning and oversight, many of our challenges of today and in the future. directors volunteer on behalf of our A core part of our chapter’s mandate The importance of conservation chapter in countless other ways. is to be a strong voice for Alberta’s and our province’s special parks and We have been operating in unusual wilderness, parks, and protected protected areas demand no less. Page 5 When nature thrives, we thrive As Albertans, we love and value the natural beauty that surrounds us. But how do we give back to nature? By investing in Alberta’s landscape, we can ensure healthy ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and beautiful moments for generations to come. We have an important job to do. We all play an important role in protecting our parks, natural spaces, and biodiversity. From everyday actions like turning off your lights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to having a meeting with your MLA to discuss why parks and wild spaces are important to you. You CAN make a difference. Because when nature thrives, we thrive. Page 6 Photo: Les Piccolo What we do Here at CPAWS Southern Alberta, nature is our priority. 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. Now is the time to give back. By protecting these special places, we can make sure they are functioning, resilient, and diverse. Join CPAWS Southern Alberta in celebrating these landscapes, and taking action to protect them. See page 24 for more information on how you can get involved.