There is a certain magic and mystery that can only be found in the natural world. Whether it’s the wind whistling through the trees in a nearby park, or the sound of water splashing against a pier or dock, many of us are surrounded by the sublime beauty and majesty of nature on a daily basis. Whether you’re a casual, day-to-day lover of nature, or someone who treks around the world to explore the world’s most jaw-dropping natural attractions, it’s fair to say that keeping this precious component of our existence safe and secure should be a priority.
Unfortunately, a growing number of threats, including climate change, pollution and other man-made adversities have begun to threaten the longevity of habits and ecosystems around the world. Now, more than ever before, it’s become absolutely necessary for individuals to locate and support non-profit environmental activism and preservation organizations in their community and around the world in order to ensure that these treasures can be passed on to the next generation of nature lovers. We’ve created a brief overview of some of the more prominent environmental charities working hard today to keep our world fresh and green.
National Charities Making a Difference
Canada is fortunate to host a diverse array of charities which are committed to deploying financial and human resources across the country in an effort to protect the pristine natural landscapes found here.
The David Suzuki Foundation, based in Vancouver, devotes a considerable amount of effort to innovation and research in the field of resource and developmental sustainability. Acknowledging that the human footprint must be adapted so as to exist in tandem with the ecosystems of the country, the David Suzuki Foundation works alongside other prominent national organizations, as well as smaller local charities to create new infrastructural solutions that decrease risks to native animals and plants.
Ecotrust Canada is another excellent example of a national charity which is working on the frontlines of community engagement and economic innovation. Defining their mission as the creation of “economic alternatives that benefit people in the places they call home”, Ecotrust is both a hub of ecological activism and an incubator of smart business ideas which leverage the full extent of technology available today. With an extensive list of successful projects and long-term efforts, Ecotrust Canada is a deeply embedded element of the Canadian economy and social service sector today.
Focusing exclusively on land conservation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has gained a reputation as one of the country’s staunchest defenders of natural habitats and ecosystem. To date, the Nature Conservancy has established legal protections for more than 2.7 million acres of land across the country. With a mature research sector and extensive public outreach network, the Nature Conservancy has proven quite effective in not only protecting vulnerable lands but also informing the public on why such areas are worth protecting.
Other Organizations You Should Know
Outside of the country’s largest national ecological charities, there are a number of other groups doing equally valuable and important work. The Couchiching Conservancy, located in Orillia, Ontario, while focused on on a specific area is confronting some of the country’s pressing ecological issues. The Couchiching Conservancy has, to date, helped ensure legal protection for over 11,000 acres of land in central Ontario. Likewise, the Bruce Trail Conservancy is currently working to create a protected corridor that will contain the treasured Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
It is also important to mention the Earthroots Fund, a diverse collection of activists and community supporters who engage in a wide array of education and conservancy projects in order to safeguard the future of Ontario’s natural habitats. Much like the Couchiching Conservancy and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, the Earthroots Fund is largely reliant on public support in order to ensure that it can effectively move forward with its highly important conservancy projects.
If you would like to discover more Canadian charities working to protect the country’s ecosystem, review this list which contains every registered Environmental charity in Canada. No matter where you live in Canada or what issue you’re interested in, you will likely find a charity doing work in that area. Simply put, these charities are tackling some of the most important issues of our generation.