When you make a gift of securities to CPAWS, you are joining the fight to protect biodiversity across British Columbia. When publicly traded securities are transferred to a registered charity, the tax on capital gains is eliminated, and you may receive a tax receipt for the full amount of your gift. We encourage you to speak to a financial adviser to determine the details of your donation.
Divest and Donate for Nature
In the face of a global climate crisis, it is no longer possible to deny the need to embrace renewable energy and a carbon neutral future. Powerful investors like New York City, the Republic of Ireland, and numerous universities and foundations have already stepped away from dirty investments like fossil-fuel extraction. You can divest assets such as stocks and mutual funds by donating them to CPAWS, and put your money to good use: defending clean water, fresh air, and the spectacular land and seascape that make British Columbia beautiful.
For more information on gifts of securities, please contact Sarah McNeil, Development Manager at sarah@cpawsbc.org or 604-685-7445 ext 33.
When it comes to protecting nature and providing refuge for wildlife, timelines are measured in years, decades, or even longer. Parks and protected areas are a legacy for future generations, one that you can be a part of.
Leaving a bequest or planned gift to CPAWS for work in British Columbia means that you are remembered as a protector of nature without impacting your financial security today. Making a bequest can be as simple as including a single phrase in your will or estate plan, or a more nuanced approach involving property or other assets. We recommend contacting your financial planner or lawyer to find a path that works best for you and your loved ones.
Sample wording: I give the sum of $________ (or an amount equal to ____%) of my estate to the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society for its work in British Columbia.
BC falling short on biodiversity conservation commitments, despite extinction crisis
April 11, 2019
Vancouver, BC — The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) just released its preliminary analysis of progress towards biodiversity conservation in BC. This special report finds that the province needs to set its sights much higher than Canada’s 17% biodiversity conservation targets in order to stop the rapid decline of wildlife populations currently being experienced across the province. Existing protections are nowhere near enough to adequately conserve biodiversity.
“In less than two weeks, environment ministers from around the world will be sitting down together to share progress towards international biodiversity targets for 2020, and right now the resounding message from BC is that these protection targets aren’t high enough to sustain our wildlife populations,” says Jessie Corey, Terrestrial Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC.
“We’re losing entire populations of wildlife like woodland caribou in the meantime, so we really need to hold ourselves to a higher standard for nature. We need to start looking to international examples of 30% protection targets or even 50% if we expect to give nature a fighting chance,” she says.
Conserving biodiversity by protecting large, intact landscapes is widely considered by international experts to be an essential strategy in conserving biodiversity and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Protected areas represent about 15.3% of BC’s land base. Combined with a small number of lands considered Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), BC falls shy of the 2020 targets and is nowhere near approaching the reality of what is needed to sustain biodiversity in the long term.
“By limiting ourselves to doing the bare minimum for meeting these short-term targets, we’re signing off on the continued decline of many of the species that we share these lands with,” says Corey.
“We need to look at the bigger picture of what’s needed to conserve biodiversity in the long term by setting our sights much higher than 17%, and stop trying to find band-aid solutions that only work in the short term,” she adds.
CPAWS-BC is recommending that the BC government focus on increasing protected areas coverage in the province as the primary driver towards our 2020 biodiversity conservation targets, and start taking the long view of what is needed to support healthy populations of wildlife into the future.
“Expanding protected areas is essential for the future of British Columbia,” says Corey. “Healthy ecosystems and intact forests don’t just exist for wildlife. Our communities need protected areas for sustainable livelihoods, human health, cultural values, and to ensure a liveable future.”
Parks expansion a promising start, but more protection needed for nature in BC
25 March, 2019
Vancouver, BC — The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is applauding a move by the provincial government to add land to British Columbia’s parks and protected areas.
Amendments expanding several parks will also include restoring Indigenous names to First Nations’ ancestral homelands, in-line with commitments to reconciliation.
“Expanding BC’s parks and protected areas throughout the province is essential for a sustainable future,” says Bruce Passmore, CPAWS-BC Executive Director. “While the amount of land being added to the parks system is less than what’s needed to adequately protect nature, we’re encouraged by today’s announcement from the province.”
The announcement comes just one year before the deadline for meeting international biodiversity targets, in which Canada and other countries agreed to protect 17 percent of land and 10 percent of ocean by 2020.
“BC is still short on meeting the international target of 17 percent, but we can get there,” continued Passmore. “We need to go beyond the targets, however. BC needs to ensure that nature can withstand human development and climate change. Our province has the most biodiversity in Canada, but also the highest number of species at risk. We need to do better to protect habitat and fight the extinction crisis.”
CPAWS-BC congratulates Saulteau and West Moberly Nations on hard-won caribou agreement
Provincial plan for caribou falls far below example set by First Nations leadership
21 March, 2019
Vancouver, BC— Today, the provincial government opened public consultation on two agreements concerning the recovery of southern mountain caribou.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is extending congratulations to the Saulteau and West Moberly Nations, whose leadership on caribou recovery has been highlighted in a Partnership Agreement between the two Nations, and the provincial and federal governments.
Photo credit: Wayne Sawchuk
Part of the Partnership Agreement between the four governments includes the creation of a large protected area in critical caribou habitat on West Moberly and Saulteau territories, near Chetwynd, BC.
“We fully support the groundbreaking work of the Saulteau and West Moberly Nations to recover caribou herds on their territories, and we applaud them for securing this agreement with both the provincial and federal governments,” said Bruce Passmore, CPAWS-BC Executive Director. “BC needs to learn from their leadership and work diligently to protect habitat for other caribou herds in the province.”
The other agreement announced today is a bilateral agreement between British Columbia and Canada, under Section 11 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which will apply to all other mountain caribou herds in the province. Unlike the Indigenous-led efforts proving successful at caribou recovery, this bilateral agreement is unlikely to recover caribou herds in BC, many of which are on the brink of extinction.
“Unlike the four Nation agreement, this bilateral agreement shows that the province is just not taking the wider provincial caribou crisis seriously,” continued Passmore. “West Moberly and Saulteau have shown us what’s possible for caribou recovery. BC needs to step up to the plate and do better in places like the Kootenays.”
Last year, Canada’s Minister of Environment declared an imminent threat to caribou recovery. Under the Species at Risk Ask, the federal minister can then issue an emergency protection order for the species.
“Caribou don’t have time for political grandstanding. If BC will not take bold action, then Canada has a legal responsibility to step in,” said Passmore. “Caribou need a moratorium on development in their habitat until governments can come up with an acceptable plan. We can not continue to discuss their future while their habitat continues to be destroyed.”
CPAWS-BC is encouraging the public to participate in both consultations until they close on April 26th, 2019.
CPAWS welcomes protection of Howe Sound glass sponge reefs
March 6th, 2019
Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is very pleased to see the eight new marine refuges announced today, protecting nine of Howe Sounds newly discovered Glass Sponge Reefs from all bottom-contact fishing, by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.
“The Howe Sound glass sponge reefs are an ecological treasure on the door step of one of Canada’s largest cities. They are a very important ecological feature in Howe Sound, that provide both habitat for many species and ecological services including filtering of ocean water,” said Sabine Jessen, National Director of the Ocean Program for CPAWS.
Nine Howe Sound glass sponge reefs are now protected from bottom-contact fishing with eight marine refuges. The reefs are located near Vancouver, BC. Photo credit: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
“CPAWS has been involved in the protection of glass sponge reefs on the BC coast for almost two decades, since the first reefs were discovered in Hecate Strait in the late 1980s,” said Jessen. “Living glass sponge reefs date back to the Jurassic era, and are living dinosaurs on our Pacific Coast. We have a global responsibility to ensure their long-term survival.”
“In order to ensure their survival, we are pleased to see that the Minister has announced a number of protection measures, including a 150 metre buffer zone to prevent bottom trawling from both destroying the reefs and from smothering them with sediment, as well as prohibitions on all bottom contact fishing, which can have a severe impact on fragile glass sponges,” noted Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager, CPAWS-BC.
“We remain concerned that anchoring has still not been addressed in the protection measures for these reefs, and the previous nine glass sponge reefs in the Strait of Georgia that were previously protected,” noted Jessen. “CPAWS will continue to work with DFO and other agencies to ensure that all threats to the reefs are addressed.”
“CPAWS would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of local groups in Howe Sound who have worked tirelessly to document the Howe Sound glass sponge reefs and to advocate for their long-term protection,” noted Jessen. “We would especially like to recognize Glen Dennison for his many years of work, and to commit to him to assisting with the protection of the additional glass sponge reefs that he has identified in Howe Sound.”
“While we are pleased to see the glass sponge reefs in Howe Sound, like those before them in the Strait of Georgia, being designated as marine refuges, we hope that in future they will form the backbone for a network of MPAs in this region,” added Jameson.
A diver floats above a glass sponge reef in Howe Sound. Photo credit: Neil McDaniel
NEB report on Trans Mountain highlights lack of action to protect and recover endangered orcas
21 February, 2019
Vancouver, BC — Today, the National Energy Board (NEB) released its report on the marine impacts of the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project, recommending once again that the project be approved.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is raising its continued concerns that the federal government has still not implemented an adequate plan to protect and recover southern resident orcas. The NEB conceded that the pipeline was likely to cause “significant adverse environmental effects” to the endangered orca population.
“The NEB’s recommendations to government are not going to save orcas from extinction,” said Bruce Passmore, CPAWS-BC Executive Director. “Endangered southern resident orcas face many threats to their survival, and the risks associated with the pipeline and tanker project are still high.”
Southern resident orcas are listed as endangered in both Canada and the United States, with only 74 individuals remaining as well as one new calf. It has been several years since a calf has been born to the population and survived. Recent reports suggest that by summer, two more orcas are likely to die from causes related to starvation.
Noise from marine traffic is believed to impact the predators’ ability to hunt for their preferred food source, Chinook salmon. The federal government has yet to implement an effective strategy to protect critical orca habitat with new marine protected areas, nor created the National Marine Conservation Area Reserve in the Southern Strait of Georgia.
“We’re in the midst of a global biodiversity crisis. This is life and death. With species like southern resident orcas heading for extinction, Canada has an obligation to act,” continued Passmore. “It is irresponsible for the federal government to approve this project and the associated tanker traffic, if it has not yet taken the concrete steps needed to mitigate against further harm and recover endangered orcas.”
Budget 2019 highlights climate change, but falls short on conservation
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Victoria, BC – While the 2019 provincial budget does appear to deliver on funding promises to implement the government’s climate plan (CleanBC), the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is disappointed that there was no significant increase in funding allocated to expand BC’s protected areas and safeguard biodiversity.
“This budget is missing a golden opportunity by not allocating funding to conservation at a time when there is unprecedented federal funding available to match the province’s investment in protected area expansion,” said Bruce Passmore, CPAWS-BC Executive Director. “Protected areas not only safeguard biodiversity from the effects of climate change, but they can also be a significant job creator in rural communities.”
In the throne speech last week, the BC government pledged to continue investing in BC’s parks and protected areas, while moving forward under a framework of reconciliation and upholding the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“The BC government made a commitment to expand protected areas and safeguard our natural ecosystems,” said Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner for CPAWS-BC. “We’re disappointed that today’s budget announcement does little to reflect that.”
British Columbia has a key role to play to help Canada meet its international biodiversity targets, which include protecting 17 percent of land and inland water by next year. With wide ranging species like caribou facing severe decline, the province has significant work to do in partnership with First Nations and the federal government to expand and connect protected areas and critical habitat.
“If the BC government is serious about combating climate change and safeguarding a future for our children, then they need to legislate bold action for conservation.” continued Ball. “Establishing large, well-connected parks and protected areas is critical to combating the global extinction crisis and mitigating the impacts of climate change.”
CPAWS-BC welcomes BC Throne Speech Support for Conservation, UNDRIP Legislation
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Victoria, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is encouraged to see a commitment to biodiversity conservation through the creation of new Class A parks and the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in today’s BC Government Throne Speech.
“CPAWS-BC has been advocating for a commitment to UNDRIP and creation of new protected areas in BC,” says Bruce Passmore, CPAWS-BC Executive Director. “The biggest conservation gains of this century will only occur with Indigenous and crown governments working together. We look forward to continuing to support these collaborative processes for critical habitat protection in this province.”
One of the best examples of a new protected area advancing within a framework of reconciliation is in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, where the provincial government is working in partnership with the Syilx/Okanagan Nation and the federal government to establish a new National Park Reserve on unceded Syilx territory. This National Park Reserve will be developed and managed in partnership with the Syilx Nation, protecting an area that is home to 56 federally listed species at risk and the most endangered ecosystem type in the world.
This trilateral government process will lay the foundation for future efforts to expand BC’s network of protected areas, creating wildlife movement corridors and mitigating the impacts of climate change — all while honouring Indigenous relationships to the land and adhering to UNDRIP.
“As biodiversity continues to decline in BC and across the globe, it’s more important than ever that governments take leadership roles in protecting our ecosystems,” continued Passmore. “We commend the BC government on recognizing its responsibility to protect and restore critical habitat in the province.”
Win one of 3 great prizes and help protect the most endangered ecosystem on earth!
Until March 15, 2019, Parks Canada is asking for feedback on Canada’s newest National Park Reserve — proposed right here in BC! This rare and unique habitat is a hotspot for biodiversity and in dire need of protection. We are asking for your help to spread awareness about this incredible region through the #SOSNationalPark Photo Contest.
You have three chances to win one of three awesome prizes. Random draws will take place on in mid March 2019. You get an extra entry for each platform that you enter on (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
Contest Rules:
Share this #SOSnationalpark graphic on your social media platforms to enter the contest and raise awareness for BC’s endangered grasslands.
Tell us why you want a new National Park Reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen
Use #SOSnationalpark
*Make sure that your account is public. Full contest rules here.
Prize draws:
Enter before Thursday, Feb 14: A roundtrip for two on the Sea to Sky Gondola
Enter between Thursday, Feb 14 and Thursday, Feb 28: $50 to MEC
Enter between Thursday, Feb 28 and Friday, March 15: $50 to MEC
Learn more about the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve.
PS. Check out the Social Media Toolkit for inspiration and sample posts that you can use to spread the word about this extraordinary opportunity to create a bright future for BC’s endangered grasslands.
