Our Work
CPAWS’ vision is to keep at least half of Canada’s public land and water wild — forever. We focus on protecting large tracts of land, oceans and freshwater so that the species within them can survive and thrive.
Species At Risk
Wildlife in British Columbia are on the frontlines of extinction. We’re working to protect species by safeguarding their habitats.
Caribou
In British Columbia, caribou are in dire straits. These animals try to survive in landscapes heavily fragmented by logging, mining, oil and gas and countless roads. So how do you save one of BC’s most threatened species? [Learn more]
Grizzly Bears
In BC, there are 55 Grizzly Bear populations, and 60% of them are threatened. Grizzly Bears are a keystone species in North America, which means their presence in a landscape shows us how healthy or harmed an ecosystem is. We need urgent conservation measures to protect these animals. [Learn more]
Orcas
Northern and Southern Resident Killer Whales are iconic species on British Columbia’s coast. These orcas rely on healthy waters in the Salish Sea and around Vancouver Island. But they are facing numerous threats and their ocean home is being degraded. [Learn more]
Oceans
The West Coast is home to rugged shorelines, deep sea mountains, and a stunning diversity of marine life. We advocate for ocean protection all along British Columbia’s spectacular coastal waters.
Learn all about marine protected areas!
A big welcome to the newest Marine Protected Area (MPA) — Tang.ɢ̱wan – ḥačxwiqak – Tsig̱is — off the coast of BC!
August 1, 2024 – by Carlos Acuña, senior conservation campaigner
Blueprint for the Coast
BC needs a blueprint for the coast, to leverage and coordinate the work of Indigenous nations, provincial ministries, local communities, and rights holder groups to better manage and protect the coast. [Learn more]
Glass Sponge Reefs
BC’s ancient glass sponge reefs help store carbon and provide vital ocean habitat for endangered rockfish. CPAWS-BC is calling on the federal government to ban bottom contact fishing on or near glass sponge reefs with marine protected areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) such as marine refuges and fishing closures. [Learn more]
Great Bear Sea
Indigenous Peoples are leading plans to create Canada’s first Marine Protected Area Network along the north and central coast. Voice your support for a healthy Great Bear Sea. [Learn more]
Gwaii Haanas
Gwaii Haanas is known for its diverse ecosystems, distinct flora and fauna, living Haida culture, and cooperative management model. By safeguarding these marine ecosystems along with the land itself, the Haida Nation and Canada have the potential to create one of the greatest protected areas on Earth, from mountain top to sea floor. [Learn more]
Scott Islands
The Scott Islands marine National Wildlife Area (mNWA) off the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island is a global hub for migratory birds. However, this marine protected area needs stronger protection. [Learn more]
Southern Strait of Georgia
The Southern Strait of Georgia is home for the Southern Resident killer whales and more than 3,000 species. Now, First Nations and the federal government are negotiating the feasibility of a National Marine Conservation Area. [Learn more]
Tang.ɢwan – ḥačxʷiqak – Tsig̱is MPA: A Deepsea Oasis
80 kilometers off Vancouver Island’s west coast, Tang.ɢwan – ḥačxʷiqak – Tsig̱is marine protected area (MPA) could become the largest marine protected area in Canada. [Learn more]
Parks and Protected Areas
From the high alpine to grasslands and grizzly country, our terrestrial team works with communities across the province to protect the land.
Learn all about Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas!
BC’s Provincial Parks
If you’ve ever visited one of BC’s provincial parks, you’ll know they contain some of the world’s most beautiful and wild places. With human pressure increasing in BC’s +1000 parks, we need to take care of our parks, like they take care of us. [Learn more]
Dene Kʼéh Kusān, “Always Will Be There”
Support Kaska Dena’s work to protect Dene Kʼéh Kusān, the largest intact landscape in BC. This proposed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) would protect nearly four million hectares of wilderness lands abundant with wildlife like caribou, moose and song birds. [Learn more]
Protecting 30% by 2030
When given adequate protection to thrive, nature supports healthy wildlife and resilient communities. From threatened grizzly bear populations and dwindling caribou numbers to critically endangered northern spotted owls, biodiversity is declining quicker than ever before. Protect 30% by 2030. [Learn more]
Skagit Donut Hole
Nestled between two provincial parks is the Skagit-Manning donut hole, a patch of unprotected land covering about 5,800 hectares. This small but mighty parcel sits at the heart of Skagit Valley and provides vital habitat for spotted owls and Grizzly bears. [Learn more]
South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve
A new National Park Reserve in the nxʷəlxʷəltantət (South Okanagan-Similkameen) grasslands will honour the cultural values of the sməlqmix / suknaʔkinx (Okanagan First Nation) and protect about 27,300 hectares of one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. [Learn more]