Champions
A big thanks to our supporters who have made our work possible over many years. We are very grateful that some of you have shared your photos and thoughts. We’d love to share your content too! Please send an email here to contribute to the collection. If you would like to make a donation, please click here.
Join us in celebrating these champions’ stories and care for nature.
Your efforts in fundraising
The initiative that our champions have taken to raise money for nature on our behalf is inspiring! Not only has it raised much-appreciated funds, but these individuals and communities are raising awareness about nature. If you would like to fundraise for CPAWS, please reach out to Vicki DiMillo, Associate Director, Philanthropy.
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Mark and Erin Engelhardt
Back in 2014, our daughters Helen (then 12) and May (then 9) were eager to fiddle for charity, and we began searching for a meaningful organization they could support through busking.
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The Country Day School
Discover how Country Day School students raised an impressive $6,000 for CPAWS through a toonie collection drive.
Kind words you’ve sent about CPAWS
We always value your testimonials – they keep us going! Please reach out to us anytime.
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Johanne Rioux
I decided to support an organization that shares my core values…in order to amplify the influence I could never achieve if I were fighting alone in my living room.
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Jen Ingrid Engen
Discover why Jen advocates for urgent protection of the Eastern Slopes from coal mines.
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Leslie Ngo
Hear from CPAWS Champion Leslie Ngo on why protecting nature is urgent. Driven by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and a need for climate action, he advocates for old-growth forests and our planet.
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Ellen Beck
Ellen Beck, a longtime donor to conservation, shares why CPAWS immediately resonated with her mission to protect Canada’s forests, waters, and wildlife for our future.
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Geoffrey Barrow
Donor Geoffrey Barrow supports CPAWS for its credible, effective approach to conservation. Learn why this balance is key to ensuring parks for future generations.
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Patti Kemp
“A way to actually do something, not just worry.” Learn how CPAWS turns monthly donations into reliable funding for wilderness protection projects across Canada
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Duane Nicol
“My monthly donation is my subscription to nature.” One supporter explains why a recurring gift is a powerful way to create tangible impact.
Actions you’ve taken to make your voices heard
Some of you have taken strong action to reach out to our politicians directly. Our Members of Parliament do respond when constituents write or call personally. I don’t know if you are aware, but Sandra, our National Executive Director, used to work on Parliament Hill, and she has repeatedly seen MPs alert the Prime Minister and say, “I’ve gotten lots of calls about this.” It puts pressure on Cabinet and can make a difference!
Here is the contact information for Prime Minister Mark Carney and your local Member of Parliament. Keep up the great work!
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Darrell Michaud
Read the letter Darrell wrote to the Prime Minister sharing his concerns for Canada’s future.
Beautiful content you’ve created
We didn’t even ask for this, but we love it! If you have artwork or poetry about nature that you’d like to share, we’d love to feature it here!
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Susan Marrier
Meet Susan Marrier, a dedicated CPAWS champion. Discover her personal connection to Canada’s wilderness and her powerful poem, “What Would The Forest Say?”.
What you love about parks
We asked you about your experiences in parks, and you answered our call.
I always donate on parks day. My fondest memories of the Gatineau Park were in the early 60’s and I’ve passed my love for nature on to my son and his friends. My wife and still go for a little hike and bird watching. My dad would take the 8 of us on hikes especially in the Fall. The first thing he would say to us as we entered the forest was, stop and close your eyes, listen to the trees talking and singing in the wind, now open your eyes look at the leaves dancing to the ground to start seedlings again in the Spring. Now you see how beautiful and clean the forest is. He reminded us, always bring your garbage back out with you so the next group that comes in it will experience the same. The park is a treasure for this area and needs legislation protection so families in past, present and future generations can enjoy it for generations to come.
– Anonymous
Two of my favorite parks are Five Islands in my native province and Blomidon also in NS. . My family and I have good memories of Fundy National Park in New Brunswick over the years. And a small but impressive park is Victoria Park in Truro NS. Over the years I have visited different parks across the country they are an invaluable asset to our country always leaving indelible memories, like Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. There are many. I forgot about The Wonderful National Park in Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail.
– Anonymous
Natural spaces from coast to coast to coast restore your entire being through their beauty, majesty, & magic. My most recent joy was at Lake Kennedy in BC with my beloved great niece…she played her guitar & I wandered in the water. Thanks for this opportunity to express my love of all natural spaces.
– Anonymous
We regularly hike in our parks and local trails. We’re so grateful for these big wild spaces where we can enjoy natural ecosystems like wetlands, forests, meadows, and where animals are safe and living their lives and we get to witness this and see the beauty of wilderness and life. We almost never go even a week between hikes and visits to parks.
– Anonymous
Pacific Rim, Cathedral Grove, Birkenhead Lake, Banff, Jasper, Nahanni, Pukaskwa, Gatineau, Gaspésie, Fjord du-Saguenay, Mont Tremblant, Jacques-Cartier, Grands-Jardins, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Highlands. Rich personal experiences in these national and provincial parks over the last four decades have nurtured my love of nature, created memories for a lifetime, and taught me the importance of preserving such special places for future generations. That’s why I’m a CPAWS supporter. Happy Parks Day to all, and keep up the good work, CPAWS!
– Anonymous
On a cross country drive from Toronto to Regina Beach, Saskatchewan, with my 12 year old son and his friend, we had a great night camping at Neys Provincial Park. The challenge was to see if we could brave the cold of Lake Superior. The boys ran in making use of the relative warmth of where the Little Pic River met the lake. On the return trip we stayed at Aaron Provincial Park and fished in Thunder Lake. We also stopped at Pancake Bay Provincial Park to swim. These parks are tremendous resources and inspirations.
– Anonymous
I have spent many years canoeing and backpacking in Canadian parks from walking western mountains to Gros Morne in Newfoundland. They are where I find my home. I’m now 79 years old but I still treasure being able to be in nature.
– Anonymous
Thank you for checking out the stories from some of our many champions across the country. We’d love to share your content too!
Please fill out the Nature and Me form to contribute to the collection. If you’d like to support us further, you can also make a donation.
