A Year of Growth, Action & Community
By CPAWS Manitoba Staff
2025 was a big year for CPAWS. We showed up, took action, and built momentum toward protecting Manitoba’s natural spaces. From launching major initiatives to connecting with communities across the province, our team put their hearts into conservation—one meeting, one workshop, and one hike at a time.
To celebrate the year, we asked our staff to share their favourite CPAWS moments from 2025. Here are 25 things we accomplished together, with curiosity, care, and a whole lot of love for this beautiful province we call home.
Conservation Highlights
1. Manitobans Care for Land and Waters
Our outreach team gathered signatures from over 25,000 Manitobans who want to protect the lands and waters we all love. Every postcard signed was sent on to the appropriate government official – and they heard loud and clear that protecting Manitoba is important to Manitobans. Take action now!
2. Celebrated Ocean Week
Our coastal province came alive at Ocean Soundscapes, where cellist Rob Knaggs performed music inspired by Manitoba’s beluga whales—yes, real whale music! We also welcomed local Indigenous artists for a mini market and partnered with the Manitoba Museum for a joyful community water walk. Ocean Week felt like a love letter to Western Hudson Bay.
“It was so nice to be able to connect southern Manitobans to our northern coast through our Ocean Week events. We made new connections and built upon existing ones with different partners across the city and the province. I’m excited to see how we can continue to champion our arctic ocean in the new year!” said Claire Woodbury, Conservation Campaign Manager.
3. Conducted Public and Stakeholder Engagement
In partnership with the Nations leading the Conservation Areas Initiative in the Interlake’s Fisher Bay region, we publicly released a draft conservation proposal in January, 2025. We gathered feedback on the draft proposal through 6 Open Houses, 27 Stakeholder meetings, 4 meetings with government officials, and 7 Meetings with First Nations Chiefs and Councils. Every conversation was a reminder that people deeply care about the places they call home.
“We are extremely grateful for everyone who took time to provide their feedback on the draft proposal we presented publicly in January, whether online or in-person at our many meetings. We are looking forward to sharing the final proposal in the new year,” said Neil Bailey, Conservation Campaign Manager
4. Meetings with Manitoba’s Environment and Climate Minister, Mike Moyes
Advocacy stayed front and centre as we continued important conversations about the future of protected areas. This year we had multiple constructive meetings with Minister Moyes and his staff. We talked about the importance of balancing nature and culture with economic growth, meeting important targets and our shared love of Manitoba’s parks and protected spaces. We always left feeling inspired and ready to keep pushing for what matters.
5. Attended Fox Lake Cree Nation’s Annual Gathering
We continued providing our support for the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk Indigenous Protected Area initiative. Our team members Claire and Nadia had the incredible opportunity of providing direct support and attending the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynitamuk Indigenous Protected Area’s annual Five Nations Gathering, hosted at the Fox Lake Cree Nation Culture Camp in September. The four-day gathering was coordinated by members from each of the five First Nations, and was hosted by Fox Lake Cree Nation, near Gillam Manitoba. The gathering was filled with many moments of joy, laughter, heartfelt emotions, inspiring words, Traditional Knowledge and ceremonies, music, singing, dancing, and the sharing of delicious food. We are honoured to support this initiative and are deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate, learn, and build meaningful relationships with the community members who so generously welcomed us to the gathering.
6. Supported the Seal River Watershed Alliance
We continued to support the Alliance in the effort to establish the 50, 000 square kilometre Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area. Our efforts this year included advisory support, coordination services, and building mass public support with over 22,000 Manitobans letting the provincial government know they support protecting these spectacular lands and waters since our public campaign began in 2019.
“It’s been one of the great honours of my life to work with the First Nations of the Alliance to launch this initiative in 2016 and to see where it is today. The steadfast commitment and hard work of the Alliance to make this happen is endlessly inspiring. This is going to be a huge conservation victory for local communities, Manitobans, and the world,” said Ron Thiessen.
7. Relaunched Five Beautiful Postcards
From Hudson Bay to the Interlake, our refreshed postcards helped share conservation stories and empower action. With bold imagery and simple messages, they sparked countless conversations at festivals, markets, and Nature Club events. It is a reminder that sometimes the tiniest outreach tools can create the biggest impressions.
8. Key Section of Speech to the Throne
On November 18, we attended Manitoba’s Speech from the Throne to witness the province reaffirm its commitment to protecting 30% of Manitoba by 2030 and its new commitment to financially support a feasibility study for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in Western Hudson Bay. A huge step forward, and a testament to years of community support, advocacy, and government relations.
“We’re so pleased that after years of efforts, the pieces are finally falling into place to balance nature, culture, and sustainable economic activities in western Hudson Bay. As the Port of Churchill Plus project increases shipping, it’s critical that we protect the belugas, polar bears, and birds that local cultures and livelihoods depend on,” said Ron Thiessen.
Nature Club Milestones
9. Introduced Brand-New Nature Club Workshops
With help from partners, Green Kids and Orienteering Manitoba, we expanded our Nature Club workshop lineup, giving families and adventurers of all ages fun new ways to explore nature. Think treasure hunts, outdoor games, and moments of pure wonder.
10. Welcomed Tons of New Volunteers
This year our volunteer family grew in the best way. Dozens of new people showed up again and again to help at hikes, markets, and festivals. They care deeply about Manitoba, and they care about the work we are doing at CPAWS. We were especially touched when a record number of volunteers joined us at our Holiday Volunteer Appreciation Night to celebrate their own hard work. They deserved every moment of it.
“Our Nature Club wouldn’t be possible without the amazing volunteers who offer up their time on our hikes and learning activities,” said Deb, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator.
11. Hosted our Biggest Halloween Hike Yet
Over 600 participants showed up in their spookiest and silliest costumes for our fifth annual Halloween Hike. Chickadee trail in Birds Hill Park was transformed into a magical autumn playground, with activity stations, sweet treats, and crisp fall air. It was multilingual, family-friendly, and full of giggles.
12. Created the Nature Club Craft Club
Winter got a whole lot cozier with our new monthly craft nights at the CPAWS Manitoba office. From junk journaling to upcycled art projects, participants turned everyday items into deeply creative, eco-friendly treasures. Whether you were a lifelong crafter or just seeking warmth and community our new club welcomes you in. Check out the list of events taking place in the new year!
13. Reached Record-Breaking Nature Club Attendance
From the iconic Narcisse Snake Dens to our packed Halloween Hike, Nature Club welcomed more participants this year than ever before. Manitobans showed up with curiosity, courage, and an eagerness to explore.
Education
14. Launched the Polar Bear Program
We launched a winter outdoor learning program to teach students about the polar bears and the fragile Arctic ecosystem. We taught 629 students, in 57 programs, at 13 schools!
15. Brought More Outdoor Learning to Children
Field trips and schoolyard programs were extremely successful. We reached 6,945 children this year, helping spark lifelong connections to nature.
16. Launched a New YouTube Series: Nature Club 4 Kids
We kicked things off with “What is Litter?” a playful and informative video that encouraged kids to take part in our Litter Challenge. We have plans to continue launching content that is easy to understand, geared toward a younger audience.
17. Focused on Delivering Professional Development
This year, we expanded our reach to teachers and post-secondary professionals, offering training on outdoor education, reconciliation through relationship-building with nature, and how CPAWS supports learning on the land. Helping educators feel confident outside is one of the best ways to help future generations love the outdoors.
And More!
18. Updated our Entire Website
We gave everything a fresh look—adding a Manitoba trail guide, a “How To” guide series, cleaner navigation, and tons of new resources. It’s our most user-friendly site yet.
19. Welcomed Four Incredible Work Placement Students
Brendan, Juliana, Brynne, and Skylar from Red River Polytechnic brought talent, energy, and big ideas during their short-but-mighty placements. Their creativity is woven into so many of this year’s communications projects.
20. Went Viral for the First Time Ever
Our video about the Narcisse Snake Dens captured the internet’s attention earning over 400,000 views across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Manitoba’s snakes deserve the spotlight!
21. Launched our “Protect What You Love” Video Campaign
We stepped into a new chapter of storytelling with a heartfelt video campaign celebrating Manitobans’ love for nature. These stories helped us connect conservation to what people treasure most.
22. Tons of Writing
This year marked a strong commitment to writing, with nearly two blog posts published each week, highlighting campaign updates, “How to” guides, and nature news. Alongside, we were spotted in the news with op-eds and letters to the editor in the Winnipeg Free Press.
23. Media Moments
This year brought major traditional media highlights, from chatting on CTV Morning Live to discussing eco-friendly crafting on CBC.
24. Grew our Online Community in Meaningful Ways
This year wasn’t about chasing numbers, it was about building connections and community. More Manitobans than ever followed along, shared our posts, joined our events and joined important conversations about nature, stewardship, and the places they love.
25. Brought CPAWS into New Communities
From rural fairs to neighbourhood festivals, our outreach and education teams popped up in places we’d never visited before, meeting people where they are and sparking conversations about nature, wildlife, and local pride.
What’s Next for CPAWS?
Big Things are Ahead.
We’re gearing up for a big year in our efforts to help protect more of Manitoba’s lands and waters for future generations of people and wildlife.
2026 marks our 35th anniversary, and we’re already dreaming up celebrations with the communities who have supported us for decades. More events, more storytelling, more ways to deepen our relationship with the places that define us.
2025 was a year of collaboration, learning, and heart. Thank you to everyone—partners, volunteers, staff, and supporters—who made it all possible.
Here’s to an even more impactful, hope-filled 2026! 🌿💚