The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s grassroots voice for wilderness. We are solutions-oriented, and we get results.

With nearly 60 years of success, we played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres: an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory.

Our goal is to permanently protect at least half of Canada’s lands and waters for future generations of people and wildlife.

CPAWS Manitoba

CPAWS Manitoba has worked alongside Indigenous Nations and local communities to help establish 23 parks and protected areas in the province, supporting their leadership and vision for conservation. Together, we’ve conserved an area larger than Lake Winnipeg: nearly 26,000 square kilometres.

CPAWS Manitoba has been a champion of nature since 1991. We ensure the voice of conservation is heard on issues affecting our parks and wilderness areas.

Our supporters have signed over 120,000 postcards and emails since 2019 urging the provincial and federal governments to protect Manitoba's lands and waters for future generations of people and wildlife.

Protecting Manitoba’s Nature for the Future

Nature is not a luxury—it’s a legacy. By protecting Manitoba’s lands and waters, we ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of the wild places we love.

Conservation helps by:

Keeping wildlife safe: Giving animals and plants the space they need to thrive.
Protecting traditions: Supporting hunting, fishing, and trapping while preventing harmful industrial damage.
Fighting climate change: Keeping forests, wetlands, and lakes healthy to clean the air and store carbon.
Strengthening communities: Creating jobs in tourism, outdoor activities, and Indigenous-led land stewardship.

Generations from now, when Manitobans look back on their childhood memories, let’s make sure they still include the call of a loon at sunset, the feeling of cool lake water on a hot day, and the quiet wonder of standing beneath endless northern skies. These are the wild places that make Manitoba special—and they’re worth protecting forever.

Connecting People to Nature

We’ve developed a wide range of activities and programming to help Manitobans of all ages and abilities enjoy the health and wellness benefits of nature.

More than 22,000 people registered for our group hikes, paddle nights, workshops and webinars since we launched the Nature Club in December 2020.

More than 25,000 children and students were connected to nature through 1,284 CPAWS Manitoba outdoor education programs from May 2021 to March 2025.

Be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and Tiktok so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.

CPAWS as a National Organization

CPAWS is Canada’s only charity dedicated to the protection of public land, freshwater, and ocean with a strong national and regional presence across the country. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we are focused on conserving nature to respond to the dual crises of accelerated biodiversity loss and climate change.

We are Canada’s leader in conservation with nearly 60 years of success based on our expertise, public education and advocacy, relationships, and local knowledge.

According to Charity Intelligance Canada, "Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is a 5-star charity that is financially transparent. It has an above-average results reporting score of A- and reasonable overhead spending of 20%." To learn more visit our parent website.

Our Mission

CPAWS advocates for the effective, long-term protection of ecologically and culturally significant land, freshwater, and ocean areas in Canada. Working in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations, we achieve our mission through knowledge-based advocacy, and public education and engagement, underpinned by collaboration and partnership.