The Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS Manitoba) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting Manitoba’s lands and waters for future generations. Founded in 1991, we’ve been working right here in Manitoba for nearly 35 years.

We take a grassroots, science-based, and respectful approach to conservation, working collaboratively with communities, Indigenous Nations, and governments to safeguard nature and ensure sustainable land-use decisions.

Our efforts have helped establish 23 parks and protected areas across the province, covering nearly 26,000 square kilometres, an area larger than Lake Winnipeg. Today, we continue that work by supporting Indigenous-led conservation, engaging the public, and advocating for meaningful, permanent protections to help achieve the goal of conserving at least 30% of Manitoba’s lands and waters by 2030.

CPAWS nationally was founded in 1963. CPAWS Manitoba was established in 1991 and has been advocating for wilderness protection in the province ever since.

Since its founding in 1963, CPAWS has become a leader in conservation in Canada, and has played a key role in protecting nature across the country. Our 60 years of success is thanks to the people behind the organization, who bring their expertise, public education and advocacy experience, relationships, and local knowledge to the job.

We are experiencing unprecedented impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change, to the degree where they are now two of the top global crises. Each of these crises exacerbates the other, and both will devastate nature and living conditions for people if left unchecked.

With the recent adoption of an ambitious new Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, protect at least 30% of land and ocean by 2030, and respect and recognize Indigenous rights and leadership, CPAWS is committed to continuing its work with Indigenous Peoples, federal, provincial and territorial governments, and other partners to ensure effective and equitable implementation of this plan in Canada.

When our organization was founded, conservation was undertaken in very different ways, and in a model that inherently excluded the First Nations, Metis and Inuit who had stewarded these lands and waters for millennia. They were not consulted in the decision-making processes and in many cases, their lands and livelihoods were taken from them. This is the shameful history of our sector, but it’s one that we need to acknowledge if we want to do better now and into the future.

CPAWS, as an organization, is committed to learning from our past. And while we now work very differently, we are still learning, and we know that to work in a good way means recognizing the leadership of First Nations, Metis and Inuit, and using our resources to support their conservation goals.

As the journey continues towards achieving this vision, we recognize that the work we do today builds on decades of prior efforts, including those made by Indigenous Peoples. CPAWS is committed to moving forward in the spirit and practice of truth and reconciliation, acknowledging and supporting the essential leadership of the Indigenous stewards who have cared for lands and waters since time immemorial.

No. CPAWS is a non-governmental organization (NGO). We’re an independent, non-profit charity that advocates for conservation based on science, Indigenous knowledge, and public interest.

An NGO (non-governmental organization) is an independent, non-profit group that operates outside of government to support causes like conservation, health, education, and human rights.

CPAWS is a national organization with chapters across the country. Each chapter, including CPAWS Manitoba, focuses on local and regional issues while aligning with national conservation goals and sharing resources.

As Manitobans, we live, work, and play here, and we are passionate about protecting what makes this province so special. Our work contributes to a shared vision while staying rooted in the unique landscapes, wildlife, and communities of Manitoba. The CPAWS Manitoba chapter’s team determines the priorities, design initiatives, and carries out the work that we do here in the province.

We’re located at 7-875 Corydon Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Yes, we are a registered charity and can issue tax receipts for eligible donations. We work as the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, sharing a charity number with all chapters across Canada: #10686 5272 RR0001. 

At CPAWS Manitoba, we believe that effective conservation starts with science and local knowledge. This guides our efforts in protecting species, restoring ecosystems, and advocating for policies that benefit the environment. We rely on accurate data and scientific research as well as Indigenous Traditional Knowledge to develop our campaigns and education programs. 

Science and Indigenous Knowledge also guide our conservation policies, influencing decision-makers to adopt sustainable, effective practices that protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

As we face growing environmental challenges, our commitment to science and local knowledge remains strong. We believe that with evidence and collaboration, we can create lasting solutions for the planet’s future.