What We Do
Nova Scotia is situated within the ancestral, unceded territory of Mi’kmaq. CPAWS-NS prioritizes working collaboratively with Indigenous peoples and supporting Indigenous-led conservation, following the lead of the Mi’kmaw people who have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is a national charity with 13 chapters across the country and over 60 years of conservation success. At CPAWS Nova Scotia we advocate for the creation of new protected areas on land and in the ocean, and work to ensure that existing protected areas are well-managed for ecological integrity. We value spending time in communities, with nature, and engaging diverse groups of people with conservation and their natural landscapes.
At the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, we are committed to conservation and justice in all that we do.
We support Indigenous-led conservation, and work collaboratively with the Mi’kmaq, local communities, government, academics, and scientists to campaign for healthy ecosystems. We hold decision makers accountable, and ensure nature always has a voice at the table.
We believe an important step in protecting a special place is collaboration and forming strong relationships there.
That’s why we value fieldwork. We collect data and photos from across the province to identify ecologically significant ecosystems, inform decision-making, and help communities showcase the ecological values of their area. From backcountry camping to sea kayaking expeditions, we aren’t afraid to get a bit dirty in the name of conservation!
Over the past 20 years, we have helped to establish more than 150 new protected areas in Nova Scotia, including landmark campaigns like Blue-Mountain Birch Cove Lakes, Sable Island, and Sackville River.
We envision a province where native flora and wildlife can thrive, and communities can live off the land and ocean sustainably. Together, we work hard to protect and restore the natural landscapes that are integral to our home and future generations.
