Connecting
with Nature

Canadians are spending most of their lives indoors – reports indicate as much as 90 per cent of our time is spent inside. Both doctors and scientists confirm that exposure to nature actually contributes to human health and well-being, both mental and physical.

The challenge the Canadian Wildlife Federation and many others have taken on is to try to connect people to nature, to get them outside and discovering the benefits of immersing oneself in nature. At CWF, we want an appreciation for wildlife and nature to be an intrinsic value shared by all Canadians.

The first Sunday to Saturday of April, the Canadian Wildlife Federation is encouraging all Canadians to join in our Do More For Wildlife challenge. When you stand up for wildlife, you give the Canadian Wildlife Federation the opportunity to create programs and build relationships with government, landowners and other private citizens just like you. Today, pledge to #DoMoreFor Wildlife by planting seeds of hope, resilience, opportunity and knowledge.

If you know someone who is contributing to conservation efforts in Canada, CWF invites you to nominate them for our Canadian Conservation Achievement Awards Program.

The CWF Canadian Conservation Corps is a three part program designed to deeply engage young Canadians in our natural and cultural heritage through service, adventure and reflection. We recruit young people (ages 18 to 30) and engage them over a nine-month period in a comprehensive program that progresses from wilderness journeys to field work, culminating with participants leading meaningful community service program in their own communities across Canada.

Embracing outdoor activity is a great way to reap the healthy benefits gained by celebrating temperatures “below zero!”

To help us determine the health of an ecosystem, we can use Bioblitzes. A Bioblitz is a participatory search for species within a limited area and a limited timeframe that takes a “snapshot” of as many living things as possible. People from all walks of life help out — expert and amateur naturalists, taxonomic scientists and the general public. Here’s the key part: you can be directly involved in determining the health of an area by participating in — or hosting — a Bioblitz!

As more land is developed for human use, we need our gardens more than ever to provide wildlife with habitat that wouldn’t otherwise be there. Every wildlife-friendly garden is a haven that can act as a stepping stone to larger areas of natural habitat. In turn, wildlife plays a critical role in our own survival, from pollinators helping provide fruits and vegetables to cavity nesting birds keeping mice and insects under control.

CWF’s Great Canadian Campout is a perfect opportunity to get outside with family and friends each summer. Whether you’re an experienced camper or a newbie, or whether you’re camping in your backyard, at a local campsite or in one of our incredible provincial or national parks, let us know!

One Person, One Promise. This year, make the promise to do more for wildlife. We live in a time where we have the opportunity to create incredible change for our current and future generations. But it is up to us to do more. We are asking you – as one person – to join us as we promise to #DoMoreForWildlife and to create a healthier world for all living beings and spaces.

Through the generosity of our supporters, CWF receives thousands of spectacular photos that reflect nature in all of its glory. Sign up to receive our Photo of the Day and spend time viewing some of the most spectacular nature photographs you’ll ever see.

It all started in 1963 with black-and-white vignettes about the loon, the moose, the gannet and the beaver. For more than 50 years, Hinterland Who’s Who has been proudly bringing Canada’s iconic wildlife directly into Canadians’ homes.

If enough people record their observations in iNaturalist Canada, we can make a difference for Canada’s wildlife. We can build a living record of life in Canada that scientists and environmental managers can use to monitor changes in biodiversity, and that anyone can use to learn more about Canada’s amazing natural history.

Rivers to Oceans Week, celebrated from June 8 to 14, recognizes the connectedness of our waterways and reminds us that taking care of our water is a shared responsibility.

We hope that we can encourage you to enjoy some breathing space in the great outdoors, help you reflect on what kind of child you want to raise (fingers crossed for a conservationist!), and help you create a home sweet home that’s eco-friendly too.

The WILD Family Nature Club initiative was developed with help from the International Children and Nature Network. The program is designed to support volunteers like you who want to work with CWF and inspire a love of nature in others by connecting children and families to a world of outdoor play and exploration. From simple nature hikes through urban parks to surveying wildlife conservation areas with your free iNaturalist Canada app, there is no limit to the kind of nature-based activities you can incorporate into your program.