Frequently asked questions

Q: Why is it important to protect nature?
Canada has vast tracts of land and water that absorb pollution and cleanse the air. They keep ecological systems—nutrient flows, the food chain, natural progression of species, heating and cooling patterns—running. They let some native plants and animals thrive with minimal interference from humans.

Protection is very important in our backyards too. When we pave a wetland, force a wild animal and its family away from a property, cut down a tree that shelters birds and insects, or plant just a few kinds of crops or flowers, we limit biodiversity—interrupting an ecological balance that is healthy for us.

By biodiversity we mean the web of life. Everything is connected—change or cut out one part and everything is touched. In nature, more biodiversity is always better.

Q: Is Nature Canada opposed to industry and development?
In general, no, but we think conservation impacts must always be studied and avoided to the greatest possible extent. To make sure this happens when the stakes are high, we work with groups like the Mining and the Forest Products associations and participate in environment-economy round tables. Nature Canada looks long and hard for solutions that conserve nature. They can be as big as new legislation, land swaps and sustainable agriculture, or as small as saving a special tree and building a temporary shelter for a migrating bird. All these actions keep precious natural resources safe.

Q: What can I do to make a difference?
Our members, supporters and all Canadians have an important role to play in shaping conservation decisions and getting results. Here are some easy things you can do to make a difference:

1. Speak out about threatened species or thoughtless development. If it is a cross-Canada problem or an issue relating to federal government jurisdiction, Nature Canada will help.
2. Help monitor environmental change by supplying research studies with local data or participating in one of our NatureWatch projects.
3. Stay informed about conservation issues and opportunities. Visiting the Nature Canada Web site is a good way to stay informed. Our E-Newsletter, The Nature Nation, has tips for the backyard naturalist every month.
4. Protect nature in your own backyard: install a birdhouse, plant a butterfly garden, naturalize your waterfront, keep your cat tethered when outdoors.
5. Share your knowledge and love of outdoors with children and relatives.
6. Make all these things happen now and for years to come by supporting Nature Canada as a member or making a donation.

Q: Who supports Nature Canada?
An enthusiasm for nature is our common thread. Everyone in Nature Canada finds joy in simple, natural things.

We are outdoor types, nature watchers and naturalists—bird watchers, gardeners, hikers, trippers, collectors, campers and stargazers. We are parents, grandparents, mentors, volunteers, coaches, and youth group leaders—everyday people who care about nature. We are teachers, scientists, lawyers, land planners, ecological consultants and leaders in environmental conservation—people who have a professional as well as personal interest.

Every one of us believes in the value of native plants, wild species and natural settings, and knows we need to take action today to keep them safe and pass them on to future generations.

Q: How does Nature Canada work?
Nature Canada is a full partner in the Canadian Nature Network, a cross-Canada alliance of naturalist federations and clubs. We are the national voice for the network, speaking out about national parks, endangered species and shared issues like the damage done by off-highway vehicles. At the hub of this network are our provincial affiliates, from the Federation of British Columbia Naturalists to the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. We meet regularly and work closely together.

Because so many Canadian birds overwinter in the south our bird conservation program has an international flavour. As Canadian co-partner in BirdLife International we support projects in Central and South America that have a positive impact on habitat and migration patterns. As well, we provide funds and guidance to local community groups conserving key important bird areas here in Canada, such as a volunteer fire department in Nova Scotia that is raising awareness of the fragile dune habitat of the endangered piping plover.

We use a co-operative and community-based approach in all our work. We constantly seek the best, most practical, cost-effective ways to ensure the permanent protection of important wild areas and species here in Canada. From time to time correspondence and conferences are not enough so we prepare for a day in court or to intervene at a key hearing.

Sometime it requires even more public support and action to achieve our goals. And this is where our members, supporters and other Canadians have an important role to play in shaping conservation decisions and results. Whether by signing a petition, filling out an action card to send to a minister, or addressing personal letters or faxes to MPs, all individual efforts from our supporters have helped tremendously.

Check out our Action Centre for the latest campaigns.

Q: Do I get a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. Nature Canada is a registered charity and donations are tax-creditable. Acknowledgements and receipts are issued in a timely and routine way.

Q: Do you have any information on species, like tigers or pandas, found outside of Canada?
Our focus is on nature here in Canada, so we are not the place to turn for information on international species. We will respond to such requests as best we can, but please understand that providing such information is not our mandate.