Creating safe communities
Priority 4
Protecting nature, strengthening communities
Healthy natural systems are essential community infrastructure. They protect clean water; reduce flood, wildfire and heat risks; support livelihoods; and create healthier places to live. By conserving these systems, we help communities become safer and more resilient.
Nature close to home
More than half of our projects are near major cities, helping provide clean water, cleaner air and access to nature.
3.5 million litres of floodwater stored
A wetland the size of a football field can store roughly 3.5 million litres of water during a flood.
Two hours in nature supports well-being
Enjoying at least two hours in nature each week is associated with better health and well-being.
Supporting livelihoods
Grasslands support food production, drinking water and pollinators and provide protection from floods and droughts.
Nature strengthens communities
Healthy nature supports daily life in ways we do not always see. The ecosystems that clean our air and water, moderate heat and reduce flood and wildfire risks also support our health and local economies.
Reducing risk
The wetlands, forests, floodplains and shorelines we conserve act as natural buffers. They absorb water, stabilize soil and help reduce the risks that floods, erosion, wildfire and extreme heat pose to communities.
Protecting air and water
Wetlands, forests and other healthy ecosystems filter water, slow runoff and help keep pollutants out of rivers, lakes and groundwater. They also store carbon, moderate temperatures and contribute to cleaner air.
Supporting health and well being
Access to nature supports physical and mental well-being. We conserve and care for natural spaces where people can walk, breathe, connect and experience the benefits of time outdoors.
Partnerships build resilience
Safer, healthier communities are built through partnership. We work with municipalities, Indigenous Nations and communities, landowners and local organizations to protect the natural systems communities depend on and deliver solutions grounded in local priorities.
Conservation in action
Needs support now
Alberta’s Prairie Grasslands
Alberta is home to some of Canada’s last remaining prairie grasslands – one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth. From the Southern Foothills to the Milk River Basin and beyond, we work alongside ranching families to conserve what remains of these vital landscapes, sustaining wildlife, supporting livelihoods and keeping Alberta’s grasslands healthy and resilient for generations to come.
AB Alberta
Alfred-Kelly Nature Reserve
Nestled within the Piedmont and Prévost escarpments of the Laurentians lies the Alfred-Kelly Nature Reserve — a remarkable landscape of mature forests, wetlands and towering cliffs that provide vital nesting habitat for birds of prey. Since 2012, we have been protecting this special place and the wildlife that depends on it. Together, we can ensure it remains protected for generations to come.
Boreal forests
Across northern Ontario, we’re protecting vast boreal forest and peatlands that are vital to our planet’s health. These powerful ecosystems store vast amounts of carbon, filter our drinking water and provide habitat for wildlife, while strengthening northern communities. Together, we can protect this remarkable landscape forever.
Buffalo Pound
Located northwest of Regina, the native grasslands surrounding Buffalo Pound Lake perform an essential job: filtering the drinking water relied on by about a quarter of Saskatchewan’s population. By conserving these endangered grasslands, we conserve clean water, support biodiversity and safeguard a landscape that communities rely on every day.
Give today for a more resilient tomorrow.
Learn more about our priorities
Conserving land and water is just one piece of the puzzle. Explore our other priorities and see how we’re taking action to address the urgent challenges facing wildlife, ecosystems and communities.
