Ontario philanthropist John McCutcheon pledges $20 million to launch Canada Freshwater Challenge Fund

Nature lover and philanthropist John McCutcheon will leave an enduring legacy for freshwater conservation in Canada, with a bequest gift of $20 million to be distributed to seven organizations. Announced on National Philanthropy Day, it will be the largest private donation by an individual to freshwater conservation in Canada’s history. 

The donation will be used to create the Canada Freshwater Challenge Fund and shine a spotlight on the urgency of conserving our nation’s freshwater resources. 

The health of all living beings, our food systems and our economies depend on an abundance of clean and accessible water. However, the supply of fresh water is finite. With some of the most abundant reservoirs of freshwater in the world, Canada must protect and care for this limited resource. Our waters face many threats, including climate change, causing rising temperatures and disruptions to water cycles; destruction of aquatic habitats; loss of biodiversity; contamination; and more. 

But with careful conservation and stewardship, there is hope. 

By working together, we have the power to affect change on a global scale. The Canada Freshwater Challenge Fund will support environmental charities that have different strengths — including data collection, education and conservation — all of which contribute to the protection of one of the planet’s most important resources. 

Thanks to John’s generous gift, these charities will continue to find ways to protect and restore our country’s freshwater resources. 

The Canada Freshwater Challenge Fund will be distributed across seven organizations: the Nature Conservancy of Canada, World Wildlife Fund-Canada, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, DataStream, Ontario Water Centre/ClearWater Farm and the International Institute for Sustainable Development — Experimental Lakes Area. Through different activities and missions, each group protects and cares for freshwater in Canada. 

Quotes 

“We are reminded of the importance of freshwater, this essential ingredient of life, every time we turn on a tap, pour a glass of water, wash our clothes, pass a sparkling lake or swift running stream. Without freshwater for humanity and our natural world, what do we have? It's up to each of us to appreciate how vulnerable we are by becoming knowledgeable about the freshwater resources on which our communities depend and doing what we can to protect and care for them.” — John McCutcheon 

“With this gift, John is making a powerful statement about the role that individuals can play in protecting the natural world that underpins our way of life. With his help, the Nature Conservancy of Canada will protect and restore even more critical wetlands that help to filter our drinking water and prevent flooding. His is a gift that will impact communities for generations to come.” — Dana Kleniewski, Regional Vice President — Ontario Region, Nature Conservancy of Canada 

“This remarkable bequest is a significant milestone for freshwater conservation in Canada. It not only enables vital research and restoration work, but also strengthens our commitment to protecting the lifeblood of our ecosystems and communities. With this support, we are poised to tackle the pressing challenges facing our lakes, rivers and wetlands, ensuring they are safeguarded for the future.” — Elizabeth Hendriks, Vice-President of Restoration & Regeneration, WWF-Canada 

“John McCutcheon's generosity recognizes that Canada can lead in global freshwater conservation. With John’s visionary support, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada) will continue to generate key science and take action to protect wetlands and conserve freshwater, including in partnership with Indigenous communities. By conserving freshwater ecosystems and safeguarding wetlands we can ensure that these vital environments continue to support biodiversity, sustain communities and contribute to global climate resilience.” — Justina Ray, PhD, President and Senior Scientist, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada 

"A lifelong philanthropist, John’s commitment to supporting the environment continues to benefit both people and wildlife across Canada. Donors like John allow our organization to protect vulnerable habitat throughout the moraine. His work has helped ensure the conservation of freshwater resources and allowed for greater resiliency against the effects of climate change. Through his generous spirit, John provides a model for all of us to do more to support the ecosystems and communities around us." — Susan Walmer, CEO, CPA, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust 

“In making this gift and bringing these organizations together, John is showing the leadership we need to safeguard our freshwater. With this funding, DataStream will improve access to water data to help protect the lakes, rivers, and streams we all rely on.” — Katherine Balpataky, Executive Director, DataStream 

“The breadth and diversity of John’s legacy gift is thoughtful and impactful. By including the Ontario Water Centre educational charity in his mix, he is directly involving and inspiring young people through hands-on learning in nature at ClearWater Farm, and at home through our new multi-platform Future Chicken animated ecotainment initiative that uses humour and fun to involve kids in climate action. — Annabel Slaight, CM, O.Ont., Founding Chair, Ontario Water Centre 

“John McCutcheon’s unprecedented gift to the future of Canada’s invaluable freshwater supplies is nothing short of visionary. IISD Experimental Lakes Area, the world’s freshwater laboratory, based right here in Canada, will use this incredibly generous gift to build our future, but also to build Northern Ontario’s first Centre for Climate Change Learning — a focal point for climate education and community building in the region to inspire young Canadians and generations to come.” — Pauline Gerrard, Executive Director, IISD Experimental Lakes Area 

Find photos and video here. 

Learn more about these organizations by visiting https://linktr.ee/canadafreshwaterchallenge. 

About 

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner NCC works with people, communities and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought Canadians together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. 

WWF-Canada is committed to equitable and effective conservation actions that restore nature, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We draw on scientific analysis and Indigenous guidance to ensure all our efforts connect to a single goal: a future where wildlife, nature and people thrive. For more information visit https://wwf.ca. 

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada) brings science to action to safeguard wildlife and ecosystems, often in partnership with Indigenous communities, and empowers decision-makers at all levels to take transformative action for nature and people. As a trusted voice on conservation and climate science, WCS Canada’s expertise on biodiversity and climate action continues to shape conservation policies and practices across Canada and globally. 

The Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT), a registered charitable organization, was formed in 2000 by citizens interested in protecting the Moraine. The Land Trust ensures significant Moraine and Greenbelt properties are protected for future generations through agreements with landowners, protection of lands and ongoing stewardship. To date, the Trust and partners have protected over 2172 hectares (5366 acres) of land on 68 properties. Visit https://www.oakridgesmoraine.org/. 

DataStream’s mission is to promote knowledge sharing and collaboration so that our waters remain healthy for generations to come. DataStream provides a free online platform for sharing water-quality data and learning resources, alongside network building and advocacy for open access to environmental data and transparency in decision-making. Visit https://DataStream.org for more information.

Ontario Water Centre is a hub for ecological innovation on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Inspired by water, we are engaging young people through science, technology and the arts. Our flagship ClearWater Farm on Lake Simcoe is a “living lab” for experiencing connections between good food, good health and a healthy planet. Our impact is being dramatically extended through Future Chicken, an animation project providing kids 6 to 10 tools to help change the world. Learn more: https://www.ontariowatercentre.ca, https://www.clearwaterfarm.ca/ and https://www.futurechicken.com/ 

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is an exceptional natural laboratory comprising 58 small lakes and their watersheds set aside for scientific research. By manipulating these small lakes, scientists are able to examine how all aspects of the ecosystem — from the atmosphere to fish populations — respond. Findings from these real-world experiments are often much more accurate than those from research conducted at smaller scales, such as in laboratories. This unique research approach has influenced billion-dollar decisions of governments and industries. It has generated more cost-effective environmental policies, regulations and management, all to ensure the safety of our freshwater supplies.