Outdoor and Conservation Organisations: From Trail Maintenance to Wildlife Protection
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes Last updated on 8th December 2024
Once, there was a listing of outdoor organisations in the footer of this blog, and it is a slight surprise that I never converted it into an article like this one. Having gathered a varied selection recently, it feels opportune to collect them and other others that I find afterwards. This is a varied bunch, and eclecticism is a feature that I hope to retain as new additions get made.
All accept members, and some also are happy to receive donations for their work. Volunteering is a natural hallmark of many of these and that fills gaps that may have been the preserve of the public sector once upon a time, but current austerity means that such activity had more of a place now than during the boom of more than a decade ago.
The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife in Alberta. Established in 1993, AIWC operates as an accredited veterinary clinic, providing care and support for wildlife in need. Located in Treaty 7 territory, the organisation emphasizes its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement through educational programs and volunteer opportunities.
The Alpine Club of Canada is a national organisation that promotes mountaineering and climbing across Canada. It offers resources for outdoor enthusiasts, including access to climbing routes, safety information, and training programs. The club fosters a community of climbers and adventurers while advocating for the preservation of Canada’s natural landscapes.
Many report that being out in nature helps with mental health, and I certainly found that wandering through the countryside really helped during the height of the pandemic. This organisation organises a range of group activities for those needing help with their mental health; the clue is in the name if you have come across the expression before. It is not just about walking or hiking, but cycling, climbing and water sports also feature.
Capital Bike is a cycling advocacy organisation formed in 2021 through the merger of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition and the Greater Victoria Bike to Work Society. Its mission is to promote cycling as a viable and enjoyable mode of transport in the Greater Victoria area by advocating for safer streets and improved cycling infrastructure. Capital Bike offers a range of programmes, including cycling skills courses and community rides, while actively engaging with the community through events like Go By Bike Week. The organisation aims to foster inclusivity within the cycling community and enhance the overall cycling experience for both new and experienced riders.
The Fernie Trails Alliance website focuses on promoting and maintaining the extensive trail network in Fernie. It provides information on hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities available in the area. The site encourages community involvement in trail maintenance and development while showcasing the natural beauty of Fernie’s landscapes.
Friends of Jasper National Park
Friends of Jasper is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of Jasper National Park. It engages in various initiatives, including conservation projects, educational programs, and community events that promote awareness of the park’s ecological significance.
Friends of Kananaskis is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of Kananaskis Country’s natural landscapes and ecosystems. Established to foster community engagement and stewardship, the group works collaboratively with Alberta Parks and other stakeholders to promote sustainable outdoor recreation and environmental education. Their initiatives include trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and advocacy for responsible land use, ensuring that Kananaskis remains a vibrant destination for outdoor enthusiasts while preserving its ecological integrity for future generations. Through volunteer programs and community events, Friends of Kananaskis aims to connect people with nature and encourage a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
This group is not just about the Lake District National Park, though their efforts often are centred there, with volunteers working on maintenance activities. They also campaign on conservation matters and have a proposal for extending the National Park area to the south as well.
This group maintains the Long Trail in the Green Mountains of Vermont, part of the Appalachian Trail, one of the National Scenic Trails of the United States of America. Accordingly, you will find walking advice here as well as details of voluntary maintenance activities.
Kootenay Columbia Trails Society
The Kootenay Columbia Trails Society (KCTS) is a non-profit organisation based in Rossland, British Columbia, dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of non-motorised trails in the Lower Columbia region. Managing over 185 km of trails across five communities, KCTS caters to hikers, cyclists, runners, and equestrian users while focusing on trail development and maintenance through community support, volunteer efforts, and donations. The society underscores the importance of public access to trails, facilitated by agreements with private landowners, and actively engages the community by organising volunteer days and events. Additionally, KCTS acknowledges its presence on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sngaytskstx (Sinixt) People, respecting the Indigenous peoples who have historically cared for the land. The website serves as a valuable resource for updates on trail conditions, community events, and opportunities for public participation in maintaining and expanding the trail network.
Long Distance Walkers Association
The Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) is a UK-based organisation promoting long-distance walking across diverse landscapes. Established in 1972 with just 355 members, it has since grown to nearly 10,000. The LDWA’s flagship event, the ‘Hundred’, entails completing a 100-mile walk within two days and is held annually in various locations across the UK. Local groups oversee social walks and challenge events, with the first one formed in 1973. Membership gains access to resources like the long-distance paths’ database, social walk database and exclusive benefits such as the National Trails Register and Hillwalkers’ Register.
Leave No Trace Canada promotes responsible outdoor practices to protect natural environments while enjoying recreational activities. The organisation provides resources, training, and educational materials to encourage individuals to minimise their impact on nature and preserve it for future generations.
This is an organisation that maintains paths and other similar infrastructure in the Irish hills, and the growing interest in Irish hillwalking means that such work is much needed, and the Irish state is not always there to do the needful. Often, there is an apparent shortfall in such efforts, and they are always wanting more volunteers to help.
Peak & Northern Footpath’s Society
In the north of England, you will find many a sign erected by this organisation, and they also put bridges in place as part of their commitment to making improvements. Otherwise, they monitor and protect the footpath network to ensure that it remains useful for lovers of the outdoors. In these cash-strapped times, their efforts are more needed than they ever were.
The Raincoast Conservation Foundation website focuses on protecting coastal ecosystems in British Columbia. It provides information about conservation initiatives, research projects, and community engagement efforts aimed at preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable practices. The site encourages visitors to get involved and support conservation efforts in the region.
A few of the guidebooks published by this organisation have entered my possession, but it also owns mountain huts that can be booked by groups and the website has both hill and climb lists. Hillwalkers’ books are more my kind of interest and these include hill lists such as the Munros, Corbetts, Donalds and Grahams as well as one for the North-west Highlands. The associated Scottish Mountaineering Trust also publishes books like Scottish Hill Names and Hostile Habitats that I also have in my collection.
Scotland is home to a lot of land that feels wild to visitors, and this group wants to keep it that way in the face of pressure from wind farm and hydroelectric developments, as well as unwanted hill tracks. With the prevailing economic conditions, they have plenty to do, so their survival following a lengthy volunteer shortage is invaluable.
Another name for this organisation is The Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, which tells you what a lot of what it does. Handily, they have a viewer showing heritage paths that is invaluable for any long-distance walker in Scotland. Because none of these are highlighted on any maps, it would be better to have GPX files available, and things do not appear to have gone that far for now. A book of these has been published in the past but seems not to be available at the time of writing.
The Sierra Club BC website focuses on environmental conservation efforts in British Columbia. It provides information about ongoing campaigns, volunteer opportunities, and educational resources aimed at protecting the province’s natural landscapes. The site encourages community engagement in environmental issues and promotes sustainable practices.
The Mountaineers is a non-profit organisation committed to providing outdoor opportunities for all and fostering inclusivity, with activities, courses and events. The organisation offers a magazine, books, opportunities to volunteer and find a sense of belonging through its community.
For a long time, the collection of people who had climbed all of Scotland’s mountains with a height of at least 3,000 feet or 914.4 metres was a select one. That is no longer as much the case and this organisation is for those who have achieved the feat, with some having completed multiple rounds of the Munros, something that has become more prevalent in recent decades. Some will decry list ticking, but it can be a way of motivating explorations of hill country, and operating like that should deflect at least some of the criticism.
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
CPAWS is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of Canada’s wilderness and the establishment of a network of protected areas. CPAWS advocates for conservation policies, engages in public education, and works with Indigenous communities to preserve natural habitats and biodiversity across the country. The organisation aims to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding Canada’s wild spaces for future generations.
This is an American charity that aids the conservation of lands that benefit local communities and visitors alike. Some take the form of local parks, while others have a wilder feel and trails form part of their remit too. It is all about making the outdoors more accessible to all, as well as taking a holistic approach to conservation.
