Nature

Nature Canada is a national Canadian nature-conservation organization headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario. It works through membership, public education, community partnerships, policy advocacy, and collaboration with local and provincial naturalist groups. The organization describes its central purpose as protecting and conserving Canadian wildlife and habitats by engaging people and advocating for nature. Nature Canada’s roots extend to September 30, 1939, when Reginald Whittemore established the magazine Canadian Nature in memory of his wife, Mabel Frances Whittemore. The organization subsequently developed from a publication-centered initiative into a national conservation body. In 1948 it adopted the name Audubon Society of Canada, reflecting an emphasis on bird conservation. In 1971, its mandate broadened beyond birds and the organization became the Canadian Nature Federation. It adopted the shorter name Nature Canada in 2004. The organization’s work combines grassroots conservation with national policy engagement. Its protected-areas work addresses the expansion and effective management of terrestrial and marine conservation areas, including Canada’s stated goals of protecting 25 percent of its land and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030. Nature Canada has also participated in discussions surrounding national biodiversity policy, including the 2030 Nature Strategy, and has advocated for accountability mechanisms that would make governments answerable for missed conservation commitments. A second major area is the connection between urban residents and nearby natural environments. Through NatureHood, Nature Canada promotes accessible experiences in local nature, with an initial pilot centered on Ottawa and Gatineau. Its NatureNetwork links the organization with naturalist clubs and affiliated organizations across Canada. The Bird Friendly Cities program gives municipalities a framework for reducing threats to birds and improving urban biodiversity, with participating communities seeking certification through practical measures such as habitat protection and bird-safe urban planning. Nature Canada also works on species at risk, biodiversity loss, climate-related conservation concerns, and the legal and policy concept of rights of nature. It supports the Green Budget Coalition and contributes to public debate through reports, technical materials, teacher resources, media releases, brochures, information packages, and electronic communications. Internationally, it serves as a Canadian co-partner in BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area program. The organization has more than 100,000 individual supporters and approximately 1,200 affiliated organizations, according to the cited reference material. Its historical publishing activity included Canadian Nature, which ended in 2004 after 65 years, and the television program Audubon Wildlife Theatre. Nature Canada remains an active Canadian environmental organization whose brand is associated with conservation advocacy, citizen participation, naturalist networks, and public policy focused on protecting nature.

Nature Canada traces its institutional origin to September 30, 1939, when Reginald Whittemore launched the magazine Canadian Nature. The publication was created in memory of his late wife, Mabel Frances Whittemore, and provided the initial basis for what would become one of Canada’s oldest national nature-conservation organizations. Its early identity was closely connected to public interest in natural history and bird conservation. In 1948, the organization formalized its national conservation role under the name Audubon Society of Canada. This name reflected the importance of ornithology and bird protection in its work. Over time, however, its activities expanded beyond birds to encompass broader wildlife, habitats, ecological protection, and public advocacy. A major institutional transition occurred in 1971, when the organization adopted the name Canadian Nature Federation. The change signaled a wider mandate and a more federated relationship with naturalist groups across the country. Under this identity, the organization developed stronger links with local and provincial naturalist clubs and pursued conservation issues through both community-based initiatives and federal policy advocacy. The organization changed its name again in 2004, becoming Nature Canada. The rebranding simplified its public identity while retaining its national conservation mission. That same year, publication of Canadian Nature ended after 65 years, marking the close of an important chapter in the organization’s communications history. Nature Canada also produced the television program Audubon Wildlife Theatre and continued to publish educational and technical materials, including teacher guides, reports, brochures, information packages, media releases, and electronic newsletters. In its contemporary form, Nature Canada operates as a member-based environmental organization headquartered in Ottawa. Its supporters include more than 100,000 individuals and about 1,200 affiliated organizations, including local and provincial naturalist clubs. The organization’s NatureNetwork reflects this community and affiliate structure, connecting conservation groups across Canada. Nature Canada’s modern program portfolio combines local participation with national policy work. Its protected-areas advocacy focuses on the conservation of land and oceans and on government commitments to expand protected areas. It has engaged with biodiversity-policy development, including the 2030 Nature Strategy, and has called for accountability measures intended to create consequences when public conservation targets are not met. The organization has also developed programs designed to make conservation relevant in urban settings. NatureHood encourages people living in cities to discover and care for nearby natural areas; its initial pilot was based in Ottawa and Gatineau. Bird Friendly Cities extends the organization’s bird-conservation tradition into municipal planning by recognizing communities that adopt measures benefiting birds, species at risk, and urban biodiversity. Nature Canada additionally works on rights-of-nature concepts, species and habitat protection, and budget advocacy related to climate change and biodiversity loss. Through its participation in the Green Budget Coalition, it supports stronger public investment and policy measures for environmental protection. Its partnership role in BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area program connects Canadian conservation priorities with an international framework for identifying and protecting significant bird habitats. Across its history, Nature Canada has therefore moved from a nature magazine and bird-focused society to a broad national conservation organization. Its enduring model combines public participation, naturalist expertise, environmental education, community programs, and advocacy for legislation and government action.

• 2004

  Rebrands as Nature Canada

  [1]Nature Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  The Canadian Nature Federation adopted the shorter Nature Canada name. Canadian Nature magazine also ceased publication after 65 years.

• 1971

  Mandate expands under the Canadian Nature Federation name

  [1]Nature Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  The organization broadened its scope beyond bird conservation and became the Canadian Nature Federation.

• 1948

  Adoption of the Audubon Society of Canada name

  [1]Nature Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  The organization formalized its identity as the Audubon Society of Canada, reflecting its early concentration on birds and bird conservation.

• 1939

  Canadian Nature is launched

  [1]Nature Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  Reginald Whittemore established the magazine Canadian Nature on September 30, creating the institutional roots of the organization later known as Nature Canada.

A national, membership-based Canadian conservation organization combining community action, public education, naturalist networks, and federal policy advocacy to protect wildlife, habitats, and biodiversity.

• Urban nature engagement

  NatureHood

  A program designed to connect people living in cities with nearby natural areas. NatureHood emphasizes accessible local experiences, community participation, and appreciation of urban wildlife and habitats. Its initial pilot project was based in Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec.

• Urban biodiversity certification

  Bird Friendly Cities

  A certification program encouraging Canadian cities, towns, and villages to adopt practical measures that benefit birds, species at risk, and biodiversity. It translates Nature Canada’s long-standing bird-conservation focus into municipal action and recognition.

• Conservation network

  NatureNetwork

  The name Nature Canada uses for its network of local naturalist organizations and provincial affiliates. The network supports cooperation among community conservation groups and helps connect local knowledge and action with national advocacy.

• Bird habitat conservation

  Important Bird Area partnership

  Nature Canada acts as a Canadian co-partner in BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area program. The initiative identifies sites important for bird conservation and provides a framework for mobilizing protection and stewardship around those habitats.

• Nature magazine · 1939

  Canadian Nature

  The organization’s historical magazine, launched in 1939 as the publication that formed the basis of its institutional development. It was discontinued in 2004 after 65 years of publication.

• Television program

  Audubon Wildlife Theatre

  A television production associated with the organization’s historical public-education and wildlife-communication activities.

• 2020

  Nature apologizes for associating coronavirus with Wuhan and China

  Nature apologized for associating the novel coronavirus with Wuhan and China and said that coronavirus stigma must stop.

  Source

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• Protected Areas

  Canada

  Nature Canada advocates for expanded and effective protection of Canada’s terrestrial and marine environments, including government commitments to protect 25 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.

  Outcome. Ongoing advocacy and policy engagement; no specific final outcome is stated in the reference material.

  Source
• NatureHood

  Ottawa · Gatineau · Canada

  An urban nature initiative encouraging Canadians to connect with nearby natural spaces and participate in local conservation.

  Outcome. The initial pilot was based in Ottawa and Gatineau; the reference does not specify a quantified outcome.

  Source
• Bird Friendly Cities

  Canada

  A municipal certification campaign addressing bird decline, species at risk, and biodiversity through local changes intended to make communities safer and more supportive for birds.

  Outcome. Canadian cities, towns, and villages participate in the certification effort; the reference provides no consolidated participation total.

  Source
• Nature Accountability Legislation advocacy

  Canada

  Advocacy for accountability mechanisms that would attach consequences to government failure to meet nature and protected-area commitments.

  Outcome. Ongoing policy advocacy; no enacted legislative result is identified in the reference material.

  Source
• Green Budget Coalition participation

  Canada

  Nature Canada supports coalition recommendations for public-budget measures addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.

  Outcome. The organization continues to amplify coalition policy recommendations; no specific budget outcome is stated.

  Source

1. 1Nature Canadaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Nature Canada official websitenaturecanada.ca
3. 3Nature apologizes for associating coronavirus with Wuhan and Chinabreitbart.com
4. 4British Science Journal Apologizes For Associating Coronavirus with China, Urges to 'Stop Stigma'sputnikglobe.com
5. 5Japanese startup Nature launches Remo 3, its home appliance smart remote, in the US and Canada | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com
6. 6Nature magazine apologizes for having associated COVID-19 with Chinaamericanthinker.com
7. 7Northwestern Startup Wins Inaugural Nature Prizemccormick.northwestern.edu