Section 3: Organizing, Reviews, and Challenging Issues

The Alberta Wilderness Association

One of the most active environmental organizations in Alberta is the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA). Founded in 1965 by a group of back-country enthusiasts, the AWA (Alberta Wilderness Association) today is involved in a wide variety of campaigns aimed at protecting Alberta's wilderness lands and waters. The principal objectives of the AWA (Alberta Wilderness Association) are to do the following:

promote the protection of wilderness areas in Alberta
restore Alberta's natural ecosystems
promote communication with government and industry on matters concerning the environment
educate Albertans on the importance of wilderness preservation
foster in Albertans a "sense of connectedness" with wilderness lands and waters

It would be tough to find an issue or a battle in the area of Alberta wilderness preservation in which the AWA (Alberta Wilderness Association) has not played a major role. You'll be looking at some of the activities this organization is involved in shortly.

Going Further

Here's the web address of the AWA (Alberta Wilderness Association). See what you can discover about this important Alberta environmental group. Chances are that because the AWA (Alberta Wilderness Association) deals with issues within Alberta, its campaigns and the areas it seeks to protect will be somewhat more familiar to you than others.

The Western Canada Wilderness Committee

The Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC) was formed to work for the conservation of Canadian and international wilderness though, as its name suggests, its principal focus is Western Canada. This organization involves itself chiefly in research and education and strives for accuracy of information, the avoidance of illegal methods of achieving its ends, and the promotion of sustainable development and the preservation of wilderness areas in all their biodiversity. This group has been most active in British Columbia; but in 1991, an Alberta chapter was opened. Its first campaign was to stop logging in Wood Buffalo National Park; since then, it has engaged in numerous campaigns, mainly involving the protection of forested areas.

Going Further

Check out the website of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee . From the home page, you can access information about campaigns the organization has been involved in and the successes it has achieved. You can also access the Alberta panel and take a look at what the group is doing right here in your own province.

Check your knowledge by completing the Self-Assessment Something to Think About 11 on the next page.