Environmental Groups
| This section lists the major
provincial organizations and national organizations that are
active in Ontario.
Note: The description for each
organization is taken from the group's web site or other
material.
You Can Help
These are the groups that are
working to keep our environment clean and healthy.
 |
Please include at least one of
them on your annual list of charitable donations. Every
contribution helps!
|
|
Volunteer your services. Not
all groups need volunteers, but most of them can use a hand. |
|
For a complete listing of
over 700 Ontario
environmental groups, check out the Ontario
Environment Network's online directory. |
Alphabetical Listing
 Bruce
Trail Association
The Bruce Trail Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to
the development and maintenance of over 800 kilometers of hiking trails
on the Niagara Escarpment between Niagara Falls and Tobermory in
Ontario, Canada.
Canadian
Environmental Defence Fund (see Environmental
Defence Canada)
Canadian
Environmental Law Association
The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) is a non-profit,
public interest organization established in 1970 to use existing laws to
protect the environment and to advocate environmental law reforms. It is
also a free legal advisory clinic for the public, and will act at
hearings and in courts on behalf of citizens or citizens’ groups who
are otherwise unable to afford legal assistance.
Canadian
Institute for Environmental Law and Policy
Founded in 1970, The Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy
(CIELAP) is an independent, not-for-profit research and education
organization. Its mission is to provide leadership in the development of
environmental law and policy that promotes the public interest and the
principles of sustainability, including the protection of the health and
well-being of present and future generations, and of the natural
environment.
Canadian
Nature Federation
The Canadian Nature Federation is a national non-profit organization
representing Canadian naturalists, their provincial federations and
local societies.
Canadian
Renewable Fuels Association
The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) is dedicated to
development and promotion of biomass-based, environmentally beneficial
transportation fuels, particularly ethanol and biodiesel. The
association's membership includes individuals, environmentalists,
farmers, agri-business, commodity organizations, ethanol manufacturers,
fuel retailers, engineering, design and energy companies.
Canadian
Society of Environmental Biologists
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists is a non-profit registered society primarily
interested in the management of Canadian Natural Resources based on sound ecological principles.
Canoe
Ontario, Environmental Concerns Committee
Canoe Ontario is a provincial sport organization with the purpose of promoting and supporting canoeing and kayaking in
Ontario.
Clean
Air Alliance
The Ontario Clean Air Alliance (OCAA) was formed to ensure that
electricity competition results in cleaner air, not increased pollution.
In the year 2000, the Government of Ontario is planning to establish a
competitive electricity market in the province. Without new and
effective environmental policies, a competitive electricity market will
significantly increase air pollution, intensifying human health and
environmental problems.
Conservation
Council of Ontario
The CCO is an association of over 20 member organizations, each of whom
can send two voting delegates to Council meetings. An additional 50
Individual Members are elected to Council each year, reflecting a broad
range of interests and expertise. The Council serves as a forum for interdisciplinary
examination of environmental issues.
Detour Publications
Established as a non-profit effort in 1995, Detour Publications' mission is to be a one-stop source for the broadest and best range of books, videos and reference materials on sustainable transportation and urban ecology.
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Canada's mission is to conserve wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North America's waterfowl, which in turn provide healthy
environments for wildlife and people.
Environmental Defence Canada
Founded in 1984,
Environmental Defence Canada provides Canadians with the tools and
knowledge to protect and improve their environment and health. We are a
national, charitable organization committed to engage the public, to
find solutions, and to advance the environmental rights of future
generations.
Earth
Day Canada
International Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22 in about 100
countries. Earth Day is a time to applaud environmental achievements,
launch or expand environmental programs, and assess environmental
impacts. On Earth Day, families, school groups, community groups, and
employee groups focus on environmental solutions by participating in
tree-plantings, clean-ups, eco-fairs, workshops, concerts and parades,
and much more.
Earthroots
Earthroots is an environmental organization dedicated to
research, education, and peaceful direct action in defense of our
forests.
Energy
Probe
Energy Probe promotes alternatives to electricity monopolies in Ontario
and New Brunswick, and is campaigning to end nuclear power.
Environment
Probe
Environment Probe is an offshoot of Energy Probe Foundation,
which describes itself as as a maverick, taking positions that are sometimes out
of step with other citizens' groups, and fighting for sound, democratic processes as much as against ill-advised projects. The Foundation has always championed property rights and market mechanisms to protect consumers and the environment, has been a critic of foreign aid and other forms of unaccountable international lending, and believes that an informed public can best ensure lasting environmental protection.
Escarpment
Biosphere Conservancy
The Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy's missions includes establishing,
maintaining, and managing a system of nature reserves in the area of the
Niagara Escarpment. They are raising funds to acquire significant
property in the biosphere region through the "Escarpment
Telecom" (save money on your long-distance phone bill AND save
theNiagara Escarpment!) and "Biosphere Bonds" (Investing for
Conservation).
Evergreen
Foundation
Evergreen is dedicated to reconnecting people with nature through the
enhancement of healthy natural areas on school ground and in communities
across Canada, making them healthier places to live, learn, work and
play.
Federation
of Ontario Cottagers' Associations Inc.
FOCA is a non-profit, voluntary organization representing over 500 Ontario cottagers’ associations. For more than 35 years, FOCA has served as an information centre and provided assistance and leadership on many crucial issues affecting cottage properties that generate billions of dollars annually in Ontario.
Federation
of Ontario Naturalists
The FON is a leading voice on the issue of conservation in Ontario,
promoting the preservation of wetland habitats, the creation and
management of parks, protection for Ontario's threatened species and
responsible forest management.
Friends
of the Earth
Friends of the Earth Canada has grown from a small group of volunteers
in 1978 to one of the country's most important voices speaking out on
environmental issues.
Great
Lakes United
Great Lakes United is an international coalition dedicated to
preserving and restoring the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem.
Great Lakes United is made up of member organizations representing
environmentalists, conservationists, hunters and anglers, labor unions,
community groups, and citizens of the United States, Canada, and First
Nations and Tribes.
Green
Brick Road
The Green Brick Road (GBR) is a non-profit organization which
specializes in resources and information for students and teachers of
global and environmental education.
Green
Communities Association
The Green Communities Association is a network of community-based
organizations specializing in home visits and other programs to help
people make the change to a greener lifestyle. In addition to the main
site for the network, you can visit sites for Toronto
and Elora.
The Green Group
Founded in 1991, The Green
Group is an environmental education charitable organization which
has provided the Eco-Pals program to over 250,000 students across
Canada. The Eco-Pals program is a pen-pal program on an
environmental theme, available to students in grades Kindergarten to
Nine.
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is an independent not-for-profit campaigning organisation
which uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global
environmental problems. We research solutions and alternatives which are
essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace's goal is to ensure
the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity.
Hike
Ontario
International
Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI)
is the international environmental agency for local governments.ICLEI
was established in 1990 through a partnership of the United Nations
Environment Programme, the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA),
and the Center for Innovative Diplomacy. ICLEI's World Secretariat is in
Toronto, Canada. ICLEI also has offices in Freiburg, Germany, Tokyo,
Japan, Harare, Zimbabwe, Berkeley, USA, and Santiago, Chile.
The
Kawartha Fisheries Association
This link takes you to "Kawartha Lakes Ecosystem
On-Line", an ecological centre for the Kawartha Lakes Region of
Ontario. The site is managed by the Kawartha Fisheries Association (KFA),
a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to "the wise use and
conservation of the Kawartha Lakes fishery for the benefit of all users
through research, education and resource enhancement."
The
Lung Association
Founded in 1908 to fight the spread of tuberculosis, The Lung
Association is Canada's oldest not-for-profit voluntary health
organization dedicated to the fight against lung disease.
Metro
Toronto Zoo
Moving
the Economy
MOVING THE ECONOMY (MTE) is an initiative that works to promote and develop economic benefits, opportunities, and innovations in sustainable transportation.
National
Campers & Hikers Association of Ontario
The Nature Conservancy of
Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is dedicated to preserving ecologically
significant areas through outright purchase, donations, and conservation
agreements.
Northwatch
Northwatch is an environmental group that addresses environmental issues that effect Northern Ontario.
Ontario
Environment Network
The Ontario Environment Network (OEN) is a non-profit, non-governmental
network serving Ontario's environmental non-profit, non-governmental
community. Ontario has over 500 environmental groups that range from
national to neighbourhood-based and focus on a wide range of issues.
Ontario
Parks Association
Ontario Parks Association (OPA) is committed to the advancement,
protection and conservation of parks, open spaces and the environment
Pollution
Probe
Pollution Probe is a Canadian non-profit organization that exists to:
define environmental problems through research; promote understanding
through education; and, press for practical solutions for advocacy.
Recycling
Council of Ontario
The Recycling Council of Ontario is a non-profit organization founded in
1978 to promote reduction, reuse, recycling and composting as a means of
reducing society's waste.
Riversides
RiverSides Stewardship Alliance acts to facilitate behavioural changes in residents, institutions and businesses throughout Ontario for the protection of water quality.
Save
the Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM)
Coalition
STORM was formed in 1989 in response to increased developmental pressures on the Oak Ridges Moraine and to The Planning Act that was not addressing the environmental needs of this fragile ecosystem.
Save
the Rouge Valley System (SRVS)
Save the Rouge Valley Inc. (SRVS) is a non-profit environmental organization whose volunteer members work to preserve and enhance the natural environment within the
Rouge Valley System.
Sierra
Club of Eastern Canada
The Sierra Club was founded by naturalist and writer John Muir in 1892
to protect the wilderness of the Sierra Nevada. Over the years, the
activities of the Sierra Club have expanded to include issues ranging
from climate change and ozone depletion to toxic chemical contamination
and loss of biological diversity.
Greater
Toronto Group of the Eastern Canada Chapter: Sierra Club
now has a Toronto Chapter.
Sierra
Legal Defence Fund
On behalf of concerned citizens and groups across Canada, Sierra Legal
prosecutes environmental offenders in a court of law to hold
environmental law breakers accountable for their crimes against our
environment. We provide free legal advice and free legal representation
to protect and preserve our precious wildlife and their habitat.
Solar
Energy Society of Canada
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Society of Canada Inc. (SESCI) is
a registered charitable and non-profit organization dedicated to
promoting energy conservation and the responsible use of renewable
energy.
Toronto
Environment Alliance
The Toronto Environmental Alliance was formed in 1988 in order to provide an activist voice to local Toronto issues. TEA's mandate is to promote a greener Toronto.
TEA focuses on six major campaign areas: Smog and Climate Change, Urban Pesticides, Waste Reduction, Sustainable Transportation, Water, and Involving Youth.
Wildlands
League
The Wildlands League, an Ontario chapter of the Canadian Parks &
Wilderness Society, has been working since 1968 to protect Ontario's
wild places. We see the protection of Ontario's wild lands as the key to
ensuring an ecologically healthy future for this province.
Women's
Healthy Environments
Since its inception in 1994, Women's Healthy Environments Network has
been educating the general public, media and policy makers to the fact
that environmental health is a key determinant of public health. WHEN
actively promotes the primary prevention of environmentally linked
health conditions such as cancer, asthma, immune system related
conditions and others by advocating the reduction of toxic emissions; a
shift to safe production models, biological agriculture and lawn care;
more efficient, renewable energy sources; affordable public
transportation; and more.
World
Wildlife Fund
World Wildlife Fund is dedicated to saving life on Earth, through the
conservation of nature and ecological processes. Conserving biological
diversity saving the wealth of large and small pieces that make up our
natural world is essential to ensuring a livable future for humans and
all species.
|
The
Conservation Council of Ontario