Founded in 1965, Alberta Wilderness Association’s (AWA) mission is to preserve Alberta’s wilderness, water and wildlife. It does this by seeking protection for regions that represent the province’s characteristic landscapes. AWA’s major program is wilderness conservation, which also protects wildlife and freshwater habitats. 

AWA advocates for the Alberta Government to protect 17% of land by 2020. It prioritizes six natural regions: 1) 50,396 square km of Boreal Forest, 2) 29,582 square km of the Rockies, 3) 1,504 square km of Canadian Shield, 4) 1,229 square km of Grasslands, 5) 944 square km of Foothills, and 6) 569 square km of Aspen Parkland. Rocky Mountain protection represents 60% of total land, and Parkland protection represents 0.9% of total parkland.  

For wildlife conservation, AWA seeks protection for habitats of at-risk species through its Protected Areas. Current species of interest include bison, cutthroat trout, grizzly bears, sage-grouse, and wolves. AWA also advocates for improved species-at-risk legislation in Alberta and enforcement of existing laws to protect at-risk species. In collaboration with First Nations, David Suzuki Foundation, and other environmental charities, AWA presents the history and opportunities for protecting wilderness.  

To protect freshwater in Alberta, AWA currently advocates for the well-being of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. This is one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world. The charity is also fighting against a water pipeline proposal that would divert water from the Red Deer watershed, and monitoring dam and water diversion proposals that would affect the Bow watershed. 

 Alberta Wilderness Association is a small charity with donations and foundation grants received in F2018 amounting to $625k. Its fundraising costs are 9% of donations and management and admin costs are 12% of total revenues. For every dollar donated, 81 cents go to the cause which is within Ci’s reasonable range. AWA’s financial statements are unaudited which Charity Intelligence finds acceptable for a charity of its size. The Charities Directorate recommends charities of AWA’s size have audited financial statements. AWA has funding reserves of $552k that cover 1.2 years of AWA’s annual spending on programs. 

Profile created on March 19, 2019. Financial review by Kate Bahen. Results Reporting review by Katie Khodawandi.