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Networks and Leaders

In the transition to a conserver society, social organizations and networks play a key role.
Like any other jurisdiction, Ontario has a wealth of organizations, each with a different mandate and membership but all with a common interest in restoring the balance between human activity and natural ecosystems. Together, through their combined membership, they reach everyone in Ontario several times over. Their research helps to shape public policy and environmental standards. Their projects and support programs help protect the environment, strengthen communities, and help people become better conservers.

Are we well organized? Partly. Like any organic movement, coordinating networks are born out of the need for collaboration around common cause. The networks do a terrific job, but there is always room for improving the role of networking within a united conservation movement.

At the Conservation Council, we work in support of existing networks, help set up new issue-based or community networks, and help to promote the role of networks in promoting conservation solutions. See also our info sheets on conservation priorities for more information about common priorities and campaigns.

Find a full listing of local, provincial, and national groups on the Great Green Directory.

Use the search feature to find groups in your community, or by issue.

These are some of the coordinating networks and lead organizations in Ontario
Note: This is intended as a representative list of organizations. Please see the Great Green Directory for detailed searches
Suggestions to info@weconserve.ca

= education and support programs

= Research and Policy

Action

Networks
building collaboration between organizations

Lead Organizations
expertise and programs to support conservation

Get Organized

Conservation Council of Ontario (Ontario)
CCO is an association of over 40 organizations, businesses and municipalities working to promote conservation in Ontario. Its mission is to support the transition to a conserver society in Ontario.

Ontario Environmental Network (Ontario)
OEN is a non-profit, non-governmental network coordinating the efforts of over 500 Ontario environmental groups working towards and promoting protection of the environment. The OEN is a member of the Canadian Environmental Network.

Green Communities Canada (national)
GCC is a national association of non-profit organizations that deliver innovative, practical environmental solutions to Canadian households and communities.

Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition (Ontario)
OHCC was established in 1992 to support local and regional groups, coalitions and networks that are working on Healthy Community initiatives in Ontario.

Green Prosperity (Ontario)
Twenty-one of Ontario’s leading environmental organizations have endorsed an action agenda for the province that we believe can help it to usher in an era of green prosperity.

Ontario Non Profit Network (Ontario)
ONN's mandate is to communicate, coordinate, and collaborate with nonprofit organizations working for the public benefit in Ontario The network works on issues common to all sectors, including the environment.

Sustainability Network (Ontario with national reach)
The Sustainability Network's mission is to enrich Canadian environmental leaders and nonprofit organizations through programs, services and support that help them increase their capacity to lead, manage and strategize. The Sustainability Network works with environmental non-profits to make them more effective and efficient.

Lead Organizations covering multiple issues:

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (national)
CAPE is concerned about Ecosystem Health, Human Health and Sustainable Development.
Canadian Environmental Law Association (national)
CELA works to protect human health and our environment by seeking justice for those harmed by pollution and by working to change policies to prevent such problems in the first place.
David Suzuki Foundation (national)
DSF works with government, business and individuals to conserve our environment by providing science-based education, advocacy and policy work, and acting as a catalyst for the social change that today's situation demands.
Ecojustice (national)
Ecojustice is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to defending Canadians' right to a healthy environment.
Environment North (Ontario)
Environment North strives to improve and protect the ecological sustainability and socio-economic well being of Northwestern Ontario through leadership, research, partnerships, education, community advocacy, information and community capacity building.
Environmental Defence (national)

Environmental Defence inspires change by connecting people with environmental issues that affect their daily lives in their homes, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.

Friends of the Earth (national)
(FoE) Canada is a charitable, non-profit environmental organization. Our mission is to serve as a national voice for the environment, working with others to inspire the renewal of our communities and the Earth, through research, education and advocacy.
Greenpeace (National)
Greenpeace is an independent, nonprofit, global campaigning organization that uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and their causes. We challenge government and industry to halt harmful practices by negotiating solutions, conducting scientific research, introducing clean alternatives, carrying out peaceful acts of civil disobedience and educating and engaging the public.
Pembina Institute (National)
To advance sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy.
Toronto Environmental Alliance (Toronto / Ontario)

TEA's mission is to promote a greener Toronto. We work with concerned individuals, community groups, professionals and workers, encouraging the participation of local people on local issues.

Help Nature

Ontario Biodiversity Council (Ontario)
The Ontario Biodiversity Council was created to guide the implementation of Protecting what sustains us...Ontario's Biodiversity Strategy. Council members come from a variety of different backgrounds and represent industry, government and non-governmental organizations, Aboriginal communities, and conservation and environmental groups.

Stewardship Network of Ontario (Ontario)
The Stewardship Network of Ontario is an informal network of organizations at the regional and provincial level in Ontario. SNO facilitates communication and collaboration that enhances stewardship support at the organization and program level, ultimately to the benefit of landowners.

Urban Forest Stewardship Network (national)

The Urban Forest Stewardship Network is an online resource for organizations, community groups and individuals working on urban forest initiatives across Ontario. It is a platform for sharing experiences and resources, and for capacity building.

Conservation Ontario (Ontario)
Conservation Ontario is the network of 36 Conservation Authorities, local watershed management agencies that deliver services and programs that protect and manage water and other natural resources in partnership with government, landowners and other organizations.

Nature Groups

Ontario Nature (Ontario)

Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement.
Wildlands League (Ontario)
The Wildlands League is a chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. It works to promote an unspoiled legacy of wilderness areas
Sierra Club Ontario (Ontario)

The Sierra Club's mission is to protect and restore the health of the natural environment, including human communities in Ontario by empowering the membership and citizenry through education, advocacy, action and outdoor adventures.
Earthroots (Ontario)
Earthroots is a grassroots conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of wilderness, wildlife and watersheds in Canada, with a focus on Ontario.
Evergreen (national)
Since 1991 evergreen has been engaging Canadians in creating and sustaining dynamic outdoor spaces—in schools, communities and homes.
Nature Conservancy of Canada (national)
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada's leading national land conservation organization.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Groups

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (Ontario)
Since 1928, O.F.A.H. members have been the backbone of Ontario's fish and wildlife conservation work.
Ducks Unlimited (National)

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is committed to conserving Canada's wetlands.
Canadian Wildlife Federation (national)
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a charitable organization that works with Canadians to make a difference to the kind of legacy we leave behind … not just for wildlife, but also for our children.

Other Groups

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Association (Onttario)
FOCA promotes sustainable waterfront communities by encouraging positive environmental stewardship, supporting strong community leadership, and through promoting fair and equitable public policy.
Ontario Horticultural Association (Ontario)
Although OHA members love a flower show, far more of their time is spent working on community beautification projects, planning and implementing sustainable environment projects, and giving seminars and speaking to related organizations.
Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests LEAF (Ontario)
LEAF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the urban forest.

Save Water

Great Lakes United (binational)
a unifying voice for ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River ecosystem. GLU finds consensus during controversy and agreement within division; it build bridges between disparate interests, organizations, and individuals.

Ontario Water Conservation Alliance
The Ontario Water Conservation Alliance is a coalition of citizens, organizations and businesses who believe an environmentally sustainable and economically secure province requires a comprehensive water conservation and efficiency strategy.

Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (Ontario)
Launched in 2001, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper works hard to create a watershed where you can safely swim, drink, and fish. Our charity engages in legal processes to enforce environmental laws and help to inform wise decision-making.

Centre for Sustainable Watersheds (Ontario)
CSW promotes training programs, educational materials, web-based information sharing, sustainable wastewater technologies and hands-on initiatives such as habitat and shoreline protection delivered in a sustainable manner to protect Canada’s lakes and rivers.

Gordon Water Group (National)
The Gordon Water Group of Concerned Scientists and Citizens is a group of researchers, experts, and citizens that came together out of deep concern for Canada’s escalating water crisis.

Friends of the Earth (national)
Canadians can no longer assume there will be more water to tap or no limit to the amount of waste water we can dump into rivers and streams.

Save Energy

Green Communities Canada (national)
GCCmembers are the NGO lead in delivering the Eco Energy home audit program.

Use Green Power

Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (Ontario)
OSEA's mission is to serve the Community Power sector including households, farms, First Nations, co-operatives and collaborative businesses, local distribution companies, municipalities, other institutions and non-Community Power partners through: advocacy, public outreach and capacity building.

Canadian Wind Energy Association (National)
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is a non-profit trade association that promotes the appropriate development and application of all aspects of wind energy in Canada, including the creation of a suitable policy environment.

Drive Less

SHIFT Ontario (Ontario)
Shift Ontario is an alliance of organizations working to pry provincial transportation planners away from their road-building bias.

Smart Commute (Ontario)
Smart Commute is a program of Metrolinx and the municipalities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. We help local employers and commuters, like you, explore different commute choices like carpooling, cycling and transit.

Pembina Institute (National)
Pembina's Ontario research focuses on climate change, energy and transit.

Live Local

Ontario Smart Growth Network (Ontario)
The Ontario Smart Growth Network brings together organizations that are working to stop urban sprawl and promote sustainable, compact and healthy communities across Ontario.

Ontario Greenbelt Alliance (Ontario)
The Ontario Greenbelt Alliance is a watchdog and defender of Ontario’s innovative Greenbelt. Our vision is to make the Greenbelt a valuable and permanent part of Ontario’s landscape.

Environmental Defence (national)

Environmental Defence hosts the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance and runs a campaign to protect Ontario's Greenbelt.

Conservation Council of Ontario (Ontario)
CCO's Community Action program helps develop community networks and local action plans.

Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition (Ontario)
OHCC works with community groups to develop healthy community projects.

Eat Smart

Sustain Ontario (Ontario)
Sustain Ontario is a province-wide, cross-sectoral alliance that promotes healthy food and farming.

Local Food Plus (national)

LFP is committed to creating local sustainable food systems that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, create meaningful jobs, and foster the preservation of farmland – and farmers.

Buy Green

Green Enterprise Ontario (Ontario)
We are Ontario’s leading business association working to build a greener, more sustainable economy for the province of Ontario and beyond.

Social Investment Organization (national)
The SIO's mandate is to promote the practice of socially responsible investment (SRI) in Canada. SRI is the integration of environmental, social and governance factors in the selection and management of investments.

Waste Less

Recycling Council of Ontario (Ontario)
The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization involved in policy, education and project work around the issues of consumption, waste generation, reduction and diversion, and recycling.

Prevent Pollution

Ontario Clean Air Alliance (Ontario)
OCAA) is a coalition of individuals and approximately 90 organizations. Its mission is to achieve the phase-out of Ontario’s dirty coal-fired power plants and to move Ontario towards a renewable electricity future.

Canadian Partnership on Children's Health and the Environment (national)
(CPCHE) is a multi-sectoral collaboration of eleven organizations with expertise in issues related to children, health, public health and the environment.

Climate Action Network (national)
Climate Action Network Canada is a nation-wide coalition of 50 environmental, faith, labour, development, aboriginal, health, and youth organizations committed to making action on climate change a reality.

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (national)
CAPE works on Pesticides, Persistent Organic Pollutants, and Genetically Modified Organisms

Environmental Defence (national)
Toxic Nation raises public awareness about the pollution in our bodies, and what you can do to get the pollution out of you and all Canadians.

So there you have it - a snapshot of the networks and some of the lead organizations working on the priorities for a conserver society. It is fluid, and organic. There have been some attempts by funders to propose mergers or to stimulate better collaboration and efficiencies -- Sustain Ontario was established with lead funding from the Metcalf foundation; and the Green Prosperity initiative has been supported through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

To be effective, networking needs core funding - not a lot, but enough to bring the partners to the table. The real challenge is to change the funding priorities to encourage widespread participation towards achieving common, high-level objectives. See our Funding page for more details.

Recommendations:

The provincial and federal governments should provide ongoing core funding to support networking and coordination around conservation priorities; and for the integration of conservation priorities at the community level and within economic and cultural sectors.
- Over the past twenty years, government funding for social infrastructure has declined dramatically. Initially, core-funding for lead organizations and networks was replaced with project-based funding. Over time, project-based funding has been reduced to the point that there is little government investment in a culture of conservation.
- Recognize the growth (since 1990) of "voluntary transition movement" as a distinct movement from the environmental policy movement that started in the 1970s.
A new emphasis for networking and collaboration should be on achieving common objectives.
- High level objectives, such as the ten conservation priorities, or complete communities at the neighbourhood level, provide clear and common goals that are supported by the individual activities of the participating organizations, businesses, and governments.
- clear and consistent messaging will greatly assist in promoting public awareness and support for conservation.