Wildlife & Natural Spaces

You cannot protect what you do not know. Nature’s diversity exists all around us. SCCF works with individuals, partners and community groups to promote knowledge of wildlife and natural environments. We work to preserve and protect for all to enjoy, both now and in the future.

Keep whales close to your heart with this beautiful whale pendant!

Melissa Munro — February 14, 2018

It's no coincidence that Valentine's Day and World Whale Day fall in the same week. Because right now, these majestic creatures need our love more than ever before. 

Make a gift in support of our campaign to protect critically endangered whales, and we’ll send a special someone (or you!) this one-of-a-kind whale tail pendant, designed just for Sierra Club supporters.

A small town, $500M, and the NAFTA court battle

Gretchen Fitzgerald — January 27, 2018

Last weekend, women in Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia organized a Women’s March.  The Sandy Cove Women's March garnered international attention last year as one of the smallest marches in the international event to show strength and solidarity for women’s rights in the face of the Trump presidency.

Sandy Cove holds a special place in my heart, as it was there that I met Carol and Ashraf Mahtab in their lovely home, and around a beautiful lunch table with the people who were dedicated to stopping the Digby Quarry.

A family matter.

Melissa Munro — December 19, 2017

Family. Food. Warmth. Safety. Home.

These are the things I’m thinking about in the intensifying few days leading up to the holidays.

It always makes me think about our families of wildlife, out there in the elements, finding their way. I’m in awe of their resilience, their own unique family and social structures, and how they have adapted over millennia.  I wonder how they do it.

Holding Steady for Justice for the Gulf

Gretchen Fitzgerald — December 15, 2017

I wanted to give you an update on our critical legal battle and appearance in court this week to protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence and all of the beautiful creatures who live there.

The case involves one important argument:  the issuance of the licence that the offshore board has granted to the oil company, Corridor Resources. First though, we had to defend our ability to be heard, as “our standing,” is being challenged by the offshore board (responsible for granting exploration licences to oil companies), and by the oil company itself.

Watch for Wildlife - Letters from you

Wanda Baxter — September 22, 2017
Watch for Wildlife logo

This blog compiles comments from a number of the letters we've received over the last two years. Letter writers emphasize the need to raise awareness about wildlife vehicle collisions and implement protective measures, and they relate stories about how wildlife collisions have impacted them.

Excerpts of Letters from Some of the People who have written Watch for Wildlife

(names are withheld for the privacy of writers)

Not Collateral Damage

Protecting whales and water on World Oceans Day and every day.

Melissa Munro — June 12, 2017

Few things are as spectacular and awe-inducing as a breaching humpback whale.

The sheer enormity of their body, with such strength and grace – blasting out of the water, seeming to defy the laws of gravity even just for a moment – is enough to take your breath away. It’s acrobatics and ballet on the largest scale, with a splash down that is out of this world!

It’s what they do, and it is what they have done for millennia.

Nature is Home at Canadian Parks Conference 2017

PearlAnn Reichwein — March 28, 2017

“Is there anyone among us who has the courage to stand and say, will tomorrow’s child know the wonders I see today?”

Wonders I’ve Seen by The Bills  (2016)


This year the Canadian Parks Conference 2017 was held in Banff National Park at the Banff Centre, overlooking Banff town and the Bow Valley from March 8-11..

Hosted by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association with its partners the Canadian Recreation and Parks Association, and the Canadian Parks Council, the conference, which included many invited speakers and three hundred attendees, was an inspired four days of discussion.

Welcome home blue whales!

Gretchen Fitzgerald — March 28, 2017

I'm devastated to report that the licence for oil and gas drilling has been approved in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and there’s not one thing whales can do to stop it.

We're not giving up and neither are they.

At this very moment – mile by mile, heading north – they’re coming back.

Over the next few weeks, blue whales will be making their way back to Canadian waters.