Sierra Club Canada Strategic Plan 2025-2029
View the Strategic Plan as a PDF | Consultez notre plan stratégique en français (PDF)
Priority 2 – Deep Relationships
Priority 3 – Strong Organization
Introduction
Sierra Club Canada volunteers planting trees in Brampton, Ontario
Our strategic plan is a reflection of the moment we find ourselves in and who we are as an organization in meeting that moment:
- We unite people and communities to defend nature through justice-driven, democratic action.
- We cultivate hope, belonging, and leadership by boldly pursuing new strategies and amplifying unheard voices.
- We chose these goals because our work is grounded in the belief that our connections, both to nature and each other, are our strength.
Our strategic plan links the local to the national and international, links movement to movement, and it connects everything we do with nature, justice, and democracy.
Our Vision
A thriving, nature-centered society guided by strong democratic decision-making and care and compassion for all.
Our Mission
We unite people and communities to defend nature through justice-driven, democratic action. We cultivate hope, belonging, and leadership by boldly pursuing new strategies and amplifying unheard voices.
Our Values
Environmental & social justice
Care, community & belonging
Grassroots democracy
Our Strategic Direction
Our vision for the future is ambitious, and achieving it depends on the strength of our connections — to nature, to one another, to communities, and to a growing movement for change.
Our Strategic Plan is built around three interconnected priorities: Powerful Impact, Deep Relationships, and a Strong Organization. Together, they describe not only the change we want to see in Canada, but the kind of movement and organization we need to build
to make that change possible.
Ulrich Vom Hagen with two dogs
Priority 1 — Powerful Impact
We need to change the national conversation so that it centres nature, democracy, and justice.
We will bring environmental and social justice into the conversations that shape our country, amplifying perspectives too often unheard. We will be helping more people recognize our shared responsibility to nature, and that a healthy environment, strong democracy, and justice are intertwined.
Goals (long-term)
The national conversation and public opinion on environmental and social justice is aligned with Sierra Club Canada’s mission, vision, and values.
CLEAR, IMPACTFUL CAMPAIGNS
Objectives (four years)
- Sierra Club Canada’s, Sierra Club Canada’s members’, and allies’ voices are prominent in the national conversation and public opinion on environmental and social justice issues.
- Sierra Club Canada’s campaigns lead to concrete changes in policy and/or practices.
SHOWCASING OUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Objectives (four years)
- People involved in Sierra Club Canada take pride in the organization and its accomplishments.
- A publicly-accessible archive and timeline of Sierra Club Canada’s work and impact throughout its history is compiled.
Our live CKUT radio broadcast and podcast episode with Rachel Gilmore and Ole Hendrickson in Montreal, run in collaboration with The Harbinger Media Network, Unrigged.ca, and the Suoni Per Il Popolo music festival
Nicole Tomasic in the BC forest
Priority 2 — Deep Relationships
Lasting change grows from connection.
We are working toward a Canada where people feel deeply connected to one another and to nature — and where those connections give people the confidence, tools, and opportunities to act.
We want people across Canada to have what they need to participate meaningfully in democratic processes and defend nature, environmental, and social justice.
And we want a movement in which communities and individuals often hit hardest by systemic barriers, environmental racism, and the climate crisis are recognized and supported as leaders.
Sierra Club Canada staff members Kassie Drodge and Shauna Kelly in Newfoundland and Labrador
Because when relationships are deeper, voices are stronger, communities have greater power, and movements become more resilient.
Goals (long-term)
- People in Canada feel a strong sense of connection to one another and to nature.
- People in Canada feel they have the tools they need to engage in democratic processes to defend nature and environmental and social justice.
- Communities and individuals often hit hardest by systemic barriers, environmental racism, and the climate crisis, are leaders in the environmental movement.
GATHERING TOGETHER
Objectives (four years)
- Chapters and Sierra Youth are regularly hosting in-person gatherings focusing on the interconnectedness between people and nature.
ENGAGING YOUTH
Objectives (four years)
- Active, sustainable Wild Child programs in more regions of the country.
- Sierra Youth grows in depth and breadth: more young people are engaged in Sierra Youth, and those already engaged are more engaged.
Kids taking part in a Sierra Club Canada Wild Child program
Spencer Scott and their dog
Priority 3 — Strong Organization
A strong movement needs a strong foundation.
To pursue this vision long-term, Sierra Club Canada must keep growing as a thriving, resilient organization with the people, resources, relationships, and capacity to meet the challenges ahead.
Just as importantly, we want the people who make Sierra Club Canada possible — our staff, volunteers, members and supporters — to be supported and feel a deep sense of belonging and commitment to this organization and to one another.
A stronger Sierra Club Canada allows us to build deeper relationships. Deeper relationships allow us to create greater impact. And greater impact brings more people into the movement.
Our connection is our strength — and strengthening those connections is how we will grow our impact.
Goals (long-term)
- Sierra Club Canada is a large, thriving organization.
- Sierra Club Canada’s people (staff, volunteers, members) feel a strong sense of belonging and commitment to the organization.
Sierra Club Canada supporters at a table giving out wildflower seeds
MEMBERSHIP
Objectives (four years)
- The value of an Sierra Club Canada membership is understood by staff, volunteers, members, and potential members.
- Total memberships increase each year.
- Individual members are more engaged.
SUPPORTING PEOPLE AND BUILDING POWER
Sierra Club Canada is committed to justice, inclusivity, equity, and diversity within our community. We seek to hire talent with a range of life experiences and perspectives, recognizing that our mission-driven work is best advanced by the contributions of people of all genders with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. For staff and volunteer opportunities we encourage applicants from all ages, cultures, races, religions, colours, sexual orientation, gender identities or expressions, disability statuses, nationalities, or other statuses protected by law.
Sierra Club Ontario Chapter supporters helping to clean up garbage
Frank Wilson biking
Our Strategic Plan in Action
Sierra Club Canada is already implementing our strategic plan through our communications, campaigns and organizing, events, and legal actions.
We’ve spent years building the connections and community that are vital in this moment. Now we’re meeting that moment.
Our Strategic Plan in Action
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Our strategic plan is about democracy and how connections are our strength. But in August 2026, we learned that a U.S. oil corporation planned to explore for and drill for oil in Greenland without approval from Greenland’s Government (not very democratic and not very respectful of our connections to Greenland). Worse, Canadian corporations were planning to get involved by sending a shipment to Greenland of drilling equipment – from a port in Canada – without approval from Greenland. Sierra Club Canada leapt into action, raising awareness of what was happening and pushing the Federal Government to prevent Canadian corporations, or ports, from participating in any U.S. aggression toward Greenland. The Canadian corporations – thanks to public pressure from supporters like you – now claim they will not act without Greenland’s approval. But we continue to monitor the situation and call on the government to prevent future Canadian involvement in any unapproved activities. Trusting the word of corporations is not enough; we need assurances from the Canadian Government that Greenland’s democratic rights will be respected.
Take Action for Greenland -
Nature is at the core of our strategic plan, as are our connections to nature. But just before Parliament rose for the summer, the Government of Canada rolled out what we are calling the Extinction Paper: a series of rolls backs and undemocratic changes that would make it even easier for fossil fuel and nuclear industries – aided by elected officials who would be willfully ignorant of the impacts of their decisions – to drive species to extinction, approve pipelines before routes were even known, and the create zones where environmental safety laws simply do not apply.
That’s why right now Sierra Club Canada supporters are calling elected officials and asking what they are doing to stop the Extinction Paper from becoming law and start building the country we need.
Take Action for Nature! -
At Sierra Club Canada, we believe justice and democracy means building out renewable energy, not gas plants for data centres. But, as the National Observer reports, “[Crown Corporation] Export Development Canada provided between $100 million and $200 million in project financing for the gas-fired plant that will power [U.S. corporation] Meta’s data centre in Sturgeon County, Alta.,” This is not an isolated incident but part of a wider Federal Government approach to build out gas plants for AI data centres so as to create demand for gas – to benefit U.S. owned/aligned oil and gas interests who want more demand for their product. Sierra Club Canada is rallying supporters to oppose public funding for gas plants. We’re also actively opposing proposed gas plants in Atlantic Canada.
Take Action to Stop Public Financing -
At Sierra Club Canada, justice is not just about calling upon governments to act – though we do a lot of that. We also get communities the resources they need to take action for a more democratic, justice-focussed, climate and energy system on their own. We’re working with partners to make the connections needed for that.
That’s why the Mixed Coast Collective, Sierra Club Canada, and Iron & Earth are hosting a free community information session and intro solar training in Channel Port aux Basques. This session is designed for beginners and will cover the basics of how solar energy works, different ways it can be used in Port aux Basques, and what to consider if you’re interested in solar for your home, business, or community. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions and connect with
solar experts.We’re also hosting a Rain Garden Party in St. John’s along with the Mixed Coast Collective, CMFI, Youth Climate Corps, and the Mercy Centre.
Take Part in the Solar Training
In Toronto we’re partnering with a large coalition of groups to oppose the sale of Canada’s public assets – like airports – to the wealthiest 1%. Throughout Canada Sierra Club Canada is distributing seeds that help local pollinators thrive – reinforcing the local ecosystems communities rely on for resilience. In Québec Sierra Club Canada is working with independent journalists and media collectives to help reinforce a strong localized ‘media ecosystem’ – see our The Environment in Canada Podcast for more.
The world future generations will experience may be uncertain. But from the Prairies to Atlantic Canada our Wild Child programs are helping kids learn the practical outdoor skills they need to survive and thrive in nature.
An Outdoor Leadership Training event for Sierra Club Canada Members in Ontario
Shirley Barnea as a kid (right)
How You Can Get Connected
Building a thriving, nature-centered society where communities, ecosystems, and future generations can thrive is collective work.
Everyone has a role to play, and we invite you to join us. You can start by taking one of the actions on our Take Action page, or by signing up for our newsletter, where you’ll get alerts about new actions, events, and important story updates.
You can join us by becoming a member, volunteering, becoming a monthly donor, and spreading the word!
Take Action Now
We have lots of petitions, campaigns, and other ways to make a difference that only take a few moments to complete.
Join the Conversation
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter with analysis of breaking environmental news stories, resources to improve your own communication with others and environmental work, podcasts, events, and new action items as they get launched.
Join Our Community
Members are at the core of our local chapters, vote on important organizational matters, and are invited to special events, opportunities, and trainings.
Join an Executive Committee
Sierra Club Canada Foundation has local and national committees that meet regularly to analyze new issues, help run our organization’s various initiatives, and guide chapters. You can be a part of this crucial work.
Power Our Plan
Make your impact last all year by becoming a monthly donor.
Volunteer with Us
Whether you care about local impact or high-level policy, Sierra Club Canada is where you can make a difference.
Together, we put nature at the centre. A world where nature is valued for its own sake, and where people and communities have the power to protect it.
Every person who takes action brings us all one step closer to our vision and we invite you to join us!
Sierra Club Canada’s Wild Child Staff in Edmonton Alberta
Listin to an interview with our President, Julie Rennick, and Executive Director, Gretchen Fitzgerald, about the new plan!
The Environment in Canada Podcast, Episode 117 on Sierra Club Canada’s new Strategic Plan. You can listen to this podcast on The Harbinger Media Network, Apple Podcasts, IHeartRadio, watch it on Spotify and Youtube, or watch to it on our website below:
And help spread the word!Share the plan on Gander Social (a new Canadian social media app), Bluesky, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!