Our Work
Re-connecting with the lands & waters
Our Approach
Many of us feel separate from the natural world we all belong to. That’s why we run land-based programs to connect participants with the forests, rivers, animals and plants we live alongside. People protect what they love, so this work of re-connection is crucial for creating the momentum needed to restore thriving ecosystems and a stable climate.
Why this work is important
From the rivers to the trees, from common ants to endangered orcas, we recognize our responsibility to better care for our neighbours and the rich ecosystems we all inhabit. Humans are not separate from nature. Healthy ecosystems are essential for all life, including ours. They purify the air, filter water, provide food and shelter, and sustain countless species. Sierra Club BC’s work is grounded in a respectful relationship with the web of life, where we reciprocate the care the lands and waters have shown us.
Broken relationships with nature are at the root of the climate and extinction crisis. After all, if more people saw cedar trees as neighbours instead of resources to be extracted, would we still clearcut entire forests?
Sierra Club BC is committed to repairing these relationships. By re-connecting with the lands and waters we can chart a better path forward.
How we nurture a changed relationship with the natural world
This is challenging work that, for many, requires a shift in perspective. Sierra Club BC offers programs and supports to make the journey more accessible.
Mother Tree Local Leaders Program
We work with local leaders to mobilize their communities to create tangible change and step into healthier relationships with the lands and waters.
Environmental education workshops for youth
We offer place-based workshops for youth that foster a deeper appreciation for local biodiversity and nurture the environmental stewards of tomorrow.
Guided outdoor walks
Throughout the year, we invite community members to join us on walks in local forests and beaches. Together, we learn about the plants and animals that share our communities and how we can better care for them.
Our impact
Here are some ways Sierra Club BC members are stepping into a deeper relationship with the lands and waters:
- Advocating to protect intact ecosystems and wildlife corridors in their communities
- Supporting watershed restoration of degraded streams
- Planting pollinator gardens to support local biodiversity
- Removing invasive species from their local greenspaces
- Watering the trees in their neighbourhoods during times of drought
- Leading nature-based art workshops that help participants slow down and connect with their neighbourhood plants and animals
- And much more!
Imagine what the future could look like if we respected all life
Imagine that year after year, the salmon are returning in record numbers — feeding orcas, eagles and people across the coast. Imagine a world where old-growth forests stand tall, providing clean air and water. Where once-endangered species like spotted owls and woodland caribou thrive. Imagine a world where your neighbours are supported by sustainable second-growth forestry and clean energy. A world where our economy relies on the wellbeing of the natural world, as our health and the health of the planet are intricately connected. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
You can help protect healthy ecosystems
Donate today. Together, we can build a brighter future.
Photo Credits: Nila Silvatheesan, Mary Paquet and Mya Van Woudenberg