Founded in 1939, Nature Canada’s mission is to protect and conserve nature by engaging Canadians in conservation efforts. It aims to ensure that at-risk species and habitats in Canada are fully protected through its conservation and advocacy programs. Nature Canada also encourages Canadians to connect with and gain a greater appreciation for nature. The charity states that Canada is home to more than 200 endangered species. In addition, only around 10% of Canada’s boreal forest, which helps to store 186 billion tonnes of carbon, is under protection.

Nature Canada runs both Conservation programs and Conservation Education and Communications programs. The charity does not provide a program spending breakdown for F2020.

Nature Canada’s Conservation programs aim to protect land and oceans across Canada. In F2020, the charity reports that its petitions and advocacy efforts helped to conserve vital pastures in Southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. Three new pastures in Govenlock, Nashlyn, and Battle Creek received federal protection during the year, providing homes to around 13 at-risk species.

The charity’s Conservation Education and Communications programs help to connect Canadians with nature. In F2020, Nature Canada and its local partners hosted 281 school and community groups at 97 events. During the year, it states that these events reached a total of 16,036 people. Nature Canada also helped to host the Nature-Based Climate Solutions Summit in February 2020, which brought together more than 450 participants.

Nature Canada received $2.3m in Canadian donations in F2020. It also received $911k in international donations (23% of revenues) and $643k in government funding (16% of revenues). Administrative costs are 6% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 15% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 22%. For every dollar donated, 78 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

Nature Canada has $2.6m in funding reserves, of which $139k is donor-endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, the charity could cover 81% or nearly ten months of annual program and grant costs.

­­According to its filing with the Charities Directorate, Nature Canada used external fundraisers in F2020. The charity reports that it received $118k from external fundraisers, but does not disclose how much it paid. This is a mandatory filing.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Nature Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 10, 2021 by Eric Zhao.