Organizations in the Outdoor Sector

This page presents a list of organizations working to promote the outdoors from a diversity of perspectives. The list below is not exhaustive, nor exclusive. There is an incredible number of organizations, businesses, and educational institutions that make up the Canadian outdoor sector.  Many of those members of the outdoor community are working diligently to promote the outdoors from a variety of perspectives. Our intent is to be inclusive and name as many of these supporters/advocates/champions as possible. If we are missing one please contact us. Please note: We do not have the capacity to list outfitters and providers of outdoor experiences.

National or Pan-national

  • The Association for Experiential Education is a nonprofit, professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators and practitioners who utilize their philosophy.
  • The Canadian Wildlife Federation‘s mission is to conserve and inspire the conservation of Canada’s wildlife and habitats for the use and enjoyment of all.
  • The Child and Nature Alliance of Canada works to connect Canada’s children and families with nature and the outdoors in the settings where they live, play, learn and work.
  • The David Suzuki Foundation‘s mission is to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future. Their vision is that within a generation, Canadians act on the understanding that we are all interconnected and interdependent with nature.
  • Green Teacher is an organization dedicated to helping educators, both inside and outside of schools, promote environmental awareness among young people aged 6-19. They offer a quarterly magazine. 
  • Leave no Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.
  • The North American Association for Environmental Education is a North American organization promoting environmental education.
  • Outdoor Play Canada  is a network of advocates, practitioners, researchers and organizations working together to promote, protect, and preserve access to play in nature and the outdoors for all people living in Canada.
  • The Trans Canada Trail has for mission to promote and assist in the development and use of the Trail in every province and territory.

By Province and Territory

Alberta

  • Global Environmental Outdoor Education Council is a specialist Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Its mission is to promote quality professional development for teachers in the area of global, environmental, and outdoor education.

British Columbia

Manitoba

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

New Brunswick

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

Newfoundland & Labrador

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

North West Territories

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

Nova Scotia

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

Nunavut

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

Ontario

The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario is an organization that promotes safe and high quality outdoor education experiences for people of all ages. It also acts as a professional body for outdoor educators in the province of Ontario.

Prince Edward Island

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.

Quebec

  • Aventure Écotourisme Québec‘s mission is to protect, represent and promote the interests of Québec’s professional adventure tourism and ecotourism producers. their aim is to develop a tourism appeal of high quality in the sectors of adventure tourism and ecotourism.
  • The Quebec Leisure Council‘s (CQL) mission is to contribute, through leisure, to the social, cultural and economic development of Quebec. The CQL works with many organizations connected to the outdoors in Quebec.

Saskatchewan

  • SaskOutdoors‘ mission is to connect people of Saskatchewan to the outdoors and inspire a sense of discovery and play within our natural environment by passionately delivering programs and services that promote awareness of outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.

Yukon

No organizations have been listed for this region yet. If you know of any relevant organization, please contact us.