Brewing a Better Future: Canada’s 2025 Conservation Report Card
At Muskoka Roastery, our coffee is inspired by the wild places that make Muskoka, and Canada, so special. From the boreal forests to our freshwater lakes, nature isn’t just our backdrop; it’s our home. That’s why we were eager to dig into the new conservation “report card” released by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).
The report, On the Path to 2030, grades federal, provincial, and territorial governments on their progress toward protecting 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030 — a global commitment known as the “30×30” initiative. The idea is simple but powerful: when we protect nature, we protect biodiversity, fight climate change, and ensure future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of the outdoors.
The Grades Are In
Like any good school report card, there are some high achievers, and some who need to stay after class.
- Leaders: Quebec, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, and the federal government earned top marks for bold conservation commitments and funding.
- Mixed Reviews: British Columbia, New Brunswick, Yukon, and Manitoba made progress but need stronger frameworks and faster action.
- Behind the Rest: Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland & Labrador scored lowest, showing little political will to expand protected areas or support Indigenous-led conservation.
The report highlights a truth that hits close to home here in Ontario: while our province is rich in natural beauty, we’re falling behind when it comes to protecting it.
Why 30×30 Matters
Protecting 30% of our lands and waters isn’t just a number. It’s about:
- Preserving wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on.
- Fighting climate change by safeguarding forests, wetlands, and oceans that store carbon.
- Supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation and reconciliation.
- Ensuring access to nature for generations to come, from paddling Muskoka lakes to hiking the Rockies.
At Muskoka Roastery, we believe that when nature thrives, so do we.
How You Can Help
Conservation is a team effort, and we all have a role to play. Here are a few ways to get involved:
- Support organizations like CPAWS that are on the front lines of protecting nature.
- Vote for nature by supporting policies and leaders who prioritize conservation.
- Get involved locally by speaking up for parks, forests, and waters in your own community.
- Learn and share the importance of conservation with family and friends.
Our Commitment
CPAWS is a proud beneficiary of our 1% to Sustain program, and thanks to our Double the Impact campaign on National Parks Day, your generosity helped make our 2025 contribution even larger.
We’re also proud that every bag of Muskoka Roastery coffee is roasted right here in Muskoka, in Canada’s first roastery powered entirely by renewable energy. For us, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the way we do business. Reports like CPAWS’ remind us why it matters to keep pushing forward: the forests, lakes, and wildlife that inspire us every day depend on it.