Education and Assistance for Community based Land Stewardship
The Chinook Institute (CI) is a charitable non-profit organization that helps people become more sustainable in their use and management of Western Canada’s natural landscapes. CI assists growing communities to plan for and manage change in ways that protect the important natural and cultural assets of a place; and supports local initiatives that promote responsible use, stewardship and conservation of natural landscapes. Our approach involves collaborative, values-based planning – building community and land use plans based on the expressed values and interests of local residents – and puts resources and tools into the hands of community members.
Based in Canmore, Alberta, the Chinook Institute works in collaboration with communities and organizations in the mountain regions of southern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia to:
- increase public understanding of the ecological and cultural values of natural landscapes through research, publications and outreach;
- build the capacity of communities and private landowners to become better land stewards through educational programs and resources; and
- help people articulate and meet their conservation goals through the design and delivery of community-based stewardship, land management and conservation plans/projects.
‘Community stewardship’ involves local people taking responsibility for the well-being of the natural landscape, and recognizes the importance – to humans and all other species – of maintaining healthy communities within a healthy environment. It promotes sustainable approaches to land use and development that foster the integrity of ecosystems and wildlife habitat, of working landscapes and rural lifestyles, and of other important societal values.
What’s New?
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Open Space Toolkit Community Workshop Series in:
- Alberta
- Southeastern British Columbia
The Chinook Institute is a registered Canadian charitable organization,
and is incorporated as an Alberta Society.