The St. Lawrence is the drain of an inland ocean. Everything that falls on a basin stretching from Minnesota to Quebec eventually finds its way through this one great river to the Atlantic, and along the way it passes through five lakes holding a fifth of the planet’s surface fresh water. On the Canadian side, the lowlands along the river are the most densely populated part of the country, and the estuary below Quebec City is wide enough and salt enough that belugas live in it.
This is a working landscape that has been paying a price for a long time. The Seaway opened the interior to ocean shipping and, with it, to invasive species that have rewritten the food web of the lakes. Wetlands were drained, tributaries dammed, and the beluga population of the estuary fell to a fraction of what it was. What has happened since is one of the more encouraging stories in North American conservation: binational agreements, tributary restoration, and a slow, stubborn recovery.
The organizations working across this basin operate in two languages and two countries on a single ecosystem that respects neither border. They restore coastal wetlands and spawning tributaries, defend the estuary and its whales, and press governments on both sides to treat the lakes and the river as the one connected system they have always been.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
181 organizations working across this landscape.
Action Saint-François
Action Saint-François est un organisme environnemental qui oeuvre dans la gestion du bassin versant de la rivière Saint-François en Estrie.
A Greener Future
Our vision is a world where people come together to learn, connect, and take action to eliminate waste and preserve the environment.
Amici Camping Charity
Through multi-year access to overnight summer camp, Amici Camping Charity fosters personal growth and life-long skills in children with financial need.
Appalachian Corridor
To consolidate and leave in perpetuity a vast corridor of protected natural areas in the Canadian portion of the Green Mountains.
Architecture Sans Frontières Québec
AWBQ has social and environmental impacts in the sectors of climate adaptation, homelessness, circular economy, first nations and international cooperation.
ArcticStern Sailing
The ArcticStern project is a sailing expedition to explore the relationship between humans and the ocean.
Atlantic Salmon Federation (Canada)
The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) is an international non-profit organization that is dedicated to the conservation, protection, and restoration of wild Atlantic...
Aventure Écotourisme Québec
AN ECOTOURISM ADVENTURE In addition to adventure accreditation, some companies are also eligible for, ECOTOURISM accreditation for one specific activity. These ...
Bâtiment Durable Québec
Bâtiment durable Québec (BDQ) mobilizes industry stakeholders to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon built environment in Québec.
Beyond the Backpack
Beyond the Backpack is a nonprofit organization founded to protect the world we love and the animals that inhabit it. We shine a spotlight on wildlife conservation e...
BIPOC Outdoor Gear Library
A community-based lending library focused on providing access to outdoor equipment for BIPOC communities of Guelph and surrounding areas.
Bird Studies Canada
Bird Studies Canada is a non-profit, charitable organization built on the enthusiastic contributions of thousands of caring members and volunteer Citizen Scien...
B Local Ontario
B Local Ontario is a group of Certified B Corporations from Ontario working to foster and deepen connections among organizations in our region who share our pur
Camp Kawartha & the Camp Kawartha Outdoor Education Centre
Camp Kawartha & the Camp Kawartha Outdoor Education Centre is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with terrestrial ecosystems. Based in Douro-Dum...
Canada Organic Trade Association
Contact Tia Loftsgard, executive director, tloftsgard@canada-organic.ca or by phone at 613-482-1717 ext 200
Canadian Organic Growers
Canadian Organic Growers is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with food systems / regenerative agriculture. Based in Ottawa, ON, Canada, it is ...
Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC)
Protecting tropical ecosystems through scientific research, education, and on-the-ground training, to foster the next generation of conservationists.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS National)
CPAWS advocates for the effective, long-term protection of ecologically- and culturally-significant land, freshwater and ocean areas in Canada.
Centre québécois du droit de l'environnement
Our mission: At the Quebec Environmental Law Centre (CQDE), our mission is to leverage our legal expertise to support citizens and protect the environment. We are th...
Climate Reality Canada
Climate Reality Project Canada turns climate concern into action through education, advocacy, Community Climate Hubs, and municipal climate organizing.
Comité régional pour la protection des falaises
Comité regional pour la protection des falaises (CRPF)
Community Forests International
Enabling communities and forests to thrive together.
Coopérative de solidarité Polliflora
Biodiversity Pollinators Protection Beekeeping Habitats
Coop FA / Carbone Scol'ERE
Carbone Scol'ERE (Scol'ERE) is a school program that generates carbon credits for offsetting unavoidable emissions. Scol’ERE aims to educate kids from 9 to 12 years...
Copeland Forest Friends Association
The Copeland Forest is a 4,400 acre Resource Management Area in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada, owned by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests. The ...
Craque-Bitume
Jardinage collectif, compostage commuanautaire et formations écocitoyennes
Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada serves as Canada’s national governing body for cycling, from the amateur to Olympic/Paralympic level
Daily Bread Food Bank
Mission: We collaborate with all to eliminate food insecurity and advocate for solutions to end poverty.
Don’t Mess with the Don
Working to cleanup, protect and restore Toronto's Ravines.
Earth Rangers
Our programs are educational and engaging – but more importantly, they show children that the things we do today will matter tomorrow. Additionally, we have the lar...
Earthroots
Earthroots is a 1% for the Planet nature nonprofit partner associated with climate adaptation. Based in Toronto, ON, Canada, it is included in the IdealLocation.org ...
Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc (ECW inc.)
In 1991, faced with an urgent need to restore damaged coastal environments, Environment Canada initiated the Atlantic Coastal Action Program as a means of mobilizin...
Éco-corridors laurentiens
Des milieux naturels connectés, des humains interconnectés. Éco-corridors laurentiens est un organisme de bienfaisance qui met en œuvre une stratégie de conservation...
Ecology Ottawa
Empowering people for environmental action in Canada’s capital.
EcoPerth
EcoSchools Canada
Our mission is to nurture environmental leaders, reduce the ecological impact of schools, and build environmentally responsible school communities.
EcoSpark
EcoSpark is a community leader in local engagement, environmental education, and citizen science.
Environmental Defence
Environmental Defence Canada’s Vision: A future where everyone in Canada can live and thrive in a healthy environment - protected for generations to come
Equiterre
Équiterre is working to get all of society moving together, beyond our individual action, towards systemic change and environmental solutions.
Escarpment Corridor Alliance
Preserving and protecting the escarpment and nature in South Georgian Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Essex Region Conservation Foundation
Improving our environment to enrich our lives
Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre
Everdale was founded in 1998 and has long been a leader in Food and Farming Education. Our focus has been largely on youth education and training new farmers. Mor...