who we are

Crowsnest Conservation Society is a diverse group of individuals with a passion for nature and the beautiful landscapes in the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area.  We share a strong conservation ethic and a desire to integrate this into the mainstream of our community.  We are active in undertaking and supporting programs that preserve, protect and enhance nature and the landscapes we cherish, while ensuring a vibrant growing community. We are a registered charitable organization.

Our Vision

​Crowsnest Conservation Society envisions and works towards a Crowsnest Pass where:
  • We work together with community partners to ensure a healthy future for the natural environment and the people who live in it.
  • Wildlife can live and move within a healthy landscape.
  • A range of recreational activities coexist with users and wildlife in a respectful and sustainable manner.
  • Private and public decisions about land development are made with the long terms needs of wildlife and sustainable community as key factors.
  • People celebrate our rich unique natural heritage.
View our 2022 Strategic Plan here: Strategic_plan_2022.pdf
View our most recent audited financial statements here: 2021-2022 Audited Financial Statements

meet the board

president
​BRENDA DAVISON

Brenda is a teacher who spent her career in Canmore, where she was active in environmental issues, particularly those concerning wildlife corridors. Since retiring and moving to Burmis 12 years ago, she has enjoyed discovering new wild spaces in the Crowsnest Pass. She is happy whenever she can be outside - hiking, gardening, or just watching the sunlight and shadow in their dance along a hill.

vice president
​tARA HEllewell

Tara has been a strong advocate for the welfare of animals through her 10 year role as Executive Director of Central Alberta Humane Society and former Humane Canada Board Director. Her 20-year career and volunteerism specializing in fund development, marketing and management has actively furthered the missions of the central Alberta charitable sector in domestic violence, seniors long term care and animal welfare. Tara currently holds the role of Director of Donor Relations and National Engagement at Humane Canada where she supports the welfare of companion animals, wildlife and farmed animals across the country. 

Since moving South in 2021 with partner Jaret and fur-kids Harlee and Bandit, Tara now divides her time between their homes on the mountain in the Crowsnest Pass and their off-grid cabin on the shores of Kootenay Lake just outside of Nelson, BC. At home, they relish the freedom of nature, the beauty of the environment and the wildlife that frequently visit both properties.

TREASURER
​SUSAN WAGNER

Susan is a retired professor of nursing from Saskatoon who moved here for the outdoor recreation opportunities. She was a member of several health care boards and on the Crowsnest Pass Municipal Planning Commission for almost three terms. She and her husband built a log house on an island in northern Saskatchewan and lived there for 19 summers. They have been committed to environmental issues for decades.

SECRETARY
​HERALD KANE

He was born in Lethbridge to two parents from the CNP and lived in Hillcrest until graduating from Bellevue High School. He studied chemistry at the U of A and completed two graduate degrees in Los Angeles, finally retiring from a college teaching career in 2005 to move back to Hillcrest. His professional interests centered on creating science curricula for higher education, and teaching or mentoring a broad cross-section of college students, diverse in age, abilities, ethnicities, cultures, and national origins. His life interests are partly self-oriented (good health and habits, music of all genres, and an active spiritual life); and partly more outgoing and people-oriented (volunteerism, social justice advocacy and community institutional support).
He was born in Lethbridge to two parents from the CNP and lived in Hillcrest until graduating from Bellevue High School. He studied chemistry at the U of A and completed two graduate degrees in Los Angeles, finally retiring from a college teaching career in 2005 to move back to Hillcrest. His professional interests centered on creating science curricula for higher education, and teaching or mentoring a broad cross-section of college students, diverse in age, abilities, ethnicities, cultures, and national origins. His life interests are partly self-oriented (good health and habits, music of all genres, and an active spiritual life); and partly more outgoing and people-oriented (volunteerism, social justice advocacy and community institutional support).

BOARD MEMBER
​aileen davidson

BOARD MEMBER
​HEATHER MCCUBBIN

Heather has a passion for the outdoors and education. She has lived in Crowsnest Pass since 2012. After spending every summer here as a kid, she knew it was a place she wanted to live, explore and connect with even more. She continued to educate herself on what is in the environment around her and is always excited to share her knowledge with others. In her free time, she loves to hike, fish, explore and capture our beautiful scenery on her camera.
BOARD MEMBER
​GRACE O'LEARY

​BOARD MEMBER
​KEAN MITCHELL
BOARD MEMBER
​ALYA PEACOCK
Grace O'Leary was born and raised in Ontario where she graduated from Sir Sandford Fleming as a Fish and Wildlife Technician. Grace travelled all over the world and has settled in the Crowsnest Pass. Grace has alway had a passion for the outdoors, she enjoys fishing, hiking and camping. Grace has worked for Parks Canada, managed remote wilderness lodges in the Northwest Territories and worked as an Aquaculture Technician. ​