Alberta Wilderness Association 2024 – 2025 Annual Report
November 12, 2025
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Executive Director’s Message
This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA). It is hard to believe we’ve been around that long, and that many of the issues we advocate for are ones we have continued to fight for decades. I feel like we really hit our stride this year. This has been another year of change and capacity building, but also of consolidation, team-building and increased outreach. Our current government has given us many topics to explore and inform about. There seems to have been no end to bad environmental policies coming out. AWA has worked diligently on issues like the reopening of coal allowances, the Upper Smoky Sub-Regional Plan, species at risk, water allotments, and the absolutely mind-boggling hunting regulations. I am so proud of the work our team has accomplished!
Our conservation staff (Ruiping Luo, Kennedy Halvorson, and Pamela Narvaez-Torres) have continued to tackle complex issues throughout the province with tenacity. They have written letters to government, produced numerous press releases, and run successful campaigns.
Lindsey Wallis continued to manage the development of our Adventures for Wilderness (A4W) program as well as remaining as coordinator for the Great Plains Conservation Network (GPCN). She was joined this year with the addition of a new position, a Conservation Outreach Specialist, Sara Heerema. Sara’s job is to bridge between the conservation staff and communications, and help with outreach. This year we launched the ‘What’s Your 60?’ nature challenge and Sara has been doing a lot of the work keeping the participants’ webpages updated.
Amy Tucker has developed a strong presence for AWA, both online and with the Wild Lands Advocate. She will be going on maternity leave in November, and we wish her the best of luck with her new baby.
Last but not least, our Administration and Bookkeeping Specialist, Loreen Ayuda, provided excellent bookkeeping skills and has been a very helpful administrator.
I have genuinely enjoyed working with our Board of Directors, who continue to provide guidance and support when needed. I truly think their contributions are invaluable to the success of AWA.
Thanking our members, funders, volunteers, and supporters doesn’t seem nearly enough. We honestly could not do the work we do without all of you! AWA’s voice is only as loud as you make it!
AWA’s board members and staff have all made contributions to this Annual Report. The following report highlights AWA’s conservation, stewardship, and outreach efforts during AWA’s 2024 – 2025 fiscal year.
Thank you,
Debborah Donnelly
Executive Director