Goal | What You Can Do | Media | Resources
Background
WILD Generations promotes intergenerational mentorship through meaningful outdoor activities that connect people of all ages with nature. The program supports organizations working with youth and seniors by providing connections and resources to encourage shared experiences in conservation, knowledge transfer and nature appreciation.
This occurs through shared activities such as bird watching, hiking, fishing, iNaturalist exploration and citizen science, gardening, outdoor exploration and more. These activities foster a deeper appreciation for biodiversity, contribute to citizen science and help build a robust and united society.
Why Participate in WILD Generations?
In the face of biodiversity changes, habitat loss, climate change and other environmental issues, connecting generations through nature is more important than ever to pass down knowledge and keep passion for conserving habitats alive. Intergenerational outdoor programs offer opportunities to build friendships, share knowledge, and inspire a lifelong love of the environment and create strong and connected communities.
If you have questions about the Wild Generations program please email cwfeducation@cwf-fcf.org.
Goal of the Program
The program encourages intergenerational knowledge sharing, social inclusion and service-learning/civic engagement through outdoor activities and conservation actions which serves as a legacy projects to raise a generation of young conservationists mentored by elders that will make an impact on wildlife habitat going forward.
What You Can Do
Choose an area from this list that interest you and your group for your intergenerational activities:
Wild Generations Gardening Club
a. Planning/creating a pollinator garden, b. Planting pollinator plants in an existing garden c. Rain garden creation etc.
Wild Generations Makers
Building and installing bird houses/feeders, Bat boxes or Bug Hotels/Bee Baths or Amphibian shelters (Toad Abode), making seed bombs, building raised beds for gardens etc. …
Wild Generation Bird Club
Bird watching walks & Identification…
Wild Generation Citizen Scientists
iNaturalist walks & identification (City Nature Challenge, Bioblitz), Bird counts, Butterfly Counts, herpetology counts, fish counts …
Wild Generations Water Fun
a. Learning how to fish, b. Water testing for Water Rangers C. Stream/riparian restoration
Wild Generations Walks
Wildflower identification walks, Geology walks, Tree and plant walks, Forest Bathing, Snowshoeing, Hikes, Dementia walks…
Wild Generations Take Action
Shoreline/Park cleanups, invasive species pulls, Tree planting, other action projects…
Wild Generations Create
Nature Journaling, Plein air Painting, Other outdoors arts & crafts, Nature Photography…
Wild Generations Book Club
Reading/listening to books together on various nature topic and discussing them (Listening to podcasts, or watching documentaries) …
Did You Know?
1⁄5
Approximately 7.6 million Canadians were aged 65 and older on July 1, 2023, accounting for almost one-fifth (18.9%) of the total population.
73%
In 2023 Close to three in four people (73%) ages 15+ volunteered their time in Canada.
231
Young Canadians aged 15 to 19 have the highest volunteer rate, with 66% of youth volunteering (youth give the least: 110 hours per year). Despite the lower volunteer rate among Canadian volunteers aged 65 to 74, they give the most hours annually, at 231 hours.
A recent report from the Canadian government highlights the importance of nature for seniors' well-being. The report emphasizes the benefits of nature for seniors' physical and mental health.
Benefits of Intergenerational engagement: individuals of all ages benefit from the shared experiences that foster understanding, respect, and support.
Younger people: Improved mental health and wellbeing, increased self-esteem and empathy, and better school performance and attendance.
Older adults: Reduced isolation and loneliness, improved health and wellbeing, increased confidence, and a stronger sense of worth.
Families and communities: Increased social cohesion and community trust, greater participation in volunteering, increased sense of belonging and a reduction in ageism, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Videos
In the News
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CWF supports the federal government’s strengthened climate plan, which benefits both the environment and the economy
June 26, 2026 - CWF supports development of government policy and legislation, industry action and consumer actions to reduce emissions to a level that meets Canada’s commitment to the global target to not exceed a 1.5 degree increase in the average temperature of the planet.
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CWF supports the federal government’s strengthened climate plan, which benefits both the environment and the economy
June 26, 2026 - CWF supports development of government policy and legislation, industry action and consumer actions to reduce emissions to a level that meets Canada’s commitment to the global target to not exceed a 1.5 degree increase in the average temperature of the planet.
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Locally extinct plant rediscovered in Canada thanks to iNaturalist
June 26, 2026 - A few community photos of a unique plant found in Southern Ontario has spurred a species reassessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The species was one of 39 assessments recently carried out by the committee as they undertake the critical first step in endangered species conservation.
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CWF Education Updates
June 26, 2026 - Receive our monthly education updates!
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Your Connection to Wildlife E-Newsletter
June 26, 2026 - Receive our monthly Your Connection to Wildlife E-Newsletter!
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Newsletters
June 26, 2026 - CWF’s publications urge Canadians to make a connection with wildlife in their everyday lives.
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