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The ACC and the Environment

Photo: © Sheila Churchill

The Alpine Club of Canada has worked to protect our mountains for over 100 years.  Club members have a unique and close connection with mountains and wild places in Canada, and we feel a special responsibility to care for these fragile areas.

A century ago, Elizabeth Parker, one of the Club’s founders, saw the ACC serving as “a national trust for the defense of our mountain solitudes against the intrusion of steam and electricity and all the vandalisms of this luxurious utilitarian age.”

While times have changed, our commitment to the environment remains as strong as ever.  Today, we work hard to reduce our own impact on the mountains by making ACC backcountry huts and adventures as “green” as possible.  And we let Canadians know about threats to the mountain environment – from climate change to inappropriate development and use.

In everything we do, the ACC and its members are guided by our Environmental Values and Principles.

Leave No Trace Canada

The ACC is proud to be a partner in Leave No Trace Canada, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships.  Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands.

Review the Leave No Trace Principles

For more information, visit Leave No Trace Canada

ACC Environment Fund

The Alpine Club of Canada Environment Fund is a permanent legacy for environmental work. The purpose of this fund is to provide support that contributes to the protection and preservation of mountain and climbing environments, including the preservation of alpine flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The focus of the fund is wilderness conservation rather than recreation enhancement. Projects are evaluated and ranked in accordance with the criteria established by the Environment Committee of the ACC. Funding is limited, and not all projects can be funded even though they meet the criteria. The deadline for receipt of applications for each review is January 31st of each year.

For more information and application forms, see Environment Fund

ACC Huts and the environment

ACC huts play an increasingly important role in reducing the environmental impact of backcountry travel in wilderness areas.  The ACC is an acknowledged leader in the environmentally responsible operation of backcountry facilities. Through ongoing research efforts, the Club seeks ways to further reduce the “environmental footprint” of backcountry visitors through the use of appropriate technology.

For more information, visit: ACC Huts and the Environment

UIAA Mountain Ethics Declaration

On October 10, 2009 the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) amended and approved their Mountain Ethics Declaration.