The Canadian Wildlife Federation is embarking on a Christmas fundraising campaign depicting serene images of wildlife on cards and calendars without telling the public it is closely linked to those who shoot them.

Joe Foy, national campaign director for the Wilderness Committee, said he believes CWF does good conservation work, but feels the non-profit organization should be more upfront about its affiliations. “That’s the issue,” he said. “If you’re in B.C. and you get this fundraising package it would be hard for you to be aware that affiliates of this organization such as the B.C. Wildlife Federation are one of the key lobby groups…advocating for the continued sport hunting of grizzly bears. “It’s important that those supporting you have a fair chance of understanding what you’re about.”

Foy said the “giving” months before Christmas are critical for non-profit organizations. The Wilderness Committee also sells calendars and cards but makes it clear where it stands on issues, including support for a national park in the South Okanagan and opposition to the Kinder Morgan pipeline project, he said. “If you get a fundraising appeal from the Wilderness Committee, you can figure out fairly rapidly what we’re about. However, the style the Canadian Wildlife Federation is using is problematic.” The wildlife federation says it stands for sustainable use of the environment, and that it exists to further conservation and not hunting, per se, despite its ties to hunting lobby groups such as the BCWF. “We don’t represent the hunting community,” responded Rick Bates, CWF chief executive officer.

“We are a conservation organization. We work to protect habitat, research wildlife and ways to resolve problems that affect them, and getting kids outdoors to experience the wonder and awe of nature. Those kinds of things.” CWF typically deals with federal departments such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, and Environment Canada rather than on provincial hunting issues, Bates said.

CWF president is Bob Morris of Nanaimo, a former president of the BCWF and former director of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. He has a long history of conservation work including on recovery of the Vancouver Island marmot. Bates insists the CWF board represents “a wide range of conservationists and that’s a good thing.” CWF is mailing out Christmas cards and calendars depicting nature scenes in hopes of soliciting public donations. “We would not be able to do the work that we do to conserve and protect wildlife without the support of concerned Canadians like you,” an accompanying letter reads. Donations will benefit a wide range of species, it continues, including bats, bees, fish, marine mammals and their habitats. The calendar has an idyllic cover photo of wolves. November features a grizzly bear feeding in a grassy landscape. There is no reference to hunting of either species.

Bates said CWF is funding research into cumulative human impacts on the boreal forest, which will benefit all species whether they be bird or mammals, predators or prey. He added that hunting was not deliberately excluded from fundraising appeal. “We don’t specifically exclude it,” Bates said. “We conserve wildlife for the use and enjoyment of all. If you enjoy nature and love nature, that’s who we work for.” According to its 2014-15 financial statements, CWF had revenues of $18.5 million, up from $14.4 million the year before. lpynn@postmedia.com