Meewasin Valley Authority
Meewasin Valley Authority is a Saskatchewan non-profit conservation corporation, established in 1979, managing 67 sq km and 108 km of trails along the South Saskatchewan River. It serves the Saskatoon public, Indigenous communities, and partner institutions through conservation, education, and visitor experiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersSaskatoon, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Meewasin Valley Authority does
Meewasin Valley Authority is a non-profit conservation corporation established in 1979 under the Meewasin Act, operating under a statutory mandate to conserve the South Saskatchewan River valley in and around Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It manages a 67 sq km conservation area serviced by 108 km of multi-use trails, accommodating up to 2.365 million trail visits per year as of 2023. The organization is registered as a Canadian charity (Registration No. 119037042 RR 0001) and is governed by a board chaired by Angela Bedard-Haughn, with Mike Velonas serving as permanent Chief Executive Officer from July 2025 after a February 2025 interim appointment.
The organization's core activities span conservation, recreation, and education, delivered through partnerships with Parks Canada, Indigenous communities, the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina, and municipal governments. Visitor-facing products include trail-based experiences, educational programming, and a merchandise line sold via a WooCommerce online store, with tote bags at $9.99, neck gaiters at $19.99, and water bottles at $24.99. Donations are processed through CanadaHelps and Moneris, and the organization is exploring a mobile application to extend visitor engagement.
Meewasin's revenue model is a hybrid of multi-year philanthropic grants, government appropriations, and diversified earned income. The most significant recent funding commitment is a CAD $6.49 million, five-year grant from the Weston Family Foundation through the Canadian Prairie Protected and Conserved Ecozones Fund for prairie grasslands conservation. The organization is also pursuing National Urban Park designation with Parks Canada, which would federalize and expand the mandate. The technology stack is conventional and commercially licensed, with no disclosed AI or ML capabilities.
Meewasin Valley Authority firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Meewasin Valley Authority
- Legal name
- Meewasin Valley Authority
- Website
- https://meewasin.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Meewasin Valley Authority is a Saskatchewan non-profit conservation corporation, established in 1979, managing 67 sq km and 108 km of trails along the South Saskatchewan River. It serves the Saskatoon public, Indigenous communities, and partner institutions through conservation, education, and visitor experiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Meewasin Valley Authority industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH), National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA)
Keywords
Where Meewasin Valley Authority is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saskatoon
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Meewasin Valley Authority business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue source; Meewasin is a registered charity (119037042 RR 0001) relying on donations for sustainability. Accepts one-time and recurring donations, endowments, and dedications.
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including tote bags, neck gaiters, and water bottles through the online shop.
- Experiences and Programs: Fee-based experiences including Sip & Skate events, tours, workshops, and educational programs.
- Volunteer Services: Community volunteers contribute to conservation activities, monitoring, and cleanup campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard merchandise items |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Sip & Skate events (19+) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Meewasin Valley Authority product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Meewasin Valley Authority conserves and manages a 67 square kilometer conservation corridor along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, operating 108 km of public trails and multiple protected natural areas. It delivers environmental conservation programs (prescribed fire, targeted grazing, invasive species management), fee-based educational tours and seasonal experiences (Pelican Watch, Dark Skies, Sip & Skate), and complementary merchandise sales to fund its non-profit mission.
Product overview
Meewasin Valley Authority operates as a non-profit conservation organization managing 67 square kilometers of land and 108km of established trail along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon. The organization offers a portfolio of consumer merchandise products (tote bags, neck gaiters, water bottles) through its online shop, alongside experiential services including guided tours, educational programs, and seasonal events. Conservation programs encompass prescribed fire, targeted grazing, and invasive species management across multiple protected natural areas. The organization also maintains digital offerings including a mobile application for trail navigation and various volunteer and donation platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conservation Areas
- Tours & Experiences
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 2.365 million trail visits per year
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Meewasin Valley Authority
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Meewasin Valley Authority technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
Meewasin Valley Authority partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nature Conservancy of CanadacoreKey partner in the CPPFE collaborative network, working together on prescribed fire training and grasslands conservation across the Prairies.
- Saskatchewan ParkscoreCPPFE partner providing expertise and support for prescribed fire training and grassland conservation in Saskatchewan.
- Lakeland CollegeminorEducational partner in CPPFE, supporting training and knowledge exchange for prescribed fire practitioners.
- University of SaskatchewancoreAcademic partner in CPPFE and broader conservation efforts, contributing research and educational resources.
- Stuartburn Burn Association (Manitoba)minorCommunity-based prescribed burn association partner in Manitoba, part of CPPFE network.
- Aberdeen Community PastureminorCommunity pasture partner contributing to CPPFE grassland conservation efforts.
- Association of Manitoba Community PasturesminorPartner organization supporting CPPFE objectives in Manitoba.
- City of SaskatooncoreMunicipal partner in CPPFE and National Urban Park exploration, supporting urban conservation initiatives.
- Indigenous Communities and OrganizationscoreEssential partners in CPPFE and National Urban Park exploration, providing cultural knowledge, fire stewardship practices, and supporting reconciliation goals.
- Parks CanadacorePartner in National Urban Park program exploration, potentially designating a National Urban Park in the Saskatoon region within the Meewasin Valley.
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) SaskatoonminorCo-beneficiary of the Million Steps for Mental Health campaign, receiving fundraising proceeds from participant Fran Sreedhar.
- Saskatoon Nature SocietyminorLong-time partner supporting the Pelican Watch program and contest for over 26 years.
- LB DistillersminorLocal spirits partner providing beverages for Sip & Skate events.
- The Prairie GrazerminorLocal food vendor providing charcuterie and s'mores for Sip & Skate events.
- Delta BessboroughminorLocal hotel partner offering discounted stays for Sip & Skate event attendees.
- Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River BasinminorCollaborative partner focused on the Saskatchewan River Basin ecosystem and watershed management.
- Tim Yaworski (Saskatchewan's Living Sky Guy)minorExpert guide for Dark Skies events, providing astronomy education and night sky interpretation.
- Royal Astronomical SocietyminorPartner in Dark Skies events, contributing astronomers and expertise for night sky viewing programs.
- Jared Epp (Professional Shepherd)minorProfessional shepherd leading targeted conservation grazing demonstrations with trained Border Collies.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Meewasin Valley Authority competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Ontario Nature: Provincial conservation non-profit protecting wild species and spaces across Ontario through land stewardship, advocacy, and community science. Comparable as a registered charity running habitat conservation with volunteer-driven citizen science programs.
- Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation: Provincial wildlife and habitat conservation non-profit serving Saskatchewan, with membership-driven conservation, education, and stewardship programs. Comparable as a regional non-profit combining outdoor recreation with conservation delivery.
- Nature Saskatchewan: Provincial naturalist and conservation non-profit based in Saskatchewan, focused on species at risk, birding programs, and habitat stewardship. Comparable as a regional conservation non-profit with similar program mix and donor-supported model.
- Alberta Wilderness Association: Western Canadian conservation non-profit focused on wilderness protection and grassland conservation. Comparable as a prairie-relevant conservation non-profit that runs education, advocacy, and stewardship programs funded by donations.
Broad incumbents
- Parks Canada: Federal agency that administers Canada's national parks, national urban parks, and historic sites. Comparable as a protected-area operator, and directly relevant as Meewasin's partner in the National Urban Park exploration.
Direct peers
- EcoTrust Canada: Canadian environmental non-profit focused on conservation finance, land stewardship, and community-led environmental solutions. Comparable as a charity running conservation programs with a community-and-grant funding model.
- Riverkeeper: US-based non-profit dedicated to protecting the Hudson River and its tributaries through advocacy, monitoring, and community engagement. Comparable as a river-corridor-focused conservation non-profit combining habitat protection with public recreation and education.
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS): National non-profit dedicated to protecting Canada's public lands and waters, with regional chapters running conservation programs. Comparable as a registered Canadian charity operating in the parks/protected-areas space with similar donor-driven advocacy and stewardship work.
- Ducks Unlimited Canada: Conservation non-profit focused on wetlands and waterfowl habitat across Canada, funded by donations and partner contributions. Comparable as a Canadian charitable organization delivering habitat programs with similar revenue mix and volunteer engagement.
- Nature Conservancy of Canada: Canada's largest private land conservation non-profit, working with partners to protect natural areas through acquisition and stewardship. Directly comparable as a registered Canadian charity running conservation programs across multiple sites, with a similar donor and partner-funding model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Meewasin Valley Authority social profiles
Digital presenceMeewasin Valley Authority financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Meewasin Valley Authority leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Meewasin Valley Authority funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Meewasin Valley Authority M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Meewasin Valley Authority
What does Meewasin Valley Authority do?
Meewasin Valley Authority conserves and manages a 67 square kilometer conservation corridor along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, operating 108 km of public trails and multiple protected natural areas. It delivers environmental conservation programs (prescribed fire, targeted grazing, invasive species management), fee-based educational tours and seasonal experiences (Pelican Watch, Dark Skies, Sip & Skate), and complementary merchandise sales to fund its non-profit mission.
Is Meewasin Valley Authority a public or private company?
Meewasin Valley Authority is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Meewasin Valley Authority founded?
Meewasin Valley Authority was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Meewasin Valley Authority based?
Meewasin Valley Authority is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Meewasin Valley Authority make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales, experiences and Programs and volunteer Services.
Who are Meewasin Valley Authority's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Ontario Nature, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, Nature Saskatchewan and Alberta Wilderness Association. Parks Canada is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are EcoTrust Canada, Riverkeeper, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), Ducks Unlimited Canada and Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Does Meewasin Valley Authority have an API?
No public API is recorded for Meewasin Valley Authority.
What industry is Meewasin Valley Authority in?
Meewasin Valley Authority's product category is Environmental Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAH, Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration, with a secondary code of THAAAAAH, National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access). Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 7900.