Winter 2010 - Nova Scotia Nature Trust

Winter 2009/10
Preserving Nature on Private Lands
Little Gooseberry Makes a Little History as
Nature Trust’s 35th Conservation Property
By Mark Campbell
B
eing one of more than 300 islands,
most privately owned, anchored
in Mahone Bay, Little Gooseberry may
not, at first glance, strike you as particularly unique. Yet it is distinct in at
least one very notable regard; it is the
first island in the area to be protected
forever by the Nature Trust. It is also
distinct in that it is one of only a handful of coastal islands in Nova Scotia
that supports Acadian Forest.The
family of Stewart Lindsay, Jr. and Mary
Lindsay, the owners of Little Gooseberry since the 1950s, officially signed
a conservation easement protecting
the island this past July.
Over the years, it has come to hold
a special place in the hearts of Stewart and Mary Lindsay, and their five
daughters, Anne, Sarah, Patricia,
Judith, and Katherine. “Little Gooseberry holds a lot of memories and
meaning for us,” said Stewart Lindsay,
Jr., noting that his parents owned the
land from 1938, and that he assumed
ownership in 1956. “Since 1938, I have
only missed four summers on the
island, due to war and military service.
Our family has lived in Nova Scotia
from June until Labor Day or later
since 1961, and we anticipate doing
the same for years to come.”
“When we heard about the work the
Nature Trust was doing in private land
conservation, we knew we wanted to
be part of it. I also know that, if they
were alive, my mother - who first
started summering in Chester in 1907
- and my father would be in complete
agreement with our decision to protect
Little Gooseberry Island with the Nature Trust, as we had often discussed
how to maintain the property as we
knew it.”
The Lindsay family signed the agreement as part of a celebration held this
past July in Chester, where some of the
In This Issue:
P1 Little Gooseberry Island Protected
P2 Stewardship Stories
P3 Napier Family Conservation
Lands
p4 Land Trusts - A Growing Force
P5 Great and Selig Islands
P6 Highlights from 2009
P7 Honouring Legacy Circle Inductees
P8 Aveda’s Walk for Water
P9 Connecting Art and Conservation
P9 Voices of the Earth Concert
P11 We’ve Moved
P12 Join Us at the Bluenose Marathon!
P13 Thanks to all who attended our
Dinner and Silent Auction
P13 Please join us at our AGM
Protecting Tomorrow Today
1
Conservation
Little Gooseberry...
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
family resides. It was co-hosted by the
Nature Trust and the Mahone Islands
Conservation Association (MICA).
MICA is a local group working to
ensure that the islands of Mahone Bay
remain naturally pristine and publicly
accessible at a time when, across Nova
Scotia, such land is increasingly being
privatized and developed. In working
towards these conservation goals, they
are joined by the Nature Conservancy
of Canada, the Municipality of the
District of Lunenburg and many local
volunteers.
Encompassing over 11 hectares of
forested land and 1.5 kilometres of
shoreline, Little Gooseberry is also the
first Nature Trust property to benefit
from the new provincial Property Tax
Exemption Act. The act provides a
property tax break for people who
place their land under a permanent
conservation easement. With the
agreement, Little Gooseberry became
the Nature Trust’s 35th conservation
site, according to Dennis Garratt, the
Nature Trust’s Conservation Manager:
“What the Lindsays have done helps
ensure that there will be wild and
natural space in Nova Scotia for future
generations.”
This success was made possible
through the financial support of the
Sage Environmental Program, Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program, Ascenta
Health, Imperial Oil, and generous
contributions made by many individual donors, as well as the tremendous
efforts of a local volunteer working
group.
2
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Stewardship Stories: Highlights from
the Field Season
By Sally-Jo Gallant - Land Stewardship Coordinator
Volunteers at Vogler’s Cove (from left to right: Donald & Carolyn Boliver, Jo-Ann & Brian
Holden, David Troyer, Sally-Jo Gallant, Lorraine Murray)
L
ast summer marked my third year
with the Nature Trust. It has been
a great experience filled with many
challenges and learning opportunities. It’s my job to run the Stewardship
Program, which involves a number of
activities that support the protection of
the lands owned and held under easement with the Nature Trust, including
site visits, installing signage, training
volunteer property guardians, leading
guided walks and much more.
from Helping Nature Heal, volunteers
helped to rehabilitate an old campsite
by transplanting seedlings and placing fallen logs in areas that have been
cleared and heavily impacted. As they
break down, the logs will provide
much-needed organic matter, protect
the soil from further compaction and
help to reduce erosion. Despite having poor weather for much
of the season, the Stewardship Program had a busy spring and summer,
and I’d like to share just a few of the
highlights.
In May, some very dedicated volunteers came out in the pouring rain for
a beach clean-up at the Vogler’s Cove
Conservation Lands. These hard working volunteers stuck it out for nearly 3
hours, and everyone was soaked to the
bone by the end of the day. Thank you
again to everyone who participated!
We kicked off the season with a small
restoration project in April, at the
Purcell’s Cove Conservation Lands
(Captain Arnell property). Under
the guidance of Rosmarie Bradley
The Nature Trust teamed up with
Nature Conservancy Canada and the
Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy in
June to continue trail improvements at
Gaff Point. Volunteers from KCC and
Conservation
Stewardship...
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
the Halifax Katimavik group helped to
lay logs and carry a ton of woodchips
into the far reaches of the Gaff Point
trail. If you haven’t had a chance to
hike this trail, give it a try and let us
know what you think!
Volunteers gathered again later in
the summer in the Wolfville Ridge
Conservation Lands, to pull invasive
Glossy Buckthorn plants. We sweated
it out and yanked quite a number of
these aggressive plants.
A big thanks to all the wonderful
volunteers who have contributed their
time and energy to help with the Nature Trust Stewardship Program last
summer!
A Wilderness Gem in the HRM:
Napier Family Conservation Lands
By Jen Organ
land forever. With hopes to protect the
environment that shaped their childhood, a generous land donation was
made to the Nature Trust on behalf of
the siblings of the Napier family: Kenneth, the late John Jr (by Corinne), the
late Robert (by Agnes), Paul, Murray
and Mary. This property is now known
as the Napier Family Conservation
Lands. A lovely photo of the Napier family, taken in the early 1940s
utside the hustle and bustle of
nated by wilderness. Their summer
downtown Halifax lies a wilderproperty served as an outdoor playness gem nestled between the Northground for much of their childhood.
west Arm and Purcell’s Cove Road.
Over seventy years have passed since
On August 29th, community and
those summer days, and the landNature Trust members gathered at the
scape of Purcell’s Cove has changed
Purcell’s Cove Social Club to celebrate
to include subdivisions and a decline
the announcement that this beautiful
in wilderness areas. When the time
property of twenty hectares will be
came for the Napier siblings to decide
what to do with their childhood home,
protected forever. there were two considerations: to hold
onto the property for 20 or 30 years
During the 1930s and 40s, the Napier
family of Halifax spent their summers
and sell it to developers, or to make a
in Purcell’s Cove - an area once domidonation to a land trust to protect the
O
Undeveloped lakeshore, granite
outcrops, and two wetlands are just a
glimpse of what is special about the
Napier Family Conservation Lands.
Twelve hectares of land that was
donated to the Nature Trust in 2002
by the Field family lies adjacent to the
Napier Lands, and the protection of
these two parcels of land, situated in
an area where development is on the
rise, represents a huge success for the
donors, the Nature Trust, the environment, and all those who appreciate the
beauty of Purcell’s Cove. Funding support for this project was provided by
Pratt & Whitney, HRM Community
Grants, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Thanks also to the
Imperial Oil Foundation and Ascenta
Health for their support.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
3
Conservation
Land Trusts - a Growing Force Across Canada
By Bonnie Sutherland - Executive Director
The spectacular Yellow Head Conservation Lands, Cape Breton
O
n September 24-26, the Nature
Trust hosted conservation leaders from across Canada for the Canadian Land Trust Alliance 3rd annual
conference. The event brings together
the diversity of players involved in the
growing field of private land conservation, including non-government land
trusts and community groups, lawyers
and appraisers, government planners,
protected areas and endangered species managers, and landowners.
Nova Scotia has much to be proud of,
and to share with the growing land
conservation community in Canada.
From the unprecedented Provincial
commitment to protect 12% of Nova
Scotia by 2015, the $23 million Crown
Share Land Legacy Trust, and the
country’s most progressive conservation property tax incentive program,
to the government’s recent budget
announcement of $75 million for acquisition of new Crown lands, largely
new protected areas, Nova Scotia is an
inspiring conservation leader. Across
the country, land trusts like the Nature
Trust work effectively with landowners to protect outstanding privatelyowned lands, and in Nova Scotia,
where 70% of land is privately owned,
4
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
including over 95% of our coast, nongovernment conservation groups play
an essential role in meeting conservation commitments.
and inspire the growing number of
local conservation groups and government agencies keen to advance private
land conservation in this province.
The Nature Trust’s leadership in
advancing provincial incentives for
private land conservation has led to
exciting tax and funding incentive
programs that other provinces hope
to emulate, and we broke new ground
in conservation with Canada’s first
permanent conservation easement
that protects Municipal land through
a non-government land trust, providing another exciting model for other
jurisdictions.
Canadian land trusts are relatively
young, but are part of a significant
worldwide land trust movement, with
thousands of land trusts who have
protected many millions of acres globally. Some focus on preserving ecologically unique and important lands,
while others focus on farmlands or
working forests. They share a commitment to protecting the places Canadians treasure, through private land
conservation.
The Nature Trust also leads international efforts to facilitate cross-border
land conservation, an essential program in parts of Canada like Nova
Scotia where U.S. residents own many
of our most significant conservation
sites. The Canadian Land Trust Alliance was
established to support and foster the
land trust movement in Canada. This
conference was part of its commitment to develop and support strong
and effective land trusts across the
country.
The Nature Trust hopes to encourage
See more about the Alliance at
others in Nova Scotia to join the effort www.clta.ca/
to protect Nova Scotia’s unique landscapes and seascapes. Hosting the land
trust conference here provided an exciting opportunity to educate, energize
Conservation
Exciting Update from the Great and Selig
Campaign
T
he Nature Trust is excited to announce that we are very close to
finalizing the protection of both Great
and Selig Islands, located at the mouth
of Medway Harbour, off the coast
of Nova Scotia’s rugged south shore.
Selig Island has now been acquired
and protected through a partial donation by the Zimmerman family, and
the protection of Great Island will be
finalized in early 2010.
The Nature Trust would like to acknowledge the generosity of Fred and
Elizabeth Fountain, the Municipality
of the District of Lunenburg, the Nova
Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund,
the Sage Environmental Program, the
Davis Conservation Foundation, EcoAction Community Funding Program,
the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land
Legacy Trust, an anonymous gift, and
many individual supporters.
Our heartfelt thanks to the Zimmerman Family - Bill Zimmerman and
Susan Hauer, and their son Ned Zimmerman - for stewarding these important islands for so many years, and for
taking action to protect them forever,
in partnership with the Nature Trust.
To read more about these ecologically
unique and important islands, see the
Fall 2008 issue of Natural Landscapes.
Stunning views from Great and Selig Islands
Protecting Tomorrow Today
5
Events
Highlights from Our 2009 Events
River Days on the St.
Mary’s River
By Lauren Allen - Conservation
Coordinator
Wild for Wolfville
By Shannon MacDonald - Coop
Student (Dalhousie)
his year’s River Days, held on May
31, began at the St. Mary’s River
Association’s (SMRA) Interpretive
Centre, with the announcement and
celebration of the protection of the
C.W. Anderson Conservation Lands,
located just across the river from the
Centre. Participants then went on
guided nature walks along the river,
learning about interesting flora and
fauna in the area, including Atlantic
salmon and nodding trilliums. The
day was warm and the sun was shining – perfect conditions for the guided
walks. Afterward, everyone enjoyed
a barbeque at the SMRA Interpretive
Centre, and David Sobey was honoured for multi-year support of the
David and Faye Sobey Foundaion. It
was wonderful to see so many community and Nature Trust members,
project partners, and members of the
Anderson family at the event!
Special thanks to our walk leaders: Mark Pulsifer, Regional Wildlife
Biologist at the Department of Natural
Resources; and Randy Lauff, instructor at St. Francis Xavier University.
Thanks also to the Saint Mary’s River
Association for co-organizing the
event.
6
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
By Karen McKendry - Conservation
Coordinator
Photo: Jeffie McNeil
Nature Trust Vice President, Corey Miller,
honours David Sobey, in celebration of the
multi-year financial support of the David
and Faye Sobey Foundation
T
Passport to Protection in Pleasant River
O
O
n June 13th the Nature Trust
hosted the Wild for Wolfville
event, a celebration of our dedicated
members and volunteers and an educational event. The day began with
some words from Mayor Bob Stead,
and a guided hike through the Nature
Trust’s Wolfville Watershed Nature
Preserve. We were very lucky to have
Jim Wolford, Bernard Forsythe, and
Daniel Kehler with us to provide
nature interpretation and act as walk
leaders.
For lunch, we gathered in a beautiful yurt and enjoyed a delicious local
lunch, served by Michael Howell of
Tempest. After lunch, participants
learned about the Bobolinks, a lovely
songbird found in the area. George
Alliston shared information about
stewardship work on local Nature
Trust lands, and Marika Godwin,
from the NS Invasive Species Working
Group, spoke about invasive species,
such as the Glossy Buckthorn that
have unfortunately become established
on the site. Keen volunteers even had
a chance to roll up their sleeves and
help in the removal of some invasive
Buckthorn!
n July 12, the Nature Trust and
fellow conservation partners
hosted “Passport to Protection” in
Pleasant River. A celebration of the
connections between local people,
stewardship, conservation, and saving
species at risk, the event showcased
the small, rural community of Pleasant
River. More than 60 people attended,
and the event featured free local food,
music, games and conservationthemed displays. Highlights included
a Mi’kmaq opening ceremony at
the community hall, and the public
announcement of two recently protected Nature Trust properties, Deep
Brook Bog Conservation Lands and
Hog Lake Woods Pond Conservation Lands (important habitat for the
Blanding’s Turtle). Participants were
also invited to visit four “Stewardship
Stations” – about wetland ecology
(including species at risk), rare plants
and animals, local farming, and local
history.
Many of the attendees said they gained
an appreciation for how rare species
contribute to local culture and for
how conserving nature in general can
be fun and rewarding. A big thank
you to our partners for this event: the
Mersey Tobiatic Research Institute,
Parks Canada, Acadia University, and
residents of Pleasant River.
Events
Coastal Plain Flora
Walk at the Gillfillin
Lake Conservation
Lands
O
n Friday August 21, twelve eager
hikers joined the Nature Trust
on a Coastal Plain Flora walk, at the
Gillfillin Lake Conservation Lands in
Yarmouth County. Marian Munro, a
botanist from Natural History Museum, kindly lent her expertise and led
the walk.
We were very lucky to see some beautiful examples of the rare Plymouth
Gentian, and we were doubly lucky to
have nature photographer Réal Sarrazin with us to catch some stunning
images of this plant. Visit his website,
at www.fleurssauvages.ca, to see
photos of the Plymouth Gentian taken
on the hike (see Gentianaceae, and
then Sabatia kennedyana), and peruse
the incredible collection of Canadian
Wildflower photographs that Mr. Sarrazin has taken.
Thanks to all those who participated!
And many thanks to Marian Munro
for leading the hike!
Honouring our Newest Legacy
Circle Inductees
By Bonnie Sutherland - Executive Director
Farley and Claire Mowat, with their Legacy Circle plaque
O
n Aug. 11 the Nature Trust inducted three new members to its
Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is an
honour bestowed upon a very special
group of people who have made a
significant contribution to preserving Nova Scotia’s natural legacy, by
protecting their own land for conservation, or through other legacy gifts.
There are 73 members in the Nature
Trust Legacy Circle, encompassing
a wide variety of people and organizations, ranging from the Town of
Wolfville and the Friends of Nature
Conservancy Society, to 5th generation Nova Scotian landowners.
Farley and Claire Mowat were recognized for their conservation gift
of nearly 200 acres of Cape Breton
coastal lands, affectionately known as
‘Farley’s Ark’. As the Mowats were not
able to attend, renowned author and
journalist, Silver Donald Cameron
attended the event, to represent the
Mowats and the Mowat Environmental Institute.
Murray Anderson, his son Jamie and
his grandson Reid were also honoured, in celebration of the protection
of their 110 acre riverside lands on
the St. Mary’s River. This land supports mature Acadian forest, a bald
eagle feeding site, and a kilometer of
undeveloped shoreline, including the
well-known Mad Falls. Murray, Reid
and Jamie’s cousin Helen Lynn Anderson were in attendance and honoured
at the event.
Another local family, the Napiers,
were also honoured for their generous gift protecting over 20 hectares of
pristine and rugged wildlands in Purcell’s Cove, overlooking the northwest
arm. Paul’s wife Rose, son Paul Jr. and
daughter Jennifer attended the event
on behalf of the Napier family.
Thanks very much to all who attended,
and many thanks also to Anne Campbell and John Lindsay for kindly opening their beautiful home to us and for
hosting the event.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
7
Friends of the Nature Trust
Walk for Water: Aveda’s Earth Month Campaign in
by the Nature Trust that a 62-acre
Support of the Nature Trust
property on Cameron Lake in Queens
By Mark Campbell
County, Nova Scotia was now under
its protection. The property’s shoreline, wetlands and marshes are home
to Redroot, Long’s Bulrush and the
Eastern Ribbonsnake — three at-risk
species. Nova Scotia provides the only
habitat for Redroot in Canada.
“With Aveda’s support over the past
few years, we’ve been able to protect
five sites, including the Cameron
Lake property,” said Robin Levy, Fund
Development Coordinator with the
Nature Trust. “It’s tangible proof of the
benefits that corporate sponsorships
such as these create for the Nature
Trust, and all Nova Scotians.”
A enthusiastic group of supporters braved the rain!
I
curing land, land trusts ensure that the
water we rely on each day is protected
for generations to come.”
The walk was one of many activities
organized by Aveda-affiliated salons
and spas across Atlantic Canada
and around the world as part of the
company’s Earth Month initiative. The
beauty products company started this
annual campaign to raise awareness
about and encourage action on the
environment. This year, the theme was
Clean Water and the Atlantic Canadian beneficiary was the Nature Trust.
Funds raised by Aveda salons and
spas throughout Atlantic Canada play
a vital role in supporting the Nature
Trust in its conservation efforts. One
salon created and sold an organic
cookbook, while others held cut-athons, raffles and on-site flea markets.
Randall added: “We also encourage
them to participate in something
called Appointments for the Earth.
After appointments, we ask clients if
they’d like to add a contribution to
Earth Month. One-hundred percent of
these contributions go directly to the
Nature Trust.”
t may have been a rainy morning,
but conditions didn’t dampen the
spirits of the hardy souls who participated in the first Walk For Water, held
on Earth Day in Halifax. If anything,
the rain provided a timely reminder of
what the walk was about.
“We’re always pleased to partner with
such a phenomenally dedicated, energetic organization as the Nature Trust,”
said Krista Randall, Aveda Territory
Manager for New Brunswick “By se8
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Many Aveda spa and salon employees
also collected pledges and participated
in the Walk for Water at Point Pleasant
Park with Nature Trust members and
volunteers.
The event included an announcement
This event raised an impressive
$20,550 for the Nature Trust. The
individual who raised the most money
was Nancy Norwood, who gathered a
whopping $980 in pledges! Life Salon
Spas, in Halifax and Dartmouth, were
the highest fundraisers among salons,
raising a total of $3436 in support of
our land conservation work!
A big thanks to all of the participating
Aveda salons and spas, and to Maritime Beauty, for their efforts to raise
funds and awareness for our work! The
Nature Trust is excited to announce
that we’ve been chosen as the Atlantic
region’s Aveda Earth Month partner
organisation for 2010 as well. Watch
our website in March for information
on how to get involved.
Friends of the Nature Trust
Connecting Art and Conservation From Land and Sea: Nova Scotia’s
contemporary landscape artists
Halifax Camerata:
“Voices of Earth”
Concert and Fundraiser
O
n May 2, the Halifax Camerata
Singers and Camerata Xara
Young Women’s Choir joined forces
to produce a beautiful night of music,
entitled “Voices of Earth”, at the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax.
This wonderful performance was a
benefit concert for the Nature Trust.
O
n November 1st, Nimbus Publishing released From Land and
Sea, a beautiful volume featuring the
work of over 65 of Nova Scotia’s contemporary landscape artists, including Nature Trust Honorary Director
Alice Reed. Dee Appley, who compiled
and edited From Land and Sea, has
very kindly dedicated the book to the
Nature Trust, for our work protecting ecologically significant properties
across the province.
For Dee Appleby, the connection between artists and land conservation is
a natural and crucial one. “Supporting
artists is an important way to support conservation,” she notes. “Each
of these artists appreciates the beauty
of Nova Scotia. Artists are natural
conservationists – they are very tied to
the land, and they often live near the
beautiful landscapes that they love.”
Some of those landscapes include Nature Trust protected areas, including
Shelter Cove, Mabou Highlands and
the Mowat Conservation Lands, all of
which are featured in this book.
Through the generosity of Fred and
Elizabeth Fountain, the Nature Trust
received a donation of 165 copies of
From Land and Sea, to sell as a fundraiser. All of the proceeds from books
purchased through the Nature Trust
will go towards land conservation!
Please see www. nsnt.ca for more
information.
We extend sincere thanks to the Fountains and to Dee Appleby for including
the Nature Trust in this meaningful
and very worthwhile project.
Shelter Cove, by Robert Rutherford
The purpose of the evening was to
celebrate the beauty and mystery of
our planet through music and sound
pictures that evoked the four elements:
Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Partnering
with percussionist Mark Morton, the
choirs performed the works of acclaimed Canadian and contemporary
world composers, including Mark
Sirett, Allan Rae, Jeff Enns, Stephen
Hatfield, Jeff Smallman and Eric
Whitacre.
The Nature Trust extends our heartfelt
thanks to the Camerata Singers and
the Camerata Xara Young Women’s
Choir for choosing us to be part of
this special night of music, and for
donating the $1500 proceeds from the
evening.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
9
Friends of the Nature Trust
Owen Yoshida: a
Very Generous
Young Supporter!
By Jasmine Paloheimo
The Nature Trust
Says a Sad Goodbye to an Important Supporter
and Volunteer
O
Instead of gifts, he asked everyone to
make a donation to the Nature Trust.
Owen thought this would be a good
way to give back and celebrate his love
of nature, especially bugs!
W
e are very sad to say goodbye
to a dear friend, supporter and
volunteer. Jack Stone passed away on
November 28, 2009.
Jack was known as a kind and natureloving man by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and he and his
wife Darlene have been important
long-time volunteers. The legacy of
Jack’s commitment to the Nature Trust
lives on in our memories and through
a special gift that he made through his
estate planning. Please see our next
newsletter for a full story about Jack
Stone and his incredible commitment
to the Nature Trust.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
ast summer and fall, the Nature
Trust said goodbye to several of
our valued staff members.
Patti Green, Craig Smith, Stephanie
Hughes, Lauren Allen and Allison
Henning have all moved on to new
and exciting chapters in their careers.
We wish them all the best of luck they’ve left very big shoes to fill!
We also want to recognize our Katimavik participant. Brianne Ralphs,
from Waterloo, who started with us
in October and stayed until the mid
January. Brianne was a wonderful help,
and we look forward to working with
two more Katimavik participants this
year.
All of us at the Nature Trust thank
Owen for his generosity. His family,
including parents Lianne Yoshida and
Jeremy Lundholm, are members of the
Nature Trust.
10
L
The Nature Trust welcomes our new
office, volunteer and membership
coordinator, Nicole Arsenault. With
degrees in biology, environmental studies and education, Nicole is
thrilled to join an organization that
shares her values and works to protect
Nova Scotia’s ecological treasures.
wen Yoshida had a humble idea
for his sixth birthday.
We love bugs too Owen!
Changing Faces at
the Nature Trust
Friends of the Nature Trust
Ascenta partnership cont...
to donate 1% of sales to environmental causes worldwide through our
membership to 1% for the planet and
hope to inspire other organizations to
do the same. We are pleased to be able
to contribute to the efforts of a local
organization such as the Nature Trust.
The Nature Trust is doing valuable
work to preserve important ecosystems in our province.” St. Mary’s River watershed - photo credit Chris Miller
RBC Teams up with the Nature Trust
to Conserve the St. Mary’s River
T
he Nature Trust is thrilled to announce that the RBC Blue Water
Fund has committed $70,000 towards
our efforts to protect clean water and
healthy watersheds, through land conservation on the St. Mary’s River. The
RBC Blue Water Project will support a
landowner education and community
outreach program, raising awareness
about the threats to the St. Mary’s
River and the importance of, and op-
portunities to engage in, protecting
the watershed.
Water stewardship is a major focus
area for RBC Blue Water Project
Grants, ensuring access to clean
drinking water and protecting watersheds, making this a perfect fit for the
St. Mary’s River Conservation Legacy
Campaign.
We’re very pleased to welcome this
new project partner!
Celebrating 2nd Year of Partnership
with Ascenta Health
By Robin Levy, Fund Development Coordinator
C
ontinuing to demonstrate their
leadership in environmental
and social responsibility, Ascenta has
entered into year two of a three year
commitment to the Nature Trust. As
the first Nova Scotia-based company
to join 1% for the Planet – an alliance
of companies that pledge 1% of their
sales to environmental groups around
the world – Ascenta has set a new
precedent for corporate environmental responsibility. Alexandra Orozco of Ascenta comments, “At Ascenta we see giving back
to the environment as simply part of
the cost of doing business, and we
have made a significant commitment
This corporate gift is particularly
beneficial to the Nature Trust, because
the funding is unrestricted and can
be put toward the many behind-thescenes expenses from ecological and
management planning, verifying
legal, survey and appraisal materials
to raising awareness with landowners
across the province. Without this type
of tremendous support, the Nature
Trust would not have been able to save
more than 4800 acres of pristine Nova
Scotian landscapes.
We’ve Moved to Our
New Home!
We’re excited and very pleased to
announce that, on October 31, we
moved into our beautiful new space
at 2085 Maitland Street. The renovated historic building is owned by
Environmental Design and Management, and houses a number of
other non-profits and environmental companies, along with the EDM
offices.
Our new landlord, company owner
Margo Young, has kindly offered to
make a yearly donation to the Nature
Trust, as a gesture of support for our
conservation work.
Please note that our phone, fax and
mailing address have remained the
same.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
11
Friends of the Nature Trust
TD Friends of Environment Foundation New Print Sponsor
Supports Coastal Conservation
The Printer joins the
T
Nature Trust’s team
of sponsors
This grant will also enable us to create
a coastal conservation plan.
e’re extremely pleased to announce that the Nature Trust
has a new print sponsor. The Printer
has long been very supportive of the
Nature Trust’s efforts and has agreed
to generous in-kind support towards a
portion of our printing costs.
he TD Friends of Environment
Foundation has generously committed $25,000 over the next two years
to our Coastal Greenprint project.
With these funds, the Nature Trust
will be able to increase our capacity to use GIS mapping technologies
to aid in identifying and prioritizing
ecologically important coastal sites for
conservation.
One of Nova Scotia’s stunning coastal areas
- in Cape Breton.
They also support our values: they
are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
certified, and offer a selection of 100%
post-consumer recycle papers and
environmentally friendly services.
Generous Support
for the St. Mary’s
River Project
M
aritimes and Northeast Pipelines gave $4900 to the St.
Mary’s project, to help in our campaign to protect this stunning and ecologically important watershed.
Our thanks for this support!
Attention All
Runners!
Planning to run in the 2010
Bluenose Marathon?
This year your pledges can go towards
the Nature Trust’s private land
conservation efforts in Nova Scotia!
Whether you walk 5km, or run the
full or half marathon, you can raise
funds for the Nature Trust!
Check our website (www.nsnt.ca)
soon for more info, or give us a call
(425-5263) for updates on how you
can participate!
12
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
W
We’d like to thank The Printer for their
support!
Land Conservation in Nova Scotia Gets
a Boost!
T
he Nature Trust is very pleased to
announce a renewed partnership
with the Imperial Oil Foundation, who
has generously donated $25,000 to
help us continue our efforts to conserve ecologically significant private
land in Nova Scotia.
Partnerships such as these are absolutely crucial to ensuring successes in
protecting outstanding conservation
lands.
Friends of the Nature Trust
The Nature Trust extends sincere
thanks everyone who supported
our 12th Annual Dinner & Auction
with special guest Maude Barlow.
Thanks for helping to make this
year’s event a success with raised
over $40,000 for land conservation!
See our next newsletter for a full story about our 12th Annual Dinner and Silent Auction, with Maude Barlow,
and for more details about our upcoming dinner with Dr. George Archibald.
Join Us for Our Annual AGM!
All members, supporters and volunteers are welcome to
please join us at our new office space
5pm on April 27th for a reception and open house,
followed by the AGM.
Thanks to our new neighbours, the Tourism Industry Association of NS, for kindly offering their boardroom for this event.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
13
Friends of the Nature Trust
Join our Team Become a Nature
Trust Volunteer!
Positions available:
Accountant
The Nature Trust requires a senior accounting volunteer to oversee our finances and accounting.
Property Guardians
Keen to spend time outdoors and
contribute to land conservation?
Join the Nature Trust and network
of volunteers in ongoing stewardship
of over 4,800 acres of land in Nova
Scotia
Rare Plant Monitors
Volunteer Rare Plant Monitors perform the vital work of helping the
Endangered Species project staff to
record and submit data on rare
coastal plain plants in Nova Scotia.
Regional Working Group
Coordinator (Valley)
A leadership role for one with keen
planning and organization skills. Assist with coordination of field work
in Wolfville area.
Newsletter Committee
We are looking for committed individuals to write, edit, and design our bi-annual Natural Landscapes newsletter.
Website Designer
We are looking for someone with web
design knowledge who can maintain
content updates and cosmetic design
changes to our site.
If interested, please see www.nsnt.ca or
contact us at 425-5263 or nature@nsnt.
ca.
14
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Celebratory Gifts
Ann Anderson
Mrs. Denyer-MacDonald
The Anderson Family
Tony and Wendy Michener
Brendan Gray and Kristin Campbell
Karen Miner
Naomi Rubin and Nick Cardone
Bea Price
John and Barbara Cullen
Vicki and Trevor Rafuse
The Frier Family
Douglas Stewart
Sharon Getson and Family
Darlene Stone
Emily Herdman
Joan Wallis
Margaret Herdman
Kristjan Wallner
Daniel Kehler
Heather White
Susan Lilley and Harry Beach
Vivian White
Joanne and Doug Linzey
Owen Yoshida
Memorial Donations
Peggy Allan
Dr. Eric Hansen
Elsie Baker
Robert Hayes
Elizabeth Brown
Aubrey Kaulback
David Bryson
Lloyd MacIntosh
Michael Crowe
Glen Mills
Frances Crowell
Pat Power
Helen Filliter
Jack Stone
Allan Gordon
Harvey Veniot
Jean Guildford
Jack Waite
A Special Thanks To
New Volunteers
Chelsea Boaler
Scott Leslie
Roger Boutilier
Sarah Lindsay
Mark Campbell
Ruthe MacAulay and Bill Oprel
Megan Crowley
Bruce and Amita MacInnis
Jonathan Davies
Madelaine Patterson
Alex Day
Maliheh Rostami
Karen Damtoft
Glen Rycroft
Will Flannigan
Julie Theriault
Olaf Hollak
Daniel Wesley
Jillian Isenor
Thea Zuiker
Mark Langford
Friends of the Nature Trust
Many thanks to all our
donors, members, volunteers, and in-kind
supporters who make
our work possible.
coastal campaign
Fred and Elizabeth Fountain
Municipality of the District
of Lunenburg
Special thanks to our
major
supporters:
Halifax BMW Limited
Anonymous donor
Wolfville watershed
Napier Family Conservation Lands
Unrestricted major gifts/
Land Conservation Campaign
Fred and Elizabeth Fountain
David and Margaret Fountain
M. Fountain
Jean Marsh
Anonymous Donors
Curtis Chipman
Aveda
Fred and Nancy Chipman
St. Mary’s river Project
Alex Colville
Town of Wolfville
HRM Community Grants Program
Scotia Investments
Enhancing Private Land
Conservation
Coastal Greenprint Project
Endangered Species Campaign
Nova Scotia Crown Share
Legacy Trust
Government of Canada
Habitat Stewardship
Program for Species at Risk
David and Faye Sobey Foundation
Nova Scotia Crown Share
Land Legacy Trust
Nova Scotia Species at
Risk Conservation Fund
Nova Scotia Office of Economic
Development Cooperative
Employment Program
Home Depot Foundation
Erwin Taylor Foundation
Elizabeth Wakefield Henderson
Charitable Trust
Anonymous donors
Protecting Tomorrow Today
15
Planned Giving:
How will you be remembered?
There are many ways to arrange
a planned gift, large or small.
Such gifts provide preferential
tax treatment that benefits your
estate and financial plan, by offsetting income tax.
Board of Directors
Nil d’Entremont – President
Corey Miller – Vice-President
Daphne Carter– Secretary
David Nicholson–Treasurer
• Bequest
• Gift of Stock or Mutual
Funds
• Life Estates
• Trusts and Annuities
• Life insurance
• Gifts of Land/Easements
• Real Estate (“Trade lands”)
Honorary Directors/Patrons
Alex Colville
Farley Mowat
Alice Reed
Executive Director
Bonnie Sutherland
Staff
Karen McKendry
Jasmine Paloheimo
Allen Simpson
Nicole Arsenault
Sally-Jo Gallant
Dennis Garratt
Robin Levy
Contributors
Please call us to find out more
about leaving a natural legacy
through planned giving..
1-877-434-LAND
“
”
If you want to make a positive personal impact, save land.
Practically nothing we can do in our lives will make more of a difference.
One hundred years from now, our children will be gone, our endeavors largely forgotten, but
land conservation will stand as tribute to our care and forethought.
Tom Purves
Dale Smith
Cindy Staicer
Hugh Wright
Anne Campbell
Henry Fuller
Martin Janowitz
Karen Miner
—Land Trust supporter
Lauren Allen
Nicole Arsenault
Mark Campbell
Sally-Jo Gallant
Stephanie Hughes
Robin Levy
Shannon MacDonald
Karen McKendry
Jen Organ
Jasmine Paloheimo
Bonnie Sutherland
Editor
Mark Campbell
Design/Layout
Nicole Arsenault
Send submissions for Natural Landscapes to:
[email protected] or
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
P.O. Box 2202, Halifax, NS B3J 3C4
Yes, I would like to become a member of the Nature Trust.
 $15 Student
 $30 Individual  $50 Family  $50 Non-profit
Yes,
I
would
like to become
a member
Nature
Trust
 $100 Supporter/Corporate
 $500 Friend
 of
$1000
Benefactor
Yes, I would like to donate $__________
(please enclose cheque or include VISA number below)
Yes, I would like to support the Nature Trust year round.
Please withdraw a regular monthly donation of $________ from
my account on the 15th day of each month. (void cheque enclosed)
❑ A cheque to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust is enclosed.
❑ I will pay with a VISA card (Please fill out information below).
Yes, I am a regular monthly donor, but would like to make a special
gift. Please deduct an extra $________ from my account this month.
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Phone
Name
«Printorder» «BAG»
Address
City «FULLNAME»
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«ADD1»
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Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Nova Scotia Nature
Trust
www.nsnt.ca
- [email protected]
www.nsnt.ca | [email protected]
PO
NS B3J
B3J 3C4
3C4
POBox
Box2202
2202 Halifax,
Halifax, NS
Email
Postal Code
E-Mail
❑ Please send me news by email to save paper and trees.
❑ Please send a charitable tax receipt.
phone: (902) 425-LAND (5263)
phone: (902) 425-LAND (5263)
tollfree:
(877) 434-LAND
tollfree: (877) 434-LAND
fax:
(902)
fax: (902)429-LAND
429-LAND
❑ Please send information on how I can leave the
Nature Trust a legacy gift (i.e. wills, RRSPs, bequests, etc.).

I have included
the NatureonTrust
in my will.
send information
volunteering.
❑ Please
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