The Mowat Conservation Lands: “Farley`s Ark”

Fall 2007
Preserving Nature on Private Lands
The Mowat Conservation Lands: “Farley’s Ark”
Farley and Claire Mowat generously donate 200 acres of land to
the Nature Trust
By Stephanie Hughes
At 7:30 a.m. on September 7th, 2007, in Battery
Park, St. Peter’s, Cape Breton, the staff of the
Nature Trust are setting up chairs and tables,
installing signage, hanging banners and practising
speeches. Three white tents overlook St. Peter’s
Bay and a small island located close to the home
of Farley and Claire Mowat (affectionately
called “Moot Point”). The park looks ready for
a celebration. Appropriately so, because today
the Nature Trust is sharing exciting news with
the St. Peter’s community–that Farley and Claire
Mowat have made a significant
land donation to the Nature Trust
and an inspiring contribution to
the conservation of Nova Scotia’s
natural legacy.
for our essential land preservation campaign.
His involvement will help build awareness and
support for the urgent action needed if we are
to conserve the best
of our natural areas,
before it’s too late.”
Photo: Clark Richards
When Farley and Claire arrive, an
enthusiastic crowd of about 75
welcomes them warmly with grins
and applause. Members of the
board of the Mowat Environmental
Institute (MEI) – Captain Paul
Watson, Silver Donald Cameron,
and Elizabeth May – soon join the
frenzy of reporters and cameras Photo: Scott Munn
surrounding the Mowats. Once
Scotia’s coastal legacy that will never be sold,
at the main tent (after dancing a little jig to the
subdivided and developed. It marks a significant
uplifting music of Krysta MacKinnon and Billy
achievement for all Nova Scotians concerned
Joe Hines) our special guests are seated and the
about the future of our coast. To this end, not
speeches begin.
only are the Mowats putting their own property
in trust, and hoping to inspire others to follow
Nature Trust Executive Director Bonnie
their lead, but Farley has stepped forward as a
Sutherland talks sincerely about the significance
patron of the Nature Trust, and an ambassador
of their decision to donate 200 acres of their
land at Brick Point to the Nature Trust. “We are
Above, left – Farley Mowat
seeing just the tip of the iceberg that is unchecked
Above, Right – Farley and Claire Mowat walk along
coastal development. With this donation
“Claire’s beach.”
today, we celebrate one more piece of Nova
Below – The beautiful coastline at ”Farley’s Ark”
Farley
himself
speaks next and,
in a touching and
humorous address,
speaks
of
the
Nature Trust as an
organization that
has stayed true to
Photo: Scott Munn
its mission and its
roots, and one which
he holds in the highest regard. “They are young
enough, vigorous enough, unencumbered by
ambition enough to get the job done, so we
decided to give them our land. It’s as simple as
that.” He goes on to say “we placed this land
in trust in the hope that the life on it would be
offered some protection against the adversity
[continued on page 2]
In This Issue:
1 Conservation News
1-3 “Farley’s Ark”: Farley and Claire Mowat’s
Donation
4 Myrta Stewart Land Helps Endangered
Orchids
4 Vogler’s cove–A “Dream” Property
5 Nature Trust partners with the Province
6 Events
6 Dinner and Silent Auction
6 Sponsor Focus: Michelin
8 Legacy circle–An Evening of Friendship
9 Friends of the Nature Trust
10 Volunteer Profile: Yaoting Zhang in the Office
Protecting Tomorrow Today
Conservation
[continued from page 1]
of human kind. With luck, places like this will
always remain as repositories of natural life.”
It is with this hope that the Mowats–who have
spent their lives studying, writing, and being
inspired by nature – decided to donate, and the
commitment and dedication they both have
shown to the project is incredible. Their great
respect for the non-human inhabitants of Brick
Point – “the others” – is truly inspiring and the
Nature Trust is thrilled to be helping the Mowats
achieve the vision they have long had for their
land–returning it to nature as wild conservation
land, a safe haven for the others.
The event finished with comments from
members of the MEI board, media interviews, a
reception, and tours of the property
The Nature Trust extends sincere thanks to all
who helped out that day. To the President of our
board, Dale Smith and our directors Tom Boyne,
Henry Fuller, Tom Purves and Leif Sigurdson
for acting as such wonderful ambassadors of
the Trust; to our volunteers Michelle Richards,
Keith Tufts, and Clark Richards; and to Terry
Fulmer and his crew for recording the event, and
for filming, editing and producing Farley’s Ark
– the “5 minute film” – and all they have done
on this project since the beginning. Thanks also
go to Krysta MacKinnon and Billy Joe Hines for
providing upbeat music for the reception, and to
Rhoda and staff at the Bras d’Or Lakes Inn for
their help in providing lunch, and a beautiful
dinner for our special guests that evening.
Stay Tuned for Further
News from Wolfville!
Exciting developments are still ongoing in
Wolfville as the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and
the Town of Wolfville are working together
on a ground-breaking new initiative. The
exceptional 605-acre Wolfville Watershed
Nature Preserve will be placed underneath
a “conservation easement” with the Nature
Trust. This will ensure all activities on the
site remain inline with preservation of the
site’s natural values. This partnership will set
an exciting precedent for government and
community partnerships in land conservation,
as it is the first partnership of its kind between
a community land trust and a municipality in
Canada.
Please look for further developments on this
news in our Spring 2008 issue.
Wolfville Watershed Walk
by Karen Thompson
On a rainy Saturday morning in July,
over forty Nature Trust volunteers and
community members were treated to a
guided walk through the Wolfville Watershed
Nature Preserve. The group was joined by
Wolfville Mayor Robert Stead, who expects
the Conservation Easement with The Nature
Trust to be finalized by the end of October.
Photo: Clark Richards
Photo: Clark Richards
Above, left – Farley and Claire
Mowat with Dale Smith, Bonnie
Sutherland, and members of
the MEI.
Above, Right – Farley enjoys
some morning fiddle music.
Below, left – Harry and Cathy
thurston enjoy a walk at
“Farley’s Ark.”
Photo: Clark Richards
many volunteers and interested community
members came out for a guided walk on the
Wolfville Watershed preserve.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
The walk was led by Bernard Forsythe, a local
noted expert on birds and orchids, as well
as several knowledgeable members of the
Blomidon Naturalist Society, Ford Spidle of
the Wolfville Water Department and Janice
Flynn, a Masters Student at Acadia University
who has undertaken a deadwood study of the
Preserve. Although the rain fell heavily at times,
the group barely noticed as most of the walk
took place under the cover of the beautiful
old-growth forest. Afterward, the prospective
volunteers were treated to a box lunch at the
home of Eli Gordon while Sally-Jo Gallant
and Jennifer Morse of the Nature Trust gave
an overview of the Property Monitoring
Program. Interest in the program was evident
as many local residents happily signed up for
guardianship and offered helpful suggestions
on how we might all work together to best
monitor this precious gift.
Conservation
“Sacred Land”: Farley Mowat
on his living legacy
with a chance to resuscitate a dream that has long
smouldered on his conscience.
Rocks clink under Bonnie Sutherland’s sneakers
as she walks along the barrier beach on the
southern tip of Mowat’s property. As the Nature
Trust’s founding executive director, experience
has taught Sutherland to look beyond the
storied beauty of the Cape Breton coast to
the ownership lines that run beneath. While
most Nova Scotians regard our coastlines as a
source of clannish pride, to Sutherland they are
endangered lands fractured by property lines
and pending developments. In fact, 95 per cent
of the province’s coastline is privately owned.
Photo: Scott Munn
By Eleanor Beaton
The gentle beauty of Farley and Claire Mowat’s
property in River Bourgeois, Cape Breton is
lulling. A long, rocky shoreline curls into St.
Peter’s Bay then arcs protectively into two narrow
peninsulas. On a bright morning in August,
a salty wind blows off the sparkling ocean,
flattening the rising grasslands surrounding the
house and swaying the forest that rises behind.
To the north, a loon-filled inlet relaxes into a
quartet of freshwater bogs.
But the Mowats are giving it all – with the
exception of his homestead and the yard
surrounding it – away. They donated the rest of
this 200-acre waterfront property to the Nova
Scotia Nature Trust, along with a substantial
endowment fund.
Now 86, Canada’s foremost environmental
writer is thinking seriously about his legacy. This
gift, Farley says, is his way of settling up with the
muse that has inspired his nearly 40 books. “All
we can do, having lived upon this planet, is to
make some kind of repayment to life,” he says.
“Leaving my property in trust fulfills this need
that I feel.”
For over 30 years, the Mowats have collected
detailed environmental records of the property.
Underpinning this careful record keeping is the
desire that this property become a proverbial
Above – Farley and Claire Mowat with their
energetic dog Chester.
Below, Right – The beach at “Farley’s Ark”– with
Moot Point in the distance.
canary in the mine – a benchmark that will
measure the environmental impact of human
activity in the region.
“We think of ourselves as working, thinking,
belonging to the future,” Farley says. “We
actually pay almost no attention to the
future whatsoever…we seem incapable of
comprehending that only urgent action can save
our bloody necks.”
“Everybody wants their own piece of paradise,”
Sutherland says. “But these beautiful vistas that
we take for granted, they’re not going to be there
unless we take steps to protect our coast.”
Back at the house, Farley Mowat is standing atop
the highest hill on his property. Below him, the
white-capped ocean dances raucously toward
an infinite horizon. “This is sacred land,” he
says – the only place he’s ever lived that he hasn’t
written about for fear of “screwing it up.” Hand
raised against a glaring sun, Mowat smiles as
the land the falls away in front of him – a gift
returned.
Keeping the property free from human
interruption is a major reason behind their
decision to donate the property to the Nova
Scotia Nature Trust. Farley is also hoping the
Trust can help him realize an ambitious vision
he has neither the energy, nor time, to realize
himself.
In addition to being a canary in the mine, Mowat
says he always hoped his property would serve
as an example to private landowners throughout
Canada to similarly observe their own patches
of land and keep them as free from human
interference as possible. When Mowat caught on
to the Nature Trust and its conservation work
with private landowners, he knew he’d found a
group of kindred spirits who could provide him
Photo: Scott Munn
Protecting Tomorrow Today
Conservation
Myrta Stewart
Conservation
Easement Saves
Endangered Orchids
By Martin Laycock
The Myrta Stewart property in St. Croix, Nova
Scotia is one of the latest additions to the Nova
Scotia Nature Trust’s conservation efforts.
Patrick Stewart—long time resident of Hants
County—donated the easement that protects
this impressive parcel of land, which he named
in memory of his late mother. This property
is protected by the Nature Trust through a
conservation easement—one of several options
available for those interested in preserving
and conserving Nova Scotia’s natural beauty
through the efforts of the Nature Trust.
Conservation easements enable private owners
(current and future) to both own and enjoy
their property while also creating permanent,
legally binding conservation regulations.
“Dream Property” donated for
conservation
Nature Trust secures undeveloped coastal property
By Stacey Byrne
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is thrilled to
announce the securement of Vogler’s Cove—a
21-acre ecologically rich, undeveloped coastal
area in Medway Harbour, Lunenburg County.
In August 2007, Mary Hunter generously
donated her “dream property.” Duncan Bayne,
the Land Securement Coordinator with the
Nature Trust, is deeply thankful for Mary’s
donation: “I feel that this is an incredible gesture
on Mary Hunter’s part. To forego the potential
income that would be involved in selling such a
property for the good of future generations is an
incredibly altruistic act on the part of any owner
in Nova Scotia.”
Mary Hunter—originally from Halifax—has
always had a deep love for Nova Scotia. She
purchased the Vogler’s Cove property in the
A conservation easement was an ideal solution
for Patrick: “I always wished to protect my land
for future generations but it was only when I
heard about the good work that the Nature
Trust is doing that I realized it was possible.”
Bordering an old Acadian forest, the 22-acre
property consists of a unique, natural gypsum
landscape, which contains deep sinkholes,
ponds, and exposed cliffs. The Stewart
property is special as it boasts the Ram’s Head
Lady’s Slipper—an orchid which is extremely
rare in North America and has been designated
by the provincial government as a “species-atrisk”. In the Atlantic Canadian region, this
particular orchid is found only in the Brooklyn
- St. Croix area of Nova Scotia.
Development pressure from gypsum mining
in Nova Scotia has resulted in the degradation
of much of the Lady’s Slipper habitat as the
orchids flourish in undisturbed, calciumrich gypsum soil. The rugged landscape
of the Myrta Stewart property provides a
habitat for many local species of plants and
animals, such as the Yellow Lady’s Slipper
orchid, that thrive in this wonderfully distinct
environment. As early as 1974, this property
was recognized (and continues to be) as the St.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Photo: C. Pierce
Croix International Biological Program site for
its ecological significance.
Without the generosity of people such as
Patrick Stewart, the Nature Trust would be
unable to protect this natural, nutrient-rich,
orchid environment. Patrick hopes that other
landowners will be motivated to protect other
areas of Nova Scotia. As more people become
involved in conservation efforts in St. Croix and,
more broadly, in Nova Scotia, it will make an
important contribution to a sustainable future
for generations to come.
early 1970s while living in Toronto and planned
to build on it so that she could enjoy summers
and eventually retire there. Plans changed,
however, as Mary was only able to receive proper
care for a medical problem in Toronto and
was neither able to build on the property nor
retire there. While various people interested in
purchasing the property contacted her over the
years, Mary resisted selling it because she wanted
to save it for posterity rather than let the property
be developed.
Apple trees, a foundation, and cleared areas—
visible from aged aerial photographs—indicate
that owners prior to Mary likely farmed the
property. The property is currently covered in
conifer forest growth. Vogler’s Cove’s unaltered
coastline and the diversity of its coastal habitats
make the property ecologically special. Four
small coves and three isthmuses make up the long
coastline. In addition, there are three saltwater
marshes and one pond on the property.
According to Duncan Bayne, the Vogler’s Cove
property is special due to its undeveloped state in
a province, and more particularly, in Lunenburg
County where there have been “rapid and
expanding developments and subdivisions
of the coastline over the last ten years.” Mary
encourages other people to donate their land to
the Nature Trust: “It just seems to me a logical
step to do this. If I can’t be there . . . and enjoy it
and give it love and protection—then I’ll have the
Nature Trust do it for me.” For Mary, Vogler’s
Cove is “a piece of Nova Scotia that’s very close
to my heart and it always will be. . . . it really did
sort of become part of me.” After explaining that
her love for nature has likely been the central
factor in her life she says, “I want the wilderness,
I want the wild places, I want the places that are
untouched. That is what really resonates with
my soul. Nature as untouched and unharmed—
for me that’s beautiful.” The Nature Trust agrees
with Mary, and is extremely grateful to her,
and honored to be able to protect the amazing
Vogler’s Cove property, in perpetuity, in its
ecologically rich, wild, and undeveloped state.
As Mary explains, “Nobody can make land.
Nobody can produce the wonderful places that
we find in Nova Scotia.”
Conservation
Nature Trust partners with the
Province towards conservation
Upcoming Conservation
News: Focus on the Coast
Gillfillan Lake property protected as part of provincial
government’s Tusket River Nature Reserve
By Colleen Vinn
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
works to protect and conserve
ecologically significant areas
of private land in Nova Scotia.
A special partnership between
the Nature Trust and the
Nova Scotia Department of
Natural Resources enables
the Nature Trust to enhance
its conservation efforts on
private lands, while increasing
the overall protected land
area in the province.
Long Cove. Photo: Chris Miller
Gillfillan Lake
A recently acquired property
on Gillfillan Lake provides an exciting example of
this unique collaboration towards conservation;
the Nature Trust secured ecologically significant
habitat for endangered plants in the spring of
2007 through a direct purchase agreement. The
property was designated by the Department of
Environment and Labour as a Nature Reserve,
which receives legal protection under the Special
Places Protection Act.
As the property is an extension to the Crown’s
Tusket River Nature Reserve, which is owned
and managed by the Province, this property was
deemed appropiate for transfer to the Province
under the Nature Trust’s Lands and Legacy
Conservaton Partnership. Through the funding
partnership additional resources were leverged
by the Nature Trust that extends the total
funding donated to land conservation efforts in
the Province.
The new 65-acre property, which offers 425m
of shoreline, is located in Yarmouth County,
near East Quinan, directly adjacent to an
existing Nature Reserve. This latest securement
has resulted in the protection of over 700m of
contiguous shoreline which provides crucial
habitat for the nationally threatened and
globally rare Plymouth Gentian. The Gillfillan
Lake Nature Reserve provides high-quality
undisturbed habitat for numerous other species
of Atlantic coastal plain flora, such as the Fringed
Long Cove
orchid, Brookside Alder, Virginia Meadow
Beauty, Narrow-leaf Goldenrod, Spoon-leaved
Sundew, Clubmoss, Marsh St. John’s Wort,
Goldenpert, Blue-eyed Grass and Catbrier.
Both Nature Reserve properties are located on
the east side of Gillfillan Lake, and are part of the
Tusket River Watershed. The Atlantic Coastal
Plain Flora Recovery Strategy lists Gillfillan Lake
as one of the three highest priority sites for the
protection of endangered species of Atlantic
coastal plain flora.
As one of southwestern Nova Scotia’s most
ecologically significant watershed habitats,
the Tusket River Watershed provides a
home for fifteen priority species of Atlantic
coastal plain flora including the Threatened
Plymouth Gentian, the Endangered Pink
Coreopsis, the Threatened Water Pennywort,
and the Long’s Bulrush, of Special Concern.
This watershed is in fact ranked as the highest
priority watershed supporting these rare
plants.
The Nature Trust is extremely pleased to work
with Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural
Resources and Department of Environment
and Labour to protect ecologically significant
and diverse habitat. We look forward to
continuing to build our relationship with
the Provincial government to protect Nova
Scotia’s most outstanding natural areas.
By Julian West
Mounting pressure from development is
changing Nova Scotia’s coastal ecosystems at
unprecedented rates.
The Nature Trust has made significant progress
preserving Nova Scotia’s ecologically significant
coastline. Following the successful protection
of 145 acres of shoreline wilderness at Shelter
Cove, the Nature Trust’s ninth coastal property,
the Nature Trust announced the protection of
two additional properties of great ecological
significance this fall–Farley’s Ark (see story page
1–3) and Vogler’s Cove (see story page 4).
By year end, the Nature Trust plans to secure Long
Cove in Ragged Harbour near Port Medway. Long
Cove includes 150 acres of outstanding coastal
diversity including sand beach, headlands, rocky
shore, several islands, saltmarsh, mudflats, and
brackish ponds, along with 4.5 km of shoreline.
The area is readily used by dozens of shore birds
for migration, nesting, and feeding. This will mark
another victory for land conservation in Nova
Scotia. Watch for more news this fall as funding
for this campaign continues.
The Nature Trust depands on community
support to cover costs for acquisition and
securement of lands and to create a land
stewardship endowment fund. If you wish to
make a financial contribution or if you would
like to find out more, please visit our website at
www.nsnt.ca.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
Special Events
The tenth annual dinner and
silent auction
featuring two of canada’s literary greats–Margaret Atwood & Graeme Gibson
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
is gearing up for what we hope
to our biggest and best Dinner
ever. The Annual Dinner and
Silent Auction, now in its
tenth year, keeps drawing an
audience of hundreds, keen to
hear words of insight into our
pressing land conservation
issues in Nova Scotia, by
Graeme Gibson
Margaret Atwood
noted guest speakers. This
year’s guest speakers, literary
icons Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson, will add their own
voices to what is a global problem–the issue of habitat conservation. Noted and passionate birders,
Ms. Atwood and Mr. Gibson have long been involved with environmental issues. Ms. Atwood and
Mr.Gibson are currently Joint Honorary Presidents of the Rare Bird Society.
Mark your calender for October 25, 2007, at the World Trade and Convention
Centre on Argyle Street in Halifax. The evening will begin with a wine and cheese Patron
reception at 4:30pm with our distinguished speakers. The Silent Auction will open at 5:00pm, with
a fabulous selection of exciting trips, beautiful art, and unique one-of-a-kind adventures. Even
better is that all proceeds of the event will go towards the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, supporting land
conservation in this province! Patron tickets (which include admittance to the Patron reception) at
$150; regular tickets are $100.
Please visit www.nsnt.ca for more information or call 1-902-425-LAND (5263) to
book your ticket! Please note you can purchase tickets for the dinner until October
17, 2007.
With sincere thanks to our supportors:
WWW.ICELANDAIR.COM
Helping to Set our
Wheels in Motion
Michelin gets involved with the
Nature Trust’s Annual Dinner
and Silent Auction
by Mark Campbell
Grant Ferguson says that Michelin was a
natural fit for the position of major sponsor
of the 10th Annual Nature Trust Dinner
and Silent Auction. When Ferguson, plant
manager of the company’s Waterville facility,
was invited by event co-chair and Miller
Tire CEO Corey Miller to bring Michelin
on board, it set the wheels in motion for a
mutually beneficial partnership.
“He knew our commitment to the
environment and approached me to discuss
the possibility of Michelin becoming a
sponsor of the annual dinner and auction,”
recalls Ferguson. “I immediately recognized
that this partnership would be a good fit for
us, as our respective values are closely aligned.
We’re excited about our partnership and
look forward to working together towards
environmental sustainability.”
The sponsorship, which includes an
opportunity for the company to participate
in the event committee as an industry liaison,
marks the first time that Michelin has been
involved with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.
It is not, however, the company’s first foray
[continued on page 7]
Memorial Donations
Mr. George Richard Filliter
Mr. John P Gutting
Dr. Ransom Myers
Attention United Way Donors!
If you have donated to the Nature Trust
by way of the United Way and would like
individual acknowledgement in the next
Natural Landscapes, please contact the
Nature Trust at 902-425-5263 and we will
be pleased to list your name with our other
donor thanks.
Thank you for your support.
Photo: Scott Munn
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Special Events
[continued from page 6]
into environmental preservation, locally or
globally. Its long-term commitment to respecting
the environment is reflected in its efforts over the
years to reduce the environmental impact of its
plants, recover end-of-life tires and improve its
understanding of the consequences of tire usage.
Regionally, Ferguson says Michelin’s Nova
Scotia plants have also been working to lessen
their impact on the communities in which
they operate: “Since 1991, our plants have been
involved in recycling, beginning with aluminum
cans and bottles, to waste and biodegradables
today. Each plant in Nova Scotia is an ISO 14001
certified site.”
Ferguson adds that Michelin actively looks for
opportunities to work with organizations like the
Nova Scotia Nature Trust that contribute to the
sustainability of the province’s environment. One
example the company is particularly proud of is
a partnership with Northumberland Regional
High School at the Granton facility.
“We have partnered with the school to help
deliver its forestry management program using
some of Michelin’s property. Michelin wanted
to effectively manage the land on its 895-acre site,
so NRHS’ Forestry class uses some of the site’s
property to practice what they’ve learned on
silviculture and forest management.”
Elsewhere, the company is looking at ways to
reduce its energy consumption regionally, and
has made some strides on that front through a
partnership with Dalhousie University. They
are examining the potential for bio-diesel fuel
to power Michelin’s steam generation boilers,
and exploring current best practices in energy
management to see how they can improve plant
performance. Ferguson says Michelin is also
considering the possibility of using wind power
at its Granton facility to further improve energy
consumption and demonstrate its respect for the
environment.
Many thanks to our
individual supporters,
volunteers, and in-kind
supporters who contribute
to our projects
St. Mary’s River Conservation
Legacy Campaign major supporters
Even with all these efforts and initiatives,
Ferguson and his colleagues are pleased to
partner with the Nature Trust for the Nova
Scotia Nature Trust’s 10th Annual Dinner and
Silent Auction. “The Nature Trust has a solid
record of accomplishment in land securement,
stewardship and environmental education. It is a
leader in environmental and social responsibility,
and this dovetails perfectly with Michelin’s value
of respect for the environment.”
With Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson
participating as special guests, Ferguson is
confident it will be an exciting and inspiring
evening: “We hope to encourage all in attendance
to see what they can do to make a difference.
Michelin is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s
event and it is our sincere hope that the event’s
success will help the Nature Trust further its
progress with its many conservation efforts in
NS.”
William P. Wharton Charitable Trust
FK Morrow Foundation
Wolfville
Town of Wolfville
Curtis Chipman
Barriers Project
Long Cove Campaign
Alex Colville
Fred and Elizabeth Fountain
Marjorie Fountain
Two Anonymous Donors
Coastal Plain 2007-2008
Scotia Investments
Jean Marsh
Habitat Stewardship Program
for Species at Risk
Endangered Species
O Beautiful Gaia
Habitat Stewardship Program
for Species at Risk
Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
Cooperative Employment Program
Protecting Tomorrow Today
Special Events
Legacy Circle: an evening of recognition and friendship
By Stephanie Hughes
On July 25th, 2007 the
Nature Trust hosted
the 3rd Annual Legacy
Circle Celebration at the
Saraguay Club, in Halifax.
The Nature Trust created
the Legacy Circle in 2005
as a way of recognizing
the incredible efforts and
remarkable commitment
of those who donate
conservation easements,
land, and planned gifts to
the Nature Trust.
John and Marilyn Peers (left) chat with Patrick Stewart and Terry
Fulmer (far right)
Nature Trust Board of Directors President Dale Smith (centre) with Leonard Preyra (MLA Halifax Citadel, left) & Alexa
McDonough (MP Halifax)
This year a large group came together –
including MP for Halifax, Alexa McDonough;
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Peter
Underwood; and MLA for Halifax Citadel,
Leonard Preyra – in order to pay tribute to two
individuals whose commitment to conservation
is truly inspiring.
Mrs. Shirley Cameron attended the event with
her granddaughter Kathryn in order to accept
thanks for her family’s donation of land in
Guysborough County – The A.M. “Sandy”
Cameron Conservation Lands – named for
her late husband who was passionate about the
river, and Nova Scotia, having served as leader
of the provincial Liberal party and the MLA for
Guysborough County for many years. These two
parcels were the first to be donated under the St.
Mary’s River Conservation Legacy Campaign.
Our second honoree was Mr. Patrick Stewart
who recently placed a conservation easement on
his land at St. Croix, Nova Scotia. The easement
protects the rare Ram’s-Head Lady’s-Slipper
Orchids which are found in significant numbers
on his land, and few other places in Canada. This
achievement is the result of many years of hard
work by both Patrick and the Nature Trust and
in a brief speech he expressed his satisfaction
in knowing that the land–named The Myrta
Stewart Conservation Easement in honour of his
mother—will now be protected forever.
The Legacy Circle celebration provided a
wonderful opportunity for the staff and board
to meet and get to know several of our funders.
Among them was Mr. Lynn McIntyre of Wildlife
Habitat Canada, which has generously funded the
Nature Trust’s efforts to acquire and protect Long
Cove, a stunning and ecologically rich, coastal land
on the south shore of Nova Scotia. As well, we were
pleased to have Tony Rodgers of the Nova Scotia
Habitat Conservation Fund in attendance. They
recently funded our Shelter Cove Campaign, our
Endangered Species Program, and our St. Mary’s
River Conservation Legacy Campaign.
Our sincere thanks to all the people who attended
the celebration. The support of our volunteers,
members, annual dinner and auction ticket
buyers, project supporters and Legacy Circle
members is critical to the success of private land
conservation in Nova Scotia.
Legacy Circle Members
Doris Arnold
Friends of Nature Conservation Society
Janet Piers & the late Rear Admiral Desmond Piers
Chris Bennett & Sharon Glynn
The late John Gutting & Suzanne Gutting
George & Sylvia Plater
Farley Blackman
Martin “Rudy” Haase
Thomas Rossiter
The late Sandy Cameron and Shirley Cameron
Jack Herbin
Jason Roth & Cheryl Steadman-Roth
Curtis Chipman
Mary Hunter
Nancy Scobbie
The late Mildred Clem
Priscilla Huntington
Mayor Robert Stead
Dr. Eric & Mrs. Frances Cleveland
Klaus Jensen
Patrick Stewart
Chris & Harriet Field
Walter Kauzmann & the late Elizabeth Kauzmann
Jack & Darlene Stone
Kenneth & Eleanor Field
Randall & Brenda Knox
Carolyn Treat
Nick & Pam Field
Jack Kyte (Kimberley Clark Ltd.)
Jessica Treat
Nigel & Susan Field
Jean Lange
Robert & MaryLou Treat
Peter & Cheryl Field
Stewart & Mary Lindsay
Roger Treat
Roger & Lorraine Field
Rosaleen McDonald
Rob & Betty Ann Field
Kent McNew
Fred & Elizabeth Fountain
David Miller
Marjorie Fountain
Farley & Claire Mowat
Rory Treat
Sharon Treat
Dr. Stanley Watkins
Anonymous Donor
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Friends of the Nature Trust
New Faces
With the Nature
Trust
Membership
Campaign 2007
winners!
We are pleased to announce that the
winner of the Just Us! Gift Basket is
Patricia Chalmers of Halifax.
Jennifer Morse on the Nature Trust staff
has moved on to new adventures in Ottawa.
Jennifer was an invaluable team player at the
Nature Trust and will be missed!
Lauren Allen is happy to be back working at the
Nature Trust after spending the last year and a
half traveling. With a background in Biology
at Dalhousie University, she will be working as
Conservation Project Coordintor, focusing on
the St. Mary’s River Campaign and the Wolfville
Watershed Project.
Stephanie Hughes returned to the Nature Trust
in May, after taking some time off to travel in
Asia. Stephanie has a background in international
and community development; in her two years
with the Nature Trust she has worked in a
variety of capacities and projects—including the
Volunteer Program, conservation campaigns,
and the Public Relations Committee.
Lara Van Loon, our new Outreach Coorinator,
works with all staff and programs at the Nature
Trust to help promote our work through Public
Relations and Fundraising. Since she began
in May she has been involved in all events,
including the annual Legacy Circle event and the
media and the donation of “Farley’s Ark.” She
also supports the Major Gifts Team.
Board Welcomes
The Nature Trust is delighted to welcome the
following new members to the Board.
Linda K. Crockett CFRE, has been working
in the fundraising sector for 18 years. She has
held senior positions with the IWK Health
Centre Foundation, the United Way of
Halifax Region, St. George’s Round Church
Restoration, the Atlantic Theatre Festival
and the Nova Scotia Community College
Foundation. Linda is currently the Director
of Global Gifts at Dalhousie University. We
look forward to her leadership and guidance
for our fundraising program.
With a background in business administration
and marketing, Jeffrey Gray is the Manager
of Development at the Art Gallery of Nova
Nature Trust staff and board members with Farley
and Claire Mowat.
Scotia, where he oversees membership and
fundraising programs as well as special events.
We look forward to engaging his creativity
and talent in our Public Relations efforts.
With a background in Commerce and Marketing,
and Master’s of Business Administration, Sherry
Lee Gregory joined the board in the spring.
She looks forward to applying her excellent
relationship building skills to help such a good
cause. Sherry Lee is a Director in Relationship
Management with RBC Dexia Dexia Investor
Services.
Walter Kauzmann was the winner
of the signed limited edition print,
(Lunging Osprey) generously
donated by Robert Bateman, and
framed by Frame Plus Art
Betty Hutchings, the Director of EastLink, leads
the largest sales and service channel for Canada’s
largest privately held telecommunications
and entertainment company. Moving fast
and spending time outdoors comes naturally
for Betty, who is a marathon runner and has
completed five international marathons.
Corey Miller, the energetic General Manager of
Miller Tire, is a co-chair of the Dinner Committee
and is joining the Board in November. His
passion for innovation will be a tremendous
asset to the Board of Directors.
Tom Purves is a passionate angler and
conservationist, with a particular interest in the
St. Mary’s River area. An investment advisor
with the Owens MacFadyen Group, Tom brings
a wealth of financial managment experience to
his role as a Board member.
Leif Sigurdson, a surgeon at the QEII Health
Sciences Centre and a professor at Dalhousie, is
a passionate outdoorsman who joined the Board
last spring, thus adding the Nature Trust to his
well developed list of volunteer activities, such
as Operation Smile, which took him around the
world over the course of the last few years.
Exciting Nature Trust
News to Watch
CBC Television’s Land and Sea program will
feature “Farley’s Ark”– the coastal land donation
by Farley and Claire Mowat. Watch it on CBC
Television on November 4, 2007.
The Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve,
600 acres of beautiful woodlands, is a groundbreaking conservation easement – the first of
its kind in Canada – and will be completed this
fall. Watch for media coverage on the fifth and
final Chronicle Herald Sunday feature on the
Nature Trust’s Conservation Lands. If you liked
the series in the Nova Scotian, be sure to let the
Editor know!
Protecting Tomorrow Today
Friends of the Nature Trust
Volunteer Profile Yaoting Zhang:
Property
Ode to the Office Volunteer
Guardians:
Key to our cause
By Sally-Jo Gallant
The success of the Nature Trust would
not be possible without the dedication of
our volunteers. Our volunteer Property
Guardian program, in particular, is an
excellent way to enjoy the outdoors while
getting involved and helping to steward
properties protected by the Nature Trust.
Property Guardians are part of a network
of local volunteers and Nature Trust staff
who monitor properties owned or legally
protected by the Nature Trust. In doing
so, they provide a vital link between
land, landowners and the Nature Trust.
In continually visiting and monitoring a
particular property, Property Guardians
develop a detailed knowledge of the
features and patterns of the sites which
allows them to recognize the natural and
human caused changes that occur.
Larry Bogan, for example, has been a
volunteer Property Guardian for over ten
years with the Nature Trust. He works to
ensure that properties such as the Aylesford
Mountain Conservation Lands and the
Meander River Conservation Easement are
properly stewarded and conserved. Larry
visits the sites regularly, with his GPS unit
in hand, marking locations of structures,
boundaries, areas of disturbance, and
endangered species that are present on
a property. He also photographs any
changes he observes while in the field.
Property Guardians carry the responsibility
of acting as ambassadors of the Nature
Trust while protecting a property.
Some Property Guardians also enjoy
leading nature hikes, completing species
inventories or leading other educational/
community outreach programs on the
property.
If you would like to get involved with this
rewarding and unique way to experience
the outdoors, please contact the Nature
Trust office!
10
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Yaoting heard of the Nature
Trust, uniquely, through a “50
Things to do in Nova Scotia”
booklet made for his roommate,
by his girlfriend. Though we
never heard from his roommate,
Yaoting spotted us there and
decided to check us out. He has
always enjoyed Gerald Durrell’s
writings on nature and since
coming to Nova Scotia has
Volunteer Yaoting Zhang with NSNTer Zsofi Koller
felt inspired by the beauty of
By Stephanie Hughes
this province and wanted to
contribute to an organization that was helping
Yaoting Zhang has been around the world. Of
to keep the natural character of this province
Chinese descent, he was born in Mongolia, raised
intact. Now he does everything from print jobs,
in Moscow, Russia and moved to Canada in 2001
to database updates, to compiling information
to improve his English in Hamilton, Ontario.
packages. The phrase, “Oh, Yaoting, one more
He’s only 24 but his quiet and humoured
thing…” has become a commonly heard chorus
mannerisms belie a character that has seen a
around the office. When asked to comment on
lot, and takes it all in stride. This is one of the
this, Yaoting said simply “Whatever I’m asked to
reasons that Yaoting fit in so well at the Nature
do, I do it.” Well done Yaoting, that’s what we
Trust office, where he began volunteering in July
like to hear! He says his favorite part of his job
2007.
is working with the “easygoing and laidback, but
always hard-working” staff.
Currently in Canada on a student visa, Yaoting
was not able to work this summer, which was
Yaoting is currently pursuing his master’s degree
lucky for the Nature Trust as it allowed him
in Chemistry at Dalhousie University and now
a perfect opportunity to launch his volunteer
that the school season is back in full swing, his less
career, which he pursued with a consistency and
frequent office visits are all the more appreciated.
determination that was an inspiration to all of
All the staff are looking forward to his continued
us. Working regular office hours throughout
volunteer work with the Trust and would like to
the summer, Yaoting made us all feel like we
take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers
had gained an extra staff member – one who was
who work in different capacities to make the
versatile and competent, and whose understated
accomplishment of the Nature Trust mission
humour made a hectic summer season a little
possible.
breezier.
In Honour of Donations
Christopher Redmond
Donna Lockwood
Edith Tesky
Friends of the Nature Trust
Seeing the Land by the Sea
Monitoring Properties by boat
The Nature Trust relies on the passion and
generousity of volunteers to help with the
invaluable task of land conservation in our
province. We would like to sincerely thank
all of them!
by Julian West
Nova Scotians keep hearing of superb
pieces of coastline being sold to the
highest bidders. Often, these properties
become subdivided, developed, and
sometimes community access is even
restricted. So, it’s of little surprise that
as more of this type of land use occurs,
more people are asking “What can I do
to help?”
Office Volunteers:
Sailor Justin Ingils
Sailors Mike and Linda Whitehouse are certainly
doing their part. Mike contacted the Nova Scotia
Nature Trust several months ago and offered his
support as a sailor and photographer. It wasn’t
long before Nature Trust staff met with Mike and
Linda and discussed their interest in becoming
involved with coastal property stewardship.
After speaking with Mike and Linda, it became
obvious that their skills and interests could be of
great benefit to the property monitoring work of
the Nature Trust.
This is a new endeavor for the Nature Trust,
so we appreciate that Mike, Linda, and
Justin are “testing the waters” to explore the
benefits of this type of stewardship work to
the overall stewardship program of the Nature
Trust. We are very pleased and excited by
this new endeavour and hope that more
sailors dedicated to preserving the province’s
beautiful coastline get involved.
Similarly, Justin Ingils is looking forward to
monitoring a number of Nature Trust properties,
but what excites him the most is the prospect
of looking out for our coastal properties as
member of our growing fleet of sailing Property
monitors.
Ruth Butler
Ben Davis
Brian Gauthier
Eli Gordon
Donald Hebb
Justin Inglis
Doug and Joanne Linzey
Rosemary and Trevor Lloyd
Robert Lutes
Marion Meud
Pat McLeod
Joanne Moores
Munju Ravindra
Mathew Newton and Kate Romanowsky
Pal Randhawa
John Read
Vince Purcell
Antony and Lynne Simpson
Rick Sparkman
Robert Stead
Anne Strong
Bonnie Therrien
Harold Thompson
Rob Stevens and Jan Turner
Zelda Weatherbee
Susan Wehrell
Caroline Powers and Phyllis Westbury
Gisela Westphalen
Mike and Linda Whitehouse
Joy Woolfrey
Ted and Joan Cleather, of Chester, have made
their 24 foot Shark, called Bras D’Or, available
to Justin. Justin does his best monitoring on his
own, but he has managed to bring his young
family, including wife Kate, his sons Evan (two
and a half) and Ben (two months!) sailing around
Little Gooseberry Island.
The Nature Trust would like to thank
all of those who came to our Annual
General Meeting and Volunteer
Appreciation Reception in
April, 2007.
We had a great turnout and
were happy to see so many faces
interested in the work of
the Nature Trust!
new volunteers
Property Guardians:
Nicky Lewis
Jingxian (Doris) Liu
Allison Lynes
Yaoting Zhang
Newsletter Committee:
Peter Bragg
Stacey Byrne
Martin Laycock
Georgina Vibert
Dinner Committee:
Joel Miller
Karen Thompson
Rene Scrutton
Kristin Guptill
Photographers:
Gary Murray
Clark Richards
Pro Bono Law Students:
Judith (Christie) Gilmour
Sean Glover
William Hayes
Anthony J. Whitfield
Designers/Illustrators:
Kathy Kaulbach
Leigh Morgan
Rare Plant Monitors:
Bruce MacInnis
Casey Gibbons
Anne Mills
Heather Wharton
Don Hebb
Caroline Power
Phyllis Westbury
Caitlin Hancey
Events
Keith Tufts
Michelle Richards
Protecting Tomorrow Today
11
Planned Giving
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How will you be remembered?
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Board of Directors
Dale Smith – President
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Mike de la Ronde – Vice-President
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Tom Boyne – Secretary
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Nil d’Entremont – Treasurer
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Martin Janowitz – Past President
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Linda
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Michael Nuschke
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Tom Purves
Jeff Gray
Jason Roth
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Leif Sigurdson
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Betty Hutchings
Tom Soehl
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Corey Miller (SFH$SPTCZ
Cindy Staicer
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Hugh Wright
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One
hundred years from now, our children will be gone, our endeavors largely
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—Land Trust supporter
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Staff
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Duncan Bayne
Zsofi Koller
Kaitlin Fahey
Lara Van Loon
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Sally-Jo Gallant
Allen Simpson
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Patti Green
Julian West
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Stephanie Hughes
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Eleanor Beaton
Martin Laycock
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Stacey Bryne
Karen Thompson
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Mark Campbell
Colleen Vinn
Sally-Jo Gallant
Julian West
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Stephanie Hughes
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Zsofi Koller (NSNT) and Troy Cole
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Send submissions for
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Natural Landscapes to:
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[email protected] or
/PWB4DPUJB/BUVSF5SVTU
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
10#PY)BMJGBY/4#+$
P.O. Box 2202, Halifax, NS B3J 3C4
DONATION/MEMBERSHIP FORM
OPTION 1
I would like to become a Conservation Guardian. I authorize the Nova Scotia Nature Trust to withdraw a monthly donation of:
$100 $50
$25
$10
Other __________________ (please enclose a void cheque)
OPTION 2
I would like to make a donation of $__________
OPTION 3
I would also like to become a Nature Trust member $15 Student
$30 Individual
$50 Family
$50 Non-profit
$100 Supporter/Corporate
$500 Friend
$1000 Benefactor
______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Name(s)
Organization (if applicable)
__________________________________________________ __________________________________
_____________________________
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_____________________________________________________________
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VISA # ______________________________ Expiry ___________ Signature_______________________________________________________
Please send a tax receipt for income tax purposes (Charitable #889627691RR0001)
I would like to volunteer Please send information on protecting my land
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12
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
5IF/PWB4DPUJB/BUVSF5SVTU
to my friends