Fall 2006 - Nova Scotia Nature Trust

Fall 2006
Preserving Nature on Private Lands
The Legendary St. Mary’s:
Preserving its Natural Treasures
By Lisa Chisholm
Gurgling tributaries, stoic hemlocks, the spiced
air of peat, a fragrant, chiseled mayflower
peeping out of the forest’s snow covered floor,
amidst lichen and moss—this is the nurturing
home for a great many unique species of
flora and fauna. The St. Mary’s River and the
ecologically important lands along it—home to
majestic old growth forests, Wood Turtles, and
the famous Atlantic Salmon—are all threatened
and in dire need of conservation. All are catalysts
for an important land conservation campaign.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is thrilled to
announce the launch of its St. Mary’s River
Conservation Legacy Campaign. This multiyear project centres upon the permanent
protection of the most outstanding natural
areas along the St. Mary’s River.
With less than .01% of Nova Scotia’s old forests
left, it is critical that we protect these remnants
of our original forests. Old growth forests
provide critical habitat for a number of species,
and provide an essential scientific baseline
from which we can learn about and understand
forest dynamics. The sites also protect some of
Nova Scotia’s last Acadian floodplain forests.
These unique forest communities at the water’s
edge play an irreplaceable role in the overall
health of the river and its inhabitants, from
maintaining water temperatures to controlling
sedimentation and shallowing of the river.
Education is a vital part of securing critical
habitats for conservation, and fostering
understanding and support for “stewardship”
of the watershed. It is also a key component
of the St. Mary’s River Conservation
Legacy Campaign. Landowner outreach,
public education, and a volunteer Property
St. Mary’s River Photo: Jeff Amos
Guardians program are all means to the
end—but not the end of another species.
Habitat loss is the greatest risk to endangered
species in Nova Scotia.
The Nature Trust’s undertaking is a worthy
accompaniment to other key conservation
efforts already in place, including those of the
St. Mary’s River Association, St. Francis Xavier
University, and the Department of Natural
Resources. The St. Mary’s River Association,
the watershed’s primary conservation group,
started in the 1970s when a group of anglers
got together to help protect the river’s Atlantic
Salmon. Dale Archibald, Association President,
looks forward to “working together as an
umbrella group, and helping to identify unique
property”. He says “the Nature Trust is a good
partner in protecting special pieces of property
in the watershed.” The Nature Trust can provide
the land trust tools and expertise in conservation
easements and conservation land ownership
and management, which are vital complements
to the watershed planning, conservation, and
education efforts of the Association.
According to the Nature Trust’s Executive
Director Bonnie Sutherland, this watershedbased project is a new type of endeavour for
the Nature Trust, with very exciting potential.
“Typically,” she states, “land conservation
efforts focus on terrestrial habitats and species.
Many salmon and watershed conservation
efforts focus specifically on “in-stream”
conservation measures, from water quality
to species monitoring. This project brings
the two approaches together. Often, the
connection between the health and vitality of
river and the land is undervalued; yet they are
mutually dependent upon each other.” What
is happening along the [ Continued on Page 2 ]
In This Issue:
2 Species on the Edge Protected!
4 Robert Bateman Nature Trust
5
7
9
Patron
Nuschke/Nickerson Partnership
Honoured
A Sense of Wonder
Music Inspires Legacy
Protecting Tomorrow Today
1
Conservation
shoreline of the river has
major impacts on the river and its inhabitants,
from globally imperiled Atlantic Salmon
to nationally imperiled Wood turtles. For
example, where shorelines are devoid of trees
from logging or agriculture, the loss of shade
boosts water temperatures. Increased run-off
and sedimentation from the loss of vegetation,
results in shallowing of the river, which also
increases water temperatures. This increase
causes declining salmon populations. These
types of land-water habitat connections are a
major part of the science driving the St. Mary’s
River Conservation Legacy Campaign.
healthy watershed. The Nature Trust is eager
to continue protecting Nova Scotia’s natural
legacy through this exciting campaign.
[ Continued from Page 1 ]
The Campaign was launched through
a generous donation of $30,000 from
ExxonMobil Canada. Alan Jeffers, Public
Affairs for ExxonMobil and Imperial Oil in
Halifax, said,“Wherever ExxonMobil operates,
we strive to make a positive contribution
and work to support and strengthen local
communities. One of the ways we do that
is through biodiversity and conservation
projects. He adds that, “The Nova Scotia
Nature Trust is a well-established and
important community partner to undertake
habitat preservation activities in Nova Scotia,
where we operate the Sable offshore Energy
Project. ExxonMobil has been a supporter of
the Nature Trust for a number of years and we
are especially proud to support the St. Mary’s
River Conservation Legacy Campaign, which
will secure ecologically important lands along
the St. Mary’s River, in Guysborough County,
which is also home to the Sable Project’s
Goldboro gas plant.” The Nature Trust is
currently seeking additional funding support
for this 5-year campaign to protect the most
outstanding and ecologically important
sites on the river, and to foster a strong land
conservation ethic among landowners and
visitors to the watershed.
Wood Turtles basking in the sun on the
riverbanks, a Barred Owl nesting in the cavity of
a 300-year-old hemlock, floodplains releasing
cool waters into the River, a new school of
Atlantic Salmon—these are characteristic of a
Conservation partners include: Environment
Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding
Program, the Nova Scotia Habitat
Conservation Fund, the Sage Environment
Fund, the FK Morrow Foundation and the
Shell Environment Fund as well as generous
in-kind communications and graphic design
support from Nelson Angel and Mike Bardsley
with Image Design.
Breaking campaign news
The first major success of the campaign was
announced at a property closing celebration
held near Sherbrooke on July 15th. Over 100
people joined Nature Trust staff and board
members to honour and celebrate the late Alex
“Sandy” Cameron, his wife Shirley and their
family, in donating the A.M. “Sandy” Cameron
Conservation Lands for permanent protection.
See www.nsnt.ca and the next issue for more
details on this donation and other recent
developments.
Species on the Edge Protected!
By Emma Boardman
When two New York based actors first visited
our province in the summer of 1973, they did
not know then that they would set in motion
a series of events that would culminate in the
permanent protection of the Nature Trust’s
first Atlantic coastal plain flora property.
Jeanne Lange and her late husband David
Haskell, best known for their roles in the
musical Godspell and the soap operas Another
World and Santa Barbara, fell in love with Nova
Scotia on that first trip. They bought lakefront
land on Gillfillan Lake in Yarmouth County
and spent many happy summers camping there,
with dreams of eventual retirement on the lake.
Sadly, David passed away unexpectedly in 2000
before their retirement dreams could be realized.
Unknown to Jeanne and David, their 36 acres
of land supported fragile wetland habitat
for one of Canada’s rarest wildflowers, the
Plymouth Gentian. This Gentian is one of a
group of extremely rare plants that occur in
south western Nova Scotia, but nowhere else in
Canada. Known collectively as Atlantic coastal
plain flora, these plants
are found on freshwater
lakeshores and bogs.
After being contacted through
the Nature Trust’s landowner
outreach program, Jeanne
became aware of the national
significance of her land and
approached the Nature Trust
to take over the property
knowing that the “Trust will
take good care of this land in
2
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Jeanne Lange, David Haskell with daughter Alex
his (David’s) honour” and that “we will always
be able to walk this beautiful paradise and feel
David’s presence”.
The property was transferred to the Nature
Trust under an exciting new land conservation
tool called split receipting that provides tax
benefits for landowners who sell land to the
Nature Trust at well below market value.
Such tax benefits are administered through
the Canadian Ecological Gifts Program.
Conservation
Queen’s County Landmarks in Coastal Plain Conservation
Two new conservation properties on Molega
Lake in Queen’s County are helping the Nature
Trust lead Canada in habitat and endangered
species protection. Southwest Nova Scotia
is home to over 60 species of plants known
collectively as “coastal plain flora”, eleven of
which are nationally imperiled and five of
which are globally at risk of extinction. This is
the only area of Canada in which they exist.
The 37 acre Knox Conservation Lands
provides habitat for a number of species
at risk, including two that are on Canada’s
the remaining cost of this land acquisition.
These efforts were successful thanks to the
generous contributions of numerous donors,
and the property acquisition closed in
September 2006.
In equally important coastal plain news, a
donor, who wishes to remain anonymous,
has shown outstanding generosity in
donating a conservation easement on Molega
Lake to the Nature Trust. The easement will
protect over 4 km of fragile coastal plain
lakeshore habitat and an exceptionally large
number of coastal plain plants including the
nationally Threatened Redroot Lacnanthes
caroliana, and three species that are listed by
the provincial government as in danger of
becoming threatened within Nova Scotia, the
Brookside Alder Alnus serrulata, Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis and Meadow
Beauty Rhexia virginica. The easement also
protects over 40 acres of climax Hemlock and
mixed forest.
The securement of these properties was
possible due to support from a range of
partners including O Beautiful Gaia, Aveda’s
Earth Month Campaign, the FK Morrow
Foundation, the Endangered Species
Recovery Fund and the government of
Eastern Ribbon Snake Photo: T Herman
Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program and
Ecological Gifts Program. Donations have
also come in from Nature Trust members and
lot owners in the Molega Lake area, including
a generous $5,000 gift from local landowner
and campaign volunteer, Michael Bird.
See more on the campaign at www.nsnt.ca
Shelter
Cove
Redroot (Lacnanthes caroliana)
Endangered Species list: Redroot and the
Eastern Ribbon Snake. The woodlands
and 740 meters of lakeshore also provide
important habitat for other wildlife, and help
to maintain water quality for the lake.
Watch for exciting
Shelter Cove
news to be announced
by Justin Trudeau
in October!
When forester Randall Knox was contacted
by the Nature Trust and learned of the
ecological sensitivity of his land, he agreed to
a generous combined land donation and sale.
A fundraising campaign was mounted to raise
Protecting Tomorrow Today
3
Membership
Robert Bateman urges you to renew your Nature Trust membership!
As a member, you support the Nature Trust in at least two important ways: your fees strengthen
our ability to protect the special places we all love, and the extent of membership indicates to
corporate and other partners and to government decision makers, the level of grass roots support
the Nature Trust enjoys.
In the context of the 2006 membership drive—led this year by the renowned artist and naturalist,
Robert Bateman—we hope you will extend an invitation to your friends and family to also become
members. There are exciting prizes for those who sign on new members—and the more members
you sign up, the greater your chances of winning! Please support our 2006 campaign by renewing
your membership, buying gift memberships for other nature lovers or passing along a “Recruit a
Member” kit (visit www.nsnt.ca and click on Robert Bateman’s picture).
“Never before has Nova Scotia’s natural legacy been more at risk,” urges Robert Bateman. “It is
our responsibility to ensure that our great, great grandchildren have wild places to roam, and
beautiful spaces to inspire them.”
For membership information or a recruitment kit call our office at 425-5263 or visit www.nsnt.ca
Renew during our 2006 Membership Drive (Jan. 1 – Oct. 13)
and be eligible to win:
1st Prize:
Your choice of a Bay of Fundy or Dover half day kayak tour for two with
NovaShores Adventures
2nd Prize:
Robert Bateman’s Two-Volume Deluxe Edition of An Artist in Nature &
Natural Worlds
Special draw for Members Recruiting New Members
1st Prize:
Weekend for two at Silver Glen
Resort in Antigonish
2nd Prize:
Looking for a unique
wedding, graduation,
or birthday gift?
Want to give a unique
gift in honor of someone
special? Consider a gift of
conservation. Your special
donation will help the
Nature Trust to continue
to preserve the places we
love – forever.
A beautiful personalized
certificate is sent to
your recipient.
Nature Trust gift pack
Help to reduce the use of paper. Switch to the paperless alternative, e-newsletters, by calling 425-5263 or email officecoordinator@nsnt.ca
4
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Friends of the Nature Trust
Nuschke/Nickerson Partnership (Assante)
Honoured with 2005 Conservation Award
Each year at the Nature Trust Dinner, a
Conservation Award is presented to a person
or group who has done outstanding work for
private land conservation in Nova Scotia. The
Nature Trust was pleased to present the 2005
Conservation Award to Michael Nuschke and
Richard Nickerson of Assante.
Both Michael and Richard are financial
planners and investment advisors with a subspecialty in Socially Responsible Investing
(SRI). “We decided to support the Nature
Trust given it is very congruous with our SRI
business, says Nuschke. “We have given by
way of time and energy, personal financial
contributions, introducing the Nature Trust
to our clientele, and magnetizing corporate
financial support through our supplier
companies”. “This is our way of giving back
to the community and though this focus,
we believe we have been able to make a real
contribution to the extraordinary important
aims of the Nature Trust” he adds.
Michael remains an active member of the
Nature Trust, a director on the Board and part
of the planned gifts team. No stranger to the
Nature Trust, Richard is a past board member
and volunteer.
Assante wealth management has also been a
major supporter of our annual dinner for the
last 8 years and are pleased to be sponsoring
our 9th Annual Dinner this year.
Halifax Field
Naturalists
HFN assisted the Nature Trust in
acquiring a lovely natural woodland and
wetland areas in Purcell’s Cove known as
Captain Arnell Conservation Lands, so
the site has special significance for them.
HFN provides an ongoing stewardship
role in conserving natural values of this
site by carrying out species surveys of the
property annually beginning in 2005. The
group also provides leadership for guided
education trips to the site.
We truly appreciate the talent, energy,
and commitment that both Michael and
Richard have given to the Nature Trust and
conservation in Nova Scotia. Michael can be
contacted at mnuschke@assante.com, and
Richard at rnickerson@assante.com.
Bob McDonald
RIchard Nickerson and Michael Nuschke
In Memoriam donations
Jean Cowan
Jean Elliott
Dorothy Kinraide
Frances MacIsaac
Jean Rosner
Terry Shaw
Jean Shape
Rear Admiral R.W. Timbrell
Protecting Tomorrow Today
5
Special Event
8th Annual Dinner a Success
“Nearly an Island” took guests from Nova
Scotia through a vivid journey to the Galapagos
Islands, an Egyptian Oasis and Easter Island
before turning back again to Nova Scotia.
Harry Thurston’s keynote address at the
Nature Trust’s 8th Annual Dinner and Silent
Dinner Guests
Auction on October 15, 2005 told a story of
each far off place containing striking parallels
to Nova Scotia and a lesson for Nova Scotian
conservationists.
Thurston guided the audience first to the
Galapagos Islands, where there is a rich diversity
of life on land and in the surrounding sea. When
Thurston visited, there was conflict between
local fishermen and conservationists regarding
fishing of sea cucumber. The fishermen, who
invested in newer and larger boats, needed
to pay off debts, so they started to fish for sea
cucumber. This is similar to what happened
in Newfoundland in the 1980s, when the cod
fishery was dying out, and there was a push for
fishers to target underutilized species.
The story of Easter Island, where Thurston takes
us next, gives us a striking image of human
greed leading to the collapse of a civilization.
The Easter Islanders built huge statues, and
competed with each other to build bigger and
better statues. The island is now a forbidding
place nearly devoid of trees. The people have
died out. We must heed this warning the story
presents us, as it is a microcosm of what is going
Bev Ramos and Jeanne Thomas – dinner committee
6
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
By Emma Boardman
on in the world today, he
urges, where deforestation
is leading to environmental
and social collapse.
Thurston also visited an
Egyptian oasis, which is
the oldest continuously
occupied area on earth
and has supported a
human presence for
about 4000 years. There
is an aquifer, which took
hundreds of thousands
of years to form, under
this oasis. It supports life there, and did so
since before humans existed and throughout
several Egyptian dynasties. Then, during the
Roman period, there was extensive building
of temples, tombs, and gold mines. Using the
Roman Aqueduct, they got deeper sources of
water and developed more areas. This 300 year
period of rapid development put great stress
on the water supply and the effects were longlasting and devastating. Without rain, the only
source of water is the aqueduct. The oasis may
now only be able to support life for another 50
years or so.
Special Guest Harry Thurston
Dorey) and other event volunteers for all their
hard work making the evening a huge success.
Special thanks to our many auction and raffle
prize donors and our event sponsors.
All this is connected to the work that the Nature
Trust does, says Thurston. Saving parcels of
land is vital, not just for other species, but for
ourselves, as we are seamlessly and inseparably
tied to our natural environment.
The speech was, as Master of Ceremonies Bob
Bancroft said afterwards, “incisive, with a direct
call to action.” It was the final highlight of a
wonderful evening at the Casino Nova Scotia
Hotel. The evening began as guests perused the
silent auction items and greeted old friends and
colleagues. The dinner and silent auction was
yet another great success, raising over $29,000
to support land conservation in Nova Scotia.
A charming performance from the singing
group, O Beautiful Gaia, opened the evening
followed by short speeches in praise of the
Nature Trust and its work by the Honourable
Kerry Morash, Minister of Environment
and Labour, and Peter Underwood, Deputy
Minister of Natural Resources. A slideshow
showcased recent Nature Trust successes and
plans for the future.
The Nature Trust sincerely thanks the dinner
committee (Mark McIntosh, Bev Ramos,
Joanne McCormick, Jeanne Thomas and Jim
Bird Watcher folk art by Ransford Naugler
Special Event
A Sense of Wonder
By Teresa Fisher
The Nature Trust was pleased to bring “A Sense
of Wonder”, a play based on the life and works of
Rachel Carson, to Nova Scotia in May. Actress
Kaiulani Lee stole the hearts of all with her one
woman performance before packed audiences
in Antigonish, Wolfville, and Halifax. Kathleen
Chisholm, Mayor of Antigonish expressed that
“Everybody should avail to see this particular
production. It was delightful, interesting, and
informative. [A Sense of Wonder] took me on
a journey. I was sitting wishing everyone was
there watching it, they would have left with
such a sense of ‘awe’.”
Rachel Carson, scientist and writer, helped
to change the way the world thinks about the
use of chemicals, the responsibility of science,
and the impacts of industrial developments.
Her passion is reignited through Kauilani
Lee. “Having known Rachel Carson myself,
it’s like seeing her brought back to life,” says
Martin Rudy Haase, long time Nature Trust
ambassador and friend. “Lee shows us how
dedicated and hardworking Rachel Carson
was and gives us just a tidbit of insight into her
beautiful mind.”
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Special thanks to our
major sponsors and donors:
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We would also like to thank:
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust raised over
$24,000 to help in our efforts to preserve
ecologically significant land in Nova Scotia for
future generations to enjoy.
This event could not have happened without
the generosity and kindness of our many
volunteers who helped with ticket sales, set-up
and registration, our ticket sellers, sponsors,
program advisers and donors. Our heartfelt
thanks to the organizing committee (Deborah
Stover - Chair, Nancy Norwood, Jacqui Good,
Wendy Scott, Jason Roth, Bonnie Sutherland,
Mark McIntosh, Austin Cole and Karen
McKendry) and of course to the talented and
inspiring Kaiulani Lee.
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Donald R. Sobey
Foundation
See www.nsnt.ca for more on “A Sense of
Wonder”.
“I was touched by how simply Rachel Carson led her private life, minimizing her
impact on the environment. While tackling the hottest issues of the day in her writing, she was
generous, gentle, and a true activist. A Sense of Wonder and Silent Spring are unfortunately
still relevant work as pesticide use continues to contaminate our ground water and
food supply, and ultimately us. Much more needs to be done.”
—Dawn Carson, the Body Shop
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Ardyth & Jennifer
Bell and Grant Insurance
Black & Associates
The Bookmark
Ross Casey
Al Chaddock
Chronicle Herald
Joan Cleather
Michael Duvenney
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
EOS Fine Foods
Karen Farquehar
Pat Foote
Dr. Gary M. Foshay
Cathy Gregoire
Martin Rudy Haase
Halifax Commercial Park
Leaseholds Ltd.
· Ed Harris
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Hennigar’s Farm Market
Holiday Inn Select
Keltic Lodge
Phlis McGregor
Duncan and Ann Miller
Tobias Norwood
Old Orchard Inn
Jason Roth & Associates
Scotia Fuels
Ron Scott
The Shambhala Centre
Silver Glen Resort
Soho Kitchen
Hal Stevens
Transcontinental
Video Difference
White Point Beach Resort
Jacques Whitford
One More Chance
If you missed A Sense of Wonder,
Kaiulani Lee will be returning to Nova
Scotia in the fall. She will be at the Salt of
the Earth Conference on October 19-22.
On the web visit – saltoftheearth.ca.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
7
Friends of the Nature Trust
Aveda continues support for
Nature Trust and local endangered species
the partnership. “The Earth Month campaign is
an excellent model for corporate partners who
value conservation and want to meaningfully
support local initiatives.”
For the second year in a row, the Nova Scotia
Nature Trust is the Aveda Earth Month Partner
for Atlantic Canada. Through the Earth Month
campaign, local Aveda salons have raised funds
and awareness to help the Nature Trust save an
irreplaceable legacy – rare coastal plain plants
found in south-west Nova Scotia.
Aveda salons and spas in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick took part in the campaign. Some
salons offered “Appointments for the Earth”
during Earth Month, where a portion of proceeds
from hair cuts, massages and other services
throughout April are donated to the Nature Trust.
Others organized special events, such as cut-athons and auctions, or collected donations. Salon
staff promoted the importance of biodiversity by
informing clients of valuable plant ecosystems
right here in Nova Scotia and how they are critical
to our own future.
Life Salon Spa, with Bangz Hair & Aesthetics, the
top fundraiser for the Atlantic Region, hosted “Life
on Earth” at Pier 21 in Halifax on Saturday, April
22 (Earth Day) in support of Earth Month. The
evening featured organic wine-tasting and a live
auction with guest auctioneer Cathy Jones. The
Ecology Action Centre and Clean Nova Scotia
were also partners in the event.
Aveda is an international
company that makes plantbased beauty products and
“strives to set an example for
environmental leadership
and responsibility.” Since
1999, Aveda has raised
over $4.6 million for 65
conservation organizations
around the world through
Earth Month partnerships. This theme for Earth
Month 2006 is “Save Plants, Save Yourself” and the
global fundraising goal is $1.5 million.
This year Atlantic Canada’s Earth Month
exceeded past years’ totals as well as 2006 targets,
raising over $19,000 for the Nature Trust. Funds
raised through Aveda salons in Atlantic Canada
will continue to support the Plant’s on the Edge
initiative – a project to protect unique coastal plain
plant species and habitat.
Bonnie Sutherland, Nature Trust’s Executive
Director, was pleased to enter the second year of
8
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Atlantic coastal plain flora is one of the most
endangered plant groups in Canada. Of the sixtyfour species, eleven are extremely rare and listed
as either nationally endangered, threatened or of
special concern by the Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and are found
in Canada only in Nova Scotia. Five species are
considered to be globally threatened, and twentyfive are listed as at risk or sensitive by the Nova
Scotia government.
Thanks to our top fundraisers
Life SalonSpa
(Halifax, NS)
Ambiance
(Saint John, NB)
Avalon Salon Spa
(Fredericton, NB)
Thanks to participating salons!
Avalon Salon Spa
(Fredericton, NB)
Bangz Hair & Esthetics
(Dartmouth, NS)
Eclips Salon
(Oromocto, NB)
Embrace Spa (Halifax, NS)
Genesis Salon & Spa
(Miramichi, NB)
Hairitage House Salon & Day Spa
(Middleton, NS)
Happy Day Spa
Nature Trust Plans
for the Future
By Colleen Zinn
Henry and Judith Fuller recently
contributed over $50,000 to launch
a new operating endowment fund
for the Nature Trust. The Fullers have
been long time ambassadors and
supporters of the Nature Trust, as well
as the owners of one of our properties
at Birch Point in Cape Breton. Mr. Fuller
is a long standing board member.
After recently selling a family-owned
property in the US, the Fullers knew
that donating to the Nature Trust was
a great way to redirect major capital
gains taxes resulting from the sale. Mr.
Fuller states “I would rather see my
money go towards an important cause
like the Nature Trust, than paying out
all that money in tax. I think lots of
people find themselves in situations
where they would choose to do the
same kind of thing. This way I can
direct where the money gets spent
– by donating it directly to a cause I
care about.”
Mr. Fuller urged the Nature Trust to
establish an operating endowment
fund. He sees such a fund as a critical
step to help secure the future of
the Nature Trust, ensuring that our
protected lands stay protected forever.
“It is essential for the Nature Trust to
be setting itself up for the long-term.
I hope that by providing this lead
gift, more and more Nova Scotians
will recognize both the critical need
for land conservation, and the need
for endowment funding to make that
possible” says Mr. Fuller.
The Nature Trust greatly appreciates
the Fullers’ generosity and leadership.
(Wolfville, NS)
Intuitions Spa & Salon
(Rothesay, NB)
La Spa (Moncton, NB)
Pure Indulgence
(Sussex, NB)
Special thank you to Maritime
Beauty Suppply.
Henry and Judith Fuller
Friends of the Nature Trust
Trade Lands – A Unique Way to Support Land Conservation
By Colleen Zinn
Jack and Darlene Stone are once again
pioneers for the Nature Trust. Our first
donors of a charitable life insurance gift,
these long-time volunteers and friends have
also given our first gift of trade land. Our
sincere thanks go out to Jack and Darlene for
this extremely generous donation.
Trade lands are a unique tool for charitable
giving. Trade lands include land or other
real estate (including houses) donated as
assets intended for resale. Trade lands are not
ecologically significant areas that are held as
conservation lands in perpetuity, simply assets
given to the NatureTrust to sell. The funds
raised can be used to support future land
conservation efforts.
The Stones’ donation involves the Nature
Trust keeping the land protected during their
lifetime. The lots provide a natural buffer for
their lakefront home, property management is
taken care of by the Nature Trust, and the Stones
receive a tax receipt for their donation. Beyond
their lifetimes, the Nature Trust can sell the lots
to generate funding for land conservation.
Trade land donation is an exciting option for
people who prefer to avoid the complications
of managing or selling real estate. For older
individuals who own property, and who are
Above: Heather MacKinnon, Jack and Darlene Stone
and Karen Potter Right: Moody Lake
concerned about leaving complicated real
estate dealings for their children, trade lands
may make sense as part of estate planning
(i.e. donating property in their will as
trade lands). The Nature Trust, as a charity
specializing in land, is in an excellent
position to handle gifts of trade land.
Music Inspires Legacy for Nova Scotia By Colleen Zinn
The Nature Trust has been very fortunate to receive generous support
from a growing number of individuals who have named the Nature Trust
in their will. We’re flattered and want to acknowledge these warmhearted contributions.
One generous friend of the Nature Trust, Doris Arnold, generously
agreed to let us share her story.
Doris was just a child when she moved away from Nova Scotia with her
family. Even though she only lived here a short time, she still considers
herself a Nova Scotian and says “the province
has still not left me.” On every visit back she’s
reminded of “how strong the ties still are – to the
land and to the sea.”
Ian McKinnon, a Nova Scotian musician from
Cape Breton, was performing the Nature Trust’s
Mackinnon’s Brook Suite one evening with
the Georgian Bay Symphony in Ontario. Doris
attended this event where she was captivated by
the music and the images of Nova Scotia in the accompanying video.
Doris revealed it brought back “a flood of memories.”
After the performance, she bought the Nature Trust’s CD. She thanked
Mr. MacKinnon for the performance and received his autograph. The
next day she read the liner notes and learned about the Nature Trust
and its effort to protect Nova Scotia’s natural treasures. Without delay,
she enrolled for a Nature Trust membership and was “delighted” with
the information package she received, and subsequent newsletters
and updates.
Doris has since shown us more of her generosity
by naming the Nova Scotia Nature Trust in her will.
She says “by supporting the Nature Trust I feel I
can give something back to the province I will
always call ‘home’.”
We are very thankful to Doris and our other legacy
donors who are helping to protect Nova Scotia’s
special places for future generations.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
9
Volunteers and Staff
Volunteer Profile
Victor Hayes:
Passion for the
Homeland
By Tracy Oakley
Growing up in Cape Breton during the 1950’s
and 1960’s,Victor felt that nature was a powerful
presence and provided him with a sense of
wonderment and emotional fulfillment.
During this time period privatization was not
an issue. All the beauty nature had to offer was
open and available to anyone who sought it.
Although he is currently residing in Ontario
and has been since 1975, his heart remains
here in Nova Scotia, as do many of his family
members. Victor and his family return to Nova
Scotia every year to visit relatives and it’s as
though they’ve never left.
Victor said he came to us by “accident”. A
chance meeting in Toronto with a former
board member, Fred Holtz, brought him to
Nova Scotia Nature Trust. Together, Victor
and Fred formed Ontario Friends of the Nova
Scotia Nature Trust. This group of former
maritimers believes in our work and wishes
to do what they can to support us in our
endeavors. Ontario Friends is just about a year
and a half old, and the Nature Trust is thrilled
to have their support.
Victor’s professional expertise has made him a
valuable asset. For almost twenty years, he has
been working as a corporate communicator.
Victor has given the Nature Trust both his time
and expertise. Not only has he trained our staff
in media relations, he continues to advise us
from Ontario in public relations matters on an
on-going basis.
When asked why he chose to support the
Nature Trust Victor expressed his wish that the
magic he experienced as a young man growing
up in Nova Scotia could be experienced by all
generations to come.
Thank you, Victor.
10
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Professional Volunteers
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust would like to also thank their professional volunteers! It is our
professional volunteers who assist with IT, graphic design, communications/public relations and
accounting, and act as advisors in such matters as the law and science. We would like to thank the
following professionals who are generously donating pro bono time and expertise:
Doug Reach
Troy Cole
Mark Campbell
Steve MacDonald
Jennifer Grey
Colin Piercey
Dr. Martin Willison
Dr. Chris Miller
Ian MacLaren
Dave MacKinnon
Andrew Boyne
Steve Peters
Dr. Sherman Boates
Dr. Tom Herman
Nelson Angel
Mike Bardsley
Colin Piercey
Peter MacDonald
Marian Munro
Terry Fulmer
Victor Hayes
If you are interested in donating your time and professional expertise to a worthy cause, please
keep the Nature Trust in mind. If you have any questions, please contact the office by phone
425-5263 or by email nature@nsnt.ca.
Update on the Volunteer Project
In 2005, the Nova Scotia Nature Trust received
funding from the Canadian Volunteerism
Initiative to put together new structures and
tools to provide greater support to volunteers
and make their work as uncomplicated and as
rewarding as possible.
Many members and volunteers responded to a
questionnaire giving us a look at their interests,
motivation and difficulties in this area. We
then brought together volunteers in a series of
focus groups: the Regional Working Groups,
those working in the field (often on their own),
those working in committees or in the Nature
Trust office, and Board members. Analysis
of this feedback will allow us to refine the
program and support all those who contribute
their time and effort to our mission.
have drafted several documents to support a
sustainable volunteer program at the Nature
Trust. These include: a Volunteer Policies and
Procedures Manual, a Volunteer Handbook,
a Volunteer Coordinator’s Manual, and a
Volunteer Orientation Presentation. Work is
now being done to finalize these documents
and to test and refine the systems put into
place to recruit, train, manage and recognize
Nature Trust volunteers.
At the same time, project staff have been
working hard to update database information
on volunteers. Please let us know if you change
your address, or if you notice any irregularities
in our communications with you.
Thanks to this information, and to research
into best practices of other land trusts and
elsewhere in the voluntary sector, project staff
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust sincerely appreciates
the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.
We could not do it without you.
Thank You!
Volunteers and Staff
Volunteer Welcomes
We are pleased to welcome our
new volunteers to the Nature
Trust Team.
Want your time to make a difference?
Do you have the desire to gain valuable
experience with like-minded people?
We are currently seeking enthusiastic
individuals for the following:
The Annual Dinner & Auction
committee welcomes several
new members, Paula Lee, Shelley
Smith, Darlene Stone, Sandy Low,
Janice Gunning, Rosanne Bowen,
and Gerri Elliott, whose combined
talents are working on this exciting
event. A special thank you to
Cathy Coates for her efforts in
getting the dinner committee up
and running this year.
Hilary Ferguson, is an office volunteer,
instrumental in the upkeep and maintenance
of our detailed database.
Doug Tanner is a new volunteer whose
academic expertise will only benefit our
efforts, as he provides us with IT support.
Colleen Zinn joined the Nature Trust as
an Office Volunteer and is now part of our
newsletter team.
Holly Melanson joins our property monitor
team. She will monitor our Meander River
Conservation lands.
Court Milley is our new website administrator.
He is instrumental in keeping our website upto-date.
Last but not least we would like to introduce
Teresa Fisher. She will be coordinating our
newsletter as well as working with our office
coordinator on donor management.
CHANGING FACES
Lauren Allen, an active Nature Trust volunteer,
came on board our staff team in the fall
of 2005. She was involved in field work
activities, a rare plant guide and outreach
work with landowners. She is off on a new
adventure in Ireland, and then India.
Also missing from the NT team is Browen
Hook. Her leadership and enthusiasm greatly
benefited the volunteer program in the 10months she was with us.
After 14-months, we are saddened to
say good-bye to Peter Green. Peter has
contributed significantly to our property
monitoring program and was instrumental
in establishing our computer network and
back-up system.
We wish Caitlin Hancey all the best as she
embarks on a new journey and position in
Ottawa. Caitlin was with the Nature Trust
for 15-months working on our Coastal
Plains project.
Volunteer
Opportunities
Working this past summer with Caitlin, was
Brennan Vogel. Brennan returned to fulltime study in September.
We wish Lauren, Bronwen , Peter, Caitlin
and Brennan the best of luck with their
future endeavors.
We are excited to welcome two talented and
enthusiastic new staff – Jennifer Morse and
Louise Ritchie
Jennifer Morse is primarily working on the
St. Mary’s River Conservation Project. Her
focus is on community outreach in the St.
Mary’s River area and assisting with special
event planning.
Louise’s role at the Nature Trust involves
documenting and mapping potential and
newly acquired properties. She is also
involved in preparing stewardship plans and
monitoring properties and coordinating
volunteer property guardians.
Annual Dinner - Held every October,
it is the Nature Trust’s most important
fundraising event, and includes a raffle
and silent auction. We require assistance
in obtaining raffle prizes and auction
items, corporate sponsorship, public
relations, ticket sales, and event set-up.
Newsletter - Our newsletter is produced
semi-annually to update volunteers,
members, and donors about our current
projects, on-going campaigns and
activities. We require writers, editors,
photographers, and layout/designers.
Field Coordinator - Field Coordinators
are a link between volunteers in the
field and the Nature Trust staff, located
in Halifax. This position is ideal for
anyone who enjoys the great outdoors
and wishes to be involved with the
Nature Trust at an organizational level.
A Field Volunteer would undertake the
following responsibilities:
• Assist with the recruitment and
placement of local field volunteers.
• Act as liaison between local volunteers
and Nature Trust office. This includes
forwarding volunteer applications,
queries, and issues to staff.
• Maintain communication with local
volunteers throughout monitoring season.
• Welcome and orient new volunteers.
• Prompt volunteers to send in time
sheets and report forms.
• Help staff plan and conduct regional
events as necessary.
For additional information on these
opportunities, please contact the office
at 425-5263, email volunteer@nsnt.ca
or visit www.nsnt.ca.
Other volunteer positions open: office
volunteers, membership campaign
team, volunteer coordinator and
volunteer manager.
Protecting Tomorrow Today
11
A PLACE BETWEEN TIDES, BY HARRY THURSTON
Reviewed by Bronwen Hook
Planned Giving
How will you be remembered?
Harry Thurston’s book, A Place Between Tides, combines personal memoirs of a childhood
spent close to a salt marsh and the natural history of the salt marsh where he has lived for
the past decade.
It is a book that lends itself to quiet hours spent in a hammock (where I mostly read my
There
waysmuch
to arrange
copy), are
andmany
it doesn’t
matter aif you fall asleep over it — the slow tides and seasons of
planned gift, large or small. Such gifts
the marsh pass and return, and its natural rhythms do not require strict attention!
provide preferential tax treatment
that
estate and
The benefits
book is your
comprised
of afinancial
series of 12 essays recounting the unfolding of life during the
plan,
by
offsetting
income
months of the year in thetax.
region of Nova Scotia that Mr. Thurston calls home: the Tidnish
River of Cumberland County.
• Bequest
The
discovers
a wealthFunds
of detail about the lives of the non-human citizens of the salt
• reader
Gift of Stock
and Mutual
marsh: the birds, fish, and mammals that each take their turn as predator and prey. Nor are
• Life Estates
the plants forgotten: there are few that can abide this harsh environment and the descrip• Trusts
Annuities
tion
of howand
they
do so is fascinating.
• Life insurance
Board of Directors
Marty Janowitz, President
Dale Smith, Vice President
Anil Mohan, Secretary
Greg Crosby, Treasurer
Tom Boyne
EBoard
l i z a b eoft hDirectors
Crocker
He
n r y –FPresident
uller
Dale
Smith
e g L u –k e
man
Mike deGlar Ronde
Vice-President
F rBoyne
a n k M–cSecretary
Lean
Tom
Anil Mohan
Greg Crosby – Tresurer
Michael Nuschke
Martin Janowitz – Past President
Jason Roth
Elizabeth Crocker
Tom Soehl
Nil
d’Entremont
Cindy Staicer
H uHenry
g h WFuller
right
Anil Mohan
H o nMichael
o r a r y Nuschke
Directors
A lCarol
e x CRitchie
olville
Jason
Roth
Alice R
eed
Tom Soehl
E x e c Cindy
u t i v eStaicer
Director
B o n nHugh
i e S Wright
utherland
As Mr. Thurston recounts his observations of the natural world, he also weaves in stories
• Gifts of Ecologically
from his boyhood in a similar environment, as well as anecdotes about his neighbours and
Sensitive Land/Easements
friends. This back-and-forth between human and animal worlds makes for an easy-going
• Real
Estate
(‘Trade
lands’)
read
which
I very
much
enjoyed, particularly as the author’s writing is both precise and
poetic so that one’s pleasure is both in content and in form.
Please call us to find out more about
Harry Thurston
special
guest speaker at the Nova Scotia Nature Trust’s Annual
leaving
a naturalwas
legacy
through
Dinner
Auction,
held on October 15, 2005. Harry is also the author of 16 books. His
plannedand
giving
.
writing includes a collection of poetry If Men Lived on Earth (Gaspereau Press 2000).
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.
”
—Land Trust supporter
Honorary
S t aDirectors
ff
L aAlex
u r eColville
n Allan
D u nAlice
c a nReed
Bayne
Peter Green
C a i t l i n HDirector
ancey
Executive
B r o n wSutherland
en Hook
Bonnie
Stephanie Huges
M a r k Staff
McIntosh
CDuncan
a r l y NBayne
ilson
Allen Sim
pson
Stephanie
Hughes
Mark McIntosh
N e w s lJennifer
e t t e r CMorse
ommittee
S u s a n n e WLouise
a g n eRitchie
r (Coordinator)
M a r k Allen
M c I nSimpson
tosh (Staff)
Emma Boardman
Janet Brown
Newsletter
Committee
Lisa Chisolm
Teresa Fisher – Coordinator
Alan Chilton
Mark McIntosh – Staff
Emma Boardman
S e n d Lisa
s u bChisholm
missions for
N a t u r a lAlan
L a nChilton
dscapes to:
N o v a Send
S c osubmissions
t i a N a t u r eforT r u s t
Natural
P . O .Landscapes
B o x 2 2 0 2to:
Halifax, NS B3J 3C4
newsletter@nsnt.ca or
Nova Scotia Nature Trust
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)
_____________________________ ___________________ __________________
Street
City
___________________________ __________________________
Phone (h)
Phone (w)
Prov/State
__________________________
Postal Code/Zip
_____________________________________________________________
E-mail
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
 Please send information on planned giving options  Please send information to pass along

12
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust
to my friends
Natural Landscapes is printed on 100% post-consumer waste, non-bleached, non-deinked recycled paper.