Nature Nova Scotia is the federation of natural history societies and other nature groups in Nova Scotia. We are a Canadian charity and registered society in Nova Scotia, working to support networking, research, education, and advocacy initiatives for nature.
Our Mission
Nature Nova Scotia (legally known as the Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists) exists to aid in the communication and cooperation among naturalists, natural history societies, and other nature-focused groups in Nova Scotia. We profile and protect Nova Scotia’s natural history by supporting new research, hosting educational events, and advocating for science-based conservation and responsible environmental management at local, regional, and national levels.
Strategic Plan & Focus Areas
We work in several strategic focus areas reflecting current nature conservation needs and the interests of our members and other supporters. Under the 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, these include Protected Areas, Species At Risk, Forests, Water & Wetlands, and Urban Nature.
Our History
Since our establishment in 1990, the federation has consulted and commented on nature policy and legislation, supported research and citizen science projects, and provided capacity to ongoing nature initiatives coordinated by our member groups and partners. Here’s a quick snapshot of the initiatives we’ve played a role in shaping:
- Nova Scotia Mines and Minerals Policy
- Parks and Protected Areas system planning
- Endangered Spaces Campaign (WWF)
- Endangered species legislation (federal & provincial)
- Tobeatic Wilderness Committee
- Federal Heritage Rivers designation
- Off-Road Vehicles policy
- Advisory panel on Piping Plover habitat management
- Important Bird Areas
- Nova Scotia Herpetology Atlas
- Leatherback Sea Turtle Reporting project
- Update the Provincial Parks Act Campaign (ongoing)
- Nova Scotia Big Tree Project
- Coastal Strategy and Act (ongoing with NS Coastal Coalition)
- DNR Natural Resources Strategy (2009–2010)
- Species At Risk vs the Government of Nova Scotia judicial review (2019-2020)
- A Biodiversity Act for Nova Scotia (2019-2021)
- Save the Mainland Moose campaign and research project (ongoing)
- Make Room for Nature campaign (Nature Canada)
- Keep It Wild: 20% Protected Areas by 2030 (ongoing)
- Bird Friendly Halifax coalition (ongoing)
- No Net Pens campaign (Ongoing with Healthy Bays Coalition)
- NS Teachers Conference Environmental Education Day
Who We Are
We represent Nova Scotia’s nature network. Our supporters are member natural history societies and other nature groups, individual Nature Nova Scotia members who attend and vote at our AGM each year, donors and volunteers who support our projects, and partners who build our capacity. We are governed by a board composed of Executive Officers, Directors from our organizational member groups, and Members at Large. Since 2020, we’ve also maintained a small staff to coordinate projects under our strategic Focus Areas.
Our Members
Individual Members
Anyone may become an individual member of Nature Nova Scotia. Individual members support our work by participating in the annual general meeting (AGM), where they get a vote and say on how the organization operates. Many of our individual members also contribute to our mission as donors and volunteers, helping to drive our projects forward. Members enjoy benefits such as early and discounted access to events like the Celebration of Nature and member exclusive events and communications. You can join directly as an individual by registering online today, or reach out to our staff for more ways you can get involved. Individual membership are $10/year or $75 for lifetime membership.
Organizational Members
Organizational members are Nova Scotian societies, charities, NGOs, or other like-minded environmental groups who share an interest in Nature Nova Scotia’s strategic goals and often work in collaboration to achieve them. Many are founding members of our organization, having provided representatives to our board since our beginning in 1990. Organizational members support our work through a yearly membership fee and are eligible to delegate a representative to sit on our board of directors, if they choose, to represent the wider membership of organizations. In return, these organizations receive the opportunity to guide Nature Nova Scotia’s work through our strategic planning processes, general operations supervision, may extend some benefits of Nature Nova Scotia’s membership program to their own community, and may share their own events, initiatives, and calls to action to our community through channels like our regular e-newsletter, social media, and event series. We are always welcoming new groups whose aims and objectives align with ours. Membership is granted by 2/3 approval of the board and maintenance of the yearly $100 member fee.
Associate Members
Associate members are organizations or other communities of Nova Scotians who support the mission of Nature Nova Scotia. While they do not typically sit on our board, they may partner on projects and participate in committees headed by members of the board, giving them the opportunity to lead strategic or project level work. Membership is granted by 2/3 approval of the board and maintenance of the $50/year membership fee.
Our 2026-2027 Board
The Board of Directors collectively represent the interests of the broader natural history community in Nova Scotia. The Executive Committee oversees staff and general operations but all Directors may participate in standing or temporary committees, special projects, or other initiatives. Organizational members are welcome to put forward a representative from their organization to the board of Nature Nova Scotia and, together with other organizational nominees, represent the interests of all organizational members in the network. Similarly, Members At Large represent the interests of all individual members. For more about our board, see our Board Member Duty Descriptions.
Executive Officers
- President: Richard Howell
- Vice-president: Joanne Cook
- Secretary & Treasurer: Patrick Kelly (902-472-2322)
- Past President: Bob Bancroft (902-386-2501)
Directors
- Member at large: Wanda Baxter
- Member at large: Adam Malcolm
- Member at large: Heather Mayhew
- Member at large: Timothy Lambert
- Member at large: Jamie Simpson
- Organization Representative from Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Geopark – William Bollwerk
- Organization Representative from Blomidon Naturalists Society: Soren Bondrup-Neilsen
- Organization Representative from Halifax Field Naturalists: Bernie McKenna
Other Organizational Representatives
(not currently serving on the Board of Directors)
- Organization Representative from Friends of Nature: Sydney Dumaresq
- Organization Representative from Friends of the Pugwash Estuary: Betty Hodgson
- Organization Representative from Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society: Charles Cron
- Organization Representative from Nova Scotia Bird Society: Joan Cormier
- Organization Representative from Save Our Old Forests: Rob Bright
- Organization Representative from St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association: Richard Howell
- Organization Representative from Young Naturalists Club: Karen McKendry
- Associate Representative from Annapolis Environment & Ecology: Bev Wigney
- Associate Representative from Friends of Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes Society: Mary Ann McGrath
- Associate Representative from Hope for Wildlife: Kevin McNamara
- Associate Representative from International Crane Foundation: George Archibald
- Associate Representative from Protect Wentworth Valley: Catherine Johnston
- Associate Representative from Stop Clearcutting Nova Scotia: Sydnee Lynn
- Associate Representative from The Dirt Gang: Sandy Martin
Our Staff
Reach Becky at becky.parker@naturens.ca
Reach Jess at jess.lewis@naturens.ca
Marina spent her childhood exploring the coastline and trails of the Annapolis Basin. Her interest in the natural world led her to the Wildlife Conservation program at Holland College and then an Environmental & Natural Resources degree from the University of New Brunswick. Marina’s previous experiences had her working in stormwater management, water quality monitoring, and fish habitat and river restoration. Marina loves identifying plants and insects, sharing and learning ecological knowledge, and hearing about different conservation perspectives. In her work with Nature Nova Scotia, Marina coordinates our Protected Areas projects, assists with any and all project outreach needs, and connects Nova Scotians to their local natural history through projects like the annual Celebration of Nature and curriculum-aligned Nature School program.
Reach Marina at education.outreach@naturens.ca
Want to join us but not sure where you fit in? Interested in collaborating on a project? Email us at info@naturens.ca
Federation of Nova Scotia Naturalists: charity number 891266744 RR0001