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About Us

About Nature Nova scotia

Nature Nova Scotia is a 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 (also 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 our local nature by supporting new research, hosting events, and advocating for science-based conservation and responsible environmental management at local, regional, and national levels. We are a registered non-profit and charitable society in Nova Scotia (#891266744 RR0001).

STRATEGIC PLAN & FOCUS AREAS

Nature Nova Scotia works in several strategic areas including Protected Areas, Species At Risk, Wildlife, Urban Nature, and Sustainable Forestry. To ensure we are grounded in a holistic view of the natural world and the factors that affect it. We align current projects with issues that need immediate action to protect and steward nature. Our core focus areas as outlined in our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan 

To Find out more about our Current projects visit the Projects tab or click on this link!

OUR HISTORY AND CURRENT PROJECTS

Since our establishment in 1990, Nature Nova Scotia has consulted and provided comment on nature legislation and policy, supported new research and citizen science projects, and engaged the naturalist community in educational and skill-building opportunities:

  • Nova Scotia mines and minerals policy
  • Parks and Protected Areas system
  • 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 (ongoing)
  • Big Tree Project (ongoing)
  • 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 (ongoing)
  • Make Room for Nature campaign (Nature Canada, ongoing)
  • Bird Friendly Halifax coalition (ongoing)
  • No Net Pens (Ongoing with Healthy Bays Coalition)

WANT TO COLLABORATE?

 We want to collaborate with individuals or organizations that align with our current initiatives and mission. You can Email us at info@naturens.ca or click the button below.

Nova Scotia’s Nature Network

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 as donors and volunteers, helping to drive our projects forward. Join directly as an individual or family by registering online today, or reach out to our staff for more ways you can get involved.

Organizational Membership

Anyone may become an individual member of Nature Nova Scotia. Individual members support our work by participating in the annual general meeting, where they get a vote and say on how the organization operates, and many are also donors and volunteers on our projects.

Associate Members

Associate members are organizations or other communities of Nova Scotians who support the mission of Nature Nova Scotia. While they do not sit on our board, they may partner on projects and participate in committees headed by members of the board.

Become An Individual Member

You can support Nature Nova Scotia and our core activities by volunteering, donating, or becoming a member! Join directly as an individual or family by registering online today, or reach out to our staff for more ways you can get involved.

Membership is a meaningful way to participate in the nature network and shape it for generations to come. Learn more about our policies and find other AGM-related documents here.

OUR CURRENT MEMBERS 2024

How To Become An Organizational or Associate Member

At our Society, we welcome non-profit societies in Nova Scotia whose aims and objectives align with ours, particularly those engaged in the study of natural history. Becoming an organizational member allows you to join a network of like-minded organizations dedicated to conservation and natural history.

  1. Write to info@naturens.ca expressing your interest in becoming an organizational member.
  2. Your Application will be reviewed by our board, Membership is granted if at least 2/3 of our board approves your application
  3. Maintain the yearly fee of $100 for Organizational membership and $50 for Associate members.

Why Become an associate or organizational member?

  • Yearly vote at our AGM (associate members do not get a vote)
  • The option to sit on our board
  • Networking opportunities
  • Priority advertising 
  • Priority partner on projects
  • Opportunity to sit on our committees 
 

The Nature Network  – Mission  –  MembershipBoard


Governance

Nature Nova Scotia is governed by a board comprised of representatives from 4 Members at large and 5 representative members as well as our executive officers:

Executive Officers

Members of the Board 

Organizational Representatives

  • Representative from Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association: Patricia Egli
  • Representative from Friends of McNabs Island: Ian Smith
  • Representative from Friends of Nature: Sydney Dumaresq
  • Representative from Friends of the Pugwash Estuary: Betty Hodgson
  • Representative from Margaree Environmental Association: Paul Strome
  • Representative from Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society: Suzanne Gauthier
  • Representative from Nova Scotia Bird Society: vacant
  • Representative from St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association: Helga Guderley
  • Representative from Tusket River Environmental Protection Association: Daniel Earle
  • Representative from Young Naturalists Club: Karen McKendry

Meet Our Team

Becky started with us as a board member and made the move to staff person in 2020, when we went through a significant expansion of our projects and focus areas. She’s an ecologist by training, choosing spatially rare plants like novel invasives and species at risk as her preferred study systems, but has also worked in policy, youth education, and conservation outreach. Becky manages our protected areas and wildlife projects and supervises staff working on species at risk, sustainable forestry, urban nature projects. Becky and her partner manage a 50ha woodlot where they hope to experiment with maple syrup this year, grow blueberries, and share their life with a horde of canine friends.

Reach Becky at becky.parker@naturens.ca

Jess grew up in St John’s, Newfoundland, spending most of her childhood outside exploring NL’s rugged nature. Fascinated with botany and ecology, she decided to move to Truro NS to study Plant Science at Dalhousie University. There she worked as a research assistant on a project looking at wild bee populations in blueberry fields. Since then, she’s done some plant survey work, engaged the public in discussion around environmental policies and climate change susceptibility, and now she coordinates our species at risk and sustainable forestry projects. In her free time Jess enjoys Hiking, Volunteering, Botanical Drawings and Birding. When asked about her work, Jess says, “I am passionate about connecting to people and learning about their experiences. These connections drive me to believe we can work together as a society to reach attainable conservation goals and preserve nature for future generations.”

Reach Jess at jess.lewis@naturens.ca

Having grown up in a small town overlooking the Annapolis Basin, Marina spent much time exploring the coastline and nearby trails. Her interest in the natural world led her to the Wildlife Conservation program at Holland College, where her passion for wildlife and plant ecology grew. Following college, Marina obtained an Environmental & Natural Resources degree from the University of New Brunswick. Marina has previous experience working on projects such as stormwater management, water quality monitoring, and fish habitat and river restoration where she immensely enjoyed working in rivers and streams. Marina loves identifying plants and insects, sharingand learning ecological knowledge, and hearing about different conservation perspectives. As the Education & Outreach Assistant, Marina is excited to connect with other organizations, partners, families & youth throughout the province.

HOW TO REACH US

EMAIL

Need More Information? Email info@naturens.ca

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