About Us

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).

Our core focus area include Protected Areas, Species At Risk, Wildlife, Urban Nature, and Sustainable Forestry. 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
• 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)

Learn more about our current projects and how you can help today!

Membership

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.

As a member, you have a vote at our AGM and a say in how we operate. Individual members not associated with an organizational member also have representation on the board by way of a director-at-large. Join us! 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.

Governance

Nature Nova Scotia is governed by a board comprised of representatives from our member societies and an executive committee:

Executive Officers

• President: Bob Bancroft (902-386-2501)
• Vice-president: Donna Crossland
• Secretary: Patrick Kelly (902-472-2322)
• Treasurer: Joanne Cook

Members of the Board (organizational representatives)

• Member-at-Large: vacant
• Representative from Arlington Forest Protection Society: Rob Bright
• Representative from Blomidon Naturalists Society: John Burka
• Representative from Cape Breton Naturalists Society: vacant
• Representative from Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Geopark – Joan Cormier
• Representative from Cumberland Wilderness Society – Harry Thurston
• Representative from Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association: Patricia Egli
• Representative from Halifax Field Naturalists: Ron Arsenault
• 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: Jason Dain
• Representative from Tusket River Environmental Protection Association: Barrie MacGregor 
• Representative from Young Naturalists Club: Karen McKendry

Staff