Nova Scotia Nature Trust | Nova Scotians Protecting Nova Scotia

Staff

Staff 2010

NSNT Staff on a recent day out to visit Gaff Point
Photo credit: Karen McKendry

 

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Bonnie Sutherland

Executive Director
bonnie*nsnt.ca

Bonnie Sutherland. Bonnie Sutherland, our tireless Executive Director since 1997, is the person who makes the Nature Trust tick. Bonnie grew up in Kingston, Ontario and attended Lakehead University where she earned a BSc. in Biology & Natural Science, an HBOR (Outdoor Recreation), and a B.Ed., focusing on Biology & Geography. After working in environmental consulting, planning and management of provincial and national parks, and adventure and environmental education she came to Nova Scotia to get her Master of Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University. It was during her thesis work on 'Enhancing Private Land Conservation in Nova Scotia' that she crossed paths with the Nature Trust and the connection was instant. When not immersed in funding applications and program development, Bonnie is probably exploring the very wilderness she works so hard to protect. She enjoys kayaking, hiking, biking and skiing with her partner Sean and children Cian and Keira.

 

Dennis Garratt

Conservation Manager
dennis*nsnt.ca

Hailing from England, Dennis has been interested in wildlife since from an early age, developing a passion for birdwatching, which took him the length and breadth of the British Isles (from the Isles of Scilly in the south to Shetland in the north) and abroad; and recently, to Nova Scotia.

Working for the Scottish Wildlife Trust was Dennis’s first break into “higher level” conservation work. He worked with the Scottish Trust for 11 years and at one point was jointly managing all the wildlife reserves across Scotland, an experience he greatly enjoyed.

After Scotland, Dennis moved due south to the county of Hampshire where he worked for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for 10 years.

From the south of England to Nova Scotia is another big leap for Dennis and he is looking forward to the new experiences it will offer!

 

Nicole Arsenault

Office / Volunteer / Membership Coordinator
nicole*nsnt.ca

NicoleNicole is excited to have joined the Nature Trust team, as the office, volunteer and membership coordinator! Having been raised in a military family, Nicole had the incredible opportunity to grow up in many different parts of our beautiful country, but none has stolen her heart like Nova Scotia where she plans to settle permanently. With degrees in biology (BSc., Honours, University of Prince Edward Island), environmental studies (MES, Dalhousie University) and education (BEd., Mount Saint Vincent University), Nicole is thrilled to be involved in the amazing work done by the Nature Trust.

 

Sally-Jo Gallant

Land Stewardship Coordinator
sallyjo*nsnt.ca

Sally-Jo Gallant Sally-Jo joined the Nova Scotia Nature Trust in April 2007 working as the Land Stewardship Coordinator. She was born and raised in Nova Scotia, frequenting its natural wonders from a very early age. She began her undergraduate studies at University of Kings College in Halifax, and relocated to Ontario to study at the University of Guelph where she completed a degree in Biological Sciences. During her years in Ontario, she spent the summers planting trees, studying the ecology and population dynamics of Blue Ash trees and discovered a fascination with insects. She also enjoys traveling which was sparked while studying Russian Agriculture and Language in Moscow, Russia.

She is excited to be back home, working at the Nature Trust, continuing to discover the unique and natural beauty of Nova Scotia and contributing to its protection and conservation.

 

Robin Levy

Fund Development Coordinator
robin*nsnt.ca

Robin is originally from Fox Point, Nova Scotia but has lived in Halifax for the past 11 years. Having grown up along the coast of St. Margaret’s Bay, Robin has a deep appreciation of the unique beauty of her home province and the importance of protecting and preserving it.

With degrees from both Mount Saint Vincent University and Dalhousie University, Robin has worked primarily in the nonprofit sector for the past 10 years, focusing on a career in fund development and event planning. She is excited to have joined the ranks at the Nature Trust and looks forward to all the adventures this position will bring!

 

Karen McKendry

Private Land Conservation Facilitator

karen*nsnt.ca

Karen McKendry Karen spent her childhood exploring the woods and waters of Ontario and Quebec, clearly the "nature nut" of her family. Her passion for the environment, paired with a lot of hard work, has earned her a BSc. in Ecology, and Master's of Environmental Studies. Karen's role within the Nature Trust will be to further facilitate private land conservation in Nova Scotia. A permanent, government-funded trust to purchase private lands for conservation purposes has recently become a reality and priority for the province. Karen will make sure this money is well spent, by building capacity for private land conservation, and assisting in science-based prioritization of land purchasing. When not devoting herself to the Nature Trust, she can be found rooting around in her garden, paddling on the Northwest Arm, or cooking up a storm.

 

Peter Green

Coastal Campaign Coordinator
peter*nsnt.ca

peter Bio coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Wilkinson

Administrative Assistant
nick*nsnt.ca

wilkinson Nick Wilkinson joined the Nature Trust team in May 2010, as the Assistant Office Co-ordinator. Although he was at one time headed for an academic career in medieval history, Nick's passion for the environment and his love of music have since steered him in a much different direction. He is excited to be involved in helping to protect and preserve Nova Scotia's beautiful natural places. When not working at the Nature Trust, you can find him out hiking, cycling or playing music with his band Gypsophilia.

 

Allen Simpson

Bookkeeper
asimpson@chebucto.ns.ca

Allen, the man who makes sure every last cent of your Nature Trust donations are accounted for, has been dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's of the Nature Trust books since 2002. Having grown up in Halifax, the most rapidly developing area of Nova Scotia, he is no stranger to both the natural beauty of our province and the urgent need to protect it. A favourite natural area for he, his wife, and his daughter are the fossil cliffs at Joggins. Allen holds a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education, and a Diploma in Bookkeeping & Accounting. Before coming to the Trust he was a supervisor and later manager with the Canadian Coast Guard in Halifax and worked with the Coast Guard Radio.