Bonnie Sutherland

Executive Director

Our ambitious Executive Director since 1997, Bonnie is the driving force behind the Nature Trust. Bonnie grew up in Kingston, Ontario and attended Lakehead University where she earned a B.Sc. 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.

bonnie*nsnt.ca

Tracy Clarke

Operations Coordinator

Born and raised on the outskirts of Halifax County, Tracy loved exploring the treasure trove of nature that surrounded her as a child; from catching frogs and fishing (and then setting them all free), to finding the perfect rock to perch upon or tree to climb, she never tired of her outdoor adventures. Tracy worked in the airline industry for several years before switching to a role in the for-impact sector for 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition from Mount Saint Vincent University. She loves to pass the time by cooking, reading or strolling through the Halifax Public Gardens with her grandmother. She’s thrilled to be a member of the Nature Trust team and supporting the conservation of land in our beautiful province!

tracy*nsnt.ca

Fiona Dulanto-Hassenstein

Land Management Coordinator

Growing up in a family that moved across Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America, Fiona developed a deep appreciation for the diversity and sensitivity of ecosystems around the world. Throughout these moves, her family considered Cape Breton their home base, where she fell in love with Nova Scotia’s wild beauty—exploring rugged coastlines, wading through marshes, and learning about native plants (especially the edible ones). This early exposure to nature sparked her lifelong passion for conservation and led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on conservation and ecology at Dalhousie University.

With a career previously focused on forest management and conservation, Fiona has gained experience in ecological assessments, implementing conservation networks, and creating strategies to preserve critical habitats. Now in her role with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, she is dedicated to protecting ecologically significant landscapes across the province, ensuring these natural treasures endure for future generations.

In her free time, Fiona enjoys exploring her property with her partner, Jake, and their dog, Lilly. She embraces each season—spending as much time as possible in the water during the summer, and in the winter, exploring snowy trails, knitting by the fire, or enjoying a sweet treat.

fiona.dulahase*nsnt.ca

Joanne Hale

Operations Manager

Joanne was raised on a small hobby farm on the outskirts of Moncton, New Brunswick. Coming from a large family, she learned the value of teamwork. Her love of the outdoors started at a young age as she helped work on the farmland. Joanne moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia to attend university and fell in love with the area’s coastal beauty. Joanne has a background in the non-profit industry and a passion for worthy causes. In her spare time Joanne enjoys reading and playing sports with her daughters Brooke and Summer.

joanne*nsnt.ca

Barbara Haley

Senior Advisor, Legacy Creation

Barbara was born in Trinidad and was fascinated from an early age by the rich variety of bird and plant life outside her home. She moved to Canada at age 7, and has lived in the middle and on both coasts of the country. Barbara earned her B.Sc. from the University of Toronto and B. Ed. from Queens. She returned to Nova Scotia and spent four years at Saint Mary’s University, before following her passion for nature to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. In her spare time, she enjoys getting up before dawn to go birding.

barbara*nsnt.ca

Janine Jaffrey

Stewardship & Technology Coordinator

Janine grew up in the countryside of the northeast of Scotland, and graduated with a B.Sc. in Animal Biology in 2015. She then went on to work as a Ranger for the National Trust for Scotland, leading volunteers in conservation projects on mountain nature reserves and around castle estates. In 2017, Janine moved to Toronto to complete her Master’s in Environmental Science at U of T, after which she moved to a very small town in Saskatchewan to work for the Calgary Zoo’s captive breeding and reintroduction program for the endangered Greater Sage Grouse. A newcomer to Nova Scotia, she spends her spare time exploring the province and going on camping adventures with friends.

janine*nsnt.ca

Riki Kerbrat

Field Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

Riki grew up in a small town in Manitoba and spent much of her childhood exploring the woods surrounding her home. Her curiosity for nature led her to pursue an undergraduate degree focused on Conservation Biology at the University of Manitoba, where she discovered her passion for conserving species at risk. She worked with Assiniboine Park Zoo’s captive breeding and reintroduction program for endangered grassland butterflies, before recently moving to Halifax. When Riki isn’t working, you can find her exploring Nova Scotia, trying out a new coffee shop, or curling up with a good book.

riki.kerbrat*nsnt.ca

Lisa Matte

Director of Philanthropy & Engagement

Lisa is a proud Nova Scotian who grew up in the Digby area, exploring back roads, fields and coastlines with her family.  After completing a B.Sc. in Biology from Dal, she had every intention of pursuing a career in either environmental science or dentistry, but the universe had other plans for her. Through a lucky twist of fate, she began a 25-year career in the not-for-profit sector and has led teams big and small, near and far throughout Atlantic Canada, in fund development, innovative projects, advocacy, programming, and volunteer engagement.  Her favourite part of working in the not-for-profit sector is the connection that comes from linking the passions and interests of supporters with the important work of the organization and watching the amazing growth that can happen as a result. When she’s not working, you can almost always find her outdoors, whether tending her garden or hiking or biking with her husband, Dan and their hound, Buster.

lisa*nsnt.ca

Cynthia McLaren Lloyd

Donor Relations Coordinator

Growing up in Prospect Bay, Cynthia’s family instilled a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature all around us and the ways in which we are all connected. Some of her fondest memories are of rocks and the ocean, playing among wild blueberries, lupins and lady’s slippers, year-round family picnics, and camping adventures. After over a decade in Alberta’s non-profit sector, specializing in events, fund development & community building, Cynthia’s love of family and the ocean called her home to Nova Scotia. Being able to help preserve the unique beauty of the province her parents made home is a way to honour them and their love of Nova Scotia. A proud mother of two, Cynthia works every day to make the world a better place for her kids.

cynthia*nsnt.ca

Liv Monck-Whipp

Stewardship Coordinator

Originally from southwestern Ontario, Liv’s appreciation of nature started with tree planting trips in elementary school and led to completing her BSc in zoology at the University of Guelph and her MSc in landscape ecology at Carleton University. Liv has previously worked in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Zealand, with land trusts, universities, First Nations, and provincial governments. She’s got a wide range of experience in conservation – everything from surveying bats, birds, turtles, and snakes, to restoring wetland and grassland habitat, managing invasive species, and creating long-term stewardship plans. In her spare time, Liv enjoys finding new trails to trek, knitting, and snuggling with her 2 cats.

liv*nsnt.ca

Jaimee Morozoff

Director of Conservation

Jaimee Morozoff serves as the Director of Conservation at the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, bringing over 15 years of experience in environmental stewardship and land conservation. With a deep passion for protecting Nova Scotia’s natural heritage, Jaimee leads the conservation team in their work with strategic land acquisitions, take care of conservation lands, and community engagement initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Bioscience, Technology and Public Policy, where her thesis focused on the impacts of land management on an endangered butterfly. Jaimee is known for her collaborative spirit, engaging communities and partners to advance innovative conservation projects. When she’s not championing the protection of Nova Scotia’s landscapes, Jaimee loves gardening, reading, and exploring the province’s hidden natural gems with her family.

jaimee*nsnt.ca

Michelle Munro

Events & Engagement Specialist

Michelle grew up on the North Mountain in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, a hop skip and jump away from the Bay of Fundy. She is happiest when bobbing in the salty ocean on a summer’s day, amongst the seaweed. Michelle is a self proclaimed events geek who loves to ponder the whole ecosystem and anatomy of any event. She graduated from the Nova Scotia Community College with an Advanced Diploma in Event Management. After which, she unexpectedly landed her first client and started her own event management business, Loop In Events. She is known for the calm, thoughtful, and relationship focused approach she brings to her event work. She lives in Halifax in a small circus with her spouse, two children, 3 cats and 2 dogs.

michelle.munro*nsnt.ca

Christina Nunn

Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator

Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Christina has had a passion for the outdoors since she was a child, and exploring this amazing province is one of her favourite pastimes. This interest in the natural world led her to earn a Diploma in Water Resources Technology and to work as an environmental technologist. She also has extensive experience in the non-profit sector and adult education. Always passionate about volunteering, she has served with various organizations, including as a board member of a farmers’ market, as well as participating with the Nature Trust at events and on a campaign team prior to becoming a staff member. When not exploring local trails, paddling on her SUP, or gardening, Christina can be found experimenting in the kitchen and sharing meals with family and friends.

christina*nsnt.ca

Dyan O'Dell

Bookkeeper

Dyan grew up on a small hobby farm in Blaine Lake, SK where she enjoyed playing with all the animals and learning the value of hard work. After spending a few years in volunteer work across the country, Dyan and her husband decided to call Nova Scotia home. With an accounting background, she enjoys contributing to Nature Trust as a bookkeeper and assisting with our mission of protecting and preserving Nova Scotia’s natural beauty. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping and exploring the beautiful spots across the province.

dyan*nsnt.ca

Megan Pagniello

Land Conservation Lead

Megan is of settler decent and lives and works in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded, traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. Megan moved to Kjipuktuk (Halifax) for school, trading in the hustle and bustle of a big city for the ocean and salty air. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, with Honours in Environment, Sustainability and Society and Political Science, alongside a Master of Resource and Environmental Management. Megan has always had a love for the natural world and biodiversity, which was strengthened further during her internship with Nature Conservancy of Canada. Before joining the Nature Trust team, Megan supported the establishment of the first Mi’kmaw-led land trust in Nova Scotia – one of the first Indigenous-led land trusts in Canada! – which is an experience that she is immensely proud and honoured to have been a part of. When Megan is not working, you can find her exploring with her dogs, at the barn riding her horse, or cuddled up with a book.

megan*nsnt.ca

Keith Spafford

Landowner Outreach Lead

Keith hails from the South Shore of Nova Scotia where a passion for wild places and the species that inhabit them was instilled at an early age. He has spent most of the past decade in sales for the marine science sector where he worked closely with researchers to plan and implement marine species tracking projects. He is excited to be able to apply these skills to the work of the Nature Trust. He holds an undergraduate degree from St. Francis Xavier University. When not at work he can be found scouring remote streams for brook trout or exploring with wife Amanda, his two daughters, Maggie and Isabelle, and his boisterous black lab Finnigan.

keith*nsnt.ca

Kerry Tench

Advisor, Leadership Giving

Kerry is a lifelong Nova Scotian and has always felt deeply connected to our province’s natural beauty. Growing up in a small town, she spent much of her childhood camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and enjoying our stunning beaches. Kerry finds peace in hiking less-traveled wooded areas and coastlines, enjoying the beauty of untouched landscapes, and she enjoys identifying local native species and gardening in her spare time. With a strong background in fundraising, she has spent her career building positive community relationships and raising awareness and funds for various causes close to her heart. When she’s not working, Kerry and her husband Rae can usually be found in a hockey rink watching their youngest son Marcus or walking and swimming at beaches and barbecuing with their children, Deanne, Bradley, Matt, and grandson Mehki.

kerry*nsnt.ca

Anna Weinstein

Marketing & Communications Lead

Anna left Nova Scotia at age 7 and ranged across the U.S., Europe, India, and Central America before returning home in 2010. Her background first in music and later in Media, Peace & Conflict has somehow resulted in a career in communications, focused on environmental organizations and the wider non-profit community. She also spent twelve summers leading outdoor leadership programs for children and adults in Nova Scotia, Colorado, and France. She’s delighted to use her skills to support the work of the Nature Trust – and to help show off the amazing variety of wild places we have right here at home.

anna*nsnt.ca

Rosetta Schoonhoven

Content & Marketing Specialist

Rosetta grew up on a small hobby farm nestled in the South Mountain region of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. From an early age, she developed a deep love for nature and filmmaking. Over time her storytelling has become deeply intertwined with her dedication to capturing the beauty of Nova Scotia’s natural landscapes, its diverse wildlife, and the people who forge connections with its wild spaces. Rosetta earned a degree in Business Management with a focus on sustainability from Dalhousie University, complemented by a Film Production certificate from Toronto Metropolitan University. In her free time, she can be found kayaking along Nova Scotia’s waterways, photographing bumblebees, and reading.

Nick Wilkinson

Database Coordinator

Nick 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, taking photographs or playing music.

nick*nsnt.ca

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