Sue first became involved with the Nature Trust not long before the Inspired by Nature 30th anniversary gala, after returning from a trip to British Columbia. “It’s so beautiful out there,” she reflected, “but I came back and thought — we have something extraordinary here in Nova Scotia too. We can’t take it for granted.” Wanting to contribute, she reached out to the Nature Trust and met with the team, offering her support. “It was perfect timing,” she said. “They were organizing the gala, and when I heard about the art gallery component, I immediately said I’d love to help.”

Sue helped bring together six artists in her network to donate artwork that beautifully captured the essence of the Nature Trust’s mission. Many of these artists were personal contacts she had met through a plein-air painting group based out of Lunenburg. 

“I’ve had good connections with this group,” she said, “and I’ve found they’re always willing to contribute their work to important causes.” That spirit of generosity and shared love for nature shone through in the gallery, which featured pieces that reflected Nova Scotia’s landscapes, wildlife, and coastal beauty. 

Beyond curating artist connections, Sue also helped secure a $10,000 sponsorship and even encouraged friends to purchase tables at the event. “A lot of those associations go back to my work life,” she said, referencing her career in human resources and career consulting. But art, she emphasized, is something she’s embraced more fully since retirement — particularly through her plein-air painting community. “It’s such a relaxing thing to do,” she said, “and I’ve met so many incredibly talented artists.”

For Sue, her love of nature is deeply personal. “I love being by the ocean,” she said. “Just last week, my husband and I went down to White Point Beach. We had one gorgeous day and lots of beach walks.” Her connection to the South Shore runs deep, though she didn’t grow up there; her parents retired to Chester, and she’s been spending time in the area ever since. Today, she and her husband have a cottage there, where they spend time year-round.

“Nova Scotia feeds my soul,” she said. “I’ve lived in big cities —  Toronto, London and Edinburgh, but I don’t want that anymore. I just want the quiet. The birds. The woods. The sea.” She added that this connection to place is part of what motivates her to give back. “I have four grandchildren. I want there to be a beautiful, healthy province for them to enjoy — and for everyone who comes after us.” This is a driving motivator for her growing commitment to help protect natural landscapes and her involvement with the Nature Trust.

One of the standout moments from organizing the gallery, she recalled, was connecting with artist Shannon Carla King, who recently moved to Nova Scotia from Alberta. “Her gallery is in Indian Point near our cottage, and I knew her art focused on preservation and conservation.” Sue reached out, and Shannon was thrilled to be involved — so much so that she created a painting specifically for the gala, mailing it in from Alberta just in time.  

In attending the gala and seeing the auction come together, Sue said “I was so impressed by all twenty pieces donated to the art auction and by the whole gala. It was wonderful to be involved in this stellar event.”

Looking back, Sue says she hopes to continue volunteering with the Nature Trust. “This kind of work matters,” For her, it is about more than one event — it’s about the future of this province, the land, the people, and the generations to come.

Thank you to Sue for her support! Learn more about our volunteer opportunities.