All seasons of life and adventures: Barry Spencer

02 Apr 2026

In anticipation of a new season in life, where he will be retiring from his career as a high school teacher, Barry Spencer has reflected on one of the things that really means a lot to him, which is the preservation of nature. It seemed natural to find an organization like the Nature Trust as a way to give back.

Rooted in community: Hilary and Meghan Marentette

26 Feb 2026

The Marentette family’s journey with the Nature Trust began in the spring of 2023, when Hilary’s husband passed away and they generously set up a plan to donate a portion of his life insurance proceeds to the Nature Trust. Looking for a way to meet people and to build community, Meghan gently nudged her mother to get in touch with the organization.

Building a Relationship With the Wild: Ciaran’s Journey

02 Feb 2026

When Ciaran Purdome moved from out West, they quickly noticed how differently access to public land was here. In Nova Scotia, exploring nature required more intention; their search led them to the Nature Trust and the Wilderness Property Guardian program.

Paddling With Purpose: Sarah De Coutere

28 Nov 2025

Becoming a Property Guardian has given Sarah De Coutere a protective lens over this place she calls home on the Eastern Shore; as she puts it, “they’re my islands to look after now.”

Sarah Hudgins: Finding a Different Perspective

03 Nov 2025

For Sarah, volunteering as a Wilderness Property Guardian is an opportunity to explore places she'd never have known about otherwise - and to gain a new perspective to bring back to her work as a physician.

A compass set to acts of service: Marjan and Craig Willett

01 Oct 2025

For Marjan and Craig Willett, adventure and service have always gone hand in hand. From running a native plant nursery in rural Ontario to traveling widely with their family, they’ve carried with them a spirit of exploration and a commitment to giving back. When they retired to Nova Scotia, they found a natural way to continue that spirit of service to the place they now call home.

Small, quiet acts of care: Kim McCallum

02 Sep 2025

Kim McCallum finds volunteering as a Property Guardian restorative: it allows her to give back to her community without a direct public facing role, but by doing the behind the scene work that needs to be done to help protect somewhere precious and dear to her and others.

Twenty Years in the Wild: Harold and Diane Clapp

01 Aug 2025

For over 20 years, Harold and Diane Clapp have protected Nova Scotia’s wild places—starting with turtles and evolving into forest stewardship.

From Curiosity to Conservation: Erica Traversy and Chris Dolliver

02 Jul 2025

When Erica Traversy moved to Nova Scotia in 2021, she struggled to identify which coastal areas were open to the public. Her search for accessible hiking and paddling routes led her to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, and led her and her partner to volunteer as Property Guardians.

Guardians of the Forest: Kathy Aldous and Susan Kregling

29 May 2025

Kathy Aldous and Susan Kregling met through mutual friends about ten years ago. “We hit it off immediately,” Kathy recalls. Their friendship deepened through regular walks in the woods near their homes. So when Susan learned the Nova Scotia Nature Trust had acquired the forest near her property, she didn’t hesitate. She invited Kathy to join her in becoming a Property Guardian. “We love walking together. This would be a great fit,” they both agreed.