By Andrew Robinson, Nature Trust Volunteer Writer

For 20 years, Fred and Nancy Chipman have been keen supporters of the Nature Trust. As Fred recently noted, “The Nature Trust does phenomenal work. We love the fact that this is a Nova Scotia organization, preserving Nova Scotian lands in perpetuity.”

Fred and Nancy both grew up with the outdoors as their playground. “I grew up in Bedford, which was a very different place back in the 1940’s,” said Fred. “The woods were a block away and we had a place right on the water. I always loved being outdoors.” Nancy’s family moved to rural Cape Breton soon after the war, and she recalls riding in a neighbour’s cart home from school, and playing in the fields on their old farm. She recalls, “Later, I was a Guide leader, and Fred was in Scouts and a love of nature started early for us.”

It was Fred’s father, Curtis, who got the couple interested in the work of the Nature Trust. He had been a donor and member right from the earliest days of the Trust back in 1994. Fred and Nancy started supporting the Nature Trust soon afterwards and their love of nature has now been passed on to the next two generations—to their own children who are now sharing this with their families.

Fred and Nancy have lived in Wolfville for over 50 years and when the Nature Trust started a project to protect the Wolfville Watershed, they were inspired to make their first major donation. Recently, Fred and Nancy recognized the Nature Trust’s need for unrestricted, ongoing support and signed up as Guardians of the Land. They were also inspired by the 100 Wild Islands campaign. As Fred suggested, “If anyone has a question about the impact of the Nature Trust’s work, I would simply say, go to the 100 Wild Islands. Look around at the natural beauty. That’s what a donation dollar buys.”

From their early days when they would take their children canoeing to backcountry camps, Fred and Nancy developed a special passion for Kejimkujik. “We haven’t done that as often lately,” Nancy reminisces, “But we plan to stay in a Keji yurt and rent a canoe there this year for a day paddle. As we get older, the type of involvement we can have with the Nature Trust and the outdoors has changed. Reduced mobility keeps us from helping with the physical activities but we can help financially. I would encourage everyone to give in their own way to help the Nature Trust protect and preserve Nova Scotia’s unique habitats and natural landscapes while we still can. When they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Discover more about our Guardians of the Land program here, or contact Barbara Haley for more information.