Kristian grew up in New Ross, a small rural community in Nova Scotia, where his connection to nature was nurtured from an early age. He recognizes the influence of his family, including his mother and her gardens, in shaping his appreciation for the natural world. Growing and caring for plants began with her, laying the foundation for his deep sense of environmental stewardship. Their home was always surrounded by lush, vibrant vegetable and flower gardens, giving him a hands-on connection to the earth and an understanding of the importance of nurturing life. His grandfather—a hunter, trapper, and Christmas tree farmer—depended on the land for his livelihood, instilling in the family a deep respect for nature. Kristian’s father introduced him to fishing, an activity that became a cherished outdoor pastime of his. As he grew older, he ventured into the wilderness on his own, spending hours hiking along the Gold River and uncovering hidden spots along its banks.

Kristian started following the Nova Scotia Nature Trust on social media. Inspired to combine his interest in the outdoors with taking action to protect natural spaces in the face of climate change, he decided to get involved as a volunteer Property Guardian. After signing up, he attended a couple of different training sessions which he found was a wonderful way to meet like-minded folks with similar interests and passion for the outdoors.

He’s now the Property Guardian for the Hardwood Lake Conservation Lands, a protected area just a short drive from his childhood home. The proximity allows him to visit the site frequently, integrating his conservation work with spending time with family.

At the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, we continually strive to adopt new technology that supports conservation efforts in the province. One example of such a technology is LENS, a high-resolution satellite imagery system used for remotely monitoring changes in landscapes; it is a powerful resource for environmental management. With this technology, volunteers like Kristian can remotely detect variations in the environment over time, such as tree falls, burned areas, ATV trails, or even large debris on shorelines that can be flagged and built into planned visits by Nature Trust stewardship staff or other Property Guardians.

Kristian compares LENS to Google Maps but with much greater resolution, allowing for detailed observations. He finds it exciting to analyze satellite images and identify significant environmental changes. Whether spotting windfall damage or locating unknown features, the technology provides a new dimension to conservation work. Even in the cold winter months, when field visits are difficult or impossible, Kristian finds it rewarding to steward land from the comfort of his home.

Initially, Kristian saw his role as a Property Guardian as a small way to give back. However, over time it has become a source of immense pride and fulfillment. His involvement has deepened his connection to nature, reinforcing his values and sense of purpose. What started as a volunteer opportunity has evolved into an integral part of his identity, aligning with his personal beliefs and desire to make a meaningful impact by conserving natural landscapes across Nova Scotia.

Thank you to Kristian for his amazing volunteer effort to help us take this initiative forward! If you’re inspired to get involved, learn more about our Property Guardians program.