From the very moment Virginia Olsen pulls her paddle back in a J-stroke and the canoe cuts through the water, she finds herself unwinding in the peace and quiet. She has dedicated her career to advocating for the natural world; now that she is retired, she continues to ground herself in it, and support it further as a monthly donor and volunteer for the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

Originally from Kingston, Ontario, Virginia grew up canoeing, climbing up trees, and collecting cool bugs. This love for nature never left her, as it went on to guide her choice of an Environmental Science degree and a career of over 30 years in environmental program management, education, policy and advocacy. Having relocated to Nova Scotia from Ontario in 2007, Virginia has come to call the province her home and to care deeply for its wild places.

In retirement, Virginia is supporting local and global environmental work with her time, and as a monthly donor in the case of the Nature Trust. She is very grateful for the privilege of being able to give back to important work she believes in and enjoys supporting.

“I donate regularly to a couple of environmental nonprofits. Each one plays an important role in the protection of the environment.  One of the reasons I donate to the Nature Trust is because their work results in tangible environmental protection now and forever. Wilderness in Nova Scotia brings me comfort and hope when environmental problems seem overwhelming to me. Paddling a canoe on a lake surrounded by forest re-energizes me and allows me to continue hoping for a healthy planet. “

Virginia trusts the Nature Trust as an organization and recommends that anyone who loves nature and wants to try to help nature or have an impact locally to consider joining the Nature Trust in their mission of protecting the most ecologically important places in this beautiful province we all call home.

Thank you to Virginia for sharing her inspiration, and for her support of nature! Learn more about our monthly giving community of NatureMakers.