Harold had always felt at home in the woods and on the water. A childhood shaped by Boy Scouts and canoe trips led to a career in forestry and mining. But years later, after thirteen seasons sailing up and down in the Caribbean and then upon returning to Canada, sailing the St. John River during their retirement, Harold and Diane Clapp returned to land life with a clear desire to give back. Their time on the sea and the St. John River reminded them of how precious and vulnerable wild spaces are.

For Harold and Diane, it started with a Nature NS meeting about at-risk species in Cornwallis. They left that day inspired, especially by the plight of turtles and other species at risk. That inspiration grew into action, and over the years, they monitored turtles, snakes, lichens, and coastal plain flora. What began with turtles has since taken them deep into the world of mosses, lichens, and forest stewardship. This eventually led them to begin volunteering as Property Guardians with the Nova Scotia Nature Trust.

Over 20 years, their roles evolved alongside their passions. They care for two properties, including Little Annapolis Lake and the newly protected Lynch Lake, a 400-acre landscape surrounding the entire lake basin. As a trained forestry technician, Harold keeps a close eye on land use and conservation practices. 

Their volunteer work isn’t always glamorous, and for Harold and Diane, that’s a good sign. The most memorable moments often come from what doesn’t happen—no major incidents, just a quiet, thriving ecosystem. Still, there are exciting possibilities. They hope to one day discover Black Ash or rare lichen species at Lynch Lake and keep an eye to the ground for a potential chance encounter.

For Harold, learning never stopped. A week-long moss identification course at Acadia University, a bioblitz in the wilderness, and collaborations with renowned lichenologists like Frances Anderson and Troy McMullin have opened up a whole new micro-world. He now spends hours at his microscope identifying specimens, contributing to research, and occasionally helping publish new species discoveries in North America. Some lichens they’ve found may even be un-described by science and he sends samples to experts for verification, always hungry for more knowledge.

While Harold dives into research, Diane brings her own artistry to nature. She’s deeply involved in turtle conservation and joins Harold at Little Annapolis. Her passion lies in plant-based dyes, photography, and fabric arts, and enjoys finding creative ways to reflect the natural beauty she helps protect as a property guardian.

Together, they share a deep love for nature and while their activities outdoors may differ, their purpose is shared. Their commitment remains rooted in a hope that more of Nova Scotia’s land will be protected, They believe organizations like the Nature Trust play a crucial role especially in protecting private lands and critical habitats. For Harold and Diane, this work is about more than volunteering. It’s a lifelong relationship with the land that has evolved into volunteering to monitor protected lands, one step (and lichen sample) at a time.

Thank you to Harold and Diane for their volunteer contributions! Learn more about our volunteer Property Guardians.