Bob and Wendy McDonald arrived in Nova Scotia in 1975 when Bob began teaching at Mount Saint Vincent University. At the time, they were simply hoping to learn more about the province, but they ended up getting involved in conservation groups such as the Nova Scotia Bird Society and  the Halifax Field Naturalists, participating in outings and citizen science projects. They were involved in the early days of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust and in the mid-90s Bob, along with the Halifax Field Naturalists, helped to cover legal and survey costs for the protection of an early Nature Trust property.  In recent years, ownership of several properties including Port Joli and some bird islands were transferred from the Bird Society Sanctuary Trust land holdings to the Nova Scotia Nature Trust, again through Bob’s forward planning. In addition to being donors, they eagerly organized and joined bioblitzes, guided walks, and property monitoring.

Although the Nature Trust has grown significantly since those early days, Wendy and her late husband Bob, who passed in 2021, remained deeply connected through their long history and continued involvement. Together they supported the Nature Trust as Champions of the Wild, Legacy Circle Members, and dedicated volunteers and Wendy is now an office volunteer (as well as remaining a Champion and Legacy Circle member).

Both Wendy and Bob were passionate about their work as citizen scientists. Observing and recording species through platforms like iNaturalist and eBird has allowed them to contribute to a broader understanding of how ecosystems change over time. For them, it has always been about slowing down, noticing the details, and learning from experts on biology, plants, coastal floral and so much more. Over the years they built a life here in what they now considered their home province. This is where they raised their two sons and encouraged them and two grandchildren to appreciate the outdoors, passing on a love of learning about nature across generations.

As Legacy Circle members and Champions of the Wild, Bob and Wendy also embraced new ways of giving. While they were never in a position to donate land themselves, they found other meaningful ways to support conservation. For instance, they were excited to learn about the significant tax benefits received by donating stocks/mutual funds instead of the more common type of donation via credit card or cheque which uses ‘after-tax’ dollars. They learned that any capital gains tax on stocks donated to the Trust was eliminated. This allowed them to increase the impact of their contributions. With these tax advantages, they’ve been able to continue giving, helping the Nature Trust protect land for future generations.

Wendy notes, “One important point I would like to share is the value of discussing the options with a knowledgeable financial planner, especially around the idea of donating securities/stocks directly to the charity. We didn’t know about this in the early days, but learning about it more recently has been a positive thing and has allowed us to make larger donations. We paid less tax, and had a significant impact on conservation, a win win!”

For Bob and Wendy, the motivation was simple: ensuring that more of Nova Scotia’s landscapes are preserved, forever. They saw their role as part of a continuum of learning from others, giving what they can, and inspiring younger generations to carry the torch of conservation.

Wendy agrees with the idea that, over a lifetime, whether your contributions are small or large, they matter. Each gift helps unlock more potential, helps protect wild places for the future and creates lasting change now and over the decades.

Learn more about the tax advantages to donating stocks/securities/mutual funds, or about becoming a Champion of the Wild or Legacy Circle member by contacting Barbara at barbara@nsnt.ca.