Our team

The Blomidon Naturalists Society is managed by a volunteer executive and board of directors elected by our membership at our annual general meeting in November of each year. We also employ staff to support administration and programming, and work on various projects. As the needs of nature education and conservation grow, we are growing and evolving into a more complex organization doing diverse work. We currently have various committees comprised of staff, volunteers, community members, and Directors.
 
We are so grateful for all the volunteers, past, present and future who make the work of the BNS possible!

Board & Staff

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Soren Bondrup-Nielsen

President. Soren was born in Denmark, but at thirteen, his family emigrated to Canada. Growing up in the country, he was immersed in the outdoors, and this influenced his choice of recreation, activity and profession. He was a professor of biology at Acadia University for 27 years, where he taught ecology and conservation biology.

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Carolyn Green

Vice-President; Butterflyway Committee Chair. After retiring from Dalhousie University (Architecture, Facilities Management) Carolyn obtained Master Gardener certification through the Truro Agricultural College programme. She is now combining this gardening expertise with a focus on the biodiversity crisis. Through the Butterflyway Project, she is educating and inspiring others to support wildlife and create natural landscapes in private and public gardens.

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Judy Lipp

Vice-President; Judy has served in the BNS board since 2019 and Directs Flying Squirrel Adventures, BNS’s Children and Youth nature Programming. She can often be found in Valley parks and trails with a group of excited children close at hand.

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Spencer Laing

Coordinator; Editor, E-Newsletter. Spencer Laing, is a performer, student, and nature advocate based in the Annapolis Valley. Their work focuses on finding ways to connect community, arts and the environment. When not working in a coffee shop or library, they can be found at home curled up with their cat.

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Doug Muldoon

Treasurer. Although now mostly retired, Doug was the Managing Partner and Creative Director of a BC based advertising and marketing agency that specialises in advertising and market development for natural and organic foods and natural health products. He is an avid cyclist, an outdoor enthusiast and is keenly passionate about nurturing our environment and all things organic.

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John Burka

Secretary; Representative of BNS to Nature Nova Scotia. John is Professor Emeritus in Veterinary Pharmacology at UPEI and has a passion for science literacy and protecting our environment.

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Alan Warner

Editor, Beyond the Tides; Communications & Protected Areas Committees Chair. Alan is Professor Emeritus in Community Development & ESST at Acadia University and a passionate environmental educator who has been involved in creating, leading and evaluating programs with all ages throughout his career.

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Alison Stuart

Director. Alison has a Ph.D in evolutionary biology and spent many years doing field work in North America and New Zealand. She is now a high school science teacher and believes in the power of engaging young people in science and social responsibility. She is the co-president of PA-MOJA, an organization that provides scholarships to secondary students in Kenya who live near the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in order to support wildlife conservation.

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Tim Burns

Director. Timothy Burns is an ecological farmer in Canning. He is very invested in practicing farming in a way that promotes biodiversity and improves the soils worked. He believes that we have all the resources we need here, human or otherwise to face the uncertain future ahead. In his free time, Tim loves to hike, bird, sail, cycle and build things. He has a BA in history from University of Kings College.

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Guy Stevens

Director. Guy Stevens is Chief Executive and Founder of the Manta Trust, a charity dedicated to the conservation of manta rays and their ocean habitats, with collaborative projects in over 25 countries. He has spent the last 20 years studying these rays all over the world and is one of the foremost experts on these species. He lives in Kentville with his family. In his spare time, Guy loves to get out into the natural world to walk, take photos of wildlife, and bird watch.

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Keltie MacNeil

Director. Keltie MacNeill (she/her) is the Director of Sustainability and Community Engagement at Benjamin Bridge, Nova Scotia's sparkling wine house, where she spent summers of her youth planting the first vines on the south-facing slopes of the Gaspereau Valley. Her current role focuses on advancing the winery's social, environmental, and corporate governance practices, which includes the winery's allyship with Glooscap First Nation, expanding biodiversity and land stewardship practices, as well as B Corp certification.

Want to get involved?

We are always keen on more helping hands. Please reach out with any questions or ideas.

Email

info@blomidonnaturalists.ca