January 12, 2023
Dear Members of CARP Nova Scotia,
As Chair of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP-NS), I am pleased to provide an update regarding the evolution of our Environment Committee.
The Environment Committee was initially established in 2010 as a made-in-Nova Scotia response to CARP’s national priority on encouraging healthy lifestyles amongst seniors, in part through promotion of walking and hiking in outdoor settings. This priority interest soon expanded to identifying trails and parks where outdoor activities could be accessed and enjoyed, and in turn to a growing understanding and appreciation of the role of Nova Scotia’s parks, nature reserves and wilderness areas in protecting our natural environment.
More broadly, we are all aware that the environment has emerged as a predominant issue and concern, not only globally as we see and hear almost every day in the media but also provincially and locally based on direct observation and experience within our communities and daily lives. As seniors (or as members approaching senior years), our thoughts therefore increasingly turn to the environmental legacy that our generation will leave to our grandchildren and those that follow.
In recognition of the environmental challenges ahead and following a slowdown of activity during the height of COVID, the Environment Committee has undergone a process of re-building through the addition of new members, who are contributing added perspectives and energies. A particular priority of the renewal process has been the updating and refinement of the Committee’s mandate, through the adoption of statement of mission and vision which can be viewed immediately below.
This effort is supported by the Board, and members are invited to provide any feedback that you may wish to offer. James Boyer or Dale Smith (environment@carpnovascotia.ca), as co-chairs, will be pleased to receive any comments or questions that may be advanced.
By way of introductions, bios of current committee members can be accessed by scrolling further down.
Regards and best wishes for the New Year.
Ron Swan, President/Chairman of the Board
CARP Nova Scotia Chapter
James was the founding member of the Environment Committee and current Chair. James had a distinguished career as an educator for 32 years. He has a Masters of Education from MSVU, an Education Degree from Acadia, and a Bachelor Degree in Arts from Trent University. James is a founding member of the Friends of BMBCLS and a long-time supporter of EAC. James is a proud father and outdoor enthusiast. He is concerned for the marginal groups that will suffer the most during our climate crisis. He hopes a cultural paradigm shift will occur that views clean air and water as basic human rights for all.
Having retired as the founding director of Nova Scotia’s Protected Areas Program, Dale has remained engaged in a wide variety of related public policy and planning initiatives. Following his return to the province from Ontario where he attended university and began his career, he played a direct role in essentially all facets of provincial parks and protected areas planning during his tenure with the provincial civil service. As a volunteer since retirement, he has continued to pursue his many interests ranging from environmental conservation to community development. Dale attended Lakehead, Guelph, Waterloo and Dalhousie universities, where he studied geography, land use planning and public administration. He is the proud father of two children and grandfather of five. Originally from Smithville, a rural community near Mabou on Cape Breton Island, Dale now resides in HRM.
Carol has carried an active concern for the harm humans are doing to the natural world since she heard the original Club of Rome folks present ‘The Limits to Growth’ (Montreal 1974). She has recycled –and supported many environmental causes– since then, though she’s not yet a vegetarian! Starting working life as a computer programmer, her later training was in real estate appraisal and then experience in community development with the City of Halifax. Since 1983, she’s lived in West Hants, working on permaculture and improving the natural habitat on her small acreage. She networks with many organizations, locally CAPE (Citizens Acting to Protect the Environment), Don’t Spray Nova Scotia, and KAIROS (Canadian churches working for ecological justice and human rights)
Prior to retirement, Susan enjoyed a long career in public and post-secondary education during which she fulfilled a variety of teaching and administrative roles and published a number of professional articles and books. Her involvement in many efforts to effect systemic change led her to complete a doctoral degree with a focus on organizational change and leadership. She is acutely aware of the urgent need for action to address the existential threat of climate change and biodiversity loss but is cognizant of the socio-economic, cultural, and institutional practices that impede efforts to protect our fragile and precious natural environment. Participation on this committee reflects her desire to contribute her knowledge, skills, and prior experiences to positive advocacy and action.
Alan is a filmmaker with a keen interest in First Nations culture and the teaching of Albert Marshall, a respected Mi’kmaw Elder whose concept of two-eyed seeing recognizes the strength of Indigenous ways of knowing and the strength of Western science and uses both competencies together. Alan’s documentaries include “The Beauty of my People” (NFB) on the life and work of Ojibway artist Arthur Shilling, “October Stranger” based on the writings of George Kenny, Ojibway poet and “Climate Rebellion, Halifax Canada” about the 2019 Halifax Climate Strike, awarded Best Short Documentary, China Canada Film Festival, 2021.
With more than thirty years of professional experience in both the public and private sectors, Mr. Morrison has provided senior leadership, advice and corporate direction in the natural resource and energy sectors in environmental planning and sustainable development.
He has managed and directed environmental assessments of major natural resource development projects and development planning assignments at the community level across Canada. He has also advised on mega energy projects in the oil sands and others of varying scales, extending from the Canadian Arctic to the Caribbean. Subsequently, he served as Vice-Chair of National Initiatives Advisory Committee of the Canadian Institute of Planners and on the Board of Directors for the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.
In his recent practice, he manages Sustainability North Inc., a consultancy offering advisory services to government and industry in ESG performance metrics and baselines, risk management, climate change planning and mitigation in the transition to a low carbon economy. Mr. Morrison holds a Masters in Environment Studies, Bachelor of Science in Geography, and a Diploma in Forest Technology. His previous professional memberships include the Canadian Institute of Planners, Alberta Professional Planners Institute and International Society of Sustainability Professionals.
This environment CARP member has been a lifetime gardener and a sporadic field tramper who wishes that the flora, fauna, and the forests fair better than the present conditions allow. Some things in life are not replaceable. The outdoors provides us an opportunity for better physical and mental health. She welcomes the opportunity to help the environment in some small way.
Ann-Noreen Norton was a career educator and community supporter. Early work included psychological assessments, curriculum development, and an interest in neurology to understand how we process language, symbols, and learning differences. With an undergraduate degree at St. F.X. and graduate degrees at Dalhousie, she continued her studies in the United States in law and administration coursework. All these learning experiences encouraged creativity and independent thought. Along the way friends were made, challenges met, and many things were learned.
Violet began her artistic career as a textile artist, apprenticing with the indigenous people in Mexico and Guatemala. Her scarves and shawls were sold at exclusive boutiques on Madison Avenue and at the department store, Bonwit Teller in New York. Her tapestries explored colour, texture and abstraction. Upon graduating with a BFA in 1989 from Concordia University in Montreal, she became a painter. After completing her B Ed at McGill University as an art specialist, Violet taught mostly art for twenty years in the public school system, first in Toronto at Jarvis Collegiate Institute and then in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Violet creates mixed media abstract paintings and enjoys plein air painting as well. She has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Quebec, Ontario and now in Nova Scotia. She gives Multimedia Painting courses at Craft NS as well as teaching painting for HRM.
Paul left Nova Scotia Environment Department in 2015 after 37 years of service. He served as manager in various positions during the last 17 years with the province. Staff training, public education and Nova Scotia Youth Conservation were some of the areas he managed.
Paul has a Master’s in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier university. Currently completing a graduate certificate in theology at Atlantic School of Theology.
Paul currently works as coordinator/advisor to Pitu’paq Partnership Society. Pitu’paq brings First Nation and municipal Councillors together every month to protect the Bras d’Or Lakes watershed.
Wendy is always thinking of new ideas to improve our community. Wendy worked as a Community Nutritionist for the Department of Health and later as a library technician in several local schools. Appreciation of nature, birdwatching, and the outdoors are passions of Wendy and her late husband Dr Bob McDonald. Travelling is a pastime, always with a focus on nature and biodiversity.
Wendy is involved in many community groups and organizations: Friends of Blue Mountain Society; Nova Scotia Nature Trust, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Hike Nova Scotia as well the more recent Bird Friendly Halifax Coalition and the HRM Seniors Recreation Strategy.
Wendy’s 18 year involvement with the Halifax North West Trails Association helped connect neighbourhoods and community and was the first connection with CARP by way of trail promotion and nature walks. The Environment Committee is another good fit for Wendy.
Wendy recently received the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal from her MLA.
