Linda Stephenson had no plans to become one of the longest-serving pillars in the environmental community.
But 23 years later, she is filled with mixed emotions as she retires from the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC).
“It’s been a tremendously satisfying career,” Stephenson said in a recent phone interview ahead of her retirement.
Stephenson got involved with the national charity back in 1998. She was working with at-risk youth at the time — a career she said she was quite content with.
That is when her father, who had recently retired, came to her desk with a job ad for the Nature Conservancy.
“He came back every day for a week with photocopies of that ad, so being the dutiful daughter, I submitted my application,” said Stephenson. “Lo and behold, two months later, I was called for an initial interview.”
Linda Stephenson. (Image: Submitted/Nature Conservancy of Canada)
She first began heading up the charity’s work in Atlantic Canada. Most recently, she has been vice-president of regional operations, overseeing all 10 provinces.
Stephenson said she has had the chance to meet many incredible people during her career.
“I had the opportunity to work with folks who I would consider to be land rich and cash poor who have entrusted Nature Conservancy of Canada with the most valuable asset they own because they treasured their land and they wanted to ensure it was protected,” she said.
During Stephenson’s time with the organization, NCC has created more than 100 nature reserves in Atlantic Canada.
There have been a total of 458 conservation projects, including 142 land donations, placing 86,300 acres of habitat into permanent conservation status.
“I’m very aware that there aren’t a lot of people that can actually walk on land that they had a role in saving forever,” said Stephenson.
“As with any job, there have been times that there’s been pressure, there’s been stress, there’s been frustration. I find that if I can make my way to one of our natural areas and find a rock to sit on, preferably some ocean to gaze out over, everything is OK.”
(Image: Submitted/Nature Conservancy of Canada)
Stephenson said her all-time favourite conservation project is the Johnson’s Mills Shorebird Reserve near Dorchester, N.B., and the interpretive centre that opened there in 2000.
“Thousands of visitors flock here each year to marvel at the shorebirds that feast and rest at the protected area before continuing their migration to South America,” she said.
After recently turning 65, Stephenson said she felt now was the right time to step aside and let some of the “incredible young talent” carry on the work that has been done so far.
While she is no longer be employed by the organization, Stephenson said she plans to remain a donor and do some consulting work.
She encourages others in the community to consider donating land or money to the charity.
“Any gift or support is of tremendous support to the Nature Conservancy of Canada,” said Stephenson.
