In the context of Canada, Nova Scotia is pretty small. Less than 600 kilometres in length and a little more than 100 wide, it juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, saved from being an island by a narrow strip of land - with the wonderful name of the Isthmus of Chignecto - that connects it to New Brunswick and the rest of the vast Canadian landmass.
Yet despite this physical connection, Nova Scotia feels lifetimes away from the busy hubs of Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Nowhere are you far from wilderness that has been unchanged for centuries, and this is best experienced on the coast.
Despite its small size, the province is blessed with 7,500 kilometres of coastline and almost 4,000 coastal islands. As well as offering stunning vistas, this has created unique habitat for flora and fauna, so when I learned of the efforts of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust to protect large areas of this land, I was eager to offer my support.
It began by telling the story of Paul Gauthier, a highly successful tech entrepreneur and passionate environmentalist, whose donation as the catalyst for the 100 Wild Islands campaign to protect the archipelago along the Eastern Shore that has been largely untouched since the last Ice Age.
https://www.100wildislands.ca/#welcome
Enthused by the response to Paul’s story, our team was asked to produce another film to showcase Rogue’s Roost, an iconic and much-loved wilderness, close to the village of Prospect, with a colourful history of privateering, and now a haven for sailors.
Combining intimate shots of some of the plants to be found on shore with spectacular aerial shots of the location, we were able to capture the beauty of Rogue’s Roost and help promote the valuable work of the Nature Trust.
Just recently, I took my daughter and friend Carmen - visiting from the UK - on a canoeing trip into Rogue’s Roost. A spectacular late summer day, we explored the open water and the hidden back channels almost alone. It was Carmen’s first time in a canoe and she was blown away by the experience and the beauty of our surroundings.
I have always tried to view where I live through the eyes of a visitor, to try to retain an appreciation for the natural environment around me. With regular visits from friends and family giving me the opportunity to share some of my favourite places with them, this has not been hard to do, but every time I get out to the Nova Scotia coastline, I try to see it with fresh eyes.
Having lived by the sea my whole life, it is hard to be away from it for too long, and as soon as I reconnect, it has a rejuvenating effect. I will never become complacent of our need to keep protecting our natural environment. In a time where the societal pressures and the challenges of mental health continue to mount, these spaces - especially the coastlines that give us a connection with the ocean - are ever more critical to help us keep life in balance.