Linda Stephenson

Linda Stephenson joined the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in November of 1998, with the responsibility of establishing an office for Atlantic Canada in Fredericton. More than a decade later, in addition to Fredericton, NCC has staff throughout the region, in Charlottetown, St. John’s, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Halifax, Amherst and Moncton.

Under Linda's leadership, NCC in Atlantic Canada has grown and thrived, with land conservation advancing by leaps and bounds, attracting the positive attention and support of government, corporations, foundations and individuals. This was evidenced during the successful conclusion of NCC’s Campaign for Conservation in 2005, when the Atlantic Region exceeded its $10-million goal by 40 per cent.

Linda considers the non-profit sector her "sweet spot" and has worked for NGOs since the mid-1980s. Her first exposure to the sector was with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Her career has included work with persons with disabilities at the Canadian Paraplegic Association and with youth at risk at Street Outreach Services and the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Brunswick. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre and is a member of the South Central NB Forestry Working Group.

According to Linda, a rewarding career in conservation was inevitable, having been raised by parents who considered Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring necessary reading for their two daughters.