John Caraberis, Atlantic regional board member (Photo courtesy of John Caraberis)

John Caraberis

Volunteer, Nature Conservancy of Canada

John Caraberis is a passionate supporter and volunteer of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) mission in Nova Scotia.

When he is not operating his export-based business in Pugwash, John is active on the ground in Cumberland County helping identifying additional donors and properties along the Pugwash River Estuary, where NCC currently protects 1,030 acres (417 hectares).

He is also involved in stewardship work, such as joining NCC staff on visits to properties for their baseline inventories of species and during Conservation Volunteers events, such as the removal of glossy buckthorn, an invasive species that outcompetes native trees if left unchecked.

John has previously served on the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Atlantic Regional Board of Directors.

He enjoys being close to the land and believes strongly in protecting areas of key habitat and ecological significance.

"Each of us has a responsibility to do what we personally can to leave our planet in a better condition than when we arrived. The work NCC does to support species and sustain large wilderness areas, coastal areas and wetlands is ensuring these areas remain natural for us and for the species who count on them as places to live," says John.

A well-respected business person, John co-owns Basic Spirit, a company that handcrafts fine pewter giftware and wholesales throughout North America. He also used to farm and holds a BA in Anthropology.