Nova Scotia Nature Trust
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We are a Canadian charity dedicated to educating and encouraging land owners to preserve land in Nova Scotia, building awareness of land conservation, land purchase, provide permanent conservation stewardship.
- Income
- $13.2 million
- Spending
- $10.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 23 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 391
- Highest pay
- $121,715, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $8.8 million spent. Land Stewardship and Conservation: - Purchased 14 properties for $4,770,052 plus a donated value of $1,432,712 - Reeceived 4 donations with a value of $751,460 - Land securement expenses totalled $781,081 - The Nature Trust managed a foundation grant including funds for conservation partners. The amount transferred to partners was $1,045,752.An additional $53,932 was expended on a national urban park project. Please refer to Note 15 of the audited financial statements. Currency exchange rates used in Form 990 and Schedules $1Cnd=$0.6956US for bal sheet amts (exch rate @ Mar31, 2025) $1Cdn=$0.7191US for inc stmt amts (avg rate Apr/24-Mar/25)
- $343,731 spent. Land Stewardship: We have a program of ongoing stewardship and management to ensure that the natural values of these lands are protected in perpetuity. We have a scientific advisory engaged in monitoring, restoration, and hands-on habitat and species stewardship.
- $425,398 spent. Environment Education, Outreach and Special Projects The Nature Trust has an ongoing program of education aimed specifically at owners of ecologically significant lands, encouraging them to protect natural areas on their lands.We also provide education aimed at recreational users of priority habitats aimed at reducing threats and impacts on these natural areas, and broader public education aimed at increasing awareness and support.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.