Norm and Sue Green
Norm and Sue Green in the field at Kejimkujik National Park © Parks Canada
Norm and Sue Green are highly skilled and dedicated volunteers. Several years ago, they were inducted into the Volunteer Walk of Honour and presented with Kejimkujik National Park (NP) and National Historic Site’s (NHS) Lifetime Achievement Award for volunteers. This honour reflects the high regard in which Parks’ staff, visitors and other volunteers hold them, not only for generously donating their time since 1997, but also in sharing their enthusiasm, and inspiring and mentoring other volunteers. They are passionate about volunteering and helping endangered species like the Blanding’s turtle and the piping plover, and they want to ensure that people continue to enjoy the park for many generations.
“Medicine for the soul” is how they describe the two distinct areas of Kejimkujik NP & NHS, Seaside and Inland. The Inland area is the only national park also designated as a national historic site for its cultural and historical value, specifically with respect to the First Nations of Nova Scotia known as the Mi’kmaq.
Norm and Sue love being outdoors, walking in the bush, canoeing, and having an opportunity to work with great staff and volunteer colleagues. Sue loves working with people and animals and considers it a privilege to volunteer in a national park, while Norm’s focus is to “leave this earth better for my having been here”.
Over the years, their volunteer activities have been varied. Among others, they help monitor various species such as the loon, the Blanding’s turtle and the piping plover. They also contribute to maintaining and improving the park by taking part in bi-annual clean-ups and tree planting initiatives.
Norm and Sue are part of a large group of distinguished park volunteers. The Volunteer Walk of Honour, which they helped to implement, is a trail beside the Visitor Reception Centre “paved” with granite stones that honour many volunteers. Each of the 60 stones bears the name of a volunteer that has made a significant contribution.
In recognition of their long standing involvement, Norm and Sue are among the 100 volunteers recognized by Parks Canada, as part of its centennial, for their exceptional contribution.