An Environmental Rights Interview with Bob Bancroft
This interview is part of a series conducted by Maryjane Sexton—a law student at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University—who volunteered with East Coast Environmental Law during the 2024-2025 academic year and supported our environmental rights advocacy in Nova Scotia.
June 20, 2025
By Maryjane Sexton
Living through a triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and global pollution, Nova Scotians are feeling the effects through disastrous floods, destructive wildfire seasons, and the decline of culturally significant species.
Yet, there are dedicated individuals fighting for stronger environmental protections and justice across the province. One such individual is Bob Bancroft, a biologist and president of Nature Nova Scotia. Passionate about forestry and a staunch advocate for protecting Nova Scotia’s forests and wildlife, Bob follows his mantra: “You’ve got to walk the way you talk.” He has been involved in court cases on legal protections for species at risk and the delisting of Owl’s Head Provincial Park.
In January, Bob joined me on a Zoom call to discuss environmental issues, justice, and the need to recognize a human right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia.
Speaking from his home—surrounded by acres of land he and his wife share with the local flora and fauna—Bob’s video background displayed a sign reading, “Save Species at Risk – Stop Clear-cutting Public Lands.” True to who he is, this sign set the stage for our discussion, beginning with his journey into environmental advocacy.
A self-proclaimed “army brat,” Bob lived across Canada, expressing that his time in the Yukon sparked his love for nature. When his family returned to Nova Scotia, he had a pivotal moment on a beach that solidified his path: “I looked at myself and decided that I wanted to study things... I wanted to be a biologist!”
After graduating from Acadia University, Bob worked for the Government of Nova Scotia as a regional biologist and later in fisheries. While working within the system, he always advocated for nature. Reflecting on his career shift in his mid-50s from government to environmental organizations, Bob noted: “Interestingly, I've transitioned away from simply saying, ‘Isn't nature wonderful?’ to ‘We’ve got to do something.’”
Curious about this transition, I wondered if it was a natural progression, starting with an appreciation of nature and evolving into action. Bob agreed: “There is a logical progression, and it sort of happened in my life too, because I tried to work inside the system for change.”
Our conversation shifted to environmental justice. Bob emphasized that the first step in addressing environmental injustice is helping people understand what’s happening in the natural world, particularly in terms of biodiversity loss and habitat destruction.
Disillusioned with Nova Scotia’s environmental laws after months of research, I asked Bob about his experiences with ineffective regulations. He empathized, sharing instances where laws weren’t enforced and where nature’s rights were being stripped away. Yet, his overall message was one of hope: “I feel part of a larger NATURE. I think it's an honor to be accepted as part of the landscape. The coyotes are aware of us; there used to be moose here and they're not here anymore. The world is changing, but at least you can be part of a larger process.”
Bob believes that true environmental justice requires people to see themselves as part of nature: “Animals know about people and people know about animals, and a little respect can go a long way,” he reminded me.
Committed to action, Bob, alongside his friend and lawyer Jamie Simpson, has taken legal steps to highlight environmental injustices. Having spent part of my last summer studying the cases he’s been involved in, I was eager to hear his thoughts. When asked why he took on these challenges, he explained: “Whether it was Owl’s Head or a species at risk issue, the fact was there was an injustice going on—an environmental injustice, if you will.” Focused on environmental rights and justice, Bob has truly talked the talk and walked the walk.
One might expect Bob to feel discouraged after years of battling for forest protections and species at risk. Yet, our conversation ended on a hopeful note. He expressed appreciation for East Coast Environmental Law’s work, and optimism about the proposed Bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities. His belief in collective action was an encouragement as I continue my own journey in environmental advocacy through the law.
Maryjane Sexton
JD Candidate at the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University
Bob Bancroft
President of Nature Nova Scotia