The British Naturalists' Association (BNA), founded in 1905 by E. Kay Robinson as the British Empire Naturalists' Association (BENA), is an organization in the United Kingdom to promote the study of natural history. It publishes a journal called ''Country-side''.

Origins

The association, unlike others that specialized only in plants, birds, butterflies or other groups was aimed to be broader in its intent to promote the study of all branches of natural history. The editor of another contemporary organization writing in 1907 did not look upon the organization kindly, pointing out that the sale of its journal and other forms of advertisement appeared to be the main objective. Nationally, it organises conferences, study days, field weeks and weekends, lectures, and exhibitions. At branch level, there are talks and exploratory wildlife walks where newcomers can learn, and where experienced naturalists share their expertise. It publishes the magazine ''Country-Side''. The association helps by organizing information, publishing literature on natural history, and also helps out many publications and magazines from all over the world.

Publications

Their magazine ''Country-side'' is published twice a year for BNA members, although it is also available at libraries. The quarterly newsletter ''British Naturalist'' is only for members. The BNA series of books "How to Begin The Study of ...", which includes ''How to Begin the Study of Natural History'', ''How to Begin The Study of Mosses and Liverworts'' and ''How to Begin The Study of Slugs and Snails'', enables aspiring naturalists to learn about Britain's natural environment.

Structure

The BNA's president is Roger Tabor.

Awards

Peter Scott Memorial Award

The award was instituted after the death of

Peter Scott Sir Peter Markham Scott, (14 September 1909 – 29 August 1989) was a British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer, broadcaster and sportsman. The only child of Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott, he took an interest i ...

, a long-time BNA vice-president, to commemorate his achievements. The award is given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of natural history and conservation. As of 2019, recipients were:

David Attenborough Sir David Frederick Attenborough (; born 8 May 1926) is an English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and author. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Natural History Unit, the nine natural histo ...

; Chris Baines; Trevor Beebee;

David Bellamy David James Bellamy (18 January 1933 – 11 December 2019) was an English botanist, television presenter, author and environmental campaigner. Early and personal life Bellamy was born in London to parents Winifred May (née Green) and Thoma ...

; Gordon Benningfield; John Clegg; John Cloudsley-Thompson; Richard Fitter;

Max Hooper Maxwell David "Max" Hooper (20 January 1926 – 19 November 2000) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Biography Hooper was born in Townsville, Queensland, the son of Archibald David Hooper and his wife Ada Beatrice (née Car ...

; Harold Hughes; Simon King; Richard Mabey; George C. McGavin; Ian Newton;

Bill Oddie William Edgar Oddie (born 7 July 1941) is an English writer, comedian, songwriter, musician, artist, birder, conservationist, television presenter and actor. He was a member of comedy trio The Goodies. A birder since his childhood in Quinto ...

; Oliver Rackham;

Tony Soper Tony Soper (born 10 January 1929) is a British naturalist, author and broadcaster. Life and career Soper was educated at Hyde Park Elementary School and at Devonport High School for Boys, both in Plymouth. He joined the BBC at 17 as a "youth-i ...

;

Richard Southwood Sir Thomas Richard Edmund Southwood GOM DL FRS (20 June 1931 – 26 October 2005) was a British biologist, Professor of Zoology and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. A specialist on entomology, he developed the field of insect eco ...

; Roger Tabor; Kenneth Watkins;

Sarah Wanless Sarah Wanless is an animal ecologist in the UK and is an expert on seabirds; she is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and is Honorary Professor at the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen. Education and career Wanless was born in ...

David Bellamy Award

The

Award is an annual award is given to a field naturalist of distinction.

Richard Fitter Award

The Richard Fitter Memorial Medal is awarded annually to an individual who is a dedicated active field naturalist.

References

External links

BNA website
{{authority control Environmental organisations based in London British naturalists Natural history of the United Kingdom Learned societies of the United Kingdom Environmental organizations established in 1905 1905 establishments in England 1905 establishments in the United Kingdom