The Natural History Society is a province-wide organization with a primary interest in promoting the enjoyment and protection of all wildlife and natural history resources in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and surrounding waters. At the moment, the Society is affiliated with the Nature Canada (formerly the Canadian Nature Federation).
The Society has an Indoor Program of informed and interesting guest speakers as well as an Outdoor and Workshop Program. Regular Society meetings co-incide with our indoor program presentations, and are presently held at the Memorial University Botanical Garden (Mt. Scio Rd, see map) on the THIRD THURSDAY of each month during the months of September to June, beginning, at 8:00 PM. There are no indoor meetings during the summer months. The outdoor & workshop program runs year round.
The Society welcomes the participation of all citizens and visitors to the province of any age, and encourages all to participate in our programs where they feel comfortable (families, children, young adults, and senior citizens alike). Not all of our outdoor events are suitable for all persons, however we try to offer a balanced program. In addition to the activity programs, the Society publishes its journal “THE OSPREY” on a quarterly basis - members can mail their submissions here.
Our Board is listed on the “Contact” page.
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November Meeting of the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic Islands:
Perspectives about the sea and sea life: Newfoundland and the Azores
Both Newfoundland and the Azores are home to distinctive fishing cultures and a rich natural history. Some wildlife from the Azores, such as the greater shearwater (see attached photo by Ken Knowles), actually makes regular journeys to Newfoundland from that much warmer Atlantic island on
the other side of the Gulf Stream.
Dr. Alison Neilson is a wildlife biologist currently living in the Azores. Alison will introduce the social and natural history of the Azores islands and discuss her current research on whales and tourism. Tourists come to the Azores for nature - hiking the volcanic craters, exploring the numerous lava tubes, scuba diving, fishing and whale watching are popular outdoor activities. The cultural heritage of the local people is also part of the story and can be seen on the streets and in the many festivals that celebrate their Roman Catholic faith as well as their connection with the land and the sea. Alison explores local and globalizing narratives that create the stories of the sea and support education and conservation. For the past month she has also been working also in fishing communities here in Newfoundland and will discuss some of the narratives heard and the comparison with fishing communities in the Azores.
Learn about our much warmer neighbour across the pond including some shared natural and cultural history. Much of Alison’s focus is on environmental justice and comes from years working as a wildlife biologist in Canada and overseas; and from community development work in Africa and South America.
Come learn about the natural and cultural history of another Atlantic Island.
Everybody welcome!
Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at
the MUN Botanical Garden,
306 Mt. Scio Road
St. John’s
Presented by the Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (our province’s oldest active conservation organization).
For further information contact Dave Snow at 722-3123 or Society Past-President Rita Anderson at 737-8771.
The Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is this province’s oldest conservation organization. It continues to be one of the province’s most active environmental organizations. Except for the summer months, the Society hosts monthly free public meetings on environmental and other natural history topics on the third Thursday of each month. The Society also publishes The Osprey, a quarterly journal dedicated to documenting the natural history of the province. Membership is $25.00 per year; application forms and past editions of The Osprey are always available at the monthly meetings.
