Explore British Wildlife with the BNA
and enjoy an activity that will last a lifetime
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Benefits of BNA membership
Join the BNA the national body for naturalists, founded in 1905, and extend your interest in the British countryside by taking part in a wide range of activities together with fellow enthusiasts of all ages. With the help of our experts, you will be able to learn more about our native flora and fauna and develop an in-depth understanding of how our natural world develops and changes increasingly important in view of the changes in our climate. At national level, the BNA organises lectures and exhibitions, publishes ‘Country-Side’ and ‘British Naturalist’. The BNA hold annual Conferences and Field Trips at a different location each year.
As a branch member you can also take part in talks and exploratory wildlife walks across Britain where newcomers can learn and where experienced and knowledgeable naturalists share their expertise. Pond dipping, microscopy days, fungi days, bat detecting and moth trapping are all examples of the field activities undertaken.
Awards
The Peter Scott Memorial Award is given for an outstanding contribution to our understanding of natural history and conservation. The David Bellamy Award is awarded to a naturalist of distinction. The Richard Fitter Memorial Medal is presented to an active field naturalist. The Roger Tabor Award is presented to an associate member who is progressing through the grading tiers. The Chairman’s Award is presented infrequently to either a member or non-member who may or may not be a naturalist, but who has given unprecedented service to the BNA or natural history.
British Naturalist
The bi-annual newsletter of the Association. It contains articles, membership news and details of branch events.
Country-Side Magazine
Country-Side provides essential reading for enthusiastic naturalists and wildlife conservationists and aims to bridge the gap between strictly scientific publications and the more popular type of natural history magazine. It offers high-quality, accessible articles on a wide range of subjects, written by field naturalists. Other regular features include: Wildlife Observations and Book Reviews.
Three historical articles published in past issues of Country-Side magazine
Distribution of the Mistletoe by D. J. Cove 1956
Observations on the House Sparrow by Charles H. Cooke 1957
The Otter Report by R. S. R. Fitter 1958
BNA’s Graded membership
The Association encourages its members to share their knowledge and, through its Grade Recognition scheme, bestows recognition on naturalists of different levels of skill and expertise.
The Grade levels are HonFBNA (Honoris Causa – those who are internationally recognised as having made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of natural history), FBNA – Fellow, MBNA – Registered Member and ABNA Registered Associate Member.
All members of BNA have the opportunity to acquire the necessary field skills to achieve Grade Recognition and demonstrate to others their commitment in furthering the study of natural history.
See Membership for details.