“Alberta’s natural heritage is widely enjoyed, deeply appreciated and thoroughly protected.”
Nature Alberta is a federation of natural history organizations operating in Alberta. Natural history is the study of plants or animals, using observational rather than experimental methods. A person who studies natural history is a naturalist.
Alberta is fortunate to have a wide diversity of wildlife and wild spaces! All native plants and animals have a right to co-exist with Albertans, who in turn benefit by having access to a healthy, natural environment. Increasing our understanding of nature will lead to increased enjoyment of it. Today, more than 40 natural history clubs are engaging Albertans across the province in the conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage.
“To be a strong voice for the greater appreciation and conservation of Alberta’s natural environment.”
To achieve our mission, Nature Alberta:
Nature Alberta, known to long-time members as the Federation of Alberta Naturalists (FAN), formed in 1970 when the leaders of six local natural history clubs joined together to create a provincial federation of naturalists. The organization grew exponentially in the 1980s as it undertook the atlas of breeding birds project, which saw more than 1,000 volunteers contributing data from around the province. During this project, the Royal Museum of Alberta provided Nature Alberta with office space in the back of the museum. A generous grant from the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation (ASRPWF) and several other sponsors provided dollars to hire Nature Alberta’s first Executive Director, Jack Clements. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta was published in 1992.
Through the support of ASRPWF, Nature Alberta later acquired office space at the Percy Page Building in northwest Edmonton. Here they continue to promote several programs including the May Species Count, Living by Water, Nature Kids and Important Bird Areas. Today, Nature Alberta represents approximately 40 clubs with memberships totaling approximately 5,000 naturalists carrying out activities throughout the province.
The stylized brown bird (representing wildlife) is flying over the Alberta landscape which includes the mountains, forests and foothills (in green) and a ribbon of blue (representing a river widening to a lake). The space between the water and the mountains is the plains including the prairies and the parkland.
2015 Alberta Emerald Challenge Award: WATER for the Living by Water program
2010 Alberta Chapter The Wildlife Society Publications Award for Fish, Fur & Feathers: A History of Fish & Wildlife Management in Alberta, 1905 – 2005 co-published with the Fish and Wildlife Historical Society
1999 Premier’s Award of Excellence (Silver) for A Traveler’s Guide to Geological Wonders and a Field Guide to Alberta Birds
1998 University of Alberta’s Builders of Alberta Award
1993 Emerald Award for Education
1990 Alberta Order of the Bighorn Special Minister’s Award for “20 year of outstanding conservation achievement”
1985 National Parks Centennial Award
1985 Honourable Mention Edmonton Northlands/Klondike Days Exhibition
1984 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Fund Certificate of Recognition
1984 Imperial Oil Volunteer Recognition Award for outstanding work in a community relations volunteer program
