Nature Alberta periodically recognizes the contribution of Alberta’s naturalists through its awards and scholarships as described below.
The Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to natural history in Alberta. Loran L. Goulden was an example of the important role amateurs can play in the natural sciences. Loran first gained notice when he expressed concerns about conservation of the Suffield area and national parks in Alberta. However, his main natural history focus was to develop his knowledge of birds and ornithology. Loran devoted himself to studying Alberta birds in the field and in publications. In short order, he became so knowledgeable of this topic that he was conducting bird censuses and coordinating others in the study of natural history. He wrote extensively about Alberta birds in natural history periodicals.
In addition, Loran played a leadership role in Nature Alberta, the Edmonton Natural History Club and the Edmonton Bird Club. His enthusiasm and his willingness to share his knowledge through talks and writings motivated fellow naturalists. In 1974 at the age of 27, shortly after taking a job as a professional biologist, Loran Goulden was killed in a plane crash in B.C. His fellow naturalists in Edmonton felt his accomplishments should be recognized and so established the Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award.
Nominations in writing are accepted at any time, but must be received by December 1 for consideration for the following year. Please provide the following information:
Send your nominations to:
Chairman, Award Selection Committee c/o Nature Alberta
There are many “unsung heroes” in naturalist groups: those people who give of themselves in carrying out the duties associated with keeping the group on track, active, organized and able to provide the services that are basic to the Club’s continued existence. Frank and Alice Harper were two such naturalists for the Lethbridge Naturalists Society.
“Both of them served the LNS in many capacities over the years. Alice was newsletter editor from 1981 to 1983, served three times on the Board of Directors and wrote the article on the LNS for Nature Alberta’s twenty-fifth anniversary publication in 1996. Frank was President of the LNS from 1972 to 1974, was a program speaker, audited the books for many years and in 1981 headed a committee to organize Nature Alberta’s fall meeting in Lethbridge.”
In honour of Frank and Alice, and recognizing the vital role that naturalists like them fulfill in all naturalist clubs, Nature Alberta has created the annual Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award. The first Award was presented at the Nature Alberta AGM on April 26 2008. All Nature Alberta clubs are invited to submit nominations for consideration. To be considered, the nominee’s accomplishments must be for a specific Club which is also a member Club of Nature Alberta. The award recognizes long-term volunteer service to a local Nature Alberta Club working towards the betterment, efficiency, administration, operation and/or fulfillment of the Club’s mandate.
Nominations will be accepted any time, but must be received by December 1 for consideration for the following year. Please provide the following information:
Nominations should be sent to the Nature Alberta office
Around the province, there are many Albertans volunteering their time at their local club, with Nature Alberta, or with other initiatives that benefits Alberta’s natural heritage. To recognize some of these contributions, Nature Alberta has created the Volunteer of the Year Award. Recipients are listed below.
