Welcome to Delta Naturalists Society!
We are a group of nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and conservationists, located in the community of Delta in British Columbia; right in the heart of the Fraser River estuary, the most productive bird habitat in Western Canada. We welcome anyone interested in the observation, enjoyment, and protection of nature!
March 2022 Nature Vancouver Photo Competition
Congratulations to winners:
Marion Shikaze (Best in The Show: Spotted Towhee, Botany 2nd Place: Himalayan Blue Poppy)
Terry Carr (Entomology 1st Place: Paddle-tailed Darner, Botany 3rd Hon. Mention: Fly on Pond Lily)
Bruce Taylor (Birds 2nd Place: Bald Eagle, Mammals 3rd Hon. Mention: Humpback Whale),
Why join the Delta Naturalists?
Formed in December 1988, the Delta Naturalists Society (DNS) is an active federated member of BC Nature, the provincial naturalists’ organization. By joining the DNS, you automatically join BC Nature’s 6,000-strong network of nature enthusiasts and experts, from communities across the province.
Additionally, we engage in a diverse array of nature-centric activities, including:
• Regular walks for birdwatching and nature observation;
• A monthly meeting with knowledgeable guest speakers;
• Opportunities to help with public outreach at festivals and events;
• Involvement in bird box construction, placement and care; bird surveys and eBirding;
• Working to protect and conserve the wildlife and habitats of the Fraser delta; and
• Creating information signs and nature brochures…
These 10 Nature Brochures, plus two information brochures on Garter Snakes in Boundary Bay, and Owl and Wildlife Viewing and Photography, were created by members of the Delta Naturalists Society, and are available free at all 3 Delta libraries.
You can also download them from the DNS Nature Brochures page.
See also Nov 8, 2021 Delta Optimist article “New nature brochures for Delta“
Various committees organize these activities and our social events, and we are always looking for new members to join!
The DNS Birds and Biodiversity Conservation group formed in 2015 to encourage Delta Municipality to create a strategy around these issues. We continue to work on public education and outreach, and local conservation issues.
The birding contingent in DNS is known as the Delta Naturalists Casual Birders (DNCB). Begun some ten years ago, this activity was led most of the time by the late Tom Bearss, whose amiable persona, weekly bird walk, and humorous blog drew in dozens of enthusiasts from far and wide. Sadly, Tom passed away in April 2020 and is sadly missed. (See Tom Bearss 1945-2020.)
In Tom’s honour, a bursary was established at UBC to support students specializing in environmental and nature studies. This was a collaboration between the Delta Naturalists Society, UBC and the Bearss family. Thanks to generous donations, the substantial size of the Tom Bearss Bursary means the Fund is endowed and will continue to support students in perpetuity. More details may be found in articles published in the DNS Newsletter (Nov 2021) and in the Delta Optimist (Feb 21, 2022), which are also reproduced on the Tom Bearss Bursary page.
Delta Naturalists Society and their community partners contribute a regular column Nature Notes to the Delta Optimist newspaper, both in print and online.
Check out this website for all the information you need on Delta Naturalists Society, the Delta Naturalists Casual Birders, and the Birds and Biodiversity Conservation Group.
Click HERE for DNS Membership information
Delta Naturalists Society 