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Knowing Nature . . .

Discovering Nature as a Young Naturalist

January 22, 2008
Jocie Ingram

Dragonfly hunting at Seal Bay

My baby son is growing and changing so fast that I am already starting to think about how he will begin to explore and discover the natural world. Nature education was certainly an important part of my upbringing. My parents, both biologists, were active bird watchers and naturalists and sought to educate us by forming a group called the “Junior Naturalists”. These forays to forests and beaches were a memorable part of my childhood.

Today, the Young Naturalists’ Club is a provincially run registered non-profit, with chapters in communities across BC. Formed in 2000 as an offshoot of the Vancouver Natural History Society, the Young Naturalists’ Club, or YNC, is designed for kids aged 5-14 who wish to learn about nature, and are concerned for the future of all living things. In the words of founder Daphne Solecki, “the aim of the YNC is to develop a younger generation of naturalists who are knowledgeable in natural history and ecology and prepared to take action on behalf of the environment.”

YNC is modeled on the junior program of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds in the U.K. Active for 60 years, the RSPB’s Young Ornithologists' Club has recently been renamed the Young Explorers, in an effort to encourage study of all areas of natural history, not just birds.

The most important part of the YNC are Explorer Days, which are outings led by a local nature expert to give kids and their parents a hands-on learning experience with nature. Outings include things like beach exploration, plant and mushroom walks, insect watching, stargazing, fossil hunts, bird watching, and discovering creatures of ponds and wetlands. Explorer Days may also include nature projects and crafts, such as making leaf rubbings, learning how to build a birdhouse, or recording nature observations through writing, artwork and poetry.

A one-year family membership to YNC costs $15, and each child aged 5 years and up receives a membership pack. The pack includes natureWILD magazine, which is issued four times a year and includes articles on topics such as animals, birds, fish, plants, fossils and rocks written by BC’s leading naturalists. There are also fun puzzles and games, and stories about projects undertaken by young naturalists.

Members are eligible for action awards, and can earn certificates and pins through nature study, conservation projects, or participating in community events such as shoreline cleanup, school nature gardens, and re-cycling initiatives. Participants who attend 12 Explorer Days can receive an YNC baseball cap.

YNC is in the process of launching a new program, called the “Virtual Clubhouse”, designed for young naturalist/environmental clubs that are formed within Elementary Schools. The Virtual Clubhouse will provide an on-line forum for club members, including how to’s, suggested activities and resources, and contact with a wildlife biologist. Each club will receive natureWILD magazine, and other tools and materials. Bringing YNC into the schools will give even more children the opportunity to learn about nature.

Since being founded in 2000, YNC has developed 24 clubs in BC, and family membership is up to 525. There are several clubs on Vancouver Island. In our area, there are clubs in the Comox Valley, Denman Island and the North Island (communities north of Woss). The YNC website has detailed information about the club and how to become a member.