Could our newest member be our oldest member?
We are delighted to welcome the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union as a new member of the NBN Trust.
The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union studies and records the rich variety of species and habitats across Yorkshire, from National Nature Reserves to city parks and the sea shore. As the YNU is celebrating its150th anniversary this year, our newest member is also one of our oldest members!
Anniversary celebrations began this month with the YNU’s conference on the theme of ‘The ever-changing flora and fauna of Yorkshire’, with speakers including Professor Alastair Fitter, crayfish conservation expert Stephanie Peay and Natural England’s Principal Monitoring Specialist, Keith Porter.
Other celebratory events planned for the coming year include:
• An ambitious and exciting three-day BioBlitz at Scarborough! (2nd – 4th June)
• A weekend of outdoor meetings to suit all interests and abilities at Malham Tarn Field Studies Centre. (29th July – 1st August)
The YNU then and now: York Field Naturalists at Pilmoor in 1907.
BTO recorder John Wint leading a “Look, Listen, Learn!” bird walk at East Cottingwith in 2010 © Sarah West, OPAL
The Union exists to share knowledge. Secretary John Newbould said, “We organise regular outdoor meetings all over Yorkshire, where new members can learn from more experienced recorders about the identification and ecology of a huge variety of species. We also hold training courses in subjects ranging from field survey skills, species identification and data management. New members and beginners are always welcome – we were all beginners once!”
The YNU share its records with the NBN Gateway through the Yorkshire and Humber Environmental Data Network or via national recording schemes, as several YNU members are appointed county recorders for national schemes including the Conchological Society, BTO and Butterfly Conservation.
The NBN Trust thanks the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union for its support and wishes it continued success as it celebrates 150 years of recording Yorkshire’s wildlife.
For more information, visit the YNU’s website