About the Saskatoon Nature Society

The Saskatoon Nature Society, a charitable organization founded in 1955, brings together those interested in the natural world. Our objective is to promote the appreciation of nature and encourage a deeper knowledge of it through observation and sharing of experience.

Our society supports nature conservation projects and is an active advocate for the preservation of plant and animal habitats.The SNS is affiliated with Nature Saskatchewan and Nature Canada

Meetings

We hold monthly meetings from September to April with talks, films and slide presentations on topics related to nature. Meetings are held at the University of Saskatchewan (Room 106 in Biology Department) at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month (the second Thursday in December). Everyone interested is welcome to attend. Admission is free. Evening parking charges on campus apply.

Field Trips

We provide opportunities to observe birds, mammals, insects and plants in the company of other naturalists. Three or more guided field trips are held each month in spring, summer and fall with occasional trips in winter. Rides and gas expenses are shared.

Counts and Surveys

We organize the Saskatoon Christmas Bird Count, part of Bird Studies Canada and the Audubon Society's continent-wide census with tens of thousands of participants each year. We also conduct bird counts in December/January, May and August/September. Anyone interested is encouraged to participate. Some members also take part in organized plant, frog and butterfly counts and surveys of endangered species. These counts provide valuable data for scientific use.

Saskatoon Natural Grasslands

We are stewards of the Saskatoon Natural Grasslands and Peturrson's Ravine, areas under the jurisdiction of the Meewasin Valley Authority.

Young Naturalists Program

We collaborate with the Saskatoon Zoo Society to offer workshops and field trips for young people aged five to eleven. Programs include building and installing birdhouses, banding birds and exploring ponds.

Newsletter and Nature Notes

We produce ten newsletters each year with notices of meetings, field trips and other activities, along with news and information relating to conservation and natural history. We also contribute the weekly Nature Notes column to the Saskatoon Sun, covering a wide variety of topics.

Special Projects

• we promote projects for the conservation of natural areas
• we hold workshops and mount displays in shows and exhibitions
• we produce special publications, including A Guide to Nature Viewing Sites in and around Saskatoon, Birds of the Saskatoon Area, and Thanks to the Sun, available for purchase from the society and local book stores
• we support and promote youth education including the Ecology Camp for Kids at the University of Saskatchewan