Discovering the region’s wonders

The Prince George Naturalists Club has a deep appreciation for the beauty and diversity in the region

The Prince George Naturalists Club has more than 75 members, and they share a common love of natural wonders—including birds, wildflowers, forests, geology and astronomy. The club functions as an arm of BC Nature, the Federation of B.C. Naturalists, allowing members to connect with other nature buffs from around the province and tag along with other clubs to areas of intrigue.

Clive Keen, the chair of the Prince George Naturalists Club, said there are numerous trips planned for the year ahead, and Keen said he always returns from these excursions with newfound knowledge about the great outdoors.

“Every field trip shows that there's a quite extraordinary depth of knowledge in the club,” said Keen. “One of the world's leading birders, for instance, is a member of the club. He has identified over 2,800 species worldwide, and it's only one of his areas of expertise. So I learn on every trip.”

Learning opportunities

Keen said non-members are welcome on field trips and at presentations, which are usually held at the University of Northern B.C. in Prince George. This summer, join the club and be part of a wildlife viewing field trip, attend a workshop about practical wildlife photography, enjoy a guided tour to local birding spots or go on an evening outing to spot owls.

A recent field trip took participants to the MacGregor Mountains near Prince George, and Keen said it was an unforgettable excursion.

“(There were) moose on the roads, and (we identified) edible fungi and several types of edible berries in the forest trails,” said Keen. “(We saw) hoary marmots whistling from the rock piles, some huge red cedar, sluggish western toads, and a karst terrain within a huge alpine area—a naturalist's dream.”

For contact information, go to the BC Nature website.