To know nature & keep it worth knowing

The Victoria Natural History Society is a volunteer-run organization where members can share and develop their interest in nature.

Email

members@vicnhs.bc.ca

Address

PO Box 5220 Stn B Victoria, BC, V8R 6N4

About

Charitable Registration 119284347 RT0001

Victoria Natural
History Society
Sharing a love of nature since 1944
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Field Trips & Events
View our calendar to see what's coming up
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Join Us
Learn about the benefits of membership
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The Victoria Natural History Society (VNHS) formed in 1944 and currently has about 750 members. We are a volunteer-run organization. Members have developed their interest in nature in a wide variety of ways—some are professional biologists, others are students, most are amateur or volunteer naturalists. VNHS provides an opportunity for those interested in the natural world to come together to share their ideas and experiences.
The Victoria Natural History Society offers many field trips and presentations each month for its members. Note that while evening presentations are open to the public, field trips are designed for members. Guests may join for up to three trips, after which they are expected to join the Society. If you like what you see, please support VNHS by becoming a member and/or making a donation.
The primary objectives of the Society are:
  • To stimulate active interest in natural history
  • To study and protect flora and fauna and their habitats
  • To work with other societies and like bodies having interests in common with this Society.

POPULAR ITEMS

Calendar
Rare Bird Alert
Butterfly Count
Become a Member
Invertebrate Alert
Christmas Bird Count
Free Nature Programs for Schools
Nature Guide Available

Social Media

TWITTER
Questions, answers, and all interesting things of nature in 140 characters or less
To Twitter
FACEBOOK
Keep up on the latest from the VNHS on Facebook
To Facebook
FLICKR
View some of our members incredible nature photography, and share your own too
To Flickr

Calendar

October 25, 2017

  • Birder's Night: Coastal Raptors

    October 25, 2017 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
    Fraser Building, Fraser Bldg, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada

    BIRDERS’ NIGHT
    Coastal Raptors: A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two on the Beach!
    Dan Varland, founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Coastal Raptors, will give a slide presentation on raptor banding research on the Washington coast. During his 22 years of research, Dan and a host of volunteers have captured and banded more than 300 raptors of eight species, including 240 Peregrine Falcons and 32 Bald Eagles. Once in hand, in addition to banding, blood and feather samples are taken to assess contaminant levels and disease exposure. There have been more than 1000 resightings of the marked birds, some made by residents of Vancouver Island from Victoria to Scarlett Point Lighthouse at the north end of the island. Dan will share the how and why birds are banded, how to report a banded bird, findings from the research, and the value of banding to conservation and research.
    We meet in Room 159 of the Fraser Building, UVic at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Note: UVic parking is $3.

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October 27, 2017

  • Exploring Metchosin Wilderness Park

    October 27, 2017 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
    Clapham Drive and Rocky Point Road, Metchosin, BC

    FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 3)
    Exploring Metchosin Wilderness Park (Clapham Drive entrance)
    Join world-famous author and forest ecologist, Andy MacKinnon, for an exploration of a local forest, looking at fungi and plants. This outing is the companion field trip to Andy’s presentation in September (Tuesday, September 12, Natural History Night: Cool Plants and their Fungal Friends). It is meant to be timed with the beginning of the fall rains. Meet at 9:00 am at the Clapham Drive entrance to the Metchosin Wilderness Park, off Rocky Point Road. Contact Andy MacKinnon at metchosinmacs at gmail.com if you need additional information.

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October 29, 2017

  • Wild Mushroom Show

    October 29, 2017 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    5238 Cordova Bay Rd, Victoria, BC V8Y, Canada

    SVIMS Annual Wild Mushroom Show—non-VNHS Event

    You may wish to attend the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society Annual Wild Mushroom Show. Location is at the Cordova Bay 55+ facility at 5238 Cordova Bay Rd (next to Cordova Bay Elementary School). There is lots of close parking. View edible, incredible and dangerous fungi. There will be speaker presentations throughout the day. Also mushroom growing kits and mushroom books for sale. Bring your mushrooms to be identified by friendly and knowledgeable experts. Admission by donation. Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. More details at www.svims.ca .

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