Fonds MS-716 - Edmonton Natural History Club fonds

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Edmonton Natural History Club fonds

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CA EDM MS-716

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90 cm of textual records � 12 photographs - 1 computer disk

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Biographical history

Edmonton's first natural history club emerged in 1907, but most likely, this club was an amateur organization that met infrequently and was not a very active group. In 1937, the Botany Foray emerged as an academic group of naturalists based at the U of A. This group was transformed in 1954 by Botany Professor James H. Whyte into the University Botany Club. Though club remained academically focused, its interests began to broaden as its membership began to seek out all types of natural phenomenon in and around Edmonton. Gradually the group became known as the Natural History Club. In 1968, David Cameron suggested that the club reorganize itself to take the club outside the confines of the university, and encourage maximum participation of non-university people. He wanted the club to have broader appeal and application than simply as a small university organization. The new club held its first meeting after this reorganization in 1968 at the provincial museum -- only 6 people showed up. These 6 people became the executive of the new club with the twin goals of expanding membership and offering popular programmes to anyone interested in learning about natural history. The membership and activities of the natural history club grew under the leadership of Loran Goulden as club president. With his wife's assistance, Goulden organized field trips to the river valley to identify areas of overuse and deterioration, he was a regular contributor to the clubs newsletter, the Edmonton Naturalist, and he was involved in establishing natural reserves around the city. Following his sudden death in August 1974, the Edmonton Natural History Club recognized Goulden's contribution to the revitalization of the organization by establishing the Loran Goulden Memorial Award, which the club would offer annually to a deserving naturalist. Through a partnership with the Provincial Museum and the City of Edmonton's Parks and Recreation department, the Natural History Club continued to expand its pubic educational programming through the 1970s by offering nature walks, lectures, and frequent publications for Edmontonians interested in natural history and conservation. The club's activities continue and it is currently involved in Bird Counts, Lecture/slide presentations at the Provincial Museum, Field trips in and around Edmonton, Natural Area Protection & Management, The Edmonton Christmas Bird Count, May Species Counts (Flowering Plants, Birds, Butterflies), Breeding Bird Surveys, Spring Snow Goose Festival at Beaverhill Lake, and Annual Fundraising.

Custodial history

Scope and content

This fonds consists of the administrative files of the Edmonton Natural History Club, including meeting minutes, bylaws, correspondence of officers, records of activities and events, membership and financial records. Also included in this fonds are copies of newsletters, including the Edmonton Naturalist, and publications of the club.

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Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

This fonds was donated to the City of Edmonton Archives by the Edmonton Natural History Club and the Edmonton Nature Club between 1975 and 2010

Arrangement

  • Some of the records appear to have been created and maintained by various officers of the club, though it was not always possible to identify the creator. Files may not have been passed from one officer to a successor, coming together for the first time when deposited in the Archives. Other records were compiled from various members of the club for the purpose of recovering or recreating the fonds as the deposit arrangement with City of Edmonton Archives progressed.
  • Arrangement has followed evidence, when available, of the individuals who created various files in relation to their status as officers or members of the club. When the creation of the records could not be clearly established or they were the result of a compilation from various sources, the arrangement follows the title of the files or reflects the observed intentions of the compiler(s).

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There are no restrictions on access.

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Copyright may apply.

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General note

Accession numbers: A75-1, A76-124, A98-18, A98-156, A2005-109, A2007-109, A2007-110, A2007-146, A2007-147, A2010-60, A2010-61

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City of Edmonton Archives

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