Archief MG 31 - MG 184 - Red Deer River Naturalists fonds

Alberta Natural History Society was formed in Innisfail, Alberta in 1906, a successor organization to the North West Entomological Society (1899) and the Territorial Natural History Society (1902). Shortly after the A.N.H.S.'s creation, a branch of the Society was established at Red Deer. Additional branches were later formed at Erskine, Stettler and Medicine Hat. The Edmonton Natural History Club became an affiliate in 1910. The A.N.H.S. promoted a number of educational and conservation projects. An ambitious publication program was launched. Successful lobbying lead to the designation of the Gaetz Lakes area of Red Deer as a Dominion Bird Sanctuary. Unfortunately, over the next few decades, the A.N.H.S. gradually dwindled in size. By the time of the Second World War, only the Red Deer branch remained active. A resurgence was experienced in the early 1970's. The group tackled a number of issues, including the preservation of the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary, the Dickson Dam on the Red Deer River and environmental policies for the Eastern Slopes. Because of confusion following the formation of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, the Alberta Natural History Society was renamed the Red Deer River Naturalists in 1976. The Red Deer River Naturalists continues to operate as an environmental watchdog group.