Mission
The mission of the BNS is to educate and inspire the public about the natural world, advocating for the conservation and restoration of nature in the Annapolis Valley.
Strategic Plan
This strategic plan serves as a guiding document for the BNS’s actions and work. It is the result of collaborative effort and will guide the work of the society over the coming years. This document is living and can and will change as deemed necessary, and was most recently revised in November 2024.
The Blomidon Naturalists Society (BNS) exists to educate and inspire the public about the natural world, advocating for the conservation and restoration of nature in the Annapolis Valley. The word ‘nature’ is interpreted broadly and includes rocks, plants, animals, water, air, and stars. The BNS is organized under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia and began in March 1974. All programs and membership are open to everyone, and wide and diverse participation is encouraged from across the community. Currently, it has over 325 individual and family members. The Society is governed by a Board of Directors. The BNS is a registered charity and has conservation easement status with the province of Nova Scotia.
Vision
Our vision is an Annapolis Valley community that appreciates, understands, and protects nature.
The BNS is as a diverse, welcoming community that inspires and supports appreciation and understanding of nature and reduces the negative impacts of humans on the natural environment through a variety of programs. The BNS is recognized as a leader that promotes environmental sustainability in the Annapolis Valley region.
Values
• Environmental stewardship
Our actions enhance or improve the natural world.
• Building connection to nature
Passion for nature is directed towards improving our understanding and sharing our knowledge of the environment.
• Community engagement and diversity
People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to participate in BNS programs.
• Collaborative knowledge sharing
Varying perspectives and knowledge of natural history are welcomed and shared.
Goals
Goal 1. CONNECTION – Annapolis Valley communities appreciate and respect the natural world.
Strengthening appreciation and respect for the natural world among individuals, organizations and communities brings value and wonder to our lives and is essential to inspiring people to learn more about and protect nature. This is best accomplished through providing and supporting engaging and diverse experiences in nature that appeal to a wide range of participants. We will achieve this by:
- Providing community experiences to celebrate nature such as Monarch Butterfly Open Houses and Sharing Nature Photo Exhibitions.
- Organizing field trips that highlight various aspects of the natural world
- Organizing outdoor nature programs geared to specific audiences, especially children and youth
- Offering intensive nature workshops and field courses.
- Facilitating various citizen science and wildlife census initiatives such as bird counts, bioblitzes and wildlife censuses.
Goal 2. EDUCATION – Annapolis Valley communities have a meaningful interest in and understanding of the natural world.
The development of interest in the natural world, and gaining knowledge of it, is a meaningful endeavour in itself, and a building block for acting to protect nature. We recognize there are many perspectives and ways to understand nature, and we value the importance of collaborative knowledge sharing in our activities and partnerships. Actions include:
- Offering free monthly nature talks.
- Communicating natural history information effectively with Annapolis Valley region residents through social media and a monthly e newsletter, etc.
- Publishing Beyond the Tides three times per year, our colour magazine sharing in-depth articles on a diverse range of relevant nature topics.
- Publishing relevant books and calendars on important nature topics.
- Sharing information with community members through presentations, information tables, and written materials.
- Working collaboratively with other groups and organizations to share information about nature and support learning initiatives.
Goal 3. COMMUNITY – The BNS is an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community focused organization.
To achieve our mission and vision, it is imperative that the BNS embraces and engages a broad diversity of community members and organizations. This requires reviewing the nature and structure of our offerings and partnerships such that everyone feels welcome across a range of social locations and identities. Underrepresented groups with reference to the Blomidon Naturalists Society are defined as: Black, Indigenous or People of Colour (BIPOC), and people under 30. Actions include:
- Educating ourselves by holding workshops about environmental racism and barriers to connecting to nature.
- Offering a range of programming for children and youth.
- Offering field trips and programs for people with particular shared identities so as to provide safe spaces to explore nature and build relationships together.
- Building connections with local Mi’kmaq communities.
- Actively working to build alliances with like-minded groups interested in nature, conservation, and the environment in the Valley
- Growing diversity in our participants, board members and staff.
Goal 4. HARMONY WITH NATURE – The ecosystems of the Annapolis Valley are resilient and sustainable.
Individuals, organizations and communities must take action swiftly on many levels to enable us to live in harmony with nature in a resilient and sustainable manner. The protection and restoration of nature must be factored into all decisions. Actions include:
- Being a voice for nature protection, restoration and biodiversity in the region on local, community issues.
- Proposing and advocating for the designation of the the Chain Lakes Wilderness Area by the Nova Scotia Government.
- Providing education about pollinators and native plants, and developing pollinator gardens in the region.
- Providing education about invasive species and working to reduce invasive plants and replant with native species.
- Supporting relevant legal actions to protect nature.
- Working to address the threat to nature caused by the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency.
- Working collaboratively with other groups and organizations to protect and support our environment.
Our Guiding Documents
These documents evolve over the years, and are accepted by the membership at our Annual General Meeting,
Strategic Plan
Accepted November, 2024
BNS By-Laws
Amended November 2022