Welcome to the pages of the SNS

Tweets from SBIS
(Twitter widgets may take a short time to display in some browsers)

The Suffolk Naturalists' Society is closely allied to the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (SBIS), and we share their latest news feeds from Twitter. Click on any story on the left to read more.

Click here to go to the SBIS website.

Who we are:

A group of people with a common interest in natural history: ~ animals, plants and geology, the Suffolk countryside and the environment generally. Our members range from beginners to expert amateurs and wildlife professionals.

What we do:

We publish popular and scientific works on the natural history of Suffolk, hold members meetings and organise a biennial conference. Members’ findings are published in the thrice-yearly newsletter White Admiral (now in its 12th year on the internet, see floating menu at top left); in our transactions Suffolk Natural History and in the bird report Suffolk Birds. We also publish more definitive guides on various aspects of the natural history of Suffolk.

Our background:

The SNS was formed in 1929 by Claude Morley and fellow amateur naturalists who felt the need to share their expertise and promote their good works. Claude Morley (1874 -1951), pioneered the study and recording of the County’s flora, fauna and geology.

The SNS is the seed bed from which have grown the other important wildlife organisations in Suffolk: The Suffolk Naturalists’ Trust (later the Suffolk Wildlife Trust) was set up to purchase and protect Redgrave and Lopham Fen, and later the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group (SOG)

    Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still the Society’s primary objective. Members’ observations go to specialist recorders then on to the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service at Ipswich Museum to provide a basis for detailed distribution maps and subsequent analysis. The activities of the Society have always been based on a spirit of scientific enquiry, the SNS being careful to maintain its amateur and scientific basis.

Funds held by the Society allow it to offer substantial grants for wildlife studies (find out more on our Bursaries page)

    We are Registered Charity no. : 206084 with the UK Charity Commission.
    You can find out more about us by entering our number on their website:
www.charity-commission.gov.uk/

    Annually, SNS publishes Suffolk Natural History, its transactions, containing studies on the County’s wildlife. It also publishes the County bird report. Suffolk Birds, compiled by (SOG). In addition the newsletter, White Admiral, with comment and observations appears three times a year. SNS organises two members’ evenings a year and a scientific conference every two years. Field meetings are held throughout the year and include annual 'taster days'. These meetings are often held in conjunction with other specialist organisations.

SNS subscriptions are as follows:

Individual members £15.00; Family membership £17.00; Corporate membership £17.00.

All members receive the three publications above.

Joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group:

Individual members £28.00; Family membership £32.00.

Joint members get in addition to the 3 publications above, the SOG newsletter The Harrier

(Find out about joining the SNS)

How this helps wildlife conservation:

Members records and studies are published, and used by and archived in the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service. The SBRC uses the records to produce distribution maps which help us to monitor the status of animals and plants in Suffolk. The information is made available to local authorities, Natural England and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust; it is essential for making decisions about conservation in Suffolk, for example compiling Biodiversity Action Plans.

How this helps protect the environment:

The Society promotes debate on environmental issues at meetings and at the biennial conference where there are often thought provoking presentations by national and local experts. Records of species distribution can inform climate change studies, draw attention to pollution events and advise planners. Monitoring the occurrence and spread of introduced species to Suffolk will become increasingly important as the climate warms.

How you can get involved:

Join us, whether a complete beginner who would like to learn about wildlife from experts or an expert who would like to interact with others and have their contribution to be put to good use.

As defined by the Constitution of this Society its objects shall be:

2.1 To study and record the fauna, flora and geology of the County

2.2 To publish a Transactions and Proceedings and a Bird Report. These shall be free to members except those whose annual subscriptions are in arrears contact:

2.3 To liaise with other natural history societies and conservation bodies in the County

2.4 To promote interest in natural history and the activities of the Society.

For more details about the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society write to:

Hon. Secretary, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, c/o Ipswich Museum,

High Street, IPSWICH, IP1 3QH. Telephone 01473 433547

Joan Hardingham , June 2014

These web pages are compiled for the SNS by Adrian Chalkley.
Please use the floating menu to navigate your way around the site.

Please note also that membership enquiries are handled by SNS staff based at the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (Ipswich Museum) and any persons interested in joining should send the application form by post to the SBRC at the address above.