BC Nature Awards

Every year, BC Nature encourages clubs to nominate a worthy volunteer from their club for recognition of their efforts in conservation, education, and club service. Our awards are handed out at our AGM.

Any member of BC Nature or its Federated Clubs may nominate a person for an award. The nomination must be accompanied by an outline or résumé giving the reasons the candidate is proposed. The nominee must specify the award being applied for.   Nominations for 2026 are closed.

All awards (except the Daphne Solecki Award) should be first approved by the sponsoring club or home club of the recipient. If the nomination is successful, the sponsoring club is responsible for the cost of the Banquet Tickets at the AGM.  
Awards Recipients – 1977 to 2025

Download Awards List – Descriptions

BC Nature Awards – Every year, BC Nature encourages the clubs to nominate a worthy volunteer from their club for recognition of their efforts in conservation, education and club service.  Our awards are handed out at our AGM. Nominations should be received by mid March each year.  Please find the form for download on the website. Club must specify the specific award being applied for.

Awards are presented at an AGM:
Elton Anderson Award (Only one may be presented annually)
This award is presented to a member of BC Nature to recognize their service, dedication, devotion, enthusiasm and energy to further the aims of BC Nature to naturalists across the province. This award is named in memory of Elton Anderson, who did much to further the aims of the Federation of British Columbia Naturalists, during his time as newsletter editor and president, from 1964 to 1975. Sculpture, bowl to keep

BC Nature Merit Award
This award is presented to a member nominated by the BC Nature Board of Directors to recognize and convey BC Nature’s appreciation to a member for their dedication, devotion and exceptional service and their contributions to BC Nature as a Board member and a Committee Chair and /or Project Coordinator and who has taken responsibility for and contributed to the function of BC Nature for 10 years or longer. Feather carving, box to keep

The Ian McTaggart-Cowan Outstanding Naturalist Award (Only one may be presented annually)
This Award is presented to a member of the Federation (BC Nature) who has made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural history of British Columbia. bowl to keep

The BC Nature Regional Award (More than one may be presented annually but only one per Region)
This Award is presented to a member of the Federation (BC Nature) who has served with dedication, devotion and energy to further the Federation (BC Nature) across his or her Region. bowl

The BC Nature Recognition Award (More than one may be presented)
This Award is presented to a person or persons from outside the Federation (BC Nature) or its affiliates who has made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural history of B.C.  bowl

The Barbara Chapman Award (Only one may be presented)
This Award is presented to a young naturalist under the age of 18 who has shown an interest in and has made a contribution to the appreciation and understanding of the natural environment. Preference will be given to a member of the Federation (BC Nature). (This Award was established in memory of a member of the Victoria Natural History Society who was killed by a bear while working in Glacier National park).  bowl

The Daphne Solecki Award (Only one may be presented annually)
This Award recognizes persons who have contributed to nature education for children in British Columbia. large plaque, bowl to keep

The BC Nature Education Award (Only one may be presented annually)
This Award is presented to an individual or club that has carried out a project or projects that has added to the knowledge of the natural history of the province.  bowl

Key Biodiversity Area (IBA) Caretaker of the Year Award (only one may be presented annually) This award is presented to a recognized KBA/ IBA Caretaker who has made an outstanding contribution to the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their KBA/IBA. Caretakers are the eyes and ears of the conservation community in the most critical sites for birds in the province, and their continued dedication allows us to monitor, promote, and steward these sites for future generations of both birds and humans. BC Nature, with this award, recognizes their service, dedication, time and resources to monitor their KBA/IBA, its wildlife and habitat. This award would be given at the BC Nature AGM. Bowl

The BC Nature Club Service Award (More than one may be presented but only one per Club)
This Award is presented to a person or persons belonging to a member Club recognizing their outstanding service at a local level. bowl

The BC Nature Volunteer Appreciation Award (More than one may be presented, but only one per Region)
The purpose of this Award is to recognize those persons, whether members or outside the Federation (BC Nature), whose outstanding contribution, though not made through a Club or Region, is, nevertheless, of great value to the Federation (BC Nature). (Examples would be; BC Nature contractors, the Foundation volunteers or other positions and activities that provide an overall benefit to the Federation (BC Nature). bowl