OUR BEGINNINGS

The Shuswap Naturalist Club began in 1970 with a membership of about 40 people. The first Executive included President Derek Beacham, Vice-President Dean Munro and Secretary/Treasurer Joyce Henderson.

The Constitution listed these objectives: 1) to provide opportunities for persons interested in natural history to meet and exchange information; 2) to foster an interest in nature, particularly among young people; 3) to encourage naturalists to record and report observations; and 4) to foster conservation and encourage all levels of government to do so.

To achieve these aims, early activities of the Club included supporting conservation and preservation initiatives in the area surrounding Salmon Arm. Membership was involved in encouraging hunting limits, establishing protected areas for migrating birds, participating in annual bird counts, enjoying natural history lectures at Okanagan College, and sharing programs at regular meetings. Outings explored local sites, and flower and bird checklists were created.

In the summer of 1990, a proposal made to the District of Salmon Arm was approved to create a nature trail and bird blind on “the old boat berm” west of the wharf in Salmon Arm Bay. With the help of volunteers, and support from local business who donated materials, the Bird Blind Project was completed in September, 1990. It served as a viewing platform for those interested in observing local shore birds. The blind survived several bouts of vandalism but was finally destroyed by fire in 1998. A plaque at the trail head recognizes the work of the Club members who established and maintain this area.

In 1999, on the initiative of the Shuswap Naturalist Club, a city lot which was overgrown with weeds and had been used as a landfill dump was converted to a city park. Peter Jannink Nature Park, located on the marshy shore of the lake, is a wonderful area for birdwatching.