The Western Society of Naturalists is a scientific organization with a strong focus on promoting the study of marine biology. Most of its members are on the Pacific coast of North America. Originally established in 1910 as the Biological Society of the Pacific, it changed its name in 1916.[1] It held its first meeting under the new name in San Diego on August 10, 1916, where papers on zoology and botany were presented.[2]
The Naturalist of the Year Award was established in 1999 at the suggestion of Paul Dayton to "recognize those unsung heroes who define our future by inspiring young people with the wonders and sheer joy of natural history".[3]
| Year | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Larry Harris | University of New Hampshire |
| 2000 | Chuck Baxter | Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University |
| 2001 | Pamela Roe | California State University, Stanislaus |
| 2002 | John M. Engle | University of California, Santa Barbara |
| 2003 | Jeanne Bellemin | El Camino College |
| 2004 | Kathy Ann Miller | University of California, Berkeley |
| 2005 | James M. Watanabe | Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University |
| 2006 | Brian Bingham | Western Washington University |
| 2007 | Genevieve Anderson | Santa Barbara City College |
| Shane Anderson | University of California, Santa Barbara | |
| 2008 | Terrie Klinger | University of Washington |
| 2009 | Jenn Caselle | University of California, Santa Barbara |
| 2010 | Shara Fisler | Ocean Discovery Institute |
| 2011 | Megan Dethier | Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington |
| 2012 | Mark Carr | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| Pete Raimondi | ||
| 2013 | Dan Richards | Channel Islands National Park |
| 2014 | Steve Lonhart | Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA |
| 2015 | Milton Love | UC Santa Barbara |
| 2016 | Jackie Sones | Bodega Marine Reserve, UC Davis |
| 2017 | Jeff Goddard | Marine Science Institute, UC Santa Barbara |
| 2018 | Andy Lamb | |
| 2019 | Diana Steller | Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, California State University |
| 2020 | Rosemary Romero | Greater Farallones Association |
| 2021 | Paul Barber | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Peggy Fong |
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