Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

The city of Webster Groves, Missouri, is one of the oldest suburbs of St. Louis. Shortly after World War I, citizens of Webster Groves and members of various garden clubs were invited to a meeting by Alfred F. Satterthwait to form an organization to study nature. The result was the formation of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society in 1920 with 85 adult and 30 junior members. The society--usually known as "WIG-NESS"--has grown to become the principal organization of amateur naturalists in the St. Louis area. For historical reasons, the name has remained unchanged, although there are about 400 members scattered throughout the St. Louis area and several states.

The main interests of the original assemblage were entomology, botany, and ornithology, and groups with these three interests still form the organization's core. However, several other groups have been active in subjects such as astronomy, geology, and herpetology. More recent additions are Nature Book Club and Nature Photography Club. Each group has regular field trips and meetings, and the Society at large meets monthly to enjoy lectures by guests or members knowledgeable in diverse aspects of nature.

In 1930 the Society started a journal, Nature Notes. Over the years, hundreds of members have contributed their observations, knowledge, and personal experiences to the publication. Announcements and reports of meetings and field trips are regular features. 

The stated objectives of the Society are "to stimulate interest in nature study on the part of adults and children, to cooperate with other organizations in nature study, and to encourage amateur research in the natural science." In keeping with these objectives, field trips and meetings involve exchanging knowledge between experienced and inexperienced members, and interaction between amateurs and professionals is encouraged. The Society contributes research scholarships to college students. Other activities include the coordination of two Christmas Bird Counts for the National Audubon Society.

At this Big Muddy Speaker Series talk, Pete will discuss the history and interests of the Webster Groves Nature Study Society, which include entomology, botany, and ornithology.  He will also share past nature photography winners from the groups photography club. Learn more about one of the oldest nature groups in the area, the WGNSS has regular field trips, and the Society at large meets monthly to enjoy lectures by guests or members knowledgeable in diverse aspects of nature.