About Us
NHSN is a voluntary organisation run by its membership. With your support, volunteers make a difference for nature, from the Tees to the Tweed.
NHSN CIO Consitution
NHSN has operated as an unincorporated association since its foundation in 1829. However, this form of organisation is increasingly seen as somewhat outdated, particularly given the size of NHSN and the comparative complexity of its asset holdings. In light of recent amendments to the charities legislation enabling the formation of Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIO), and in common with many other unincorporated charities, Council has decided that now is an appropriate time to seek to turn NHSN into a CIO. Find out what this means for NHSN using the link below.
Action for North East Nature
Action for North East Nature is NHSN’s plan to grow and widen public support to help tackle the climate and ecological emergency that threaten our region’s wildlife and wild places.
Thanks to your membership and support, NHSN will engage at least 25,000 people a year throughout the region to take action for North East nature. Find out more in our new three-year plan.
Annual Report 2023/24
Thanks to our fantastic members, volunteers and supporters, 2023/24 was a great year in the long history of NHSN. Find out more by downloading a copy of our Annual Report below.
Equity Policy
NHSN is committed to treating all people, inside and outside the organisation, with fairness and respect. NHSN strives to reach beyond its legal responsibilities to achieve and promote equity. Find out more by downloading a copy of our equity policy.
Our Vision
Many more people and a wider range of people enjoying, understanding and protecting North East nature.
Our Purpose
Inspiring wonder and collective action in all aspects of North East natural history through the delivery of high-quality communications, events, lifelong learning, citizen science, Gosforth Nature Reserve and a regional natural history archive & library.
Our Values
- We’re locally focussed
- We’re welcoming to all
- We help each other
- We inspire wonder
- We encourage learning
The North East is home to spectacular wildlife and wild places. But a climate and ecological crisis, caused by human activities, is threatening the region’s natural environment.
Clare Freeman, NHSN Director
There is so much to protect and restore back to a healthier environment. We still have time to turn things around if enough people get involved and take action for nature.
Draft NHSN Annual Report and Financial Statements
Below, you can download a copy of this year’s NHSN Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Our Promise to You
Our supporters and volunteers are at the very heart of what we do. Our Supporter Promise sets out exactly what you can expect when dealing with NHSN.

Our Story so Far
For almost two centuries, the passion and enthusiasm of NHSN members has made a difference for North East nature.
A community for people of all interests, backgrounds and experience levels, you can now explore the history of NHSN in a new interactive timeline.