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.
Our Vision
Nature is protected, restored, and celebrated through greater awareness, understanding and enjoyment by people in North East England.
Our Purpose
Our fundamental purpose remains unchanged since 1829: to study and protect nature. The history of NHSN contributes a significant legacy and contribution to UK natural history and as the nature conservation sector grows and evolves, we must adapt our purpose to be relevant to the present day and the future.
Our Values
- Inspiring (imaginative, curious, outward, and relevant)
- Welcoming (inclusive, collaborative, sociable and nurturing)
- Knowledgeable (scientific, robust and reputable)
- Professional (responsive, supportive and respectful)
The strength and uniqueness of NHSN is that for almost 200 years we have been the only general natural history organisation that provides a forum for naturalists across the North East, from the Tees to the Tweed. We are home to enthusiasts, practitioners, and scholars of natural history; a place where individuals and groups study and share their discoveries about nature to protect the natural world. Where once we popularised access to natural history through our Hancock Museum, we now use our journal, talks, nature reserve, field trips, magazine and digital channels.
NHSN’s Towards 2029 strategy sets out our long term aims over the next 10-years. You can download your copy here.”
Jonathan Hewitt, NHSN Chair
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.