Australian Naturalists Network

The first moves towards forming the Australian Naturalist Network began in 1987, when the Geelong Field Naturalists Club promoted the production of signs for placement at town entrances. At the Victorian Field Naturalists Cubs Association (now SEANA) meeting in 1988 it was decided that it should be an Australian project, and funding of $500 was made available. Names of naturalist groups across Australia were gathered, and the groups were advised that a suggestion to call the umbrella group the Australian Naturalists Network had been received. The subscription was set at $7.

It was decided that the logo of the Network should be the Echidna.

By February 1996, the network had a total of 75 groups.

The inaugural campout at Alice Springs.
The first meeting of the Network was held in Alice Springs from July 21 to July 29, 2000. The program was preceded by a 3 day safari to the Western MacDonnells and followed by a 6 day safari to Harts Range and the Eastern MacDonnells. During this period much was learned about the natural history of Central Australia, and many friendships were made.

An impromptu meeting at Alice Springs to discuss the future of the network decided that a get-together should be held during each even-numbered year.

Compiling Network registers and attending Network get-togethers were never thought of at the VFNCA meeting in 1988 when the meeting decided - after about 5 minutes discussion - that a project whereby roadsigns bearing a distinctive Australian natural history feature be erected at major entrances of Australian towns where naturalist groups meet should proceed.

Other get-togethers have been held every second year.

Launceston 2002. The get-together was arranged in three segments, a 4 day tour of north-east Tasmania, the 8 day core program, and a 4-day tour of north-west Tasmania.

Western Australia 2004..The third get-together was arranged by the Darling Range branch of the Western Australian Naturalists Club during spring 2004.

The High Country 2006. The fourth get-together was organised by the South-eastern Australia Naturalists Association in January 2006, and was based at Harrietville (Vic) and Jindabyne (NSW).

Northern Territory 2008. The get-together was held at Mary River and hosted by the Darwin F.N.C.

Chinchilla 2010 was organised by the Chinchilla F.N.C. .