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.

Naturalist of the Year Award

The Naturalist of the Year Award was established in 1999 at the suggestion of Paul Dayton

Paul K. Dayton

Paul K. Dayton is a biological oceanographer and marine ecologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Dayton works in Benthic Ecology, Marine Conservation & Policy, Evolution & Natural History, and General Ecology....

to "recognize those unsung heroes who define our future by inspiring young people with the wonders and sheer joy of natural history".
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 (shared)
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)