The H. H. Bloomer Award

Awarded to an amateur naturalist for an important contribution to the knowledge of natural history.

Established in 1963 from a legacy by the late Harry Howard Bloomer FLS. Awarded to an amateur naturalist who has made an important contribution to biological knowledge.

Nominations are now closed. Sign up to our newsletter, Linnean News, for updates on events, grants, awards and news from the Linnean Society of London.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to any amateur* naturalist of any nationality and age, in any field of natural history for their important contribution to the knowledge of natural history
  • *Amateur is defined as not employed as an academic research biologist (‘retired’ individuals working as research associates are not eligible, unless their contribution relates to work outside their earlier academic focus)
  • Teachers are eligible, as are those working in areas of environmental or educational policy
  • Nominee cannot, at the time of nomination, be a member of Council
  • Nominee does not need to be a Fellow of the Society
  • We do not accept self-nominations

H. H. Bloomer Award Recipient 2023

Dr Margaret E. Bradshaw
Photo credit: Martin Rogers

Dr Margaret E Bradshaw, H. H. Bloomer Award 2023

Dr Margaret E. Bradshaw MBE is a nationally renowned amateur botanist, known for her work in plant conservation. Aged 96, she has devoted much of her life to the study and conservation of the rare flora of Upper Teesdale (an SSSI in Country Durham, England). The data she has collected is invaluable and shows there has been a decline in important rare species in the locality since she began in the 1970s.

Previous Recipients of the H. H. Bloomer Award

  • Geoffrey Kibby (2022)
  • David Lindo (2021)
  • Hans de Blauwe (2020)
  • Dr Goronwy Wynne (2019)
  • Dr Dan Danahar (2018)
  • John Waters (2017)