Freshwater Biological Association facts for kids

The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) is a science group that started in 1929. It was founded in Cumbria, England, by scientists like Felix Eugen Fritsch, William Harold Pearsall, Francis Balfour-Browne, and Robert Gurney.

The FBA began as a research station. Now, it's a learned society that aims to help manage freshwater ecosystems and their resources in a way that protects them for the future. They do this by using the best science available. The FBA works with other groups, such as the Natural Environment Research Council.

This organization helps freshwater science (also called limnology) in many ways. They do new research, keep special science tools ready, hold science meetings, publish books and guides, and offer expert advice based on science.

In 2010, the FBA had many collections of information, including published and unpublished works. They also had two special libraries and lots of long-term data from important science sites. By March 2020, the FBA had 15 employees, 6 trustees, and 3 volunteers.

A group of trustees, chosen by the members, helps guide the FBA. They make sure the group follows its goals as a charity. The FBA is a registered charity (number 214440).

What the FBA Does

The FBA is involved in many activities to support science.

Supporting Science Research

The FBA helps science by using its locations in the Lake District in Cumbria and near the River Frome in East Stoke, Dorset. These places provide special facilities and equipment for scientists to use.

Funding Young Scientists

The FBA also supports research by giving grants and scholarships to young scientists. This helps new scientists start their careers in freshwater studies.

Providing Information

The FBA offers many information services. They have special freshwater libraries. They also have a large collection of information called "FreshwaterLife" and a reference collection known as "The Fritsch Collection."

Publishing Guides and Records

The FBA publishes many guides and analysis books. These publications include important records and information about freshwater environments.

Meetings and Courses

The FBA holds many meetings and courses for people who want to become experts in freshwater biology. They also have an Annual Scientific Meeting where scientists share their latest findings.

Conferences

In September 2008, the FBA started a series of conferences about aquatic biology (the study of life in water).

• The first conference was about "Multiple Stressors in Freshwater Ecosystems." This looked at how different problems affect freshwater environments.
• The second conference, in April 2010, focused on "Integrated Catchment Management." This topic explored how to manage whole river systems.

Famous Scientists at FBA

Many important scientists have worked with the FBA. Here are a few:

• Clifford H. Mortimer (1911–2010): He studied the chemistry of lake water starting in 1935.
• Rosemary Lowe-McConnell (1921–2014): She worked on projects to produce food from fresh waters during wartime.
• John Walter Guerrier Lund: He worked with the FBA for a long time, from 1944 to 2005.
• Winifred Pennington (1915–2007): She was a pioneer in studying the history of lakes (called paleolimnology) at the FBA.
• Winifred Frost (1902–1979): She worked there from 1938 to 1979. Her gift after she passed away helped fund scholarships for students.
• Charlotte Kipling (1919–1992): She was a statistician who worked there from 1947.
• T. T. Macan (1910–1985): He worked at the FBA from 1935 to 1976 and later became the deputy director.
• Eville Gorham (1925–2020): He researched acid rain and nuclear fallout from 1954 to 1957.

Leaders of the FBA

Many important people have led the FBA over the years.

• Council Chairs have included Cecil Terence Ingold (1965–1974) and Gordon Elliott Fogg (1974–1985).
• Presidents have included Sir John Gray (1983–1987), Sir Frederick George Thomas Holliday (1995–2002), Sir Martin Holgate (2002–2017), and Professor Louise Heathwaite (since 2017).
• Directors have included E. Barton Worthington, who was the first full-time director from 1937 to 1946.