W. J. (Bill) Merilees Memorial Bursary Fund
When William James “Bill” Merilees passed away on June 18, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, British Columbia lost one of its most beloved naturalists, educators, and conservation champions. A lifelong explorer with an insatiable curiosity, Bill spent more than seven decades inspiring people to look closer, care more deeply, and steward the natural world with integrity and joy.
Bill’s connection to Selkirk College began in 1968 when he accepted a teaching post in Castlegar after returning from work as a field biologist on Macquarie Island in Antarctica. During his time at Selkirk College, Bill left a lasting mark on the Kootenays. He founded the West Kootenay Naturalists’ Association, helped establish the Doukhobor Historical Society, named Chickadee Lane in Castlegar, and played a key role in creating the Mel Deanna Trail and Educational Reserve. His work forged strong connections between Selkirk College and the broader community, deepened the college’s commitment to environmental education, and reflected his lifelong passion for local history, ecology, and shared learning.
Even after he left Selkirk College in the mid-1970s to begin a remarkable career with Parks Canada and later BC Parks, Bill continued to support education, natural history research, and young people entering environmental fields. His research on Kootenay ornithologists—spanning more than a century of records—is housed in the Selkirk College archives today.
His contributions over a lifetime are extraordinary:
- President of the Vancouver Natural History Society (1988–1990)
- Vice-President of BC Nature
- Leader of international field tours to Australia, India, Borneo, Madagascar, and beyond
- Recipient of the Elton Anderson Award (1980)
- Recipient of the McTaggart-Cowan Outstanding Naturalist Award (2015)
- Recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2003)
- Donor of a major mollusc collection to UBC’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum
- Author of several reference books and countless articles
In every chapter of his life, Bill taught one core lesson: nature is meant to be shared.
Impact
The W. J. (Bill) Merilees Memorial Bursary was established to support a Biology student and encourage the next generation to embody:
- A passion for learning about, observing, and conserving the natural environment.
- A commitment to conservation and community engagement.
- Curiosity, leadership, and a willingness to share knowledge with others.
- The spirit of Bill’s motto: “Have fun. Get it done.”
This award celebrates Bill’s remarkable legacy by uplifting emerging naturalists who will protect, teach, and inspire with the same generosity and enthusiasm he shared throughout his life.