The Biologysk Wurkferbân (Biological Working Group) has a task as a forum to make scientific knowledge about landscape and nature in Fryslân widely available, to engage in discussion about important nature issues in Fryslân and to stimulate publications in this field, including through publications in the Botkerige (publication series of the Fryske Akademy).

Founding year

15 April 1953

Board and contact

Chair: Meinte Engelmoer (e-mail)
Secretary: Arend Timmerman (e-mail)
Board member: Yolt IJzerman (e-mail)

In his position as chief board member of the Fryske Akademy, Meint Wiegersma took the initiative to establish the Biological Working Association in April 1953. Nature and landscape were changing rapidly and the Fryske Akademy should contribute to increasing the knowledge, meaning and protection of the flora and fauna, that was the idea. Unfortunately, that didn't work out, because the Fryske Akademy didn't manage to get the money for it together. Other organizations committed themselves to this, especially when it became clear that the exchange allotments had major consequences for the Frisian countryside and landscape.

A lot of publications came on the topic. But it was mainly Douwe T.E. van der Ploeg who gave the Biologysk Wurkferbân its current form. He encouraged researchers and writers to record their results in publications and ensured that they were included in the Botkerige under the responsibility of the Biological Working Association. Several publications have appeared. Attention has been paid, among other things, to plants, wild flora of Fryslân and the Frisian plant names; for the insects and their Frisian names; for the Frisian horticulture and the Frisian dairy sheep, but also for life descriptions such as from the well-known amateur biologist mr. Herman Albarda (1826-1898). The appealing three-part series Vogels in Friesland, is known to many Frisians . A big milestone has also been the book edited by, among others, Gjerrit Hekstra Deer't it tilt van diert' en flomen  (2006). The Fiskatlas Fryslân (2015) is number 33 and the most recent publication.

The Biological Working Association still organises at least three or four meetings during the winter break, divided into afternoon and evening lectures. Current natural issues and research results are discussed in the evening lectures. This can be from members, but experts are nevertheless invited to shed more light on something or other regarding the subject. On these evenings there is also attention for new finds of flora and fauna and developments. In the afternoon meetings, themes are covered and discussed. All meetings are freely accessible to everyone, but the roughly 130 supporters receive notice in advance. Usually the entrance is free.

For a number of years, the Working Association has been working intensively together with the Nature Museum Fryslân and the Frisian Association for Field Biology. In addition, there is cooperation with other provincial organizations such as the Fryske Gea and the working group Stichting Avifauna Fryslân.