Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature
Corporate brand
UnclaimedNorway’s national environmental organisation, combining volunteer-led nature conservation, climate advocacy, environmental education, and international energy-efficiency projects.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature, known in Norwegian as Norges Naturvernforbund and internationally as Friends of the Earth Norway, is a national environmental organisation based in Oslo. It is one of Norway’s largest environmental associations, with approximately 43,000 members according to the cited reference material. The organisation relies substantially on volunteer participation and operates through a nationwide structure of county branches and local groups. Its work covers a broad range of environmental issues, with particular emphasis on climate change, biodiversity and nature conservation, coastal habitats, energy efficiency, and environmental policy. The organisation traces its origins to 1914, when it was established as the National Association for Natural Conservation. After three regional chapters had been formed, operational activity began in 1916, with Hjalmar Broch serving as the first chair. The association changed its name several times as its mandate and public identity developed: to Landsforeningen for Naturfredning i Norge in 1936, to Landsforbundet for naturvern i Norge in 1951, and to its current name in 1962. The membership magazine Norsk Natur began publication in 1965. In 1967, the youth organisation Nature and Youth, or Natur og Ungdom, was founded as a youth branch associated with the conservation movement. Today, the society is organised through 15 county branches and 114 local groups. It also works with affiliated or associated youth and children’s organisations, including Nature and Youth and Eco-detectives, known in Norwegian as Miljøagentene. The organisation publishes Natur & miljø; it previously published the bulletin Miljøjournalen. Its national policy work includes climate advocacy, protection of natural areas and species, preservation of coastal environments, and improvements in the energy performance of buildings. A climate delegation supports its engagement with climate policy. The society’s international work has included environmental education and practical energy-saving programmes. One notable initiative is SPARE, an educational project focused on sustainable energy and energy conservation. The programme began in Eastern European countries during 1996–1999 and was later introduced in countries of the former Soviet Union. The reference material states that SPARE had reached approximately 7,000 schools by 2008. International projects have also operated in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and West Africa. The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature is affiliated with Friends of the Earth and is one of the national organisations that make up Friends of the Earth Europe. Its highest governing events are biennial meetings. Between those meetings, direction is provided by a six-member Central Board and a 23-member National Board comprising county leaders, representatives of subordinate organisations, and employees. Truls Gulowsen has led the organisation since 2021, while Gro Holstad has served as chief executive since 2022.
History
The Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature originated in 1914 as the National Association for Natural Conservation. Its formal activity developed after three regional chapters were established, and the organisation began operating in 1916 under its first chair, Hjalmar Broch. During the twentieth century, the association changed its name as its organisational scope and conservation role evolved. It became Landsforeningen for Naturfredning i Norge in 1936, Landsforbundet for naturvern i Norge in 1951, and adopted the name Norges Naturvernforbund in 1962. The organisation gradually expanded from a nature-protection association into a broad environmental movement. A membership magazine, Norsk Natur, was launched in 1965, helping communicate conservation issues to members and the wider public. Two years later, Nature and Youth, or Natur og Ungdom, was founded as a youth branch. The movement later became associated with Eco-detectives, or Miljøagentene, a children’s environmental organisation. The society’s contemporary work spans local conservation, national environmental policy, climate change, energy use, coastal ecosystems, and protection of natural areas. Its structure combines professional staff with a large volunteer network. The organisation has 15 county branches and 114 local groups across Norway, while its Oslo head office coordinates national advocacy, communications, policy work, and international programmes. Its publication is Natur & miljø; an earlier publication was Miljøjournalen. International engagement has been an important part of the society’s work. Through projects in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and West Africa, it has supported environmental education and energy-saving initiatives. SPARE, a sustainable-energy education programme, began in Eastern Europe during 1996–1999 and was subsequently introduced in countries of the former Soviet Union. The programme used schools and practical energy-conservation activities to connect environmental education with everyday energy use; the cited reference states that it had reached about 7,000 schools by 2008. The society also participates in international environmental networks, including Friends of the Earth Europe and INFORSE-Europe. Governance is centred on biennial organisational meetings. Between these meetings, a Central Board and a broader National Board guide the organisation. The Central Board has six members, while the National Board includes county chairpersons, representatives of affiliated organisations, and employee representatives. As of the cited 2025 leadership information, Truls Gulowsen is the organisation’s leader and Gro Holstad is chief executive. The society remains an active Norwegian environmental organisation whose identity rests on membership, volunteer participation, public campaigning, conservation work, and practical sustainability education.
- 2022
Gro Holstad becomes chief executive
[1]Gro Holstad began serving as chief executive officer.
- 2021
Truls Gulowsen becomes leader
[1]Truls Gulowsen began serving as the organisation’s leader.
- 2005
SPARE introduced in former Soviet countries
[1]The programme was introduced into countries of the former Soviet Union as part of its international expansion.
- 1996
SPARE expanded into Eastern Europe
[1]The SPARE sustainable-energy education activities began in Eastern European countries during the 1996–1999 period.
- 1967
Youth branch established
[1]Nature and Youth, or Natur og Ungdom, was founded as the organisation’s youth branch.
- 1965
Membership magazine launched
[1]The first issue of Norsk Natur was published.
- 1962
Current name adopted
[1]The organisation adopted its current Norwegian name, Norges Naturvernforbund.
- 1951
Second name change
[1]The organisation changed its name to Landsforbundet for naturvern i Norge.
- 1936
First major name change
[1]The association adopted the name Landsforeningen for Naturfredning i Norge.
- 1916
Operational work begins
[1]After three regional chapters had been founded, the association began its work. Hjalmar Broch was its first chair.
Products and positioning
A broad-based, volunteer-supported Norwegian environmental organisation that combines grassroots conservation work with national climate and environmental advocacy and international sustainability education.
Membership magazine
Natur & miljø
The organisation’s current magazine, communicating environmental issues, conservation work, policy positions, and organisational activities to members and the wider public.
Environmental education programme · 1996
SPARE
An international educational programme focused on sustainable energy, practical energy saving, and environmental learning. It was developed through school-based activities and expanded from Eastern Europe into countries of the former Soviet Union and other international project areas.
Policy and advocacy programme
Climate delegation
A climate-focused working structure that supports the organisation’s engagement with climate policy and helps coordinate its climate-related advocacy.
Volunteer environmental service
Local conservation network
A nationwide network of county branches and local groups through which members participate in nature conservation, environmental campaigning, and local policy engagement.
Marketing campaigns
- 1996SPARE
Eastern Europe · Former Soviet countries · Central and Eastern Europe · Central Asia · West Africa
An international school and community education initiative promoting sustainable energy and practical energy-saving measures. The programme began in Eastern Europe and later spread to countries of the former Soviet Union and other regions through environmental-education cooperation.
Outcome. The reference material reports that SPARE had reached approximately 7,000 schools by 2008.
- Climate policy advocacy
Norway
The society campaigns on climate change and maintains a climate delegation to support its engagement with climate policy.
- Nature and coastal conservation
Norway
The organisation’s conservation work includes protection of natural areas and coastal habitats, alongside broader biodiversity and environmental policy activity.
Sources2 sources
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