Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije

Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije (PDS), or the Natural History Society of Slovenia, is a Slovenian voluntary association that brings together experts and enthusiasts from all fields of natural science. Its mission is to develop interest in nature, protect it, and educate amateurs on a professional basis. The society is best known for publishing Proteus, a popular-science natural history magazine that has been issued since 1933 and was a pioneering publication in its field in Slovenia until 1950 (with an interruption during World War II). In addition to Proteus, the society publishes other popular works and promotes nature photography and environmental protection. The society was founded in 1934 from the Nature Protection Section of the Kranj Regional Museum society. Over the decades, several of its sections evolved into independent societies, including the Slovenian Biological Society (1966), the Slovenian Mycological Society (1969), and the Javornik Astronomical Society (1979). In 1994, the then President of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, awarded the society the Silver Honorary Badge of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia for its important work and long-standing organization in the fields of natural science and nature conservation. Today, PDS remains active in public education and outreach. It organizes monthly lectures (usually every third Wednesday from October to May), one-day excursions and multi-day trips to natural history sites in Slovenia and abroad, biology competitions for primary school students (for the Proteus Award), and nature photography activities. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting its work. The society operates as a non-governmental, non-profit organization and continues to be a central hub for Slovenian naturalists.

The Natural History Society of Slovenia (Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije, PDS) was established in 1934, emerging from the Nature Protection Section of the Kranj Regional Museum society. Its founding was part of a broader movement to promote natural science and nature conservation in Slovenia. The society's early work focused on popularizing natural history and protecting natural heritage. A key milestone came in 1933 with the launch of Proteus, a popular-science magazine that became the society's flagship publication. Proteus was a pioneering periodical in Slovenia, providing accessible natural history content to a broad audience. It has been published continuously since 1933, except for an interruption during World War II, and remained the leading publication of its kind in Slovenia until 1950. Over the decades, PDS served as an incubator for specialized natural science societies. Several sections spun off as independent organizations: the Slovenian Biological Society in 1966, the Slovenian Mycological Society in 1969, and the Javornik Astronomical Society in 1979. This proliferation reflects the society's role in fostering professional and amateur natural science communities. In 1994, the society received the Silver Honorary Badge of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia from President Milan Kučan, recognizing its important work and long-standing organization in natural science and nature conservation. The society has been led by numerous prominent Slovenian scientists and naturalists over the years, including Maks Samec, Jovan Hadži, and Radovan Komel. It continues to operate as a voluntary association, organizing lectures, excursions, competitions, and photography activities, and publishing Proteus.

• 1994

  Awarded the Silver Honorary Badge of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia by President Milan Kučan.

• 1979

  Javornik Astronomical Society established as an independent offshoot.

• 1969

  Slovenian Mycological Society established as an independent offshoot.

• 1966

  Slovenian Biological Society established as an independent offshoot.

• 1934

  Society founded from the Nature Protection Section of the Kranj Regional Museum society.

• 1933

  Proteus magazine launched, becoming a pioneering popular science publication in Slovenia.

Non-governmental voluntary association dedicated to natural science education, nature conservation, and popular science publishing in Slovenia.

• Proteus magazine

  Popular science natural history magazine published since 1933.

• Proteus Award biology competition

  Biology competition for 8th and 9th grade primary school students.

• Natural history excursions

  One-day and multi-day trips to natural sites in Slovenia and abroad.

• Lectures and seminars

  Monthly meetings typically every third Wednesday from October to May.

• Nature photography activities

  Discovering nature's secrets through the camera lens.

1. 1Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije - Mesečnik za poljudno naravoslovje. Izhaja od leta 1933.proteus.si
2. 2Wikidata: Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenijewikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (sl): Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenijesl.wikipedia.org