Society for Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia

The Society for Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia (Slovene: Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenije, DOPPS) is a non-governmental nature conservation organisation founded in 1979. It is described as probably the largest and one of the oldest NGOs for nature conservation in Slovenia. The society brings together bird and nature enthusiasts from across the country and operates through a central office in Ljubljana and regional offices in Koper and Maribor, employing around 20 people and counting approximately 1,000 members. DOPPS is a full partner of BirdLife International, the global bird conservation alliance that unites over 2 million members in Europe alone. Its mission is to protect birds and their habitats through research, conservation activities, popularisation of ornithology, publishing, and education, as well as cooperation with other non-governmental and governmental organisations. The society publishes the scientific journal Acrocephalus, the popular-science magazine Svet ptic, and monographs on the conservation and distribution of birds in Slovenia. Its conservation work includes projects for endangered bird species, management of the Škocjanski zatok, Iški Morost, and Ormoške lagune nature reserves, and emergency bird rescue. Research activities encompass the Important Bird Areas (IBA) programme in Slovenia, local ornithological atlases, the Ornithological Atlas of Breeding Birds, the Winter Ornithological Atlas, the Red List of Threatened Bird Species, annual wintering waterbird counts, and bird monitoring. Educational activities include youth ornithologist camps, meetings of young ornithologists, nature days for schoolchildren, excursions and lectures for the general public, an ornithological school for teachers, youth consultations, and mentoring for bird recorders. The society also organises events such as the White Stork Guardian meeting, held on 29 June 2023 at Grič pri Klevežu to mark 25 years of white stork censusing in Slovenia. In 2001 DOPPS received the status of an organisation acting in the public interest in nature conservation, and in 2009 it received the status of an organisation acting in the public interest in environmental protection in the Republic of Slovenia. The organisation remains active, promoting events such as the European Birdwatching Day and running an online shop offering publications like the guide 'Ptice Slovenije, Evrope in Sredozemlja'.

The Society for Observation and Study of Birds of Slovenia (DOPPS) was founded in 1979, making it one of the oldest non-governmental nature conservation organisations in Slovenia. From its inception, it brought together birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from across the country, with a mission to study and protect birds and their habitats. Over the decades, DOPPS expanded its activities from pure observation and research into active conservation, education, and publishing. It became a full partner of BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird conservation organisations. In 2001, the society was granted the status of an organisation acting in the public interest in nature conservation by the Slovenian government. In 2009, it received the status of an organisation acting in the public interest in environmental protection in the Republic of Slovenia. The society has been involved in numerous conservation projects, including the management of three nature reserves: Škocjanski zatok, Iški Morost, and Ormoške lagune. It conducts scientific research such as the Important Bird Areas (IBA) programme, local ornithological atlases, the Ornithological Atlas of Breeding Birds, the Winter Ornithological Atlas, and the Red List of Threatened Bird Species. Annual wintering waterbird counts and various monitoring schemes are also part of its regular activities. Educational outreach has been a key pillar, with youth ornithologist camps, meetings of young ornithologists, nature days for schoolchildren, public excursions and lectures, an ornithological school for teachers, and mentoring for bird recorders. The society publishes the scientific journal Acrocephalus and the popular magazine Svet ptic, as well as monographs on bird conservation and distribution. In 2023, DOPPS marked 25 years of white stork censusing in Slovenia with a meeting of white stork guardians on 29 June at Grič pri Klevežu. The organisation continues to be active, promoting events like the European Birdwatching Day and operating an online shop for its publications.

• 2023

  White Stork Guardian meeting held on 29 June at Grič pri Klevežu, marking 25 years of white stork censusing

• 2009

  Received status of organisation acting in the public interest in environmental protection

• 2001

  Received status of organisation acting in the public interest in nature conservation

• 1979

  Society founded

Largest nature conservation NGO in Slovenia, full partner of BirdLife International, focused on bird research, conservation, and education.

• Acrocephalus (scientific journal)

  Scientific journal published by DOPPS.

• Svet ptic (popular-science magazine)

  Popular-science magazine published by DOPPS.

• Monographs on bird conservation and distribution

  Monographs published by DOPPS.

• Ptice Slovenije, Evrope in Sredozemlja (bird guide)

  Bird guide available in the DOPPS online shop.

1. 1DOPPS official websiteptice.si
2. 2Wikidata entry for Society for Observation and Study of Birds of Sloveniawikidata.org
3. 3Slovene Wikipedia article on Društvo za opazovanje in proučevanje ptic Slovenijesl.wikipedia.org