Our history

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature was founded at the initiative of Iakovos Santorinaios with the support of fifty distinguished persons of the sciences and letters. They were pioneers in their concern over the issues of nature conservation, and at a time when ecology and environmental protection were unknown words and concepts in Greece. In the same year, the HSPN joined the IUCN as a member.

After a decade of continuous efforts, the HSPN succeeded in having the Samaria
Gorge declared a National Park, and in ensuring the protection of the endangered Cretan Wild Goat.

The HSPN published the first issue of the periodical “Nature”, with a variety of articles on nature and environmental issues, but also with references to its own activities. Since then, the periodical has been published regularly.

Within the framework of the Council of Europe’s campaign for the protection of wildlife, flora and natural habitats, the HSPN organized a special conference to provide a general overview and discussion of the critical problems of Greek nature.

The “Society for the Protection of Prespa” was founded by seven Greek and three European environmental organizations – including the HSPN – and has decisively changed the future of that protected area.

The HSPN joined the group formed by the Hellenic Ornithological Society, the Hellenic Society for the Environment and Culture and WWF Greece against the catastrophic plan to divert the Acheloos. Despite six consecutive court victories, the fight continues today.

The project “Protection and management of brown bear populations and habitats in Greece” is the first of a long series of nature conservation projects in which the HSPN has participated in or coordinates.

This is a nationwide campaign of the HSPN to free Greek nature from litter. It has involved the creation of volunteer groups of students, Guides, Scouts, representatives of Municipalities and Communities, teachers and representatives of local organizations. In 2022 the network and its activities were incorporated into the ‘Eco-Schools’ programme.

Honoring the late Byron Antipas, a founding member and the driving force of the
Society for 35 years, the HSPN established this award in the name of Antipas. It is given to individuals or non-governmental organizations that have effectively and selflessly contributed to the protection of Greek nature and the environment.

“ Learning about Forests” advocates outdoor learning and hands-on experiences, and helps the pupils to acquire a deeper and more involved understanding of the natural world, and to realize the need for the protection of biodiversity and forest ecosystems.

The HSPN organized a workshop on the importance of the twenty-year Directive 92/43/EEC for the protection of the European natural heritage, and of significance of the creation of the European network of protected areas “Natura 2000”.

Η πρωτοβουλία της ΕΕΠΦ για την «Πρόληψη Δασικών Πυρκαγιών» είναι μία ομπρέλα από προγράμματα, έργα και επιμέρους δράσεις, τόσο για την πρόληψη, όσο και για την αντιμετώπιση των καταστροφικών δασικών πυρκαγιών.

Recently, the HSPN has launched an annual cycle of lectures and workshops for the general public. These aim at improving the environmental knowledge of any and all of those who are interested.