Switzerland

Pro Natura is a private non-profit organization founded in 1909. It's the largest conservation organization in Switzerland. Pro Natura welcomes everybody wishing to contribute to conservation in Switzerland.

We have 100,000 members and 45,000 supporters. Leading positions on all levels are held by volunteers, and there are about 60 employees in the head office in Basel and the cantonal offices of Pro Natura

What we do

Nature reserves: in-the-field conservation in over 500 reserves all over the country; in agricultural, forest, urban and wilderness areas. Pro Natura was founded to create the only Swiss National Park in 1914 and has since helped to establish half of all protected areas in Switzerland. The creation and management of reserves is still one of the main tasks of Pro Natura.

Politics: Pro Natura stands for a sustainable policy in all nature-related fields. It forms a pressure and lobbying group in cooperation with other national and international environmentalist organizations. Legal action is taken if necessary to protect nature's rights.

Communication : Pro Natura explains the wonders of nature and the necessities of conservation. The Pro Natura Magazine is published five times a year and distributed free to all members . Media work, regular press releases and a variety of other publications contribute to our communication effort.

Education : Nature and environment education is an important field of Pro Natura activities. Campaigns designed for schools and classes as much as a documentation service for teachers give ideas and involve thousands of kids every year. The Pro Natura Centers in Aletsch (Valais, Alps) and Champ-Pittet (on Lake Neuchatel) offer special programs for schools and youth groups. A youth magazine is offered to all younger members of Pro Natura.

International : Pro Natura is founding member of The World Conservation Union IUCN and the Swiss member of Friends of the Earth International. Pro Natura takes part in regional networks such as Friends of the Earth Europe and the International Commission for the Protection of the Alps CIPRA. Projects are under way in Bulgaria (Bulgarian-Swiss-Biodiversity-Conservation Program) and with FOE Macedonia (NGO capacity building).

Pro Natura has a yearly turnover of 12 million Swiss Francs. 70 % of this amount comes from donations, collections and membership fees

read more about the world of Friends of the Earth Switzerland.