Natural history society of Upper Lusatia

On April 10, 1811, J. G. Kretzschmar founded the “Ornithological Society of Görlitz,” which changed its name to the “Natural History Society of Görlitz” on May 13, 1823, to reflect the expansion of its interests in its name. After moving several times within the city, the Natural History Society built a museum for its collections between 1855 and 1860. In 1860, the Society moved into its own building, the current Natural History Museum, and began hosting exhibitions and lectures. To house its extensive collections, the Natural History Society acquired the Humboldthaus in 1938.

The Natural History Society of Upper Lusatia, Inc. was founded in 1990. The Society can look back on a long tradition of natural history research in Upper Lusatia, although its work was significantly hampered after 1945 and even interrupted for private associations until the political transition. Thus, it continues the tradition of the Natural History Society of Görlitz (1811–1945), whose most prominent member was Alexander von Humboldt, as well as other associations such as ISIS Bautzen and the Humboldt Societies, all of which were banned after 1945.

You can find our current species conservation programs for endangered plants in Upper Lusatia, Lake Berzdorf, local bogs, and soil fauna here.

The reports of the Upper Lusatia Natural History Society are published annually in a single volume. The reports, which run from approximately 100 to 200 pages, consist primarily of scholarly articles that are typically 2 to 20 pages long and have always been reviewed by two peer reviewers. The articles are primarily original works on natural history from Upper Lusatia and adjacent natural regions, such as the Elbe region or neighboring areas in Poland and the Czech Republic. Since a large portion of the articles are based on presentations given at the annual conference, the reports always have a specific thematic focus. The articles are published in German; longer works also include summaries in both English and German.

You can find an overview and ordering information for the reports here.

For more information about our bylaws, membership, and members, please visit the website of the Naturforschende Gesellschaft der Oberlausitz e.V.: www.naturforschende-gesellschaft-der-oberlausitz.de