German Youth Federation for Nature Observation

The DJN – Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung (formerly Deutscher Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung) is a youth association in Germany dedicated to the mutual exchange of knowledge about biodiversity and ecology. It is self-organized by its members, who are between 12 and 27 years old, and operates on a voluntary, grassroots-democratic basis. The association was founded on 22 October 1950 in Lüneburg and has since become a recognized player in German youth nature conservation. Its primary purpose is nature study and species identification, pursued through excursions, seminars, camps, and the publication of identification literature. The DJN is a founding member of the Youth Action for Nature and Environmental Protection Lower Saxony (JANUN) and of the international network Youth and Environment Europe (YEE). The DJN distinguishes itself from other environmental organizations by its strong emphasis on natural history and species knowledge. Members learn to identify plants, animals, and fungi using self-produced or commissioned identification keys, some of which have become standard works. The association also publishes the annual Naturkundliche Jahrbücher (since 1960), later replaced by the Naturkundliche Beiträge des DJN (NaBei) from 1978, and the member magazine Lupe. During the Corona pandemic, the DJN organized an online lecture series and launched the podcast "Rauslauschen". Central to the DJN's activities are its camps and seminars, typically one-week events held in Germany and sometimes abroad. The two main annual camps are the Osterkongress (around Easter) and the Winterseminar (between Christmas and New Year). At the Osterkongress, members who have reached the age of 27 are traditionally bid farewell ("ausgesockt"), as membership ends at that age to prevent aging structures and to give younger members the chance to take responsibility. The DJN is also politically active and feels committed to the values of anti-fascism. The association is organized both as a nationwide association and in local groups. As of 2021, local groups existed in Freiburg, Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, Marburg, Göttingen, Brandenburg-Berlin, Oldenburg, and Hamburg. The nationwide association is represented by a main board (Hauptvorstand) elected by the members. Participation in events does not require membership, and participants come from all over Germany and nearby countries. The DJN continues to be run by its members on a voluntary basis, with a focus on youth development and personal growth.

The DJN was founded on 22 October 1950 in Lüneburg. From its early years, it emphasized nature observation and species knowledge, organizing camps and seminars for young people. In 1960, the association began publishing the Naturkundliche Jahrbücher annually, and in the Hamburg district, the Naturkundlichen Mitteilungen appeared from 1960, with about 30 issues until the 1970s. In 1978, the Jahrbücher were replaced by the Naturkundliche Beiträge des DJN (NaBei), which continues to be published irregularly as a low-threshold opportunity for young people to publish their own scientific work. The DJN is a founding member of the Jugendaktion Natur- und Umweltschutz Niedersachsen (JANUN) and of the international network Youth and Environment Europe (YEE). During the Corona pandemic, the association adapted by organizing an online lecture series from January to June 2021, with weekly talks and more than 100 participants at times, and launched the podcast "Rauslauschen" in spring 2021, which produced 12 episodes by mid-2022. As of 2021, local groups existed in Freiburg, Bonn/Rhein-Sieg, Marburg, Göttingen, Brandenburg-Berlin, Oldenburg, and Hamburg. The association remains self-organized by its members, with a main board elected by the membership.

• 2022

  By mid-2022, 12 episodes of the podcast "Rauslauschen" had been released.

• 2021

  Online lecture series held from January to June; podcast "Rauslauschen" launched in spring.

• 1978

  Naturkundliche Jahrbücher replaced by Naturkundliche Beiträge des DJN (NaBei).

• 1960

  Naturkundliche Jahrbücher begin annual publication; Naturkundlichen Mitteilungen start in Hamburg district.

• 1950

  Founded on 22 October in Lüneburg.

A self-organized youth association focused on nature observation, species knowledge, and grassroots democracy, distinct from other environmental organizations by its emphasis on natural history and identification skills.

• Bestimmungsliteratur (identification keys)

  Identification keys written by members, former members, or external experts; some have become standard works.

• Naturkundliche Jahrbücher

  Annual nature journals published from 1960, replaced in 1978.

• Naturkundliche Beiträge des DJN (NaBei)

  Publication series from 1978, providing a low-threshold opportunity for young people to publish scientific work; still published irregularly.

• Lupe

  Member magazine published several times a year, with seminar reviews and association news.

• Rauslauschen (podcast)

  Podcast launched in spring 2021; 12 episodes by mid-2022.

1. 1DJN – Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung n. e. V. -naturbeobachtung.de
2. 2Buchrezension: "Die Geschichte der Botanik" - DJN – Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtung n. e. V.naturbeobachtung.de
3. 3Deutscher Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtungwikidata.org
4. 4DJN – Jugendbund für Naturbeobachtungde.wikipedia.org