National Federation Pro Natura

Federazione Nazionale Pro Natura is an Italian environmental association. According to its official website, it is the oldest Italian environmentalist association and has always operated on a purely voluntary basis. Its history page states that Italian environmentalism began in June 1948, when the "Movimento Italiano Protezione della Natura" — known today as the "Federazione Pro Natura" — was first established in Valle D'Aosta, and that Pro Natura became a founding member of the IUCN, established in October of that same year at the International Congress in Fontainebleau. The organization presents a national structure with sections across numerous Italian regions and publishes materials including "Natura e Societá" and maintains oases.

According to the organization's history page, Italian environmentalism began in June 1948, when the "Movimento Italiano Protezione della Natura" — known today as the "Federazione Pro Natura" — was first established in Valle D'Aosta. In October of that same year, at the International Congress in Fontainebleau, the IUCN was established, and Pro Natura became a founding member. The page also notes that at that time the Italian Republican Constitution made vague references to nature, as stated in article 9, based on the previous law number 1497 established in 1939, and that existing environmental groups of the era were more concerned with scientific study and cultural implications than with a political movement dedicated to the protection of ecosystems.

Described on its own website as the oldest Italian environmentalist association, operating entirely through volunteering.

1. 1Home - Federazione Nazionale Pro Natura (en)pro-natura.it
2. 2La storia - Federazione Nazionale Pro Natura (en)pro-natura.it