On World Earth Day, GeoZS celebrated its 80th anniversary and presented awards and honorary degrees for outstanding achievements in geological research.

A gala event called Geological trilogy was organised in collaboration with Kapelica Gallery, one of the world's leading venues for contemporary exploratory art. The event brought together science and art in an original way and highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary reflection on space, nature, and society. The event took place under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, who officially addressed the participants.

Eight decades of geological exploration in Slovenia

In his opening address, the Director of GeoZS, Dr Miloš Bavec, outlined the key milestones of the Institute's activities since its establishment in 1946. He particularly highlighted the period of expansion in basic geological research between 1954 and 1990, and the important role the Institute played in Slovenia's transition to independence. The then Institute of Geology, Geotechnics and Geophysics assumed the role of the national geological institute of the Republic of Slovenia and, in 1998, was transformed into the public research institute Geological Institute of Slovenia (GeoZS). In the following decades, the institute strengthened its research activities, intensified its links with related European institutions, and became an equal partner in the association of European geological institutes, EuroGeoSurveys. GeoZS is consolidating its role as a leading and internationally comparable geoscientific institution. Based on fundamental and applied research and expertise, it provides support to national and European decision-makers in sustainable spatial management, natural resource use, risk assessment, and the provision of a healthy and safe living environment.

Awards for outstanding achievements in geological research

The main part of the gala event was the presentation of awards and honorary degrees for scientific research achievements in the period 2024–2025..

Mark Vincenc Lipold Medal, the highest Slovenian award for many years of outstanding research in geological sciences and for lifetime achievement, was awarded to mag. Joerg Prestor (GeoZS). In over 35 years of continuous professional and research work, he has made a decisive impact on the development of Slovenian hydrogeology, as well as on water resources protection and sustainable water management.

Mark Vincenc Lipold Plaque for scientific research, development and professional achievements were awarded to:

• Dr Simona Adrinek (GeoZS) for scientific achievements in the field of geothermal energy,
• Dr Jernej Jež (GeoZS) for professional achievements in the field of slope mass movements and contributions to establishing the use of warning maps for landslide and hillslide probabilities in spatial planning,
• a group of inventors: Dr Nina Mali (GeoZS), Dr Manca Kovač Viršek (National Institute of Biology and GeoZS), Nejc Bizjak (GeoZS) and Dr Tine Bizjak (Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia) to obtain the first patent in cooperation between the Geological Survey of Slovenia and the Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia (SI 26579 A).

Honorary Charter of the GeoZS for its long-standing cooperation and significant contribution to the development of the geological profession in landslide monitoring and warning, and in the safety of water resources was received by Municipality of Jesenice.

Our power, our planet is the slogan of this year's World Earth Day

GeoZS reaffirms its role by celebrating 80 years as the central Slovenian geological institution, the national custodian of geological information, and the center of geological research. The event highlighted that knowledge is our strengthenabling us to manage our planet responsibly - today and in the future.

Photos by Andrej Peunik