{"id":919739,"date":"2026-04-23T11:01:03","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T10:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geo-zs.si\/?p=919739"},"modified":"2026-04-24T11:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T10:04:58","slug":"geozs-ob-svetovnem-dnevu-zemlje-slovesno-obelezil-80-let-delovanja","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.geo-zs.si\/en\/geozs-ob-svetovnem-dnevu-zemlje-slovesno-obelezil-80-let-delovanja\/","title":{"rendered":"GeoZS celebrates 80th anniversary on World Earth Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

On World Earth Day, GeoZS celebrated its 80th anniversary and presented awards and honorary degrees for outstanding achievements in geological research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gala event called Geological trilogy<\/a><\/strong> 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 Nata\u0161a Pirc Musar, <\/strong>who officially addressed the participants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eight decades of geological exploration in Slovenia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his opening address, the Director of GeoZS, Dr Milo\u0161 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards for outstanding achievements in geological research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main part of the gala event was the presentation of awards and honorary degrees for scientific research achievements in the period 2024\u20132025.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Vincenc Lipold Medal<\/strong>, the highest Slovenian award for many years of outstanding research in geological sciences and for lifetime achievement, was awarded to mag. Joerg Prestor <\/strong>(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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Vincenc Lipold Plaque<\/strong> for scientific research, development and professional achievements were awarded to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n