The Gibraltar ornithological & natural History Society is a non governmental organisation the objectives of which are research and conservation of nature in Gibraltar and the area of the strait.

It is full member of the IUCN and Birdlife International. Is is represented on the Environment Commission in Gibraltar and in the nature Conservancy Council, which is the body that grants licences according to statutes of Gibraltar, referring to the environment.

GOHNS office.

In 1991, GONHS achieved the incorporation in Gibraltar laws of CITES. In 1991, the GONHS made the government of Gibraltar introduce a new law, giving total protection to animal species and the majority of plans throughout the territory of Gibraltar.

The law, the Nature Protection ordinance, also permitted declaration of protected areas and in 1993 the Upper Rock Nature Reserve was declared, in the upper part of the Rock. In 1996 GONHS achieved the declaration of a marine reserve in Gibraltar waters. The Society divides its activities into different section dedicated to the research on birds (the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory) which incorporates a ringing group, marine life, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, invertebrates and botany.

GONHS has evolved in then direction of also being an environmental organisation and is working towards achieving solutions to the problems of urban and toxic waste. All GONHS workers are voluntary, including a group of biologists, submarinists, teachers and photographers. Practical activities include the scientific, research of several natural communities of the area, including submarine and coastal and an ongoing artificial reef creation project.

GONHS' budget is small and depends on membership fees, donations and subsidies. GOHNS publishes a quartely ornithological summary (The Quarterly report of the Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory) a six-monthly newspaper (Gibraltar Nature News) and an annual bulletin (Alectoris) which has an annual ornithological summary and scientific articles on aspects of natural history in the region. It accepts articles in environmental issues referring to the whole Iberian Peninsula.

Bird ringing.

It also has programmes on television and local radio and is active in circulating environmental issues through this and other media. GONHS carries out environmental education activities and collaborates in this with the Gibraltar education authorities. GONHS coordinates its activity with several nature groups and ecologists in the Gibraltar area and other parts of Andalucia since it believes in regional cooperation for nature conservation.