In 1871, a group of thinkers formed the Society for the Study of Natural Sciences of Nîmes and the Gard (SESNNG: Société d'étude de Sciences Naturelles de Nîmes et du Gard). This group of naturalists and explorers, specializing in botany, zoology, geology, and paleontology, came together with the aim to educate others and study. They also build their collections.