Timeline Treasures

Our timeline starts in 1681, with the creation of Bogd Khan Mountain Protected Area in Mongolia, which symbolizes the importance of conserving nature. Later, Alexander von Humboldt taught the Western World to re-appreciate nature and laid important foundations for biogeography nature interpretation and inspired scientists like Darwin and naturalists like Thoreau and Muir. The last year of the timeline is 2021, the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Our timeline is not comprehensive but lists what we consider majorhttps://www.decadeonrestoration.org/ international and inspiring milestones for ecotourism, in areas such as conservation, protected areas, human rights, (eco)tourism development, certification, ecolodges and best practices. Some key milestones per region are also listed. We hope that GEN regional groups such as AEN, LACEN, EEN, NAEN, AFEN and ecotourism practitioners/academics will find time to construct timelines for their regions and countries thus enriching our knowledge. We have made new discoveries while constructing this timeline, which has had valuable input from GEN founders and hope to improve as we are alerted to new information.

1681: Bogd Khan Mountain

Protected Area:  The local community initially protected this mountain and then in 1783, the local Mongolian government of the Qing Dynasty, legally declared it a protected site for its beauty.

1808: Alexander von Humboldt publishes “Aspects of nature”

Naturalist Explorer and “Interpretation Pioneer”: Humboldt inspired many scientists and naturalists and also appealed to the public. Holistic view of nature and culture.

1864: George Marsh publishes “Man and Nature”

Conservation Thinker: Marsh made the forceful case that man is on earth to borrow its natural resources and should always be responsible in how he proceeds.