Nestor Genko

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Nestor Karlovich Genko

Nestor Genko

Born 3 February 1839

Tadayken, Kurland Governorate, Russian
Empire

Died 10 February 1904 (aged 65)

Menton, France

Nationality Russian

Citizenship Russian

Known for Genko Forest Belt

Spouse(s) Maria Aleksandrovna, née von Harff (1861-

1909)
 Children 10 children (see list)

Awards Order of Saint Stanislaus 1st degree

Order of St. Vladimir 3rd degree
Order of St. Anna 2nd degree with swords (for
bravery during the Russo-Turkish War of
1877–78 and crossing of the Balkans)
Commemorative medal of the Russo-Turkish
War of 1877–78
Medal for the organisation of civil government
in Bulgaria
Medal for the commemoration of the reign of
Tsar Alexander III
Medal for the 100 years of Imperial Estates

Scientific career

Fields Forestry

Institutions Administration of Imperial Estates

Nestor Karlovich Genko (or Henko, Russian: Нестор Карлович Генко)

January 22 (February 3) 1839 in the Grodno Governorate, province of
Kurland, Russian Empire – January, 28 (February 10) 1904
in Menton, France), was a scientist in the field of forestry, known for
creation of the world's first major watershed protection forest belt system,
the Genko Forest Belt, located in the east of Ulyanovsk Oblast. He was
also a hero of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78.

Contents

 1The Genko family

 2Biography
o 2.1Education
o 2.2Service in the Forest Administration
o 2.3Service in the Russo-Turkish War
o 2.4Service in the administration of the
Imperial Estates
o 2.5Family
 3Awards and decorations
 4In memoriam
  5References
o 5.1Publications by Genko
o 5.2Publications about Genko

The Genko family[edit]

The first recorded mention of the Genko family dates to the 16th century
when a member of a patrician family of German origins in Thorn, Poland,
participated in wars against the Turks as a lieutenant of cavalry. For
bravery and leadership Ian Genko was awarded nobility by the Reichstag in
1683. This hereditary nobility was confirmed to Ivan Iossevitch von Genko
and his descendants by the Senate of the Russian Empire in 1848. His
great-grandson Nestor Karlovich Genko was born on January 22 (February
3) 1839 in the estate Tadayken (province of Kurland, actually in Latvia),
son of Karl Georgevitch von Genko, supervisor of the estate of the Duke of
Wurttemberg, and of Wilhelmina Mariana (née Schwander).

Biography[edit]
Education[edit]
In 1849 Genko entered the elementary school of Tukums, then the
grammar school of Mittau (now Yelgava), then studied at the Saint
Petersburg Institute of Forestry and Surveying, from which he graduated in
1862 as second lieutenant of the Forest Administration.
Service in the Forest Administration[edit]
Genko began his professional activities as inspector in the province of
Vilnius in Bialowieza, in 1862 in the Orenburg Governorate and in 1863 in
the Vyatka province for the management of naval construction forests. For
his outstanding contribution, in 1864, Genko was sent to Prussia for one
year. Back to Russia he worked in the Vilnius and Kaluga Governorates. In
1866 he was appointed to be junior forest warden of the Tellerman Forest
which included the Shipov Forest. In 1872 this forest was declared to be a
separate forest of the first category and Genko was appointed as its
warden. He remained there until 1876. During the 10 years he was there,
he installed new oak plantations and built paved roads in difficult terrain.
Service in the Russo-Turkish War[edit]
In 1876, Genko ostensibly for "reason of health", left the Forest
Administration. In 1877 he graduated from the St Petersburg infantry
school with the rank of staff captain and was assigned to
the Kostroma Infantry Regiment. As a company commander he participated
in the battles of Tachkisen, Komartsov and the crossing of the Balkans.
Upon the end of the war, he remained in Bulgaria first as chief of
the Bourgas and Demoti district, then as police commander of Burgas.
Service in the administration of the Imperial Estates[edit]
In 1880 Genko returned to forestry activities as a junior scientist forester of
the Imperial Estates Administration where there was less bureaucracy and
red tape. This is the most productive part of his life as reported by his
colleagues. He developed new instructions (1883, 1893), and carried out,
on a massive scale, forest inventory and organised their exploitation. Of
particular importance is the work in Bielowieza Forest, where on the basis
of theoretical research, he applied for the first time, a definition of the forest
area (over 100 thousands hectares) by different type of forests. This
fundamental work is still of important value today. Another very important
catalogue of Russian European forests, with numerous tables and maps
was issued. It set an alarm concerning Russian forests, showing
deforestation and poor management. For the first time he proposed an
original method for gradual cuts in the pine forests, based on studies of the
particularities of renewal of pine trees in various soil and geographical
conditions.
The long lasting activity of Genko in the area
of steppe protective afforestation (1884-1904) ranks him as a pioneer in
this field of forestry.
The aim of these protective forest bands was to increase the yield of an
important area of steppe territory belonging to the Imperial Estates. It was
planned to repopulate these areas, providing the inhabitants with water
(ponds) and forest. These plantations were intended also to ease the harsh
climate of the steppes, the pernicious action of hot winds and droughts, as
well as preventing formation of ravines. In the arid steppes of
the Samara, Volgograd and Voronezh governorates, some 13 thousand
hectares of protective forest belts were planted by 1902. These forest belts
were known as "Genko Forests". For economic consideration, the width of
the forest belts was to be 400 to 600 meters. These strips were located
mainly on "black earth" along the watersheds, which in the steppes are the
most suitable for a forest. The primary orientation was from southwest to
northeast, that is, perpendicular to the predominant summer dry winds.
The forests which have changed the climate of the "beyond the Volga"
region are now over 100 years old, but the condition of the remaining
plantations testify the correctness of Genko's theories regarding the
questions of steppe protective afforestation. Time has decided the scientific
disputes between Genko and G. N. Vysotskii, who was a vigorous
opponent of the massive afforestation in the steppe, and who gave a very
negative forecast to their future
The 1903 all-Russia Congress of Forest Management took place
in Riga and Genko attended and participated in the debates. Everyone
realized that this was his "swan song". The same year, on the occasion of
the 100th anniversary of the Saint Petersburg Imperial Institute of Forestry,
Genko was elected an honorary member of the institute, but due to his
health problems could not attend the celebrations.
In December 1903, he was released for medical treatment
in Menton (southern France) where he died on January 28, 1904, and was
buried there.
Family[edit]
After Genko's death a large family remained which consisted of his widow
Maria Aleksandrovna (née von Harff: 1861–1909) and ten children. His
eldest son Nestor (1881-1937) graduated from the historical-philological
faculty of Saint Petersburg University and was known as ethnographer and
regional historian. Cyril (1889-1937) became a professor of the German
language and geography. Evgeniy (1892-1937) became a surveyor and a
builder. All three were shot by the Bolsheviks in 1937, and
posthumously rehabilitated. Peter (1886-1913) became a forester and
committed suicide. Alexander (1894-?) left the Faculty of Oriental
Languages of Saint Petersburg University, graduated from the Vladimir
Military Academy and later joined the White Army: his further destiny is
unknown. Anatoly (1896-1941) became a famous linguist, specializing
in Caucasian languages, a historian and ethnographer. He was arrested
twice and died in jail. Genko's daughters, Ludmilla (1883-1929), Maria
(1887-1920), Tatiana (1891-1921) died in the 1920s and only Elena (1898-
1979) reached an old age.
Some members of the Genko family originating from Nestor Karlovich
Genko managed to survive. Numerous descendants of his eldest son live
in France. His daughter and the family of the youngest son live in St.
Petersburg, Russia. Several descendants of his oldest daughter live
in Moscow and Vitebsk.

Awards and decorations[edit]

 The merits of Genko were rewarded by
numerous awards and decorations.
 Order of Saint Stanislaus 1st degree
 Order of St. Vladimir 3rd degree
 Order of St. Anna 2nd degree with swords
(for bravery during the Russo-Turkish War
(1877–78) and crossing of the Balkans)
 Commemorative medal of the Russo-
Turkish War (1877–78)
 Medal for the organisation of civil
government in Bulgaria
  Medal for the commemoration of the reign
of Tsar Alexander III
 Medal for the 100 years of Imperial Estates

In memoriam[edit]
In connection with the death of Genko, the Russian Society of Forestry,
headed by Professor L. I. Yachnov, held a memorial session at which
eminent scientists came forward with the memories of their deceased
colleague. The famous forester G. F. Morozov said:
Nestor Karlovich was called to forestry, not by accidental circumstances.
He sharply distinguished himself from other specialists not only through his
outstanding knowledge, unusual energy, and wide experience, but also
love of forestry which was not a sentimental feeling. He committed himself
to forestry. Nestor Karlovich had strong opinions in the field of forestry, and
what is unfortunately seldom seen; he was a Forester-Citizen.
After long period of neglect, the forest community again remembered
Genko, in 1998, by a decree of the governor of the Samara Region, the
forest area of Doubovo-Oumet was named in his honour and a memorial
plate established.
On the occasion of the 165th anniversary of his birth and 100th anniversary
of his death, 2004 was declared the "Year of Genko" in the Samara region,
marked by an inter-regional scientific conference, an edition of scientific
material, the establishment of memorial squares and excursions to
the Genko Forests.

References[edit]
Publications by Genko[edit]
 Instructions for installation of cottages in
Imperial Estates St. Petersburg, 1883
 Letter to the editor Journal of Forestry 1886
N° 1
 On the loss of forest in the South Russian
steppes Journal of Forestry. 1886. N°3
 On the natural change of coniferous to
deciduous species, and vice versa Journal
of Forestry. 1884. N°4
 On the establishment of an office of forest
technology at the Forest Institute Journal of
Forestry 1886 N°5
  On forests in Kakheti Journal of
Forestry 1888. N°1
 On statistics of forests in European
Russia Annex to the Journal of Forestry for
1888
(also published as a separate book)

 On damage caused by the peppered moth

to pine forests in the basin of river
Sura Journal of Forestry. 1889. N°1 (2-)
 Willow farm in the floodplain of Volga river
(Introductory Report to the VIIth Forestry
Congress) Journal of Forestry. 1889. N°4
 Instructions for installation of cottages in
Imperial Estates St. Petersburg. 1893
 Development of forests and water gathering
dams in steppes St. Petersburg. 1896
 Obituary (A. R Vargas de Bedemar) Journal
of Forestry. 1902. 4th ed
 Characteristics and historical data about the
Bialowieza Forest Journal of Forestry.
1902. N°5 and 6, 1903 N° 1 (also published
as a separate book)
 Response to G. N Vysotskii // Proceedings
of the II Congress of specialists in
experimental agricultural development
(St.Petersburg from December 14 to 20
1902.; Part II)
 Minutes of the meetings of the Congress
with addition of some reports and lectures
St. Petersburg. 1905. Page 186–191.
Publications about Genko[edit]
 Нестор Карлович Генко at n-
genko.narod.ru
 G. F Morozov, Nestor Karlovich v Genko //
Proceedings of the Imperial Forestry
Institute. St. Petersburg., 1904. 2nd ed.
 V.T Sobiczewski, In memory of Nestor
Karlovich v Genko // Journal of Forestry.
1904. 1st ed
 L.I Yashnov In memory of Nestor Karlovich
v Genko // Journal of Forestry. 1904. 1st ed.
  Vovich. In memory of Nestor Karlovich v
Genko // Journal of forestry, forest industry
and trade. St. Petersburg., 1904. N°12
 G. N Vysotskii About incentives, obstacles
and problems in forest cultivation steppes of
Russia // Proceedings of the II Congress of
skilled workers for the agricultural business
in December 1902 Part I. Reports and
presentations. St. Petersburg. 1905. S.
302–338.
 G. P Chestoperov Wide shelterbelts on
steppe regions watersheds // Forest A
service to harvest. Kuibyshev, 1959. p 16-
26
 D. M Giryayev Prominent foresters of the
country // Forestry. 1989. N°12 St.
Petersburg.
 V. I Panov The origins of a great
experiment. http://aglos2006.narod.ru/Litera
tura/K_genko.djvu
 I. F Kokova Two portraits. Ibid.
 V. A Bugaev, A.N Smoljanov, M.T Serikov:
N.K Genko - Founder of the steppe
afforestation. Ibid.
 A.V Havronin : Forest belts in the
watersheds of south-eastern steppes of
Samara Volga. Ibid.
 I. M Shabalin Green protections Ibid.
 N.V Romanov Windbreak forest belts, part
of the landscape. Ibid.
 A. A Tchemodanov Let us keep Genko's
forests Ibid.
 Official record of service of Senior Forestry
Scientist, General administration of Imperial
Estates, Actual State Councilor Genko //
Gov. Historical Archive. Fund 515, Op. 73.
D. 600.
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 Russian inventors
 Russian foresters
 1839 births
 1904 deaths
 Russian military personnel of the Russo-
Turkish War (1877–1878)
 Recipients of the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd
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 Recipients of the Order of St. Anna, 2nd class
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