A history of maps in the conservation and environmentalist movements
A lecture by Nicolas Martinez Heredia as part of the lecture series Lectures for Future.
This lecture explores how maps have shaped environmental awareness and conservation efforts over the past 200 years. As key tools for representing the planet, maps reveal how our understanding of nature—and our relationship to it—has evolved over time. From early conservation mapping to contemporary digital practices, the session highlights the scientific, political, and cultural roles of cartography.
The lecture concludes by opening a discussion on how maps can be used today to address the climate crisis and inspire meaningful environmental action.
Nicolás Martínez Heredia (Bogotá, Colombia) is a research assistant and lecturer at the Research Unit of Cartography at TU Vienna. He holds degrees in History, Cartography and Geography from Universidad de los Andes, graduating cum laude in both.