Nestor Karlovich Genko (1839–1904) was a Russian forester, known for creation of the world's first major watershed protection forest belt system, Genko's Forest Belt, located in the east of Ulyanovsk Oblast.
His Studies
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
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.
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