Gdańsk and Pomerania should be considered the cradle of world movement for protecting nature monuments as modern concept of nature conservation was developed by Hugo Conwentz, the head of the Provincial Museum living in Gdańsk at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries (1855-1922). He was a naturalist conducting very active organisational and scientific activity in Gdańsk. The author presents his activity versus similar movements in other countries, with special emphasis on Polish provinces.