Our History
From the 1980s, environmental history grew rapidly and regional societies for the discipline flourished. Leading scholars, in particular Verena Winiwarter, began to envisage an international community of environmental historians regularly in touch with each other. With this as a vision, the First World Congress of 2009 was born. During the congress, a steering committee worked out the function and form of an international consortium of member organizations, and a small group drew up a draft constitution and set of administrative guidelines under the direction of Steven Anderson of the Forest History Society. In 2011 the constitution was approved and the first president elected. Since the organization was formally established, ICEHO has expanded to become a powerful network.
ICEHO Presidents
Jane Carruthers, South Africa, 2011–2014
Libby Robin, Australia, 2014–2016.
Verena Winiwarter, Germany, 2016–2019
Graeme Wynn, Canada, 2019–2024
Claudia Leal, Colombia, 2024-
The ICEHO Logo
Our logo was generously created for ICEHO by Dr. Bjørn Laursen, associate professor in the Department of Communication and Humanities, Roskilde University, Denmark.
Professor Laursen is an acclaimed graphic designer, artist, and author. His most recent works include an interactive book that is being installed at The Viking Museum in Roskilde, and “The All Saints Night Lightening,” 2013–2015, in downtown Roskilde, which he developed in cooperation with light-artist Dr. Honoris Causa.
We are grateful for Professor Laursen's contributions.