Although the idea of sustainable development is very recent, the historical contexts could be found already in the Middle Ages. The Roman Emperor and Czech king Charles the IVth ordered to maintain the forests for future needs in 1350. He was followed by the forester von Carlowitz. His everyday experience led him to formulate the idea of sustainable yield in the middle of 18th century. The sustainable yield is defined by balance, continuity and permanence. This method of forestry helps to minimize the inputs and protects the wood. Toady we call it win-win strategy. The important event for forestry was the establishment of two nature reservations in 1838. The Czech economics tended to sustainability also most of the following times as can be seen in agriculture, grazing and pond culture. The original South Bohemian landscape was influenced mainly by the system of ponds, found in 19th century. The principles of coexistence of man and nature were respected even in modern architecture in the middle of 20th century. At the end of 20th century the idea of sustainable development was represented by Josef Vavroušek, Bedřich Moldan or Ivan Dejmal, former ministers of environment, developed personalities and active and well known participants of political scene.