The paper presents a profile of the rector of the AGH University of Science and Technology Professor Walery Goetel, his novel philosophy of environmental protection, and his participation in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. His achievements in teaching and popularizing environmental protection are discussed, along with the activity of those who continued and implemented his ideas. Selected examples of research on adverse effects of anthropogenic pressure on Ojców National Park and contamination in Skawina near Krakow, where a “fluorine” aluminium smelter operated, are presented.