The article aims to explore natural heritage as a socio-ecological phenomenon. The definitions and cycle of development of the concept of natural heritage is explained. The process of provision and demand of ecosystem services that benefit socio-environmental systems is presented to illustrate how an element of the natural system becomes natural heritage. As a result of the analysis, the authors propose a definition of “natural heritage” in the context of an ecosystem-based approach. The results would support the sustainable use of natural heritage sites for the development of nature-based tourism.