Tompkins Conservation

On the 16th of November 2016, the Foundation hosted a memorial event dedicated to the Tompkins Conservation to remember, to reflect upon, and to celebrate too, the huge impact Doug Tompkins had on the world. The guests re-affirmed their commitment to continue the work that Doug and Kris Tompkins have inspired and this is the greatest legacy that Doug can have.

In the early 60’s Doug founded the fashion brand The North Face, but sold it so that he could pursue his love of adventure film making. Later, with his then wife, he founded the global fashion brand Esprit; and in the late 80s he took the brave decision to sell this business too, and to put the profits into conservation. By the time of his death, Doug, with his wife Kris, had become the largest private landowner on the planet, with 6.2 million hectares under management; much of it ceded to the governments of Chile and Argentina as National Parks and the balance actively managed as the realisation of his interest in sustainable organic agriculture.

Read more about the event here.