Scenic Hudson, the environmental organization I head, celebrated the accomplishments of Kris and Doug Tompkins at its annual gala on June 24. Both left extraordinary business careers (Kris was CEO of Patagonia, while Doug founded The North Face and Esprit) to take on visionary conservation initiatives. The work they have achieved over the last decade in South America, personally preserving 2.2 million acres, not only inspires but raises the bar for all of us striving to protect the earth’s great, remaining wilderness areas.

kris and doug tompkins

On a personal note, Patagonia’s equipment and its founder, legendary mountaineer Yvon Chouinard, inspired me to become a rock climber as a young man. The “clean climbing” gear he invented transformed the sport, saved my life on numerous occasions and instilled in me an ethic that we can enjoy the outdoors but must protect nature from damage.

Scenic Hudson is dedicated to safeguarding the magnificent natural resources in New York’s Hudson River Valley. Amazingly, despite its proximity to New York City, the region has much in common with the remote landscapes of Patagonia that Kris and Doug are conserving. Both feature world-class scenery, provide habitat for an unusual variety of life and are places where farming is an important part of the culture. Sadly, both also face myriad threats….

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