‘Landscape without wildlife is just scenery’, says new UN envoy
Introduction:
UN Environment has a new patron with a remarkable track record of working with businesses and Governments to protect and conserve national parks.
Kristine Tompkins, the first-ever UN Environment Patron of Protected Areas, in an interview with UN News, makes it clear that she is passionate about preserving natural landscapes.
Together with her late husband, Douglas Tompkins, her efforts have led to the creation of six new national parks and protected areas in Chile and Argentina – spanning an area nearly the size of Alaska.
Just last year, she donated approximately 1 million acres in Patagonia to the Chilean Government in order to create new protected areas.
She has also been a lead donor in the effort to purchase some 371,000 acres towards a future national park in Argentina’s Iberá wetlands.
After her designation last week, Ms. Tompkins spoke with Liz Scaffidi about how she hopes her new role will help inspire others in the private sector to protect nature.
UN Environment has a new patron with a remarkable track record of working with businesses and Governments to protect and conserve national parks - Kristine Tompkins, the first-ever UN Environment Patron of Protected Areas.
Together with her late husband, Douglas Tompkins, her efforts have led to the creation of six new national parks and protected areas in Chile and Argentina – spanning an area nearly the size of Alaska.
After her designation last week, Ms. Tompkins spoke with Liz Scaffidi.