Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this e-mail. I had never heard of Doug Tompkins or Parque Pumalin until yesterday, when I read the first few chapters of a book a friend had loaned me entitled Eco Barons.  I could immediately relate to the struggle Doug Tompkins feels to take part in the pollution of nature by big businesses such as the one he was heading up back in the day; Esprit. It was inspiring to hear the story of how passionately he turned his life around. Being enlightened by the teaching of Deep Ecology and continuing to do all he can to save the planet.  It's a big job. Anyway, I'm fascinated by the whole story mostly because, despite his huge success in the world of fashion he returned to his ideals and ethics about life concerning environmental destruction to a length of totally renouncing his life as a clothing designer mogul in favor of being an environmentalist mogul.

Stephen Quinn, 05/08/2009

Srs. Parque Pumalín,

Resulta que he tenido la oportunidad de ver un reportaje en la televisión alemana acerca del Parque. Me parece verdaderamente fascinante el papel ético que el Sr. Douglas cumple con la comunidad chilena. A pesar de todos los conflictos políticos que se puedan generar con el paso del tiempo, pieso que la causa justifica los hechos y debemos crear una conciencia común por la conservación medioambiental de la manera más adecuada. Pienso que es menester difundir el proyecto como una filosofía global alrededor del planeta. En Ecuador existen ya algunos proyectos de defensa medioambiental por parte del estado. Sin embargo, el otro lado de la historia es terrible. Debemos crear países conscientes de la ecología y para esto deben aparecer personajes como el Sr. Douglas que perimitan comenzar, desarrollar, y fortalecer ideas básicas de conservación. Si los gobiernos no se dan cuenta de la catástrofe que estamos creando en la naturaleza, entonces debemos agradecer este modo particular de crear proyectos ecológicos en beneficio de todos.

Saludos,

Julio Fournier
Quito, Ecuador, 30/07/2009

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins!

My name is Nicole and I am from Germany.

Yesterday and the day before yesterday I saw a documentary about the Pumalin park and your projects in Argentina on television.

I just wanted to say, that I find your work extraordinary and unique. I was impressed by the fact that someone would spend his money for protecting and for reforestating nature in such dimensions. I think that´s really remarkable and admirable.

I for myself lived in Chile when I was a child and honestly had no idea about the Pumalin park (sure my parents told me though..). And although I hadn´t have the chance to return yet, I remember the beatuy of it´s countryside especially in Patagonia. So it´s nice to know that there is someone who cares about it and when I come back it´s still there! ;)

You have all my respect and admiration. Keep on doing what you do!

With regards,

Nicole
Alemania, 12/08/2008

Liebe Tompkins,

Iich habe am Wochenende hier im TV die Dokumentation "Der Paradiesmacher" über Sie gesehen und bin total begeistert von Ihrem Projekt und Ihrer Philosophie.

Gut, dass es Menschen wie Sie gibt!

Nun kann man nur hoffen, dass Konzerne und Politik am Ende nicht doch stärker sind (mögliche Enteignung - oh Gott!) und die menschliche Gier Ihre Visionen nicht zerstört...

Ich wünsche Ihnen (und damit der gesamten Menschheit), dass Sie weitermachen und viele, viele Menschen von diesem einzig gangbaren Weg für das Überleben der Menschheit überzeugen können.

Ganz liebe Grüße,

Ulrike Linnenbrink
Alemania, 11/08/2008

Hey there,

Yesterday night I've seen a documentary about your project.

I'm connected to a global movement, that is called 'rainbow family', where people meet in the nature to share their knowledge on alternative medicine techniques and about living peacefully with mother earth, to experience democracy, to celebrate etc.

So come your story astonished me and touched me deeply. I hope strongly, that you'll have the possibility to go on with your activities, so that many people will hear about it and learn from your example.

Best wishes,

Flora Hirshfeld
Alemania, 10/08/2008

Dear Mr. Tompkins.

Today I watch on TV a documentation regarding your projects. Congratulation for your work and aim to protect natural environment.

Please let me introduce myself as a artist, working on Conceptual Art projects, which provoke to sensitize the awareness for changing worldwide changes of climate and other problems, created by every single human. Therefore, I start a art project called E-ART-H, showing that a single person can change as a deputy for global humans in that way, to change two extreme measurements on our earth during one active process: As a first step, I take a bit from the summit of the highest point of earth the Mount Everest 8.850 meters (about one to three kilogram), and place it in the deepest point of earth the Mariana Trench/Pacific in a depth of 11.034 meters. Thus, not only symbolically two Earth Measurements re loosing their validity, at the same time it will be understood, if one person / artist can change the Measurements of the Earth, what I do change with my behaviour, which can ct as a mind mirror. Beside to realize the art project, I worked out a financial concept including a donation concept, supporting climate scientific and research organisations.

If you are interested to learn more about this project, I would be glad to receive your mail. With kind regards,

Vlad W. Jordan
08/08/2008

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins,

Some days ago a phantastic TV report here on 3sat TV in Germany about your biography and ecological projects has touched and moved us from the bottom of our hearts.

We have developed over the past years and feel very much the same as you in all details and points of view. So, we read a lot about you and your targets since then.

My wife is Ukrainian biologist being specialized in geo-botanic, our adult son just finished his informatic studies on a high level, and I myself own a small wholesale company here in Germany. We all suffer from sensing, that we use our knowledge for the wrong targets. All we are doing is to practise an ecological, very modest life (including vegetarism and eco food with own garden) and animal protection.

I am sure, that there are countless other people who would dearly like to chance their targets, if they only could get out of this "economical terror" that they are exposed to in an industrial country and it's consumers society.

Should you ever need people like us to work for and with you, please let us know. We would be ready to give up all around here to finally help doing what is necessary for the world and not to sell things, that nobody really needs.

To get food and a roof above the head would be almost enough to make us consider to change.

All our sincerestand kindest regards,

Nina, Volker, and Volodya Lantelme-Safonov
Alemania, 01/08/2008

Message to Mr. Tompkins:

I saw on German TV a film about Your projects. I congratulate You for Your plans and the will to make them come true. You are a modern time hero. The man of the decade. Go on with that! Great! Thank  You!

Greetings from,

Roman Nies
Alemania, 29/07/2008

Dear Mr. Tompkins,

I just want to let you know that I appreciate that there are people like you. I saw about you and the wide peace of lovely land down in Chile and Argentina in the national TV. I am very glad that people like you take there money and give it back to mother earth. If I could - I would do the same as you did. Keep on going and fight for our nature with all the power god gave you. Thank you.

Kind Regards,

Jenny Janz
Alemania, 28/07/2008

Sr. y Sra. Tompkins:

Tengo el agrado de dirigirme a ustedes, para comentarles que el artículo del Buenos Aires Herald de fecha domingo 24 de junio, titulado: Douglas Tomkins: Enviroment is everything, me pareció sinceramente fascinante.

En primer lugar porque estoy completamente de acuerdo con los principios que el artículo expresa. En segundo lugar, porque me parece excelente que haya personas que puedan llevar estos principios a la práctica y covertirlos en una realidad.

Siempre he estado consciente de mi responzabilidad para con el planeta y su entorno. He estudiado los principios de permacultura de Fukuoka, comparti experiencias de agricultura natural en Brasil donde se trataba a las plantas con homeopatía, e incluso incursioné en cocina natural, reciclado de desperdicios, reciclado de papel, terapias naturales etc.

Como bien se sabe, crear conciencia es una ardua tarea, como también llevar a la práctica "nuevos modelos", una necesidad.

Les estoy escribiendo para felicitarlos y agradecerles por lo que están haciendo.

Al entrar en vuestras páginas por internet, pude observar que poseen un programa de voluntariado, y me pareció ver otro de becarios de seis meses, estoy muy entusiasmada y me parece que formar parte del mismo sería una gran oportunidad de aprendizaje.

Les agradezco de corazón que pudieran enviarme mas información al respecto, ya que en este momento estoy disponible, como para una experiencia asi.

Viviana Hebe Maria Garay Heradia
Argentina, 31/07/2007

Dear Kristine and Douglas Tompkins,

Iin the german magazine GEO I found one article about your project Parque Pumalin in the south of Chile that guided me to your fascinating homepage. It’s so impressive for me to see that with your resources you could save one of the last paradises on earth in spite of all resistances and prejudices. In Parque Pumalin the wild nature seems to be an artist permanently creating multifaceted colours and natural sculptures. It’s really an exceptional place and a wonderful contrast to the monotony of the anthropogenic landscapes. Parque Pumalin is a great source of inspiration for a more responsible usage of our environment and of our natural resources.

Because of this and the fact that your project is not very well known here in Europe I would like to know if more detailed documentations of Parque Pumalin are available. I would like to show interested people the beauty of Parque Pumalin and the necessity of complete protection for special areas.

Best regards from Düren,

Udo Hanisch
Alemania, 31/07/2007

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Tompkins,

I never knew there was such beauty in Chile, my own country! I have lived in the US for over 27 years and I guess I had forgotten how beautiful Chile really is. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your efforts in preserving the natural beauty of this country. I only wish more Chileans would get involved in the conservation effort. I hope to one day visit this beautiful park and perhaps even thank you in person.

Sincerely,

Laura J. Contreras
USA, 19/07/2007

Estimados Parque Pumalín:

Junto a mi esposo tuvimos la maravillosa dicha de estar en su parque en dos oportunidades, en las que conocimos las maravillas de esa naturaleza, de la poca que nos está quedando.

Nos sentimos profundamente tocados por la labor que ha reaalizado en todo ese sector el sr. Tompkins, que aún siendo extranjero ha sabido reconocer estas bondades y decidió protegerlas, sin esconderlas. Conversamos con algunos habitantes de Chaitén, quienes también sentían gran aprecio por él y por su extraordinaria labor. Por esto es que hoy nos extrañamos tanto al leer que se le ha declarado "persona non grata" en Chaitén. Creemos que esa decisión no nació de los habitantes de dicho lugar, sino que de políticos ineptos, que defienden intereses particulares. Tampoco representa el sentir de los que hemos tenido la bendita oportunidad de estar en ese extraordinario paraje.

Solo nos queda expresar nuestro apoyo incondicional al sr. Tompkins y a su organización, además de una inmensa gratitud por mantenerse firmes en vuestra labor, aún frente a las hostilidades que demuestran hacia ustedes nuestras incapaces autoridades.

Les saludan,

María G. Medel & Andrés E. Ruz
03/07/2007

Kristine & Doug, tonight, while watching ABC’s Nightline, I discovered your wonderful plight. You are living the life I dreamed of as a young boy. I can’t imagine a better environment than your current existence in Chile. As a young man, I was once an idealist and a modest conservationist; truly believing that I could make a positive impact in relation to the world’s animal kingdom and the preservation of all natural habitats. Unfortunately over time, reality, Corporate America and the corruption of developed nations has had their way with me; eroding whatever dreams I may have once fostered in my naïve mind.

To own so much land and realize your efforts are preserving acres of pristine landscape and animal species must be so empowering and rewarding. You are both so inspirational; this segment touched me enough to write this email. If I left my life in the United States, would you accept me on your team? Nothing would be better than to work the land, surveying the perimeter on a daily basis, recording and logging the statistics and, or course, battling the imminent land developers.

I fully realize that you will have a tremendous fight on your hands; trying to maintain your current status must be ominous. I hope you have plans to continue your legacy into the future. I fully realize that 99% of the world’s population is apathetic to all causes but knowing there a people like you brings a smile to my face. Your work is admirable and you should both be commended.

Take care,

Lynn David Clements
USA, 16/06/2007

Algun día este parque (un pedazo de cielo en la tierra), nos hará recordar lo hermosa que fue la tierra y lamentaremos no haberla cuidado, como ud., Sr. Tompkins... Así que solo le daré mis humildes felicidades, y éxito en el futuro, y espero conocer Pumalin. Atte.,

Sra. Susana Osses
Chile, 01/06/2007

Apreciado Sr. Douglas Tompkins

Es un verdadero honor poder saludarle para felicitar la extraordinaria labor conservacionista que lleva acabo en favor del ecosistema del mundo y en especial de Chile. Gracias al envìo del CD he podido compartir con profesionales de todo el mundo, el hermoso paisaje que existe en Chile gracias al esfuerzo de años gestionado por Ud. y colaboradores de Pumalin.

Gracias a Dios, estoy graduado en ciencias jurìdicas como profesional del derecho, lo cual es sin lugar a dudas una gran alternativa de apoyo para vuestra valiosa misiòn de conservar el ejemplo de vida que nos da la naturaleza dentro de la X Regiòn de Chile.

Desde hoy me quiero adherir como colaborador Ad Honores a vuestra valiosa misión, de manera de proporcionarle todo mi apoyo profesional en todo cuanto requiera para lograr la integridad que su proyecto se merece, ya que en definitiva, los beneficiados con su labor seremos miles, tanto los que estamos, como para aquellos que vendràn.

Dependerà de nuestra capacidad de sencibilizar a nuestros semejantes, para que en conjunto logremos proteger al mundo, logremos proteger a nuestras familias, y logremos proteger a nuestro bello planeta, así como Ud. lo ha realizado en Chile.

Un fuerte abrazo de gratitud tanto de Chilenos, Franceses, Españoles, y Suizos, con quienes he compartido la maravillosa obra que representa el Parque Pumalìn en Chile.

Un fuerte abrazo de gratitud, y que Dios le siga brindando sabidurìa, juventud y constante salud, para que su obra crezca cada día más.

Muy atentamente se despide un fiel Colaborador Ad Honores del Parque Pumalìn,

Franco Esteban Alegrìa
Chile, 16/05/2007

Estimados Sra. y Sr. Tompkins,

Visité una parte de Pumalín Sur en esta Semana Santa pasada, luego de regresar desde Cochrane, donde asistí como voluntario al censo anual de huemules de Tamango.

Soy un guardaparque del Parque Nac. Lago Puelo de Argentina, muy cercano a las áreas del Parque Pumalín. Particularmente estoy interesado en la selva valdiviana, ya que en mi Parque existe una pequeña ingresión de la misma, única en Argentina, por lo que estoy familiarizado con la mayoría de la flora y la fauna continentales de Pumalín.

Quedé asombrado, o más bien anonadado, por la exhuberancia y pristinidad del Parque, más aún por el contraste con las grandes extensiones quemadas y explotadas en la región de Coyhaique y lago Yelcho, y los sectores contiguos de Argentina (el parque en el que trabajo ha sido quemado históricamente en su casi totalidad). No podía creer que existieran tales extensiones intocadas, y que alguien las haya comprado para no explotarlas en las formas convencionales.

Paralelamente, la infraestructura de servicios se me ocurre de una calidad excepcional, acorde a la Naturaleza que se ofrece al visitante. Esta idea de la conservación de la naturaleza me parece novedosa y acuerdo con ella (ocasionalmente realizo trabajos voluntarios para la organización Parkswatch, con una línea conservacionista similar, cuyo representante en Argentina, el Lic. Adrián Monjeau, casualmente es uno de los contados visitantes argentinos de los saltos del Vodudahue, asistiendo desde el PN Los Alerces en dos expediciones de los años 80), más aún en los tiempos que corren, donde aunque uno no lo crea, el animal emblemático de los parques nacionales norpatagónicos de mi país es la vaca! por una evolución sociopolítica que en definitiva, atenta contra la misma conservación de la naturaleza de los PN (situación que seguramente es conocida por Uds.).

Estoy totalmente agradecido por su iniciativa, que por otro lado, realza los atractivos de la región de Chaitén, y mi esperanza es que esta iniciativa privada no sea lesionada cuando las presiones turísticas aumenten, de manera de sostener un ejemplo para las áreas protegidas estatales (que normalmente sucumben ante la demanda, transformándose en meros prestadores turísticos, donde la conservación de la naturaleza queda olvidada).

Saludo a Uds. atentamente,

Félix Vidoz
Argentina, 11/04/2007

Dear Doug and Kristine,

I just read the ABC news article online about Pumalin Park and I am so impressed. What you're doing is wonderful - how appropriate to use your wealth to give back and preserve the earth for future generations. I'm so excited your story has reached the newsstands. The American public needs to hear more examples of how to preserve our environment. I hope you get more publicity! My husband and I have dreamt of traveling to Patagonia so with a few months of saving, it might now be possible with your park.

Thank you and keep up the good work!

Sara McFall
USA, 12/03/2007

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins,

I learned about your amazing accomplishments and love of this unspoiled wilderness from a segment on ABC's "Nightline."

What you envisioned, and what you preserved is remarkable.

After watching hour after hour of news stories that make me want to never leave my house, learning about your efforts has renewed my belief in the existence of true goodness and unselfishness.

I can never hope to realize the satisfaction of the legacy you will leave for the world to enjoy.

Sincerely,

Peter E. Dunaj
USA, 10/03/2007

Dear Doug and Kris,

After reading about the mission that you have set out on, I can't tell you how much I admire your work. I too share a common vision and way of thinking. Wishing that others who are as fortunate as you are, would realize that their materialistic lifestyles are not what is important. I have seen the the scarring of the landscape and changes in the environment here in my home state of West Virginia, due to supposed economic benefit. I find it extremely disturbing and wish I could do more to change these things. Please keep up your very important work and please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you in anyway.

Greg Aucremanne
USA, 09/03/2007

Beautiful Pumalin Park and quite admirable of you both, Doug and Kris Tompkins. Much applause and congratulations.

I had always wanted to pull something like that off in my heart's love Southwestern Colorado, but alas I did not gather unto me the necessary coin. You are both my idols in the most positive sense of the word. As a fellow 62+ human you set the standard for meaningful living and worthy use of your good fortune.

Thank you and onward! Your visions and your goals are of the Earth's true Spirit.

Sincerely,

Bruce Raiter
USA, 09/03/2007

My name is Josh Morgan. I read about your story on ABCnews.com. First off, I would like to thank you for your commitment to being a conservationist. I always kidded with my wife that if we ever won the lottery, that I would do exactly what you have done. I think what you are doing is amazing, and I wish there were more people like you in the world. I have gotten to a point in life, where I have basically given up on trying to make the world a better place. Now, I am just concentrating on making my wife and son happy. (I think they call it apathy) I currently am working in Austin Texas as a thermal technician. I was actually driving to work this morning, (stuck in traffic) telling myself that I know this isn't what life should be like. I mean, I know I have to make money in order to survive, but it just doesn't feel right. So, remember, when the work gets too hard, that there are people in the world like me, that would do anything to be in your shoes. Anyway, thank you for what you are doing and for sharing your story. It is inspirational, and gives me a little bit more hope for our Mother Earth.

Sincerely,

Josh Morgan
USA, 08/03/2007

Estimados,

Quiero felicitarlos por el gran esfuerzo que han hecho para conservar la maravillosa flora y fauna de este parque. Ojalá todos tuviéramos la conciencia de luchar por nuestro medio ambiente. Lamentablemente he sentido que los gobiernos que yo he apoyado han hecho vista gorda mientras grandes empresas de este país inviertan, pasando a llevar lo más preciado que nos queda, la naturaleza.

Yo soy de la octava región y siento impotencia al ver que, en San Fabián de Alico, aprovechando el Rio Ñuble, se hará una central hidroeléctrica arrasando con la flora y fauna de ese sector.

Quiero enviarles saludos y darle las gracias al Sr. Douglas Tompkins por proteger la naturaleza del sur de mi país, Lo admiro mucho. Saludos y pronto los visitaré,

Javier Salazar Cabrera
Chile, 06/03/200

< Anterior / Previous Page