Klädmogulernas land becoming national parks

"They ran the world-famous clothing brands. But now comes Douglas Tompkins and his widow Kristin Tompkins to leave behind something more lasting, as when their land is converted to national parks in Chile."

"Douglas Tompkins founded Esprit and The North Face, two clothing brands that spritids over the world. Along with his wife, Kristine Tompkins, who was ceo of the fashion brand Patagonia, they began to take a greater interest in nature, and they chose for more than two decades ago to move to Patagonia in south America."

"in 1991, Douglas Tompkins 170 square kilometers of pristine rainforest in the Pumalín in Chile, in order to protect against potential exploitation. From 1993 onwards, the pair continued to buy up land in Chile and Argentina with the purpose to preserve and protect biodiversity in Patagonia."

"Douglas Tompkins died in a kajakolycka in Chile, but Kristine Tompkins has continued to work through the couple's foundation."

"On Friday handed over two large nature reserves in the Patagonia to the chilean government. In addition to the Pumalín, it is a park called Patagonia. In total there are 4 070 square kilometres of forest, mountains, lakes and glaciers, almost as big as the landscape Gästrikland."

"the Land was donated by the foundation pursuant to an agreement which means that Chile undertakes to invest the equivalent of 3.3 billion kronor in the parks, according to Reuters. Where included, inter alia, to employ staff and be responsible for the infrastructure."

"of Patagonia in southern south America consists to the greater part of a platålandskap of sand and gravel, and nutrient-poor soils."

"But there is also spectacular scenery with lakes, volcanoes, glaciers and other things, which Alerceträdet, the kind of tree in the world, the second oldest (there are specimens that are more than 3 600 years old)."

"Sources: NE, Unesco, Tompkins Conservation"