Kristine Tompkins envisions civilization eventually finding a way to sustainably manage human societies. As the founder of Conservacion Patagonica, Tompkins has, together with her husband, protected more land than any other private individual. Her career began as the CEO of Patagonia. Through her leadership the company began to give 10 percent of their annual to profit to radical environmental organizations. Now, through conservancy, Tompkins strives to support ecologically grounded local economies and meaningful work for individuals and communities.

The Tompkins' first project was the creation of Pumalin Park, a private initiative to create a public-access nature preserve in the threatened Valdivian temperate rainforest.