Media release – Tasmanian Greens MPs and Senators, 23 October 2024
Statement from the Greens on the passing of Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick
The Tasmanian Greens are deeply saddened at the passing of a much-loved and esteemed stalwart of the conservation movement in lutruwita/Tasmania, Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick. We offer our condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
Jamie’s contribution to conservation in this state is massive and his legacy lives on in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, in the state’s scientific knowledge base, and in the plethora of past students now researching, managing, and advocating for the protection of our wild places.
It is impossible to overstate the impact Jamie has had on conservation in Tasmania and the movement of people working to protect it.
Since the 1970s Jamie has led the scientific and academic charge for the recognition and protection of Tasmania’s unique biodiversity, ecosystems and geo-heritage. He has published hundreds of scientific papers and articles, underpinning community campaigns and collectively contributing to the understanding and incremental protection of some of the world most precious places.
Arriving in Tasmania in 1972, Jamie has explained the drivers for his life’s work. ‘I came to Tasmania, saw this amazing place, knew learning about the socio-economic impediments it was worth fighting for, and decided to dedicate the rest of my life to doing just that.’
Jamie’s capacity and commitment is just one part of his impact in this state. A senior lecturer in ecology at the University of Tasmania, Jamie has literally lectured thousands of students, including past and present Greens’ members of Parliament and our staff. Ever the eclectic professor, Jamie combined a unique blend of knowledge, passion, generosity and joy, to inspire and infuse in others his passion for protecting and restoring place.
As an author Jamie refused to stop at academia. Writing advocacy, memoirs, field guides, and satirical books under his own label ‘De Press Inc.’, Jamie constantly explored the human condition and its complicated relationship with, and disproportionate impact on, nature. Jamie joined with revered wilderness photographer Peter Dombrovskis to publish ‘In the Forest’ (2001), and ‘On the Mountain’ (1996), also with Richard Flanagan.
Jamie has been a dedicated contributor to process, serving decades on advisory bodies and committees and being ever reliable in offering frank and fearless advice to ensure the official record reflected formal advice against ill-thought through or downright destructive Government decisions.
Vale Jamie, a towering giant seeding inspiration, excellence and delight in the understanding and protection of our precious island.
Signed:
Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP
Vica Bayley MP
Tabatha Badger MP
Helen Burnet MP
Cecily Rosol MP
Hon Cassy O’Connor MLC
Senator Nick McKim
Senator Peter Wish-Wilson
Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 23 October 2024
BBF mourns death of Jamie Kirkpatrick
The Bob Brown Foundation says that Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, who died yesterday, was Tasmania’s towering figure of the natural sciences.
Speaking for the foundation, former Greens Leader Christine Milne described Kirkpatrick as “The geographer and conservation ecologist who has been our anchor in academia and fellow activist on the front line of nature conservation in Tasmania for the past half-century.”
At Professor Kirkpatrick’s poignant last book launch, less than two weeks ago, Milne said:
“Without you, we would not have successfully expanded the boundaries of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in the early 1990’s or protected its natural and cultural values and physical area from the vandalism proposed by developers, scenery miners and loggers and the Abbott led LNP. Nor would we, as a conservation community, have had the laughs or taken the risks that we have to protect Nature. We needed you, Jamie, to speak out, to give us the evidence and the confidence that our arguments for conservation were right. You never let us down.”
Jamie has taught and influenced the lives and outlook of thousands of students, supervised numerous theses and published hundreds of academic papers; sat on numerous state, Commonwealth Advisory Committees, and his influence, since the publication of his groundbreaking work in 1984, has been global in changing the way people think about priorities in designing protected areas.
“Jamie Kirkpatrick met the ongoing ruination of Tasmania’s natural realm with both rage and humour but always the search for the truth. His humanity and love for life on Earth, combined with his enormous intellect, is a source of ongoing inspiration for everyone wanting to cut through the greenwash and self interest to save what’s left of our oceans, forests, grasslands and wildlife,” Bob Brown added.
Tasmanian Man Booker Prize winning author Richard Flanagan, who is overseas, has released the following:
“Jamie Kirkpatrick was an extraordinary figure, a remarkable scientist, a joyful, funny man, and a consistently truthful and courageous voice for the wonder of Tasmania. From when I first met him in the late 1970s I admired him and was inspired by him, as were so many.He never ceased to delight in our island’s beauty and explain in a way all could understand why it was so remarkable. He never gave up fighting for that beauty, his awe demanding of him his advocacy. I mourn his passing,” said Richard Flanagan.
“Though he delighted as much in tiny flora as large, and would perhaps not care much for the image, it’s true to say there is a big hole in the forest today with Jamie Kirkpatrick gone,” said Richard Flanagan.
Media release – Restore Pedder, 23 October 2024
Vale Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick
The Lake Pedder community mourns the death of Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, who passed earlier this week. He was a much loved educator, academic and courageous advocate for the wild. He was a towering figure in Tasmanian conservation. He dedicated his life to protecting our environment and was a major player in securing the 1990 Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area boundaries and later extensions.
He was committed to restoring Lake Pedder and provided much of the scientific evidence to underpin the case for restoration. During his appearance at his final book launch on October 12, he spoke to Christine Milne AO about Lake Pedder, who assured him the community would keep campaigning until they secured its restoration. He replied emphatically, “It will happen.”
Tabatha Badger MHA interviewed Jamie for our podcast ‘Pedder Unplugged’ , which can be listened to via the link. Listen to Jamie’s interviews via the links and always be grateful for his wisdom, intellect and love for our planet.
