Tributes for Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, ‘a towering figure’ in the study of natural sciences in Tasmania and passionate conservationist

A man described as “a remarkable scientist” who never gave up fighting for Tasmania’s natural beauty, Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick has died at age 78.

UTAS Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick. Picture: Richard Jupe

A man described as a towering figure in the study of natural sciences Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick AM has died at age 78.

Conservationists, academic colleagues and the University of Tasmania have paid tribute to Professor Kirkpatrick for his passionate work as a geographer, teacher and protector of the environment.

Tasmanian Man Booker Prize winning author Richard Flanagan paid tribute him saying “there is a big hole in the forest today with Jamie Kirkpatrick gone.”

“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.” Flanagan said in a release buy the Bob Brown Foundation.

“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.”

The acclaimed academic began is career at the University of Tasmania in January 1972 as a lecturer in Geography. He was appointed Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies in 1988 and was Head of various academic units throughout his career.

Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick in 2010. Picture: Kim Eiszele

In 2003, Jamie was made a Member of the Order of Australia. In 2006, he was awarded the Doctor of Science by the University. He was appointed a Distinguished Professor in 2009. He also served as a member of many influential government and non-government committees in the area of nature conservation, which defined his life.

“These are amazing achievements. It was however the person that Jamie was and the unique human qualities he brought that really stood out to those who knew him,” The University said on social media.

“His colleagues describe him as the heart and soul of the School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences, and he was still teaching and actively supervising students until very recently.

“We extend our sincere condolences to all who knew and worked with Jamie.”

The Bob Brown Foundation says that Professor Kirkpatrick, who died on Monday, was Tasmania’s towering figure of the natural sciences.

Speaking for the foundation, former Greens Leader Christine Milne described Professor 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 a century.”

Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick.

The Tasmanian Greens described him as a much-loved and esteemed stalwart of the conservation movement in the state.

“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,” they said in a statement.

“It is impossible to overstate the impact Jamie has had on conservation in Tasmania and the movement of people working to protect it.”

Restore Pedder Campaign co-ordinator Maddie McShane said Professor Kirkpatrick 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 about Lake Pedder, who assured him the community would keep campaigning until they secured its restoration. He replied emphatically: “It will happen.”,” she said.

Originally published as Tributes for Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, ‘a towering figure’ in the study of natural sciences in Tasmania and passionate conservationist