Jim Torgerson is an experienced trial lawyer based in Alaska who’s keenly aware of human connections with and dependence on the natural world. He recently discovered our organization and offered his generous support for our work. While our team is clearly motivated by Island Conservation’s profound message of hope, engaging with new supporters opens up the opportunity to understand how they view our mission and what inspires them to give. Jim very graciously agreed to share his thoughts on the current environmental crises, the importance of removing invasive species from islands, and how supporting our work can result in meaningful impact. 

Jim, could you give us an idea of the role conservation and care for the environment has played in your life?  

Nature has always been close to my heart. I grew up in the woods in Northern Minnesota living almost a subsistence lifestyle. And my love of nature is a big reason why I moved to Alaska, where there are big, wild open spaces. I’ve been involved with conservation work in the past; most recently I was on the board of The Nature Conservancy’s Alaska chapter. My love of nature is a significant part of me that will never go away and the current climate crisis has caused me to be even more engaged. 

How did you first hear about Island Conservation? 

The answer is one word: Penny. I met [Vice President of Conservation] Penny Becker at the Blue Climate Summit in French Polynesia earlier this year. Just one conversation with her left a big impression about the organization.  

Given today’s biodiversity crisis and the impact of climate change, what struck you as most important about our mission? 

First, I’d take a step back: Of course we should be committed to cutting CO2 emissions, greenhouse gasses and so on; we have to have a rapid global response to these crises. Having said that, there already is significant climate change momentum built into the global system so the question becomes: How do we prepare for the sweeping change that we know is going to happen? In Alaska, for instance, we know that before long the Arctic Ocean will be ice free in the summer. There’s so much need and one can feel paralyzed by an inability to prioritize our actions.  

However, inspired by my conversation with Penny, I started thinking about islands. I happen to have spent a lot of time in New Zealand over the years, seen many of its protected islands, and experienced how different each island can look in terms of bird populations and biodiversity. I also am aware of the work Island Conservation and other organizations have done in the Aleutians in Alaska, transforming islands that were once devastated by invasive species.  

How did these experiences inform your understanding of the importance of islands and your assessment of Island Conservation’s approach to restoring them? 

First, they tend to be naturally biodiverse – especially those that are distant, off-shore islands with unique or unusual species. Second, because they’re somewhat separable ecosystems, they’re easier to protect when compared to larger land masses. So they’re a natural point of leverage, meaning there are more manageable steps in terms of protecting biodiversity.  

Third, as humans we sometimes think we need to “improve” or “fix” nature, but we simply don’t have anywhere near the understanding required of natural systems and their complexity to do that well. Island Conservation’s focus on removing invasive species gives us the best chance to tie into the natural strength and dynamism of an island system and let it heal itself.  

What role do you see local communities playing in island conservation in the coming years? 

A challenge that most Western organizations face is engaging in a way that understands, learns from and respects the cosmology of indigenous and traditional cultures on islands. I paid careful attention to how Island Conservation prioritizes these issues – particularly how local communities fit into their natural ecosystems. It’s a journey that is necessary for success and is a challenge for conservation organizations in general. I really applaud the work that IC has done in this regard and am eager to see the journey continue.  

Jim Torgerson, Island Conservation donor

It’s one thing to understand this in the abstract, but you went the extra step of getting personally involved by making a generous gift to help advance this work. Could you share what inspired you to do this? 

From my standpoint, if I’m aware of a need and I’ve got the ability to respond to it, I can’t imagine not doing what I can. It’s a matter of prioritizing, because obviously there are a lot of needs that I can’t meet as an individual. But to the extent to which I can help – of course I want to get involved!  

Want to join Jim in helping prevent extinctions where they happen most? Your gift to Island Conservation will contribute to saving endangered species, protecting islands and supporting the communities that call them home. Please take a look at the many different ways to give here.