
John Middendorf Environmental Memorial
The first anniversary of John Middendorf's death is approaching on the solstice, June 21st. It is hard to put into words the massive hole that his parting has left behind: for his family, for his friends, for those he mentored, and for those he inspired. He used his kind heart and his brilliant, innovative mind to create ways to make the world a better place, whether that was through designing, climbing, environmental action, writing, or the wisdom, loyalty, and generosity he shared with others.
Recently, while completing the emotional chore of packing up the last of John's clothes in our closet, I found a letter that our son, Rowen, had written in primary school. (He is now 18.) The letter contained these words: "I asked my dad what was most important to him and he said 'Making a contribution.'" After reading this sentence, I realised the need to put our profound grief and loss into action. I want to honour John's meaningful life this year by contributing to a cause that was extremely important to him and one he believed in wholeheartedly.
Please join us by donating to the "John Middendorf Environmental Memorial”, in which all proceeds go to the Bob Brown Foundation (BBF), specifically to protect the Tarkine/Takayna in Tasmania from old-growth logging and mining.
Takayna is the largest unprotected temperate rainforest in the Southern Hemisphere. These wildlife-rich, ancient rainforests are millennia old, with magnificent trees that tower into the sky. Tasmania is currently clear-felling this unique and biodiverse rainforest at a rapid rate for woodchips. John redesigned his big-wall climbing portaledges to be open-sourced and accessible for activists to use to help stop the destruction of this extraordinary landscape of huge ancient trees and fragile ecosystems. With his help, most of the logging planned in Takayna’s rainforests since 2019 have been protected: they remain standing.
John received the BBF Deni Greene Award in 2024, which recognises professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to protecting Australia’s environment. Since 2012, the Bob Brown Foundation has hosted Australia’s top prize for outstanding environmental activists. To honour John, that prize will now be called the ‘John Middendorf Environmentalist of the Year’. Please see the link below for a beautiful video detailing John's impact on the environmental movement in Australia. https://www.facebook.com/Bob.Brown.Foundation/videos/2820551031449000
We want to offer the "John Middendorf Environmental Memorial" gift to continue John’s work to help protect Takayna from native forest logging by June 30th, which only gives us a couple of weeks to reach our goal.
If John "Deucey" Middendorf touched your life in some way, please consider donating to this worthy cause in his honour. Any amount is greatly appreciated, as collectively it all adds up to make a difference. Thank you.
All donations are listed in Australian dollars. Contributors from the USA, please note:
1 Australian Dollar = only 65 cents in United States Dollars.
With love and gratitude for your support and in remembrance of beautiful John.
xx Jeni, Rowen and Remi Middendorf
(Photo of John in his portaledge taken by Alex Buisse.)
Organizer
Jeni Middendorf
Organizer
Cremorne, TAS
Bob Brown Foundation Inc
Beneficiary