LOS ANGELES — In the heart of Chile, Doug and Kris Tompkins made saving Patagonia their mission, fueled by their love of wild lands and each other.

The new film “Wild Life,” from “Free Solo” directors Chai Vassarelli and Jimmy Chin, documents how Doug, founder of The North Face and co-founder of the fashion brand Esprit and Kris, a SoCal gal who, as CEO of Patagonia, built that brand, cashed out and leaned in to their passion.

Tragically, Doug did not live to see the ultimate triumph. He died on a kayak trip in a freak storm. 

After spending decades — and most of their fortunes — to buy up land, Kris carried on with their mission, creating and donating a world of national parks to Chile and Argentina.

Kris Tompkins joined Lisa McRee on "LA Times Today" along with Oscar-winning filmmaker, Jimmy Chin.

Watch the full interview above.

Watch "LA Times Today" at 7 and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News app.