RIP Aaron Sanger, Advocate for Patagonia’s Rivers

It is with great sadness we share the news that our friend and former Patagonia Campaign Director, Aaron Sanger, has passed away.

Aaron was the primary architect of International Rivers’ campaign against the HidroAysén projects in Chilean Patagonia, which would have constructed five dams on the free-flowing Pascua and Baker rivers. His campaign targeted Home Depot, demanding that the company pressure two of its Chilean wood suppliers, the Matte Group and the Angelini Group, to abandon the projects. 

Aaron was a remarkable person. In midlife, he left a successful (and remunerative) law practice to become an activist. He first interned at RAN, and eventually worked with Stand (then ForestEthics), International Rivers and the Non-GMO project. He was also an accomplished musician, and he leaves behind four children and his wife Michelle. 

His love for rivers and forests in South America manifested in everything Aaron did: His bio for our website simply read: “Explorer of the Pascua.” 

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his friends and family, and we are incredibly grateful for the time we had with him. Thank you, Aaron.