 After retirement, Thompson continued his coastal soils research with CSIRO and was influential in establishing Fraser Island as a World Heritage Site and in the development and management of the Cooloola National Park.Following his retirement, Thompson was an active and valued Honorary Fellow within CSIRO Tropical Agriculture and CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems.Thompson's contribution to soil science and the sustainable management of soil systems was recognised with the award of an Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday Honors List, 14 June 2004 at Government House, Brisbane.