Blue Glacier Then & Now: A Climate Change Story
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Blue Glacier Then & Now:
A Personal Photographic Story of Climate Change Spanning 40 Years
I spent the summer of 1982 working for the Student Conservation Association alongside the Blue Glacier in Olympic National Park. It left an indelible mark on my heart, mind, and soul. I have longed to return to that special place before it is changed forever, and the 40th anniversary of my time on the mountain provides the perfect opportunity.
Over the past forty years, the Olympic National Park has lost 34% of its glacial mass. At the current rate, the last glacier could be entirely gone by 2050. Source: National Park Service
What: A photographic project comparing the Blue Glacier as it was in 1982 with its current state in the summer of 2022.
Who: Photographic Artist Chip Freund, and two of his adult children
When: July 22-28, 2022
Where: Olympic National Park, Forks, WA 98331
The Project
Unfortunately, the topic of climate change has become highly politicized. Misinformation and tribal politics have created an environment where civil fact-based discussions appear no longer possible. I hope that by sharing my story and images, I can open a conversation with those around me. Moving past lectures and rhetoric to meaningful dialog about our world and our effect upon it.
This summer, I plan to recreate 10-12 images taken in 1982. The new and old images will then be displayed in an exhibition placed side by side. Each pair of images will include a brief narrative and the GPS coordinates where each was taken.
Project Goals
1) Share my story and reconnect with a place that played a significant part in my early life
2) Document the loss of glacial ice on the Blue Glacier over the past 40 years
3) Share my love of the Olympic Peninsula with my family
4) Use the photo exhibition to create a space for open dialog about climate change
Fundraising Goal: $5,000
Donor Levels and Thank You Gifts
Level 1: Trail Hand - $5 donation
- Name list on sponsor page of website and at photo exhibition
- Thank You postcard featuring a project photograph signed by the artist
- Invitation to live virtual presentation with artist and trek crew prior to exhibition opening
Level 2: Olympic Marmot - $25 donation
- All Level 1 rewards plus
- A signed and numbered limited edition 8x10 print of a project image
Level 3: Roosevelt Elk - $100 donation
- All Level 1 rewards plus
- A signed and numbered limited edition 11x14 matted print of a project image
Level 4: Black Bear - $200 donation
- All Level 1 rewards plus
- A signed and numbered limited edition 16x20 matted print of a project image
- 1 Invitation to private photographic exhibition opening reception
Level 5: Summit - $500 donation
- All Level 1 rewards plus
- A signed and numbered limited edition 16x20 framed print of a project image
- 2 Invitation to private photographic exhibition opening reception
Fundraising team: Blue Olympians (2)
Chip Freund
Organizer
Raleigh, NC
Will Freund
Team member