Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an admission of defeat? Why aren’t you trying to stop the glaciers from vanishing?
Short answer: It’s more of an admonishment/warning/plea to us all to do just that.
Long answer: Fully stopping climate change and glacial melt is simply beyond the power of the National Park Service alone. While many national parks have taken what steps they can to reduce carbon emissions, the climate has no regard for park boundaries and these actions will be most effective combined with many, many others, large and small, worldwide.
NPS scientists have been conducting long-term monitoring of natural “vital signs” such as glaciers for many years. We share this data on the specific, measurable effects of climate change with those who do have the power to make legislative and policy decisions. Washington's National Park Fund supports this work.
The National Park Service also educates the public about the effects of climate change, which is where this project took root. Because dozens of Olympic glaciers have already melted, and more are likely to do so, we wanted to create an honest space to grieve that reality, and to hold the message that these glaciers mattered, and still matter.
Ecology can feel theoretical to many of us if our day-to-day lives seem somewhat removed from nature. That’s where art comes in – it can create a sense of immediacy, of personal connection. Terminus is a digital space where all are welcome to join in this important conversation, to co-create along with us and celebrate the natural world we cherish.
The application period has closed - can I still be an Artist-in-Residence at another national park?
Yes! Parks all over the country have artist residency programs, see a complete list here.
No, I have my heart set on being an artist for Olympic. Will you ever have another artist residency program?
Yes. We plan to launch our next park artist program in fall of 2023.
I don't want to make art right now, but I do want to do something about climate change. Where do I start?
Simply put, you start right where you are. That can mean making changes to how you eat, travel, and keep your home, or having important conversations, coming together with others, and being an active citizen. Here is a wonderful list of ideas to get you started!
