Visitors to Canada’s national and provincial parks now have a chance to contribute to vital environmental research through an innovative new program called the Icy Initiative. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, announced the exciting launch of this community science project in partnership with Parks Canada, British Columbia Parks, the BC Parks Foundation, and the University of Waterloo.
“In this UN International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, our government and Parks Canada are proud to invite Canadians to connect with the beauty and power of the iconic glaciers we are so fortunate to have in Canada. Through the Icy Initiative, visitors become part of the story — helping us understand and protect these precious natural wonders in the face of climate change. Our government has committed to protecting more nature than ever before, and it is by acting collectively that we can achieve our conservation goals and protect what makes us strong. I encourage everyone to take part to this initiative and submit their best shot of a glacier when visiting one of the participating parks,” expressed the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.
The concept is simple yet impactful: by capturing photos of glaciers during their visits, participants will be helping scientists monitor the effects of climate change on these natural wonders. The initiative invites visitors to snap photos at designated glacier viewpoints in five parks—two national and three provincial parks—and submit them to researchers for analysis.
“Glaciers are remarkable features of B.C.’s provincial parks that draw-in visitors near and far. The Icy Initiative is community research in action. When the public engages with science, it deepens our understanding of these rapidly changing landscapes – which has never been more important,” stated Minister Tamara Davidson, Ministry of Environment and Parks, BC Parks.
The participating parks include Jasper and Glacier National Parks, as well as Bugaboo, Garibaldi, and Mount Robson Provincial Parks. At each location, visitors will find specially installed phone stands designed to make capturing glacier photos easy. With clear instructions on-site, they will simply place their phone in a holder, snap a shot of the glacier, and submit it via a QR code or through the GeoReach website.
“Community science is at the heart of what we do, and it’s incredible to see people of all ages contributing to our collective understanding of BC’s wild places. Glaciers are vital to our ecosystems and fresh water supply, and by capturing change over time, we can help find ways to protect them for the future. Thank you to every visitor who takes an Icy and becomes part of this incredible effort,” said Andy Day, Chief Executive Officer, BC Parks Foundation.
This initiative serves as a continuation of the successful Coastie program, which began in 2021 and encourages visitors to help track coastal changes in Atlantic Canada through similar photo submissions. The Icy Initiative focuses on glaciers, helping researchers at the University of Waterloo analyze submitted images to track changes like glacial retreat, thinning, and the eventual disappearance of ice.
“The unique partnership between Parks Canada, BC Parks, and the University of Waterloo will support a need for glacier data collection and analysis, to better inform park managers on glacier change. The program provides exceptional educational opportunities for people from around the world to discover Canada’s glacial landscapes, the changes taking place, and how this may relate to their own communities,” explained Dr. Chris Houser, Dean, Faculty of Science; Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences; University of Waterloo.
Not only will participants be assisting scientific efforts, but they will also have the opportunity to capture incredible photos of some of Canada’s most stunning landscapes—creating unforgettable memories while contributing to environmental preservation.
The Icy Initiative merges adventure with purpose, allowing every visitor to become a part of an important effort to understand and protect Canada’s glaciers, offering valuable insight into the impacts of climate change for years to come.
