Partners in the Parks: Olympic, WA

Project: August 5-11, 2013
Cost: $575
Host: University of Washington
Contact: Brook Kelly, Laura Harrington, Aley Willis
Registration Deadline: THIS PROEJCT IS FULL

Described by the National Park Service as, “a land of contrast and variety”, Olympic National Park reveals diversity in all forms. In this program students will explore the dramatic physical diversity of the park, moving from the rugged Pacific coastline to the dramatic Hoh rainforest and on to the sweeping alpine vistas of Hurricane Ridge, while also examining the diverse ways in which humans interact with this space. Intertwined with the unique natural history of the park, administrators must meet the demands of its own popularity balancing complex management issues.

We will be moving throughout Olympic NP over the course of our week together exploring the diverse ecosystems of the park and learning from a variety of individuals who can help us understand what a National Park really “is” and “does” and how this park is meeting its own mission. We feel that a key to understanding Olympic is exposure to the physical diversity of the park. We will visit the rugged Pacific Coast, the enchanting Hoh Rainforest, and the dramatic vistas of the alpine environment. Because we will be on the move, we will spend the first few nights of the trip at a University of Washington research facility near the coast and rainforest, and the second half of our week in a tent campground in close proximity to the beautiful Olympic high country. The trip will not be short on adventure, and our boots will hit the trail somewhere every day!

Travel to Park: 129 MILES
Accomodations: CAMPING, TENTS, RESEARCH/RESOURCES CENTER
Food Prep: UNASSISTED, GROUPS
Physical Demands: MODERATE

Olympic National Park - NPS web site