.jpg){kind=small}
In the summer of 2002 I volunteered on a restoration team at Olympic National Park. I had many reasons for donating my time to the park service ranging from a vague desire to give something back to a simple curiosity about the inner workings of the park system. The main reason, however, was the park itself. Of the public land in the continental United States, few compare with the diversity and beauty of Olympic National Park. I can think of no other place where it is possible to begin a hike on on an ocean beach, walk through several distinct ecosytems and finish on a moraine overlooking a glacier.
Volunteering was a worthwhile experience. I managed to see most of the park, spent many nights in the backcountry, received a crash course in environmental law, marveled at the manpower necessary to minimize human impact, and learned more Latin names for plants than I'll ever need. This left little time for photography, but I did manage to get away from time to time when the light was good. What follows are a few photos and some thoughts on the issues that confront our wilderness. If you are looking for an interesting experience, consider working as a volunteer for the National Park Service, it's a good way to spend a few months and the parks can certainly use the help.
[ continue ]