Ice Memory challenges 320 glaciologists to preserve the memory of our mountain glaciers
At the International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences - IPICS 2026 in Banff, Canada, the Ice Memory Foundation presented its vision to 320 glaciologists from around the world. The enthusiastic support of the international scientific community marked an encouraging step towards a shared ambition: preserving irreplaceable ice archives for future generations.
A global call to expand the Ice Memory collection
Ten years after its first drilling campaign, Ice Memory is entering a new phase. With ice cores from ten glaciers already collected, the Foundation aims to expand its heritage collection to 20 glaciers, preserving unique records of the Earth's climate and environment.
At IPICS, Thomas Stocker, Chair of the Ice Memory Foundation, invited the international scientific community to take part in this effort:
“We invite all scientists to join the community of ‘Ice Memory’ pioneers: if you have an ice core to pass on to the next generation of scientists, you're welcome to join us.”
The message is clear: international collaboration is essential to safeguard more of the world's disappearing ice archives.
From collection to long-term preservation
The opening of the first Ice Memory Sanctuary at the Franco-Italian Concordia Station in Antarctica in January 2026 marked a major milestone for the initiative. As Carlo Barbante, Vice-Chair of the Foundation, reminded participants, this sanctuary is designed to welcome heritage ice cores donated by the international scientific community.
The Ice Memory Foundation will help organize and support their transport and long-term preservation, making it possible for more institutions and research teams to contribute to this global scientific legacy. But preserving these archives is only one part of the challenge and ensuring their accessibility to future generations of scientists is equally important. Anne-Catherine Ohlmann, Executive Director of the Foundation, emphasized this essential principle:
“We hope that these ice cores will be made available to future scientists, without discrimination based on economic or geopolitical factors.”
Achieving this ambition will require a clear governance framework, developed and approved with the nations and scientific stakeholders involved.
IPICS 2026 demonstrated the importance of bringing the international ice-core community together around a common purpose. Now, Ice Memory is calling on scientists and institutions worldwide to take action.
Drill: Planning a new drilling expedition? Collect an additional ice core for the Ice Memory heritage collection.
Donate: Already have an untouched ice core? Help preserve it for future generations by donating it to Ice Memory.
Together, we can expand this unique collection and ensure that the scientific knowledge preserved in glacier ice remains available to the researchers of tomorrow.
Join the Ice Memory pioneers.
Let's build this legacy together!
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