Preserve the ice memory for future generations

The engagement of the global scientific community is essential to building the Ice Memory Heritage.

Whether you are planning a new drilling expedition or already hold ice cores that could become part of this heritage, you can help preserve these archives for the science of tomorrow.
 

Two ways to contribute to the Ice Memory collection

1. COLLECT — Planning a new drilling expedition?

Are you preparing a drilling operation on a glacier that could provide valuable scientific information for long-term preservation? Consider collecting a second ice core dedicated to Ice Memory.
By integrating heritage preservation into your drilling programme, your team can contribute to a global collection that will remain available to future generations of scientists.

The Ice Memory Foundation can support eligible drilling operations, including by contributing to the additional costs of collecting a second ice core in accordance with the Ice Memory protocol.
 

2. DONATE — Already have ice cores?

Does your institution hold one or more previously drilled, untouched ice cores that could contribute to the Ice Memory collection? Consider donating them to the Ice Memory Foundation.
Existing ice cores may contain valuable environmental and climatic information that deserves to be preserved over the very long term. By contributing these archives, your institution can help expand the geographical and historical scope of the universal collection.

The Ice Memory Foundation can assist with the donation process, including logistics, long-term preservation and the establishment of a secure legal framework.
 

Building a universal collection for future science

The Ice Memory collection aims to preserve ice cores representing a diversity of glaciers and environmental histories across the world.

The selection of glaciers is guided by their scientific and heritage value. In particular, candidate glaciers should:

• Provide significant geographical and historical information at regional to continental scales.
• Complement the glaciers already represented in the Ice Memory collection.
• Contribute to the diversity and long-term scientific value of the collection.
• Glaciers are selected independently of political or geopolitical considerations.

By bringing together ice cores from different regions, the Ice Memory initiative seeks to establish a shared scientific heritage that transcends borders and generations. Our ambition is to work towards the recognition of the first World Heritage Site dedicated to ice cores, with the involvement of UNESCO and the Antarctic Treaty System.
 

How the Ice Memory Foundation supports its partners

Contributing to the Ice Memory collection is a collaborative process. The Foundation works with scientific teams and institutions to facilitate the collection, donation and long-term preservation of heritage ice cores. Depending on the project, its support includes:

Scientific and technical coordination

• Labelling drilling operations in accordance with the Ice Memory protocol.
• Supporting the coordination of heritage ice-core donations.

Financial and logistical support

• Contributing to the additional costs of collecting a second ice core dedicated to Ice Memory.
• Contributing to logistical costs associated with donating previously drilled ice cores.
• Organising and supporting long-term storage in the Ice Memory Sanctuaries.

Institutional and legal support

• Mobilising the Foundation's institutional network, including UNESCO and diplomatic partners.
• Providing a secure legal framework for the long-term preservation and heritage status of ice cores.

International visibility

• Mobilising the Foundation's international media network.
• Contributing to the coordination of communication campaigns around participating projects.

Let's build this heritage together

Every new drilling project and every eligible ice-core donation represents an opportunity to enrich the Ice Memory universal collection.
Are you planning an expedition?
Do you hold untouched ice cores that could be preserved for future generations?