Washington’s National Park Fund works to fund priority projects in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, and we couldn’t do it without our dedicated supporters. Our Trailblazers series celebrates these passionate park lovers and all of the different ways they give back, whether by donating their time or talent, volunteering, fundraising, or something else entirely.
This week, meet the newest member of the WNPF team, Andrea Christensen. Despite being a relative newcomer to the Pacific Northwest, Andrea’s relationship with our national parks goes back decades to some of her most memorable and life-changing outdoor experiences. Completing the Wonderland Trail in 2002 is just one of her many examples. She loves recreating in public lands, and has lived in or adjacent to Grand Teton and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Parks.
She has also worked on behalf of national parks and is proud to list public lands and national park fundraising organizations among the broad range of nonprofits she has lent her talents to over 25 years of working in fund development.
As Director of Donor Engagement for WNPF, Andrea looks forward to working closely with Susan, Laurie, and our incredible community of park supporters to expand the impact of philanthropy for our parks.
What are some of your most memorable experiences in our parks?
For my first vacation as a young, independent woman earning my first paychecks, I flew to Seattle from my home in New Jersey which was the first time I’d been west of the Mississippi River. I had little outdoors experience but had purchased an external frame Kelty backpack, a fleece jacket, and some pretty cheap hiking boots. I borrowed a tent and a stove from one of my grad school roommates who lived in Seattle and set off to Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks in search of backcountry camping and hiking. I drove up to Hurricane Ridge and couldn’t believe I was seeing snow for the first time in July!
I continued my journey to Mount Rainier and remember getting a little lost at the junctions at Berkeley Park because they were all covered in snow. I kept a journal from that trip and it’s been interesting to read all the emotions and new experiences I felt thirty years ago. I remember tearing up when I looked out of the window of the plane as I flew past Mount Rainier on my return home. This experience had such a positive impact on me, that ten years later I would move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to raise money for Grand Teton National Park.
I also met my husband while we were both working in roles supporting Grand Teton National Park. The first years of our lives together were spent hiking, skiing, cycling, and kayaking there. We were engaged in Channel Islands National Park overlooking a harbor full of barking sea lions, and we were married overlooking the Tetons!
In 2002, I researched and planned a trip to complete the Wonderland Trail. Two other friends of mine and I completed the entire thing together, and we were joined for sections of it by a few other friends who flew in from other parts of the country or drove down from Seattle.
This was a dream come true for me, to be able to spend 11 days on the trail completely immersing in the beauty of Mount Rainier. We kept a log of all the wildflowers we saw, and it was something like over three dozen. I sometimes pull out my trail journal I kept during that hike and recently read this entry:
It’s incredible to be able to reflect on the whole experience and remember the calming moments sitting by the creekside amidst the wildflowers — face in the sun, squinting toward the summit — while at Summerland. If only to hold onto those moments in days of stress, and even political strife in our country.
Do you have a favorite park?
I have many, but the short answer is whatever park I am visiting is my favorite park! I have had so many wonderful experiences backpacking and hiking in many beautiful US and international national parks. Some of the more memorable ones are Glacier, Mount Rainier, and Grand Teton, and I absolutely love the national parks of New Zealand.
What is your favorite thing to do now in the parks?
I love to hike and explore the various parks, and I look forward to adding snowshoeing as a winter activity. I enjoy going into the backcountry to remote areas of the parks and spending time there, especially multi-day backpacking. Getting further off the beaten path, I can disconnect, relax and immerse myself in so many sensory elements that are unique experiences that you only have when you’re outdoors.
I recently went backpacking to Flapjacks Lakes in Olympic National Park, and the long uphill trek was accompanied by the sound of Sooty Grouse’s mating hooting call. That’s not something you experience every day!
What brought you to Washington’s National Park Fund?
During my 25-year career, I’ve worked to match the passions of donors with the missions of the organizations where I have worked. Working with WNPF, I am also matching my own passions to support our three national parks which gives me great joy.
Can you tell us about your role and what you do?
As the Director of Donor Engagement, my work will strengthen our relationships with our donors and community to share with them more detail about the specific project funding needs at the parks, and provide them with a connection to show them how their gifts are making an impact. Enabling donors to see first-hand how their gifts are making a direct and positive impact in the park and seeing how excited and interested they are in the work is what motivates me.
Are there any projects that we raise funds for that you’re especially passionate about?
I am particularly interested in tools that help us understand in more depth how human use and increased visitorship in the parks impact the resource — whether it’s trail or cultural resource erosion or negative changes in wildlife patterns such as the reduction of wildlife populations.
The outcomes of these projects provide important data for us so we can actively make changes and improvements to better protect these park resources. Examples of these types of projects are the North Cascades Wilderness Character Mapping Tool; the Visitor Use and Impact Monitoring at Mount Rainier, and the Makah Youth Cultural Resource Monitoring Project to protect the cultural heritage and resources of the Makah Tribe at Olympic.
Can you share a fun fact about yourself that people might not know about you?
I am a classically trained singer and have performed in choral groups everywhere I’ve lived. I currently perform with Choral Arts Northwest in Seattle.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I love traveling and am a volunteer leader for the Appalachian Mountain Club, where I plan and lead trips with groups on outdoor adventures around the world! These trips have enabled me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, hike to Annapurna’s basecamp, and trek many of the Great Walks of New Zealand and dozens of other locations — all while sharing these adventures with so many other intrepid individuals.
All photos courtesy of Andrea Christensen.
We are so grateful for the many Trailblazers who help us achieve our mission. Interested in supporting the parks? There are lots of ways to give. Together, we’ll ensure our parks remain vibrant and everlasting for years to come.