Earth Sanctuary

A peaceful sanctuary for people and wildlife on Seattle's Whidbey Island - SilverKris

"A privately owned 29-hectare sculpture park and wildlife reserve on Whidbey Island, founded in 2000 by environmental artist Chuck Pettis, who leads visitors on a 3 km loop of trails that blend art, spirituality and habitat restoration. The reserve was designed to honour perceived earth energies and ancient monument forms—featuring cairns, a charred-driftwood Ley Line Sculpture, a Buddhist stupa with spinning prayer wheels and a medicine wheel created from a consecrated baby grey whale skull by Nuu-chah-nulth shaman Klaw-osht. Birdlife and wetland habitat are central, with frequent sightings of wood ducks, hooded mergansers, great blue herons and bald eagles; Pettis has planted dozens of native tree species and hundreds of other plants to restore old-growth characteristics and support wildlife. Visitors pay a small $7 honesty-box fee (or can prepay online) and are invited to slow down, reflect and experience the site’s calming, restorative atmosphere." - Carrie Honaker