How do you perceive the natural world and how has the perception evolved over time? I set out to see how 4 individual’s interactions and experiences surrounding the natural world have changed in Washington State throughout their lifetimes as the area has grown and developed.

Top Left:

Renee B. – 62 years old

Edmonds, WA

“I have lived just north of Seattle most of my life. What used to be forest gradually progressed to farmland, and then it has continued to develop. I have looked out this window for many years and I’m just glad that this plot of land has become a school. I’d rather see children running around enjoying the sunlight even on a winter day, than see skyrise buildings clog up my view of the beautiful forest.”

Top Right: 

Jim S. – 74 years old

Bothell, WA

“I remember walking to the edge of this swampy place and thinking how I’d love to go explore it. Well…I eventually did when my parents didn’t know. I was amazed at how much life there was. The birds, the amphibians, and insects. When you’re standing on the edge looking in then there aren’t really those sensual interactions that you get from being fully immersed. Fastforward a handful of decades and now me and everyone else can walk along on a tidy little boardwalk. Does this make me angry? Not really, I’m just glad that everyone else has a change to experience what I did so long ago. Now I just make sure I don’t go on the weekends. I bet the condos at the edge of the wetland are just the beginning of man invading nature in this place.”

Bottom Left:

Milt T. – 88 years old

Monroe, WA

“I grew up in Monroe and I would ride my bike out along the county road to find fishing spots along the river. I know that river like the back of my hand and I never shared my secret places with anyone. I’ve gone to the same places year after year and seen the change creep in slowly. Towns have grown, roads have developed and what was once a quiet, secluded place has a busy highway overhead. I’ve given up coming here for peace and quiet, but still like to visit from time to time to have those great memories come flooding back into my mind.”

Bottom Right:

Dave and Maim M. – 62 and 58 years old

Gig Harbor, WA

“We have spent most of our married lives right here on this beach. We’ve raised all of our children here, seen them grow up, and unfortunately we’ve seen the area grow also. What we used to call ‘our quiet beach’ is often crowded with strangers looking for solitude from the busy world. We can’t really get mad at them, it’s just nice to have a little piece of something special all to yourself and when that is encroached upon then you get a little sad and defensive I guess. Now ours aren’t the only footprints on this beach.”