Chuck Pettis — visionary, author, and spiritual artist—is the owner and founder of Earth Sanctuary and is author of the book, Secrets of Sacred Space: Discover and Create Places of Power. Pettis was recognized in the September 2008 issue of Science of Mind magazine as one of 12 people making a difference in the world.
Earth Sanctuary is the vision of its founder, Chuck Pettis. A long-time environmentalist, Chuck decided to take personal responsibility to enhance biodiversity and create a sustainable society by creating Earth Sanctuary. With a 500-year plan to restore the 72-acres of Earth Sanctuary to mature old-growth forest with maximum diversity of birds, wildlife, plants, and fungi, Earth Sanctuary is an exemplary model for ecological design. The goal: to truly “Design with Nature.”
Author of the book, Secrets of Sacred Space, Chuck Pettis is also an expert on the design and creation of sacred spaces. Earth Sanctuary is an exemplary example of a sacred and peaceful place that uses eco-art to create inspiring and unique environments for personal renewal and spiritual growth.
The story of how Earth Sanctuary came to be — and how Chuck is working towards restoring Earth Sanctuary land to a mature old growth forest, while also holding it as a sacred space for anyone that visits.
Over the past 50 years he has built numerous environmental artworks, among them labyrinths and stone circles. In 1977 he built the Ellis Hollow Stone Circle, the first energetically and astronomically aligned stone circle in the United States. In 1987 he created the “Seattle Ley-Line Map,” utilizing a grant that the Geo Group (of which he is a founding member) won from the Seattle Arts Commission. The map, displaying ley lines that run through Seattle, is part of Seattle City Light’s 1% for Art Portable Works Collection.
Chuck Pettis received a B.A. in Psychology from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a M.A. in Design from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, where he attended Buckminster Fuller’s Design Department. Fuller’s holistic approach to design has continued to be a source of life-long inspiration for Chuck.
More About Earth Sanctuary
News Releases:
- Infinite Tower Artwork Connects Heaven and Earth at Earth Sanctuary, October 17, 2016
- Earth Sanctuary Connects Visitors with Nature Through New Environmental Artwork and Meditation Series, October 13, 2020
- A Living Tribute: New Program Provides a Personal Piece of Nature Preserve in Washington State, August 11, 2020
- Earth Sanctuary’s Cutting-Edge Forest Management Plan is Designed to Speed Old-Growth, September 2011
- Pacific NW Nature Reserve Designed to Restore Wholeness to the Human Spirit and the Environment: Island Meditation Parkland features Stonehenge-like Monuments, March 21, 2002
- Megalithic Stone Monuments Being Built on Whidbey Island, March 3, 2002
Media Coverage:
- A peaceful sanctuary for people and wildlife on Seattle’s Whidbey Island. A wonderful feature article in SilverKris on Chuck Pettis and Earth Sanctuary including some wonderful recommendations on where to stay and eat on Whidbey Island! SilverKris is part of Singapore Airlines has worldwide coverage and attracts a seriously diverse world population. October 2023.
- Short Fall Day Trips from Seattle. Earth Sanctuary was included in a roundup of the best fall day trips from Seattle in Seattle Met Magazine! October 2023.
- Holiday Gift Guide: Stuff Your Stockings: Go small to go big this holiday season with these unique gifts, SEATTLE MAGAZINE, December 1, 2020
- An art-full outdoor experience awaits on Whidbey and Camano Islands: Outdoor exhibits offer enthusiasts a unique way to experience art and nature, by Carleen Nugent, Whidbey News-Times, November 16, 2020
- Visiting Earth Sanctuary, Whidbey Island’s Nature Retreat and Sculpture Park, Photographer Anthony May, Seattle Refined, November 3, 2020. Earth Sanctuary was featured in a scenic photo slideshow, including many fantastic images. The slideshow praises Earth Sanctuary for its “peace and tranquility,” welcoming visitors for a distraction from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Timely for today!
- Northwest escapes from election anxiety — Plus, a 500-year plan for Whidbey Island, by Brangien Davis, Crosscut, November 5, 2020
- An autumn escape to Whidbey Island, by Aakanksha Agarwal, Seattleite, October 26, 2020
- Outdoors classes and activities around Snohomish County, HeraldNet, October 26, 2020
- Visit these Whidbey Island sculpture parks to escape COVID-19. Check out the latest sculpture at Earth Sanctuary in Langley, then stroll the new Price Sculpture Park in Coupeville. By Sara Bruestle, Everett Herald, October 22, 2020
- Scenic detours, serene retreats to take in the PNW and beyond this fall by Lori A. May, Special to The Seattle P-I
- Spend a day connecting with energies at The Earth Sanctuary by Alyssa Therrien Daily Hive – Seattle, Oct 19 2020
- Earth Sanctuary in Freeland: A peaceful, spiritual place to spend some thoughtful time by Carolyn Tamler Whidbey Local, October 5, 2020
- Earth Sanctuary: Explore stone circles, labyrinths, and other interactive, tactile installations (page 78-79). Welcome Magazine of Snohomish County, Fall/Winter 2020. Larger Article with more photos.
- Discover Washington: A romantic weekend on Whidbey Island. Seattle Times, September 17, 2020.
- Memorial trees offer alternative way to honor loved ones. Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island offers a unique way to celebrate life. KING5 Evening TV show. September 16, 2020.
- The greener good: Purchase a tree as a tribute: South Whidbey’s Earth Sanctuary is offering a ripe opportunity by Kira Erickson of Whidbey News Times, Saturday, September 5, 2020
- Foodista | Whidbey Island, Washington: Earth Sanctuary and Heavenly Food by Michael and Elizabeth Fagin. August 1, 2020.
- Memorial Trees and Rites of Passage at Earth Sanctuary by Kate Poss.
- Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island, Washington by Linda Kissam. Article and radio interview with Chuck Pettis. June, 2020.
- There is a wonderful article on Earth Sanctuary by Carol Pucci in the January 22, 2009 Seattle Times Travel/Outdoors section – NW Weekend. The Earth Sanctuary labyrinth is the cover photo of the print pull-out section! There is also a great video of Earth Sanctuary by Erika Schultz.
- A story on the Veils of Reality sculpture in the South Whidbey Record.
- A story on the Victory stupa appeared on the front page of our local paper, The South Whidbey Record.
- The blessing ceremony for the Earth Sanctuary stupa got front page coverage in our local South Whidbey Record news paper. Thank you H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya and all the lamas and monks who participated in the beautiful and inspiring ceremony, as well as all who helped in some way. We circumambulated the future stupa site yesterday and it is like the stupa has already become present.
- Earth Sanctuary is proud to be a regular feature on the TV show, Evening Magazine.
- Andriana Fletcher, a film student at Pacific Lutheran University, recently contacted Sakya Monastery about producing a short documentary about Buddhism in America. She visited Sakya Monastery, the Pettis home and Earth Sanctuary to create this film about Chuck Pettis’ practice of Tibetan Buddhism.
- “Trees planted at Earth Sanctuary as part of 500-year design”
by Gayle Saran, South Whidbey Record, January 7, 2006 - “Earth Sanctuary”
By Dan Borroff, Published in the Winter 2005 Washington Park Arboretum Bulletin and used with permission of the Arboretum Foundation - The Power of “Modern” Prayer Wheels
by H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya - “Haven for a Cause: In Quiet Places, the Spirit and the Land are Restored”
by Valerie Easton. Seattle Times (Pacific Northwest Magazine), June 6, 2003. - “Energetic Support Minerals”
by Collen Marquist. The New Times, May 2002. - “The Start of Something Ancient”
by Matt Johnson. South Whidbey Record, March 20, 2002. - “Newman Ponds to Become ‘Earth Sanctuary'”
by Jim Larsen. South Whidbey Record, February 28, 2001
The Team
Behind the beauty and peacefulness of Earth Sanctuary is an exemplary team of experts in wetland ecology, restoration, landscape design, and Feng Shui.
- Dan Borroff
- Kevin Fetherston
- Albert and Steven Gabelein
- Collen Marquist
- Heidi Oman
- Bre Pettis
- Claudia Pettis
- Morgan Pettis
- David Rousseau
- Dave Schmidt
- H. H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya Dorje Chang
- Celia Sullivan and the Kid Crew
- Mike Sweeney
- William Rubel, Jody Rubel and Nikko Bowen
- Byron Rot
- Richard Alexander
- Janice Piper
- Claudia Pettis
