Chuck Pettis loves nature and appreciates being in a natural environment. His creation – Earth Sanctuary – honors his values and a desire to create a beautiful space that people can visit and spend some moments away in a place of quiet and contemplation.
Pettis purchased the Earth Sanctuary property in 2000. When he first obtained the property, it was largely fields of blackberries.
Pettis had a vision to create a place that would be a sacred space where visitors could experience nature in a special way. He created Earth Sanctuary, a 72-acre site where people can meditate or simply wander through the woods enjoying the natural surroundings. He says, “Earth Sanctuary allows people to be in a peaceful, calming environment.”
In the time he has owned the property, Pettis has planted 3,250 native trees of 31 species. It’s his plan (he says his “500 year plan”) to return Earth Sanctuary to an old-growth forest. He believes a natural forest provides a sacred space.
There is a charge for people to visit: $7 per person or $35 for an annual membership. With the income from the visitor’s center, Earth Sanctuary is self-sustaining.
Earth Sanctuary just started a Memorial Tree Program that enables people to purchase or give a Memorial Tree to honor a loved one, pet, anniversary, or milestone while supporting a 500-year plan for a self-sustaining, old growth forest.
There are two entrances to Earth Sanctuary: 2059 Newman Road and 5536 Emil Road, Langley, WA. Once inside the Emil Road entrance, the visitor is greeted by a Tibetan stupa, used for meditation and the amplification of prayers, and a row of Tibetan prayer wheels. A variety of trees from native Western Red Cedars to Redwoods, Sequoias, and Quaking Aspen line the trails, along with ferns, Salal and huckleberry.
People learn about Earth Sanctuary through Facebook (TheEarthSanctuary), Instagram (theearthsanctuary), Trip Advisor, Word-of-Mouth, and some marketing that has been done to educate locals and visitors about the property. Pettis likes to quote a description from a recent visitor from California: “This place is enchanting, peaceful and very spiritual.”
To learn more about Earth Sanctuary, visit the website: https://earthsanctuary.org/
