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2012 Spring | Arts & Humanities, Natural Science & Restoration

Understanding people’s connection to city parks and their conception of nature

Student(s):

Melissa MacKelvie

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Sharon Baker

Partner(s):

  • Friends of Lincoln Park

Faculty advisor(s):

Miriam Kahn, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington

For my capstone project I worked to restore a piece of land in Lincoln Park, Seattle. I removed invasive species such as English ivy and Himalayan blackberry, and also planted species native to that area. My thesis research looked at the connection that individuals form with nature (known as developing their “sense of place”), specifically looking at visitors of Lincoln Park in West Seattle. In addition, I also developed a handout on the uses of Lincoln Park’s native plants by the Coast Salish peoples