The Lecture – Exploring History and Nature in the City (Seattle)

Quimper Geological Society (QGS) welcomed back our friend David B. Williams, author, naturalist, and tour guide on December 6, 2025.

David B. Williams presented his two new books: Seattle Walks and Wild in Seattle. QGS leader and advisor, Carol Serdar Tepper interviewed David about his new books. He discussed how urban dwellers can get to know their city better by getting outside, walking, observing, and paying attention. He shared some of his adventures including birding at 60 mph, the pleasures and discoveries to be made by going back to the same location repeatedly, and how to date a 1100-year-old earthquake. During this talk, David shared some geologic connections and insights about his 2025 trip to Japan when he walked along the seawall constructed after the 2011 tsunami.

This talk appealed to newcomers, visitors, and longtime residents, giving everyone new ways to appreciate Seattle, as well as inspire them with ways to connect with their hometown.

About the speaker

David B. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide whose award-winning book, Homewaters:  A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound is a deep exploration of the stories of this beautiful waterway. He is also the author of Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography, Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology, as well as Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City. Williams is a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum and writes a free weekly newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist (https://streetsmartnaturalist.substack.com/ – by clicking the “No thanks” you may access the previous newsletters). More information about David’s books may be found at www.geologywriter.com