Terry Tempest Williams
Terry Tempest Williams is an American author, conservationist, and naturalist known for lyrical essays and memoirs that explore the intersection of environment, politics, and personal loss. Her notable works include Refuge and When Women Were Birds, and she is a prominent voice in environmental activism and place-based writing.
Quotes by Terry Tempest Williams
Quotes: 3
Embracing Presence: Love Through Open Eyes
Once we see clearly, there comes a responsibility to value and care for what we witness. This is evident in environmental literature, where authors like Williams and Rachel Carson invite readers to look closely at nature, thereby forging a path to environmental stewardship. By loving what we see, as Williams implies, we become more inclined to protect and nurture it—transforming observation into meaningful action. [...]
Created on: 7/9/2025
To Be Whole. To Be Complete. Wildness Reminds Us What It Means to Be Human. — Terry Tempest Williams
Williams’ words also advocate for the protection of wild spaces. Culturally, wildness has long symbolized freedom and authenticity; ecologically, its preservation is vital for humanity’s survival. The modern conservation movement, inspired by writers like John Muir, often invokes such sentiments to highlight our reciprocal relationship with the wild. [...]
Created on: 5/1/2025
To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human. — Terry Tempest Williams
By invoking wildness as necessary for being human, Williams prompts reflection on how civilization can distance us from our essence. This theme appears in Rousseau's *Discourse on Inequality* (1755), where social order is contrasted with the vigor and authenticity of untouched nature. [...]
Created on: 5/1/2025