Joanna Gonzales

At the beginning of this semester, I didn’t expect to grow this attached to my site. I’ve walked the Boise Greenbelt many times before, but this time felt different. I came back over and over with new eyes. Instead of just walking by, I sat, listened, sketched, and paid attention to things I normally would have overlooked. Slowly, it started to feel more personal. My project site is located between Esther Simplot Park and a long tree-lined section of trail. It’s quiet, peaceful, and a little hidden. The Boise River flows nearby, calm but steady, shaped by both nature and the city. Every time I visited, I noticed something new. Animal tracks in the mud. New plant growth. How the light changed the color of the water. How alive it all felt, even in stillness. This project helped me understand nature in a deeper way. I started seeing connections between the land, water, plants, and animals. I realized how everything supports something else. Even in an urban environment like Boise, nature is still thriving in small ways. Being out here reminded me to slow down, to pay attention, and to value the quiet details. Now, I see this place not just as a walking path but as a living system that deserves care and respect.

Faculty Lee Ann Toney