Noted sound artist Zaneta utilized field recordings from WLC’s Israel Wittman Sanctuary (IWS) to create “Sounds of the Winter Solstice,” an audio program that features nature soundscapes recorded on Winter Solstice 2024 and Summer Solstice 2025. Originally aired on Wavefarm Radio, the one-hour piece compares the elemental nature of the Winter Solstice, with its recordings of wind and water, with the lush biodiversity of the Summer Solstice, when abundant wildlife can be heard.

Much of this piece, which is part of Zaneta’s larger Invitations from the Land project, is meditative with lots of space for deep listening. The first half is primarily field recording, with audio interviews in the second half. During this portion, you can hear from Jan Marazita, who lived on land that is now part of IWS for almost 40 years before ensuring it remained protected forever by WLC. The audio portion also features Zoe Keller, who was born and still lives in the Zena Highwoods, about how the sounds have changed over her lifetime.

The Invitations from the Land project will include interviews with several WLC Land Stewards, WLC staff member Miranda Javid and additional recordings from both the Autumn and Spring Equinox at IWS. The full piece will be shared at the end of September 2026 as part of a Zena Highwoods celebration.