Peter Watts' Bio

Perhaps the best description of Peter is by his friend Gabe Wollenburg: ‘Peter Watts is an improbable man. His connection to the earth is forged in blood-- his as much as any. He is a Warrior Poet wielding a *bat'leth* of honor and passion. He is one of the precious few for whom the Earth's siren song is so loud as to be overwhelming; he is as likely to be swallowed by a rolling hill as he is to climb over it. And though he may venture deeply, he does so knowing that he will not forget. He is a man who does not fear passionately embracing what his heart tells him is right’.

Now retired from public education, Peter J Watts was an award-winning middle school science teacher and teacher-naturalist for over 33 years. Watts served his profession for decades by being actively involved with his state’s science organisations including leading and serving on many committees and conducting dozens of interactive workshops for educators. Peter also served as President of the Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers.

Following his retirement from teaching, Peter started a business called PhenoCulture Wisconsin, LLC whose mission was to assist communities solve issues around food security and promote healthier eating. Committed to improving water quality, he also created educational programs to facilitate public awareness about urban waterways while designing and installing regenerative landscapes by rewilding urban spaces for both commercial and residential clients. His designs, conducive to hands-on learning, sustainability, and self-reliance, help create and maintain personal relationships with Earth by promoting pollinators, wildlife, and regeneration, leading to an overall sense of well-being.

His love of Nature blossomed when he was nine and has since become an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. Over three decades Peter used his skills to build an urban homestead complete with a bellows forge, diversified gardens, backyard hens, and a beehive. By most people’s standards, Peter is a master gardener, reveling in the creation of eclectic habitats for humans and wildlife on property along Rock River in Watertown, Wisconsin. His artistic use of metal, stone, brick, wood, plants, and water create Sacred Space. Peter has also received numerous community awards recognising his contributions to environmental education and healthy lifestyles. As a community activist Watts promotes environmental awareness, sustainable living, local food production, social and climate justice, and Pagan spirituality. ‘Unapologetically Pagan’, Peter regularly conducts rituals in a Stone Circle he built to acknowledge and celebrate the Quarter and Cross Quarter Days. He and his family have been involved with living history encampments since 1989, authentically portraying fictional historical characters from late 17^th century to early 19^th century.

Watts is married to Julie Cuccia- Watts, a talented artist and innovative thinker, and together they are blessed with two adult children Brendan and Rhiannon, two wonderful in-laws Chelsea and Austin, and two beautiful grandchildren Broderick and Izabelle. They live in a historic 1850’s home where he and his family experienced many instances of paranormal activity. He’s also known to use teachable moments to instruct, unsolicited, about metaphysics and science to anyone within earshot. Peter’s a teacher always.

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