Zookeeper's Land Art

"Chuck" the groundhog at the Staten Island Zoo probably doesn't know it, but his keeper, Doug Schwartz, builds sculptures that cast their own shadows every day that there's sun. His land art has grown to be what the New York Times called "a miniature sacred city," along the shores of Mount Loretto State Nature Preserve. Caring mainly for tropical forest animals at the zoo during the day, after work Doug returns to a devotion he describes as similar to "giving flowers" to his spouse. This 10 year art project, to him, "provides a spiritual side to the science of zoology." Chuck the groundhog should be pleased. We're pleased that Doug sent us these pictures (named by us) which explain so clearly what he so strongly believes in.