In 1909, Enos Mills, a naturalist, nature guide, and lodge owner championed the creation of the nations tenth national park. On January 26th, 1915 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act.

Rocky Mountain National Park receives over 3 million visitors annually. Why do so many people feel a need to leave their jobs in the cities and their comfortable homes in the suburbs, just so they can briefly return to nature? Do People respect the important areas that are preserved for our enjoyment and for the enjoyment of generations to come? These are questions that I attempted to answer through interaction with visitors and park officials.

In 2007, I was selected by a panel of distinguished jurors to complete a residence at Rocky Mountain National Park. The photographs featured in "Rediscovering Paradise" were made during my residence between July 8th and July 22nd.

I returned from my residency with a completed photographic essay that represents a visual exploration of humans and their relationship with the park. It was my goal to capture a visual record of the current state of Rocky Mountain National Park. I hope these images serve as a reminder of the fragility and value of this national treasure and others like it.