'Sanctuary' was commissioned by the American Wild Ensemble to celebrate the centennial of the U.S. National Parks. It was featured as the first track on their CD, Music in the American Wild. The piece concerns the takeover by armed militants of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, a well-known bird sanctuary. It is meant to address the persistent encroachment of human activity on America's dwindling wild places, and bring awareness to the public about the many problems this creates for both wildlife and ourselves.
