David B. Williams is an accomplished author known for his writing on geology and the natural world. His most recent book, Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound, published in Spring 2021, weaves stories of people and place across more than 10,000 years of history. It covers topics such as warfare, transportation, and resource extraction, with a focus on both well-known and lesser-known ecosystem-critical species like rockfish, herring, kelp, Olympia oyster, and geoducks. His goal is to create a nuanced and complex picture of Puget Sound and to highlight the critical moment where we can work together to make it more habitable for all.

David's writing career evolved from his career as an educator after majoring in geology in college. He worked at the Canyonlands Field Institute in Moab, Utah, coordinating natural history programs and later served as an interpretive park ranger at Arches National Park. These experiences fostered his desire to become an author, leading to his first book, A Naturalist’s Guide to Canyon Country, which remains in print for over a decade.

His time in Boston inspired his second and third books, which explore urban geology and the natural world in city environments. The Seattle Street-Smart Naturalist: Field Notes from the City and Stories in Stone: Travels Through Urban Geology combine the natural and cultural history of building stone from cities across the country. In 2012, he delved into the geologic and ecological significance of cairns, leading to his work on Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography published in September 2015.

In 2017, David expanded his focus to include urban history with Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City, offering 17 walks that explore Seattle's history and nature. He also contributed to the centennial commemoration of the Seattle Locks with Waterway: The Story of Seattle Locks and Ship Canal.