All women are invited attend Savvy Women Exchanging Relevant Views to hear naturalist, author and educator David B. Williams explain how since the very beginning of European settlement, Seattle citizens have altered the natural topography with unrivaled zeal.

SWERV will gather at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at Filipino American Hall for the presentation, “Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Landscape.”

Williams has written several non-fiction books, including the award-wining “Too High and Too Steep” in 2017. The book grew out of his wanting to better understand the landscapes where he has hiked and biked since his Seattle childhood. Locals have regraded hills, reengineered tide flats, and replumbed lakes to “improve” our challenging topography. And we are still at it — although earthquakes and rising sea levels may change us as much as we have changed the land.

Williams will focus on the unprecedented feats of the early 20th century, including the Denny Regrade and Lake Washington Ship Canal.