When Donna Powell walks through the front gates at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Pierce County, she’s greeted with a stream of golden sunlight and the sounds of eagles chattering, water flowing and leaves rustling from animals in the wetlands.

Powell, who’s worked at Northwest Trek for 49 years, has seen visitors of all ages come and go. She joined the park at age 20 as a part-time admissions cashier, selling tickets to guests from a window. Now the park’s business manager, Powell said her time at Northwest Trek has “become part of who I am,” and she can’t wrap her head around retiring.

“I’ll be talking to someone and they’ll tell me, ‘Oh my gosh, I was there when I was in grade school, and it was the best experience,’” Powell said. “And I … think, ‘Oh, my God, I probably s

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