Hi! I’m Shane Sater.
Who am I?
I’m a scientist with a passion for the landscape. I’ve done field botany and biology work for the Smithsonian Institute, the Montana Natural Heritage Program, and the US Forest Service. In 2022 I finished my BA in Environmental Science at Carroll College (Helena, MT, USA). My thesis is a guide to some of our local insect diversity. Since 2017 I’ve led volunteer bird monitoring on a local stream restoration site. Every summer I do a Breeding Bird Survey route near Big Sandy, MT. Over the next few years, I expect to continue my studies of the local flora and fauna, particularly the insects. My writing focuses on the landscape where I live: currently, Helena and Missoula, MT, within the traditional territories of the Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai tribes. It’s an honor to live and learn on this landscape, which has such a rich cultural history extending back for millennia.
Writing for you
Let me emphasize that I’m no expert. I’ve had the privilege of learning a lot about plants, birds, and insects since I first began birding in 2012. But if what I know is a raindrop, then what I don’t know is the ocean. And that’s okay. It’s the process of learning more that’s the fun part. And that’s exactly the point of this blog. As I keep learning more, I want to bring you, my community (near and far) along with me. I want to inspire you. Go outside and look around. Ask questions! If I’m doing my job well, you’ll be finding a greater appreciation for the landscape around us. And even if you live in a completely different place, I hope that this writing will get you outside and give you a passion for learning more.
I hope that this writing will provide a service for you, whether you live here in Helena or anywhere else in the world. If you love my writing and want to support me, your donations are what will make this sustainable for me. I certainly don’t expect that everyone will be able to donate, but if you can, please head on over to my Patreon page and sign up. Thanks for your interest. Please enjoy this blog – and get outside!
– Shane Sater