“Stephen Trimble’s output as an artist conveys what he’s learned as a father, writer, son, photographer, activist, teacher, husband, and friend.”
coming in October 2026!
“In this meticulously revised and updated edition of his masterful book, Stephen Trimble reintroduces us to the natural wonders of the largest, highest, coldest, least known desert in the United States. A superbly engaging and accessible account of the biogeography and ecology of this spectacular region, his ambitious work replaces an entire shelf of field guides. But it is far more than that. In its expert braiding of accurate, up-to-date science, stunning photographs, and lyrical prose, The Sagebrush Ocean ranks among the most expansive, graceful, and inspired natural histories of a western landscape ever written.”
—Michael P. Branch, author of Raising Wild and On the Trail of the Jackalope
The Max C. Fleischmann Series in Great Basin Natural History was my first big project when I began free-lancing in the early 1980s. I was primary photographer for the series and wrote and photographed the overview volume, the original edition of The Sagebrush Ocean. Published in 1989, the book won the Ansel Adams Award for Photography and Conservation from the Sierra Club and the Earle A. Chiles Award from the High Desert Museum. I’m thrilled to have the chance to revise the text and venture into the Great Basin once again to photograph for this thirty-fifth anniversary edition.
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A skilled teacher, speaker, and moderator, Steve's presentations draw on his journeys, his stories, his photographs, his research, his activism, and his deep understanding of the spirit of the Desert West. He's also happy to speak to your book group if you are reading one of his books.
Reach Steve at steve@stephentrimble.net
"Steve is a world-class mentor, guide, teacher, and writer. So grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from him."
"Your slide presentation was extraordinary—a word I heard from several folks who attended the symposium."
“The author’s deep dive into his brother’s mental illness and its impact on the family was moving, brutally honest, and compassionate. I admired the courage it took to explore a family trauma.”
"...pulled an assortment of information together brilliantly. ...the stories were captivating. ...the presentation had a gentle, steady, intellectually and emotionally charged pace."
"He was inspiring. He put a fire in me to act. I’m grateful!"
"Stephen Trimble was lucid, lyrical, and thought-provoking without being ostentatious."
"That went well, indeed! More than that. It was magic!"
"When Stephen's presentation was over, it felt as if we had all been holding our breath. We were almost afraid to clap for fear of losing the light that he had brought to us."
"Certainly the panel you moderated set a great standard for discussion that no other group could or even tried to reach."
"Your warmth and clarity came through brilliantly in your talk. What a mensch."
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