Sutter Buttes

Rising like a flower of stone from the broad expanse of the Sacramento Valley, the Sutter Buttes are a biogeographic island of sacred importance to Native Americans and a beacon to modern humans in a highly altered California landscape.  This landscape, all privately owned when I first met it, has been opened for careful access through an interpretive program that I helped establish—first for the West Butte Sanctuary Company, then Sutter Buttes Naturalists, then Middle Mountain Foundation, now Sutter Buttes Regional Land Trust.

I wrote my first book on this special range in 1983 and followed it with the most comprehensive treatment in 2004 with Inland Island: the Sutter Buttes.  In that book, I cover what was known up until then on the geology, the plants, the animals, and the human presence.  Richly illustrated with ink drawings and color photographs, this book also has checklists of organisms that could be encountered.  It has stimulated further research, and it is no exaggeration that today the Sutter Buttes is recognized as special and beloved by thousands of people who have had wonderful experiences in the lush valleys and on the rugged peaks of this unusual volcanic island.  This book is a celebration of this land, a compendium of useful information that extends well beyond this range, and a rich source of stories and humor.

I will be delighted to personally autograph a copy and ship it to you.  I would prefer a personal check made to “Walt Anderson.”  This 273-page large format paperback originally retailed at $30, upon which tax and shipping were attached.  I’ll price it at at $25 and will cover the shipping so that mailing a check will be very attractive; any little credit card rebate you might have gotten is more than made up for by the mark-down, and you’ll avoid California sales tax (though I know the state needs your money).  Thank you in advance.  If you order multiple copies, you can deduct another $2 per book as added incentive (that is, one book is at the discounted price of $25, two books would be $46, three for $69, etc.).  Add $3 if you want Priority Mail.  My autograph comes free.

Please send your check and contact information to

Walt Anderson

2911 E. Granite Gardens Drive

Prescott, AZ 86301

11 thoughts on “Sutter Buttes

  1. Dr Anderson,
    I live in Yuba City, CA. I went ASU and somehow landed here.. Your book sounds really interesting. I have always been into Native American rights. I worked for The Success For All Foundation. I spent years training teachers to teach the program. Much of that time I was in Northern AZ. I mainly was in the Navaho Nation. But I have been to most of the Nations in AZ, NM, UT,and NV. I saved a Dutch family from going to jail because they were having a beer outside on the reservation. We didn’t speak the same language but they got the point. My concern now is our Burying Owl. We have 40 pairs left. My husband does construction, he will stop a job if there are owls. I can’t wait to read your book.
    Catherine

  2. Pingback: Drought and Dry Humor | GEOLOBO

  3. It was a pleasure meeting you on the Constellation Trail Thursday during the Plein Air event. I look forward to seeing you finished water color from that day at the Phippen (if it doesn’t sell prior to. Thank you

  4. I have recently come across some of your postcards. They are of nature scenes around The Buttes. They are very nice and I would like to share them with the community. I currently live in Marysville, Ca. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about them. I was wondering when they were taken. They have your address on Jay St. in Colusa.
    Thank you

    • Hi, Sherill. I have lived in Prescott, Arizona since 1991. I haven’t thought about the postcards for a long time, but I discovered that I still have a few of 14 designs, some of them one-of-a-kind! There are 7 of Sutter Buttes scenes or views from outside, plus some wildflowers and wildlife. All of them were taken in Sutter County. Are you interested in getting a collection to share with the community or what? My email address is waltandersonAFC@gmail.com. I also have copies of my 2004 book, which I suspect you’ve seen on my website. By the way, the address geolobo@cableone.net is disappearing as of February 1, as CableOne is going extinct. I look forward to getting an email to you at my gmail address. Thanks.

  5. before i buy in on this book of beauty about the blissful buttes i must ask, does it include the creation connection between this land & the ancient ones who are kin to what most refer to as Dino..soars? Or is it more about the wild boars? and explanation about the witches graveyard?? last yet far from least… does it provide Actual/FACT Filled physical findings (IE: clear cosmic proof) of the original volcanoes eruption site/location of lava leak? Please confirm… and Only IF you are able, no stress if not… oh ya and THANK YOOOOU,I already have thee UPmost admiration + galactic Grattitude 4 You & your epic efforts on building this!!!! 👍🌈🙏

    • Hi. Thanks for your interest in the book. I got most of my geological information from two distinguished volcanologists: Howel Williams (deceased now) and Brian Hausback. The Buttes erupted above the valley floor a bit over a million years ago, long after the dinosaurs (other than birds) went extinct. I do discuss the arrival of and impacts of the wild pigs but say nothing about a witches’ graveyard. There are sections on the various ecosystems, the plants and animals, and some brief human history. I hope that helps. Walt

  6. Is your book still available? I would really love to purchase it. I grew up in Yuba City. This book will be both sentimental and instructional. Thank you

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