Hi there,

My name is Kian Speck, and welcome to my site. Here, I will be publishing essays, personal stories, and book reviews. The topics I cover will vary greatly, because I can never seem to nail down one specific area I’m interested in. However, the majority of what I write will be centered on issues related to environmental science and justice. In addition, I’ll be publishing some literary works pertaining to my own thoughts on nature and existence. Today, I wanted to help readers get acquainted with me and briefly explain what it is I write about and why.

I am from south-central Montana, a place of open prairie, the smell of sandstone and sagebrush, and in the midst of it all, a small city of industry. I grew up with my parents, one sister, and one older half-sister. With easy access to the outdoors, I was lucky to spend my childhood hiking, fishing, and rock climbing.  

After high school, I earned a degree in Ecological Restoration from the University of Montana and have been working in the ecological and conservation sciences since. My upbringing and education greatly inform my views. Of course, I am interested in conservation and the “wicked problems” that confront our species. With this blog I will explore the social and political aspects of these problems, particularly those pertaining to colonialism and capitalism. In addition, I intend to write about spiritual and philosophical topics as well, such as man’s relationship to Nature and the human condition. In addition, I will be writing book recommendations and trip reports from recreational activities. My hope is to share issues and literature that resonate with me and, I think, will benefit other people.

I hope you enjoy what you find in my little corner of the Internet. With all that I do, I strive to respect and honor people’s lived experiences and perspectives. Effective discourse must begin with respect. As such, I encourage feedback on anything I write and interested readers can contact me directly here.

With gratitude,

Kian