Katharine Butler was born in Manhattan and raised in nearby Connecticut and New York. The Hudson River is part of her life history. She received a BA in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She has been active in the arts for most of her adult life, owning two art galleries for several years, while continuing to create her own work and exhibit nationally. She has been a life-long environmentalist and is active in and supportive of many environmental and agricultural organizations which include 350.org, the National Young Farmers Coalition, the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Sonoma Land Trust, to name a few. She is pleased to be on the board of Riverkeeper and eager to work to further its mission. She lives in New York City.