Dr Sarah Butler has brought Clear Horizon a wealth of research and analytical experience from the NRM and primary industry sectors. Sarah has always had a strong commitment to conservation biology and ecology and the care of our environment, from studying biology and volunteering in high school, to an undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology (Hons) at La Trobe University and for the past 3 to 4 years a PhD from at La Trobe University studying how we can monitor Marine National Parks in Western Port. Through all of these experiences she has always believed in community involvement and participation and conducting research that is directly useful to people who live in, use and enjoy the environment.

Sarah received honours in Conservation Biology and Ecology at La Trobe University, Bundoora, and a first class honours for her thesis and related work. From 2004-2008, she worked teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd year university students about zoology, entomology, animal ecology and coastal ecology. She also taught primary school students about sustainability, recycling, composting and marine environments at the Gould League in Moorabbin in 2005.

Sarah has also just completed a PhD in which she explored the viability of a monitoring program for the Marine National Parks in Western Port using key benthic invertebrates. All of these experiences have built her understanding of the processes and principles behind NRM.

Sarah has had extensive experience giving conference presentations to academics from around the world at the Australian Marine Sciences conferences every year from 2006 to 2008, to Parks Victoria linkage project partners and to the Zoology Department at La Trobe University. As part of her PHD study she also conducted many interviews with community members and is skilled in both qualitative and quantitative forms of inquiry.