Essays
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Blood spills over a $14 camping fee
In the wake of a confrontation over a camping fee that ended in a tourist’s death, a former park ranger remembers a frightening incident from his own career
by Jim Stiles, Oct 17, 2005 -
Yellowstone's Grizzlies A success story
The National Wildlife Federation believes that the federal government’s proposal to remove Yellowstone’s grizzlies from the endangered species list represents a tremendous achievement
by Tom France, Sep 19, 2005 -
Dam breaching gets a surprise endorsement
A longtime consultant to the hydropower industry, biologist Don Chapman, shook the Northwest this summer when he declared that four dams on the Lower Snake River should be breached to save the salmon
by Rocky Barker, Sep 19, 2005 -
Yellowstone’s Grizzlies Not out of the woods yet
Many environmentalists say the Yellowstone grizzly is a long way from being recovered, and that delisting the bear is premature and could spell disaster for the species
by Doug Honnold, Sep 19, 2005 -
The meeting of heaven and earth
A park ranger talks about the increasing practice of mourners scattering the ashes of loved ones outdoors in national parks.
by Paul Zaenger, Sep 05, 2005 -
The return of the hodgepodge
The new transportation bill makes the day-to-day working of transportation policy more political than it’s ever been – and also serves up some amazing helpings of pork
by Jon Margolis, Sep 05, 2005 -
Cano's Vision
In the little town of Antonito, Colo., a local eccentric known as Cano is using salvaged materials like beer cans, hubcaps and scrap lumber to create an extraordinary shrine called "El Castillo."
by Susan J. Tweit, Aug 22, 2005 -
Winnebagos: Don't fear 'em, cheer 'em
It’s time for New Westerners to get over their "Winnebagophobia."
by Dennis Hinkamp, Aug 22, 2005 -
Life rises from the ashes, in the form of a humble toad
Ecologist Charlie Crisafulli has spent twenty-five years studying life on Mount St. Helens, especially the boreal toad, which is in decline almost everywhere else, but thriving at the volcano
by David B. Williams, Jul 25, 2005 -
A most unusual sanctuary, where the Yeti roams free
The kingdom of Bhutan has created a wildlife sanctuary for its possibly mythological "strong men" – the migoi, or yeti
by Nicole Gordon, Jul 25, 2005 -
The Healing River
A writer considers what he’s learned from living on a rugged Western river in the New Mexico mountains
by Jesse Wolf Hardin, Jun 27, 2005 -
Fury
The death of her old horse, Fury, leads a northern Colorado writer to think about the changing aspects – and the unchanging quirkiness – of her old hometowns of Bellvue and LaPorte
by Laura Pritchett, Jun 27, 2005 -
Starry Eyes
When it comes to perfect starry nights, the West is always the winner
by Terri Likens, May 30, 2005 -
Ego gates get my goat — and that's just the beginning
Why do newcomers to the West need to build such obnoxious entrance gates to their brand-new ranchettes?
by Linda M. Hasselstrom, May 30, 2005 -
The devil made us do it
From Devils Tower to the Devils Slide, Old Nick is very much at home in the West
by Ed Quillen, May 02, 2005 -
So-called 'peace treaty' won't save the Rio Grande
Environmentalists made a mistake when they settled with the city of Albuquerque over water use on the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico
by Lisa Robert, May 02, 2005 -
Death Valley wakes up with a bang
The greatest wildflower bloom of a generation hits Death Valley, and people come from all around in search of the beauty of "Bloomstock"
by Pepper Trail, Apr 18, 2005 -
Montana tells the federal government to butt out
Montanans are rebelling against the federal government, angry at the Recreation Enhancement Tax, the Patriot Act, and the loss of their National Guard to Iraq
by George Ochenski, Apr 18, 2005 -
The Far East yearns for the wild West
The Wild West lives on in a distinctly Eastern way at Western Village in Imaichi, Japan, sister city of Rapid City, S.D.
by Josh Garrett-Davis, Apr 04, 2005 -
Do you want fries with that mustang?
A rider in the federal spending bill will end a 34-year-old ban on selling wild horses for slaughter
by Shara Rutberg, Apr 04, 2005
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