Uncommon Westerners
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Seattle-based artist paints portraits of a melting world
Maria Coryell-Martin uses 'expeditionary art' to educate people about climate change.
by Eric Wagner, Nov 30, 2012 -
Inside the orchard: A conversation with novelist Amanda Coplin
The Portland, Ore., based writer talks about the role of landscape in her writing and her debut novel, The Orchardist.
by A. E. Smith, Oct 26, 2012 -
Already gone: a profile of Native American poet Joy Harjo
The author of She Had Some Horses and In Mad Love and War discusses her new memoir, Crazy Brave.
by Laura Paskus, Oct 25, 2012 -
Three Nevada fiction writers make their debut
New authors Tupelo Hassman, Ben Rogers, and Claire Vaye Watkins discuss how Nevada inspired their fiction and the themes of their work.
by Jenny Shank, Oct 24, 2012 -
Existential nomad: A profile of author Ruben Martinez
The author asks questions about life in the desert West -- who belongs there, and what belongs to whom.
by Judith Lewis Mernit, Oct 19, 2012 -
The West in my blood: A profile of Eddie Chuculate
The Native American author writes fresh but familiar stories.
by Chee Brossy, Oct 17, 2012 -
In search of camas, a Native American food staple
Botanist Madrona Murphy traces long-lost edible wild plant gardens cultivated by the Pacific Northwest's Coast Salish.
by Eric Wagner, Aug 15, 2012 -
Save a chimney, save a swift
As their natural roosts disappeared, Vaux's swifts turned to old, brick chimneys for refuge during long migrations. Those safe havens are disappearing, too. Luckily, the swifts -- and the chimneys -- have found a champion in Larry Schwitters
by Eric Wagner, Jul 23, 2012 -
Chosen by Wyoming
Sometimes it seems like everybody is retiring and moving to Florida, but some of us die-hard Westerners are determined to stay, despite Wyoming’s harsh winters.
by Marcia Hensley, May 25, 2012 -
Environmental warrior Martin Litton is still fighting at 95
Martin Litton, who has spent his entire life fighting to preserve Western landscapes, is still battling to save California’s giant sequoias.
by Jane Braxton Little, Feb 29, 2012 -
John Mionczynski: naturalist, accordionist, and Bigfoot expert
In rural Wyoming, naturalist John Mionczynski plays piano, restores motorcycles, studies wildlife and tracks down evidence for the mysterious creature known as Sasquatch.
by Emilene Ostlind, Feb 08, 2012 -
Richard West Sellars' accidental but distinguished National Park Service career
Historian Richard West Sellars didn't intend to spend a career in the Park Service. But after 35 years, his impact still resonates.
by Kimberly Hirai, Jan 27, 2012 -
Raymond Ansotegui and the art of artificially inseminating cattle
The "overeducated cowboy" Raymond Ansotegui roams the West in the "Shaggin' Wagon," artificially inseminating cattle with the help of friends and family.
by Seonaid B. Campbell, Jan 06, 2012 -
Hersh Saunders' transformation from prosthodontist to kosher slaughterer
Frustrated by the difficulty of finding kosher meat from humanely raised animals, Rabbi Hersh Saunders began raising livestock and learned to butcher in the ritual way as a shochet.
by Shanna Lewis, Dec 07, 2011 -
Daniel Marlos shares his knowledge and love of the insect world
In Los Angeles, self-trained entomologist Daniel Marlos helps others learn about the crawly things he loves through his website: What's That Bug?
by Marian Lyman Kirst, Nov 18, 2011 -
Lawyer Laird Lucas on how and why he fights for the West
The environmental lawyer battles big industries and government agencies in the courtroom on behalf of the nonprofit Advocates for the West.
by Steve Bunk, Nov 02, 2011 -
A part of something old: writer Kim Stafford's storied places
Oregon writer Kim Stafford looks for "scattered Edens" in contemporary Western life.
by Tara Rae Miner, Oct 05, 2011 -
Cody Cortez: A faux-file of the West's most mysterious writer
Buddhist cowboy poet Cody Cortez is so elusive it's almost as if he doesn't really exist.
by John Calderazzo, Oct 03, 2011 -
Don't tell her she can't: a profile of author Mary Clearman Blew
Mary Clearman Blew struck out on her own, leaving rural Montana and a life as a housewife to become a professor and writer.
by Andrea Clark Mason, Sep 23, 2011 -
The turn of the wheel: the many lives of writer H. Lee Barnes
Nevada writer H. Lee Barnes brings his experiences as a soldier, cop and casino dealer to his gritty short stories and nonfiction.
by Caleb Cage, Sep 19, 2011
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