High Country News - Current Issue
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Student essay: How I became a Westerner and why it doesn't matter
I'm a Westerner by birth, but family and community matter more than location.
by Jon Manley, Oct 14, 2012 -
Western literary journals give voice to story and place
A number of literary journals offer different perspectives on the West.
by Susan J. Tweit, Oct 14, 2012 -
The true believer and the skeptic: A review of River Republic and A Ditch in Time
Two optimistic new books discuss aging water infrastructure in the West.
by Emily Green, Oct 15, 2012 -
The place where you are
These days, most Westerners aren't born. We're made.
by Jodi Peterson, Oct 14, 2012 -
Student essay: Lost and found in the sagebrush
Wandering in the underappreciated sagebrush sea.
by Wieteke Holthuijzen, Oct 15, 2012 -
Finding funk in Western Colorado, sadistic races, corrections
High Country News gets visitors from all around, searching for homes and going on adventures.
by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Oct 14, 2012 -
Storm on Lava Creek: A season in Yellowstone
The power of a thunderstorm thrills a newcomer to Yellowstone National Park.
by Lauren Koshere, Sep 27, 2012 -
Fire scientists fight over what Western forests should look like
Controversial new studies question the conventional wisdom on Western ponderosa forests and the severity of their historic wildfires.
by Emily Guerin, Sep 26, 2012 -
Can pallid sturgeon hang on in the overworked Missouri River?
In the dam-locked Upper Missouri, scientists search for signs that the ancient species hasn't reached the end of its line.
by Marian Lyman Kirst, Sep 23, 2012 -
One Sagebrush Rebellion flickers out -- or does it?
Wayne Hage's 20-year court battle over ranching on public lands comes to a close, but his son continues to tussle with the feds.
by Jodi Peterson, Sep 20, 2012 -
The politics of public health
Environmental regulations are a favorite target in the runup to this year's election.
by Judith Lewis Mernit, Sep 18, 2012 -
Scientific superheroes
A number of other researchers are also investigating new tools and tricks to help suppress invasive cheatgrass.
by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Sep 16, 2012 -
Salvation for our dam nation?
Although dam removals are occurring across the West, they're the exception more than the rule. And some dwindling species, like pallid sturgeon, may not be able to wait for our rivers to return to normal.
by Cally Carswell, Sep 16, 2012 -
Home improvement: A review of Sugarhouse
A hilarious memoir of home renovation, road trips, and redemption by writer Matthew Batt.
by Jenny Shank, Sep 16, 2012 -
Song of loss and redemption: A review of Theft
In Colorado essayist BK Loren's first novel, the loss of nature is linked to the loss of a loved one, and grief becomes a territory to be explored.
by Emily Wortman-Wunder, Sep 16, 2012 -
Native plant growers face many challenges
Growing natives for restoration is a lot harder than growing conventional crops, and the volatile market for seed makes it even more difficult for seed producers to stay in business.
by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Sep 17, 2012 -
Great Basin scientists unleash new weapons to fight invasive cheatgrass
A trio of dedicated scientists are testing out cutting-edge ways to finally turn the tide against the Great Basin's cheatgrass invasion, as the weed continues to cause devastating fires.
by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Sep 17, 2012 -
Grand Canyon floods and native fish
Scientists thought periodic, controlled floods in the Grand Canyon might help native fish. But so far, there's little evidence they have.
by Cally Carswell, Sep 16, 2012 -
Pallid's PR problem
Why don't pallid sturgeon get more love?
by Marian Lyman Kirst, Sep 16, 2012 -
The great New Mexican juniper massacre
On public land in New Mexico, firewood-hunters have illegally cut down hundreds of old-growth juniper trees, much to the dismay of the Bureau of Land Management and environmental activists.
by Jonathan Thompson, Sep 16, 2012
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