High Country News - Current Issue
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In a rural Colorado valley, old-fashioned print news lives on
The Saguache Crescent prints on an ancient letterpress machine, no computers necessary.
by Jonathan Thompson, Feb 08, 2013 -
How to clean up abandoned mines -- without landing in court
Anyone who tries to fix a draining mine may become liable for its water pollution. But Good Samaritans are finding ways to avoid getting sued for their good deeds.
by Emily Guerin, Feb 06, 2013 -
A world of plague and hope: A review of The Bird Saviors
In William J. Cobb’s lyrical novel The Bird Saviors, a mysterious virus strikes the residents of Pueblo, Colo.
by Jenny Shank, Feb 04, 2013 -
Love wins
After 22 years, a couple gets the first same-sex marriage in their rural Washington county.
by Ana Maria Spagna, Feb 04, 2013 -
A review of An Atlas of Historic New Mexico Maps
Archaeologist and historian Peter L. Eidenbach presents the Land of Enchantment as seen by early conquerors, naturalists, surveyors, and railroaders.
by Staff, Feb 04, 2013 -
Whose land is this?
The country's first tribal national park could lead the way toward more tribal control over lands that were once theirs.
by Jodi Peterson, Feb 04, 2013 -
A new normal for snow
The dry 2000s means snow trackers have to adjust "normal" downward.
by Sarah Jane Keller, Feb 04, 2013 -
Water is (still) for fightin': A review of Durango
Gary Hart's seventh novel takes us to another front in the water wars, the decades-long dispute over damming southern Colorado’s Animas- La Plata rivers to provide more water for the growing town of Durango.
by Annie Dawid, Feb 04, 2013 -
Welcome, new interns!
Meet Sarah Jane Keller and Marshall Swearingen, a correction
by Jodi Peterson , Feb 04, 2013 -
Which way will the West go on guns?
Pro-gun Western Democrats are in the spotlight as the nation debates non-traditional firearms.
by Jonathan Thompson, Feb 04, 2013 -
Art finds a place alongside science at New Mexico research station
The nation's network of Long Term Ecological Research Stations are increasingly embracing art and writing in hopes of broadening their impact and public reach.
by Amelia Apfel, Feb 01, 2013 -
Miguel Luna gives young Los Angelenos a beaker and a job
Agua University trains young people in Los Angeles County to work as water samplers, employing them and also teaching about the importance of clean water.
by Judith Lewis Mernit, Jan 30, 2013 -
How Outward Bound lost, and found, itself
The original outdoor education school came close to falling apart after consolidating into a single national school. Now, its newly separate branches are thriving and redefining themselves.
by Emily Guerin, Jan 29, 2013 -
A field program teaches undergrads to think differently about public lands
Whitman College's Semester in the West and similar programs strive to make students think about resource issues critically and compassionately, and often change their lives in the process.
by Sarah Gilman, Jan 28, 2013 -
Round River pushes kids out of their comfort zones and into the field
Dennis Sizemore, who heads the outdoor education program, discusses its founding and philosophy with HCN.
by Brendon Bosworth, Jan 25, 2013 -
Great Old Broads for Wilderness laugh and learn
The pro-wilderness group teaches elders how to engage in public lands management, while having a great time.
by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Jan 23, 2013 -
Oil and gas companies pour money into research universities
In the midst of the nation’s current oil and gas frenzy and controversies over fracking, energy company contributions to schools are raising questions about academic integrity.
by Joshua Zaffos, Jan 22, 2013 -
Oil boom spurs a rush on extractive education programs
As production from unconventional reserves ramps up, students are flooding into university and technical programs supporting oil and gas development.
by Jeremy Miller, Jan 21, 2013 -
The Power Lung Kid
A writing teacher discovers that the real difference he makes for disadvantaged kids is through listening and other simple acts.
by Cameron Scott, Jan 21, 2013 -
Education includes people, naturally
Today, many educational organizations and institutions offer incredible learning opportunities -- both in the field and the classroom -- for students and non-students to chow down on the West’s meaty issues.
by Paul Larmer, Jan 21, 2013
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