How New Mexico is ‘building a forest’ by solving a seedling shortage
A Q&A with the New Mexico Reforestation Center director about what it takes to replant a burn scar post-wildfire.
Why mycorrhizal fungi networks need more protection
Scientists say the West’s hidden biodiversity warrants more attention.
How I learned to stop worrying and love flies
These underdogs of the animal world have superhero-like powers. Why don’t we appreciate them more?
Interior Department crafted talking points for public lands sell-off agenda
The agency’s leadership distanced itself from the controversial proposal even though staff helped research public-land sales.
The West’s snow drought meant record dryness — but also record flooding
From the Cascades to the San Juans, the nearly snowless winter wasn’t the same everywhere.
‘Energy dominance’ agenda sidelines tribes
Changes to NEPA come at the expense of tribal consultation. The administration has changed or revoked rules and policies to prioritize extraction.
Opting out could be the thing that sets you free
How a bison inspired me to set boundaries and just say no.
Tribal leaders reflect on a year of uncertainty — and possibility
Federal turnover and policy shifts have forced Indigenous communities to adapt.
Trotting tortoises, juggling unicyclists, ancient clothing and beer poop beer
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
A new era of industrial logging looms
Mapping the possible impacts of the Roadless Rule overhaul
The Trump administration sent Greater Yellowstone into chaos. What’s next?
The region survived a year of deep cuts and layoffs. Here’s who is picking up the pieces.
The public got one week to comment on Chaco Canyon drilling. It’s almost over
Indigenous leaders, New Mexico political leaders accuse feds of rushing a decision about the sacred site.
Border wall blasting hits a treasured New Mexico mountain
A planned 1.3-mile wall across Mount Cristo Rey has drawn opposition from environmentalists and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces.
What a bombing in Nevada reveals about the nation’s appetite for violence
The rise of domestic terrorism in the West.
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High Country News Classifieds
- Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) is a nonprofit conservation organization with a mission to protect, defend and restore Oregon's high desert. With offices in Bend and Portland, Oregon, we represent more than 25,000 members and supporters around the state and […]
In This Issue
April 2026: Inside the Attack on Public Lands
In this issue we take a hard look at the on-the-ground impacts of the Trump administration’s slash-and-burn staffing and budget cuts, particularly as they affect the beloved, irreplaceable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We also ask what “domestic terrorism” really means and why so many notorious bombers…
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Water
Public lands need less extraction and more rewilding
The BLM wants to ramp up logging. Oregonians aren’t so sure.
What can we learn from salt lakes?
Wildlife
Utah’s new study aims to kill ‘as many cougars as possible’
Wildlife loves Wyoming’s ‘Golden Triangle.’ So do oil companies
How federal cuts are reshaping Alaska’s communities, research and species management
Public Lands
Forest Service overhaul sows confusion, concern
How I found trans joy in backcountry splitboarding
War exposes the energy dominance lie
Indigenous Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs could face reorganization, deeper staff cuts
Congress contemplates sweeping investigation of Native boarding schools
Heavily contested pumped hydro-storage project gets federal go-ahead
Communities
New nuclear safety rules reduce protections for workers, the public
Black riders have always held the reins
How Montana tribes are using sovereignty to restore their waterways
Books
Badger signs: An essay from Terry Tempest Williams’ new book ‘The Glorians’
Three books explore deep time and help us look forward
We need to talk about the pretendians in our midst
In the News
Why Colorado River negotiations are so difficult
Basin states have had 2 years to figure out how to share the shrinking river. Will they get there before the feds step in?