Items by Matt Jenkins

Latest: Participants in Nevada water hustle found guilty
Latest: Participants in Nevada water hustle found guilty
The charges include criminal conspiracy and trespass.
War and peace on the Colorado River
War and peace on the Colorado River
A new book makes a case for optimism in the basin, but the threat of water battles will always be around.
At Malheur, Sally Jewell was missing in action
At Malheur, Sally Jewell was missing in action
The secretary of the Interior instead took a trip to Africa to combat wildlife poaching.
Water hustle
Water hustle
Did one of Nevada’s top water regulators try to cash in on the drought?
The desert doesn’t need this “City”
The water czar who reshaped Colorado River politics
The water czar who reshaped Colorado River politics
Las Vegas’ Pat Mulroy initiated an era of deal-making that may buffer against catastrophic drought.
Cities look to farms for help in Colorado River drought
Cities look to farms for help in Colorado River drought
West’s biggest water agencies finalize a major agreement to boost Lake Mead levels.
New Hope for the Delta
New Hope for the Delta
During the worst drought in more than a century, the Colorado River may flow to the sea once more.
How does the Colorado River drought stack up?
How does the Colorado River drought stack up?
It’s one of the worst of the millennium.
On the hunt for abalone poachers in Northern California
On the hunt for abalone poachers in Northern California
Don Powers, of the California Department of Fish and Game, spends his days relentlessly pursuing abalone poachers who can't seem to resist the chance to bring in some illegal shellfish cash.
When Peter Gleick fell, California's water world lost big
When Peter Gleick fell, California's water world lost big
After he impersonated a Heartland Institute board member, gadfly scientist and Pacific Institute head Peter Gleick has been persona non grata. But California water bosses may miss his fierce intellect.
A Colorado newspaperman fights for his valley's water
A Colorado newspaperman fights for his valley's water
Bob Rawlings, publisher of the Pueblo Chieftain, has battled for decades to bring water to southeastern Colorado and, once it's there, to keep it no matter what.
Colorado's only full-time water reporter
Colorado's only full-time water reporter
Journalist Chris Woodka tries to bring unbiased water coverage to the pages of the Pueblo Chieftain.
California dings homeowners for wildfire protection
California dings homeowners for wildfire protection
Faced with increasingly destructive wildfires, California is trying to shift some costs to homeowners in the fire zone.
Ganjanomics: bringing Humboldt’s shadow economy into the light
Ganjanomics: bringing Humboldt’s shadow economy into the light
Marijuana growers and government officials in California's notorious "Emerald Triangle" work towards legitimizing the local cash crop.
Wild lands by any other name
Wild lands by any other name
For 18 years, Westerners have been arguing about BLM’s wilderness-worthy land; now, the Obama administration has stepped in.
Can bandits: Recycling fraud hits California
Can bandits: Recycling fraud hits California
Criminals steal millions from the state -- one nickel at a time
California crab-boat captain powers through tsunami to safety
California crab-boat captain powers through tsunami to safety
A Crescent City, Calif. crab boat captain maneuvers his way through a tsunami-whorled sea in order to save his fishing boat.
In Navajoland, a contentious water deal divides the tribe
In Navajoland, a contentious water deal divides the tribe
The Navajos are on the brink of getting water they've long been entitled to, but not everybody on the reservation is pleased.
California's Hupa tribe wars over fish
California's Hupa tribe wars over fish
Three decades after winning the right to catch salmon, California's Hupa Indians debate whether it's right to sell those fish off the reservation.
California’s Tangled Water Politics
California’s Tangled Water Politics
Will there ever be enough water in California's Bay Delta to satisfy farmers, keep fish alive and quench the thirst of millions of people?
Shadowing fishermen's nets with a robot sub
Shadowing fishermen's nets with a robot sub
New research sheds light on life at 90 fathoms.
Last rites in salmon country?
Last rites in salmon country?
Salmon fishermen gear up for a risky season despite California’s ongoing water wars.
Viva la Archives!
Viva la Archives!
Budget cuts have endangered California's Water Resources Center Archives, which serves as the state's institutional water memory.
Feinstein's Water Bomb
Feinstein's Water Bomb
A rider to the jobs bill could free up water for California farms—and blow up hope for balance in the future of the state’s water politics
‘The Cadillac of California irrigation districts’
‘The Cadillac of California irrigation districts’
California's Westlands irrigation district wants to blame the tiny and endangered Delta smelt for its water troubles, but the real culprit is simply long-term drought.
Gone in 60 seconds
Gone in 60 seconds
Despite auctioneer Peter Stremmel's enthusiasm, the Western artwork sold at this year's Coeur d'Alene Art Auction in Reno didn't bring very high prices.
The diplomacy of water
Norris Hundley's magisterial Water in the West is back in print to enlighten readers about water politics, especially the Colorado River Compact.
Biotech beet-down
Biotech beet-down
That candy bar you're eating may have been made with genetically modified beets that were illegally approved.
High Country News Classifieds
  • WYOMING CLIMATE ORGANIZER
    Job Title: Wyoming Climate Coordinator Reports to: Energy and Climate Policy Director Type of Work: Full-time, hourly, but willing to consider part-time Classification: Non-exempt Start...
  • DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
    Colorado West Land Trust seeks a Director of Development to lead the organization's fundraising efforts. Western Colorado is home to Colorado's fruit and wine industry,...
  • DIRECTOR - COLORADO WILD PUBLIC LANDS
    NON-PROFIT DIRECTOR If you are looking for meaningful work, this is the opportunity to join a small and exciting nonprofit organization led by an engaged...
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    High Country News is seeking an intern to serve on its award-winning Indigenous Affairs Desk. The Indigenous Affairs Intern will dive deep into important stories...
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION MANAGER
    Central Colorado Conservancy is an accredited land trust and community-based conservation organization based in Salida, CO. Our mission is to protect the land, waters and...
  • ESCAPE THE CROWDS AND EMBRACE NATURE: AFFORDABLE RETREAT, JUST AN HOUR FROM GLACIER NATIONAL PARK AND BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS!
    Welcome to your new tranquil oasis in Montana. This beautiful 2-bedroom home FSBO is just an hour's drive to the east entrance of Glacier National...
  • DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
    Areas of Responsibility: The Development Director collaborates with the Executive Director, other HEAL Utah staff, board, and supporters to continue building one of Utah's most...
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Position Summary Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring an organized and creative Digital Engagement Specialist to join our Marketing and Communications Team. The Digital Engagement...
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    Welcome to Lost Creek Sanctuary... a true hidden gem in the heart of the Palouse. 1900 square feet, the main house is warm and charming,...
  • WEEKLY NEWSPAPER FOR SALE
    Vibrant, financially successful 1,100 print run, community-focused subscription newspaper in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington seeks owner/s. It is time to retire. Now, your Norman Rockwell-like...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY - WILDLANDS AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM
    Job Opening Announcement: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Staff Attorney Reports to: Wildlands and Wildlife Program Director Location: Pacific Northwest, ideally in Eugene, Oregon, Portland, Oregon,...
  • HEAD OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
    The Head of Project Management will oversee our project execution to ensure that we are providing our partners around the world with the field data...
  • LEGAL DIRECTOR
    Trustees for Alaska is the only nonprofit environmental law firm founded and based in Alaska. We are seeking a Legal Director, full-time based in Anchorage....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Fund for People in Parks seeks leader to identify, develop, fund, and facilitate high-impact projects in western National Parks. Remote position with some travel....
  • GRASSROOTS REGIONAL COORDINATOR
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. The...
  • GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY MANAGER
    Great Old Broads for Wilderness is a women-led national grassroots organization that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands. Position...
  • GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR
    The Grassroots Leadership (Director) oversees the training, guidance, and support of volunteer Broadband Leaders. (Broadbands are women-led grassroots chapters, with 40+ across the country.) They...
  • FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANT NEEDED
    We would like to invite you to participate in a 60-minute focus group to help us enhance the New Mexico Courts website (https://www.inside.nmcourts.gov/). Our aim...