
Items by Ray Ring

The Black Forest Fire highlights a political disconnect around the West

Western kids have fun -- and die -- motoring off-road, thanks to loose ATV regulations, a libertarian spirit and fun-loving parents.

In Wyoming's top resort town, the desire to protect the environment and the community's character kills big affordable housing projects.

An HCN editor reflects on the many changes around Coeur d'Alene.
And other oddities from Heard Around the West
And more oddities from Heard Around the West

Editor’s note for HCN’s second annual special issue on travel in the West describes some quirky personal trips.

Mining in British Columbia could have big impacts on parts of Canada -- and the U.S.

U.S. environmental groups like Rivers Without Borders, Conservation Northwest and Round River Conservation Studies work with First Nations in British Columbia to slow a mining rush.
A long overdue evaluation of the popular 1822 poem

Will the soul of wildlife biology survive in an era of remote monitoring technology?

The gadgets we attach to wild animals and fish include radio transmitters, microchips, acoustic tags, geolocators and accelerometers.

Environmentalists are trying to buy out oil and gas leases in national forests, including the Wyoming Range and Thompson Creek Divide, while the drillers often have their way in the desert and sagebrush.
You're welcome to add your observations

Races for seats on state commissions that oversee utilities are among the most important elections you’ve never heard of. They could decide the future of renewable energy in Montana and Arizona this year.

If Democrats succeed in an improbable coup -- winning a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, and making the state competitive for Obama -- they’ll have Latino voters to thank.
Maybe or maybe not a trend, it's worth rooting for ...

Marshall Bloom, who heads up disease research at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Mont., discusses his work on deadly viruses and his passion for conservation.

A list of some of Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg's major policy differences with incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg has exploited his family's long Montana history to get where he is today, but his current campaign for Democrat Jon Tester's Senate seat is raising questions about his record and that history.

When wandering newcomers and deep-rooted old-timers collide in the West, it gets difficult, especially in a place as culturally complex as northern New Mexico.

Ambitious schemes to build railroads and ports to ship Powder River Basin coal abroad will bring pollution and traffic to communities along the transport path, who are rising up in protest.
A caveman CEO and a frothing Range magazine also get dinged

A lot of places call themselves "gateway cities," but Reno, Nev., is truly the gateway to a lot of strange and amazingly gorgeous places.

Crimes committed by a fundamentalist sect on the Utah-Arizona border needs to be seriously investigated by both the Mormon Church and those states.

The state of Montana is leading the way in the fight to destroy the bizarre
legal fiction that corporations are people.

Maps, photos and text describe some of the federal and private, nonprofit work in Northwest Mexico to preserve imperiled landscapes and a rich diversity of plants and animals.
Featured stories
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RANCH GENERAL MANAGER Ranch General Manager for a large family-owned Ranch on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. Diversified operations include: an agro-tourism educational retreat center, renewable energy and...
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COMMUNICATIONS AND PROJECT COORDINATOR CONTRACTOR POSITION SUMMARY: The Communications and Project Coordinator will support the Executive Director (ED) in campaign and administrative related tasks. The Coordinator is responsible for research...
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HOMESICK: WHY HOUSING IS UNAFFORDABLE AND HOW WE CAN CHANGE IT A timely, damning, and ultimately hopeful investigation of housing in the United States. Essential reading in the West.
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OREGON AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENT (ALE) PROGRAM COORDINATOR Status: Full time Reports to: Conservation Program Manager Salary Range: $60,000-65,000 Duration: Position is funded for 12 months, with the expectation of annual renewal Benefits:...
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VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION The Vice President of Conservation will arrive at a time of remarkable growth and opportunity within the organization. Guided by the bold and ambitious goals...
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WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE IS HIRING! Help us inspire and empower people to protect America's wild snowscapes! We are a small, mighty and growing team dedicated to our work and looking...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION COMMITTEE OF WEST MARIN The EAC's Executive Director provides overall leadership for the operation of the organization. The Executive Director is responsible for implementing programs and policies set by...
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UTE LEGENDS These carefully researched stories reflect a deep and abiding understanding of Ute culture and history. These authintic, colorful legends also illustrate the Ute's close connections...
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FUNDRAISING ASSOCIATE - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS High Country News seeks an organized and collaborative Fundraising Associate to drive donor discovery and the cultivation and acquisition of mid-level and recurring gifts. This...
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MONTANA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE GYC is hiring! Please see our careers page for more details greateryellowstone.org/careers
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WYOMING AND NORTHERN UTAH DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Wyoming and northern Utah,...
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12 ACRES IN EAGLE, COLORADO! Tranquility & land are becoming more and more rare. This land is a haven for peace, where nature beckons & flourishes. Enjoy the mountain views...
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SURGICAL SHARPENING SERVICE is a Denver-based mail order surgical instrument sharpening service established in 2009. Specialties include surgical scissors, dental elevators, trocar sets, and gynecological biopsy forceps.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director: View all job details here- https://bit.ly/CCRHED
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MONTANA BLUES Thrilling new crime novel by ex-HCN editor Ray Ring : A rural White horsewoman and an urban Black man battle White supremacists in a tough...
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CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
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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.
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WESTERN NATIVE SEED Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...