Items by Brian Calvert

Democracy is fraying in the West, too
Democracy is fraying in the West, too
Why your vote matters this election above all.
Working with readers for a better West
Working with readers for a better West
High Country News turns 50 this year, but we’re already planning for the decades to come.
The undeniable truths in literature
The undeniable truths in literature
Four Colorado writers discuss empathy, systems of oppression and ‘the moment.’
Where people are stepping up
Where people are stepping up
In the face of conflict and misinformation, hope remains.
The West protests
The West protests
‘Dominator culture’ and the injustices of climate change, COVID-19 and racism.
Don’t despair. Dissent.
Don’t despair. Dissent.
Look to others doing good work and act.
Pandemic as prologue
Pandemic as prologue
A failure of imagination has stymied our outbreak response, but that’s just the beginning.
Two key components of journalism today: love and strength
Two key components of journalism today: love and strength
As the pandemic grinds on, we in the media must continue to bear witness.
The road to ecofascism is paved with green intentions
The road to ecofascism is paved with green intentions
Why fusing nationalism and naturalism is a bad idea.
From billionaires to bankruptcies, the West is full of flashpoints
From billionaires to bankruptcies, the West is full of flashpoints
And we’re here to cover them all.
The Elon Musk dilemma
The Elon Musk dilemma
When big thinkers think badly.
Consider the contested West
Consider the contested West
The Western U.S. is complicated; more reason to try to understand its workings.
Skiing and snowmobiling are as natural as the weather
Skiing and snowmobiling are as natural as the weather
With human impacts felt everywhere, we need a new environmental ethic.
A quick guide to your redesigned magazine
A quick guide to your redesigned magazine
A fresh magazine for another 50 years of HCN.
What the cowboy hat says about ‘Americanism’
What the cowboy hat says about ‘Americanism’
A problematic symbol of the West gets a reboot.
Climate change and the challenges to human happiness
Climate change and the challenges to human happiness
It’s not too late to confront despair.
The case for speculative journalism
The case for speculative journalism
Climate fiction can help us imagine the impacts of climate change in a way that science journalism can’t.
The mysterious cow murders at Missouri Breaks
The mysterious cow murders at Missouri Breaks
In 2068, a West Obsessed investigation.
Where the incarceration and wildfire crises meet
Where the incarceration and wildfire crises meet
Prison firefighters are severely underpaid. And they’re the lucky ones.
Why invisible dangers are the hardest to face
Why invisible dangers are the hardest to face
Evolved as humans are, we’re terrible at solving problems we can’t actually see.
It’s time to take a stand
It’s time to take a stand
Rise above provocation and choose decency.
Why we’re building coverage by, from and for Indigenous audiences
Why we’re building coverage by, from and for Indigenous audiences
A few words on HCN’s award-winning coverage of Native America.
Making sense of the West
Making sense of the West
Why we’ve expanded our coverage beyond environmental issues.
The ecological danger of ethical impoverishment
The ecological danger of ethical impoverishment
The West is facing challenges that won’t be solved without moral considerations.
What is stopping climate action?
What is stopping climate action?
We’ve become the agents of our own undoing.
Under Trumpism, truth is under relentless attack
Under Trumpism, truth is under relentless attack
Two books warn against the rise of alternative realities.
Journalists need defense, not derision
Journalists need defense, not derision
The U.S. media is taking a beating, even as it struggles to survive.
We must face the ecological realities of the world we’re creating
We must face the ecological realities of the world we’re creating
There is no separating us from the place we live.
Meanwhile, the West is in jeopardy
Meanwhile, the West is in jeopardy
Amid political and cultural tumult, we are unprepared for the new reality of climate change.
The myth of American progress
The myth of American progress
The West may not represent progress, but it does represent constant flux.
High Country News Classifieds
  • CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER
    We are seeking a dedicated natural resources professional to lead FRLT's Conservation Easement Stewardship Program. This position is responsible for maintaining professional working relationships with...
  • PUBLIC PROGRAMS MANAGER
    We are looking for a hands-on leader to bring our public programs to life in Sierra Valley and across the Watershed. This role offers a...
  • MATADOR RANCH MANAGER
    The Matador Ranch Manager directs operations, communication, and maintenance for TNC Montana's Matador Ranch preserve with a focus on ecological management and restoration, grazing management,...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - THRIVE HOOD RIVER (OREGON)
    Thrive Hood River (Oregon) is looking for a collaborative leader who cares deeply about Hood River's wild places, farmland and the quality of life in...
  • NORTHERN NEW MEXICO PROJECT MANAGER
    Seeking qualified Northern New Mexico Project Manager to provide expertise, leadership and support to the organization by planning, cultivating, implementing and managing land conservation activities....
  • NORTH FORK RECREATION DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
    The NFPPRD District Administrator provides leadership and managerial services associated with the Recreation District. Facilities include a seasonal pool, ballfields, bike trails, tennis/pickleball and skateboarding....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BADLANDS CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
    The Executive Director of the Badlands Conservation Alliance (BCA) builds and leads a premiere North Dakota advocacy group that serves to protect the ecology of...
  • CLIMATE FELLOW
    Application deadline: Monday, March 6th, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST. Anticipated start date: May 15, 2023 About the position Are you ready to craft an...
  • RISING LEADERS MANAGER
    Application deadline: Monday, March 27, 2023, at 5 p.m. MST Anticipated start date: May 22 or May 30, 2023 About the position Do you want...
  • SENIOR SPECIALIST, LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE
    About the Organization Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat from...
  • VIRGINIA SPENCER DAVIS FELLOWSHIP
    High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, seeks applicants for a Virginia Spencer Davis fellow. The...
  • GRANTS MANAGER
    The Grants Manager is a passionate information manager, fundraiser, and communicator versed in government and foundation grant and cooperative agreement writing and management, specifically to...
  • COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
    The Communications Director is a passionate communications professional versed in conservation and regenerative agriculture, as well as nonprofit communications and data management across several program...
  • EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTOR
    The Education and Outreach Director is a people-oriented facilitator, communications wizard, and team leader who has experience designing, managing, and fundraising for land based educational...
  • ADOBE HOME FOR SALE
    Restored traditional adobe home in No. New Mexico on 1+ acre site, irrigation water, separate large shop/studio. Please email for photos/full description.
  • HIGH COUNTRY NEWS EDITORIAL INTERNS
    High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, is looking for its next cohort of editorial interns....
  • DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SPECIALIST
    hat We Can Achieve Together: If you are a detailed individual that takes pride in your accuracy, this position may be the perfect opportunity for...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - LEMHI COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY (SALMON, IDAHO)
    Are you ready to take the reins at Lemhi County Humane Society and make a difference in the lives of countless animals? We are seeking...
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.
  • 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...