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
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director: View all job details here- https://bit.ly/CCRHED
  • MONTANA BLUES
    The new novel by Ray Ring, retired HCN senior editor, tackles racism in the wild, a story told by a rural White horsewoman and a...
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Title: Digital Engagement Specialist Location: Salt Lake City Reports to: Communications Director Status, Salary & Benefits: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Salary & Benefits information below. Submission Deadline:...
  • CONSERVATION FIELD ORGANIZER
    Title: Conservation Field Organizer Reports to: Advocacy and Stewardship Director Location: Southwest Colorado Compensation: $45,000 - $50,000 DOE FLSA: Non-Exempt, salaried, termed 24-month Wyss Fellow...
  • UTAH STATE DIRECTOR
    Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Apply by Oct 18. Seeking collaborative, hands-on ED to advance our work building community through fresh produce.
  • INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News is hiring an Indigenous Affairs Editor to help guide the magazine's journalism and produce stories that are important to Indigenous communities and...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
    Staff Attorney The role of the Staff Attorney is to bring litigation on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, and at times our allies, in the...
  • ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
    Northern Michigan University seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. With new NMU President Dr. Brock...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Clark Fork Coalition seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its Executive Director. This position provides strategic vision and operational management while leading a...
  • GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT MANAGER
    Help uphold a groundbreaking legal agreement between a powerful mining corporation and the local communities impacted by the platinum and palladium mine in their backyard....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to advance our mission to "conserve the lands and waters of the...
  • COLORADO DIRECTOR
    COLORADO DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Colorado Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Colorado,...
  • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY - INDIGENOUS HISTORIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST
    Whitman College seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Histories of the North American West, beginning August 2024, at the rank of Assistant Professor....
  • DAVE AND ME
    Dave and Me, by international racontuer and children's books author Rusty Austin, is a funny, profane and intense collection of short stories, essays, and poems...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    Rural Community Assistance Corporation is looking to hire a CFO. For more more information visit: https://www.rcac.org/careers/
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) seeks a new Executive Director. Founded in 2008, the ABWF is a respected nonprofit whose mission is to support...
  • 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.
  • 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.