Items by Paige Blankenbuehler

Biden pledged to stop drilling on public lands. What happened?
Biden pledged to stop drilling on public lands. What happened?
The president reversed a key part of his agenda that was intended to combat the climate crisis.
‘A ticking time bomb for a mass die-off’
‘A ticking time bomb for a mass die-off’
Recent grazing decisions continue to risk Southwest Colorado’s bighorns.
Why have gray wolves failed to gain a foothold in Colorado?
Why have gray wolves failed to gain a foothold in Colorado?
The Green River Corridor, a pathway from Wyoming to Colorado, highlights the political and physical barriers wolves face.
Second-graders take on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction
Second-graders take on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction
‘Wolves are AMAAAAZING! Because they help the ecosystem and are amazing.’
New Mexico judge revokes protected lands for jaguars
New Mexico judge revokes protected lands for jaguars
Conservation groups vow to fight the ruling to help the cats reclaim their historic habitat.
A little fish that’s mighty as a mountain
A little fish that’s mighty as a mountain
Pupfish Peak in Nevada’s Amargosa Valley is named for the endangered Devils Hole pupfish.
Energy dominance or climate action: Trump, Biden and the fate of public lands
Energy dominance or climate action: Trump, Biden and the fate of public lands
In Grand Junction, Colorado, the presidential election is a choice between two distinct energy futures.
Trump’s new NEPA is faster and narrower
Trump’s new NEPA is faster and narrower
Land agencies have less time — and get less public scrutiny — to issue environmental assessments.
Contested domestic sheep allotment in Colorado retired
Contested domestic sheep allotment in Colorado retired
Rancher J. Paul Brown gives up his permit near the Weminuche Wilderness to protect vulnerable bighorn sheep populations.
Technology has complicated our relationship to winter
Technology has complicated our relationship to winter
In this increasingly digitized West, who is shut out?
Art and journalism combine to create a more empathetic West
Art and journalism combine to create a more empathetic West
Writer-editor-illustrator Sarah Gilman talks about her latest project for High Country News.
The West needs more effective political coverage
The West needs more effective political coverage
Retrospective storytelling captures the nuance of our systems to better inform us as we enter election season.
Poor oversight comes back to haunt us
Poor oversight comes back to haunt us
Two investigations reveal federal agencies are too lax on bad actors.
The corrupting influence of power
The corrupting influence of power
It’s more important than ever to pursue accountability.
The latest from our hologram portal
The latest from our hologram portal
We speculate updates to stories and the readers who speak out in 2068.
Last Resort West experiences mayhem on the mountain
Last Resort West experiences mayhem on the mountain
In 2068, the Lower 48’s last ski resort deputized soldier flies to manage human feces. The plan backfired.
Close encounters with the bear kind
Close encounters with the bear kind
The very places that attract visitors and newcomers for their proximity to wildlife grapple with a spike in bear-human incidents.
Death, life and friendship in the rural West
Death, life and friendship in the rural West
Rural communities can find solace in one another.
See where PFAS pollution has been confirmed in the West
See where PFAS pollution has been confirmed in the West
Western states lag behind in both monitoring and regulating the class of ‘forever chemicals.’
The ecosexual movement is attracting new people to environmentalism
The ecosexual movement is attracting new people to environmentalism
‘Pollen-amorous’ leaders host marriages to the Earth in Sin City.
How a tiny endangered species put a man in prison
How a tiny endangered species put a man in prison
The Devils Hole pupfish is nothing to mess with.
Russian investors are keen on Nevada’s copper
Russian investors are keen on Nevada’s copper
Demand for clean cars is causing an uptick in copper mining in the West, but at what cost?
The Forrest Fenn treasure has been found
The Forrest Fenn treasure has been found
The discovery was made after a Colorado avalanche swept the stash onto a roadway.
‘Things are not going to get better for a long time’
‘Things are not going to get better for a long time’
PG&E’s bankruptcy complicates an already difficult recovery for Camp Fire survivors.
What happened with your insurance after wildfire?
What happened with your insurance after wildfire?
Help us investigate the opaque wildfire insurance industry by sharing your experience.
How best to share the disappearing Colorado River
How best to share the disappearing Colorado River
Seven Western states must rewrite the rules of the river and cut water use — before they bleed the critical artery dry.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva intends to force a reckoning with climate change
Rep. Raúl Grijalva intends to force a reckoning with climate change
A Democratic spitfire takes the helm of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Inside Colorado’s ‘hotbed’ of wildlife conflict
Inside Colorado’s ‘hotbed’ of wildlife conflict
Documents show flawed management leads to unnecessary killings of bighorn sheep.
Arizona delays the Colorado River drought agreement
Arizona delays the Colorado River drought agreement
Interests of a few hundred farmers are contributing to postponements in basin-wide plan.
Wildfires don’t hurt hot real estate markets
Wildfires don’t hurt hot real estate markets
Our love for nature causes more homes to be built in the path of destructive wildfires and leads to more blazes.
High Country News Classifieds
  • HIGH DIVIDE RESTORATION PRACTITIONER
    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...
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites and locate buried drums, tanks, debris and also find groundwater.
  • SIERRA VALLEY PRESERVE LAND STEWARD
    We are hiring a hands-on worker to help care for the land FRLT has conserved. This position will work directly with the Sierra Valley Preserve...
  • DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
    Are you a supporter of public lands and interested in a career in the nonprofit sector? Grand Teton National Park Foundation is hiring a Development...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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.
  • 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:...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • 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...
  • MONTANA CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE
    GYC is hiring! Please see our careers page for more details greateryellowstone.org/careers
  • 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...
  • 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.
  • 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
    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...
  • 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.