Items by Paige Blankenbuehler

The West’s widening health care gaps
The West’s widening health care gaps
Changing demographics, including an aging rural population, put more pressure on health care systems.
California nixes funding for coal export terminals
California nixes funding for coal export terminals
Governor’s bill blocks transport to markets in Asia.
Latest: NASA determines methane hotspot is from natural gas production
Farewell to a senior editor
Nuclear power divides California’s environmentalists
Nuclear power divides California’s environmentalists
Is the closure of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant good or bad for the climate?
A community curbs pain pill abuse, but heroin addiction grows
A community curbs pain pill abuse, but heroin addiction grows
Interventions intended to reduce over-prescription of pain medicine may unintentionally be feeding a rise in heroin use in southwest Colorado.
HCN in the classroom
Latest: Obama administration to continue Navajo Nation uranium cleanup
Latest: Obama administration to continue Navajo Nation uranium cleanup
The EPA has already spent $100 million to remediate decades of mining.
See new pictures of the desert’s natural art
See new pictures of the desert’s natural art
In ‘Death Valley: Painted Light,’ the landscape takes on abstract forms.
Meet our new intern and fellows
Report: Coal jobs will decline with or without federal regulations
Report: Coal jobs will decline with or without federal regulations
A new study from the Energy Information Administration finds the Clean Power Plan speeds coal’s decline.
Dispatch from coal country: Advocates and adversaries duel over leasing reform
Dispatch from coal country: Advocates and adversaries duel over leasing reform
In western Colorado, two visions for the future of fossil fuels collide at a BLM listening session.
Retreating glaciers a sign of Alaska’s major meltdown
Retreating glaciers a sign of Alaska’s major meltdown
This summer’s record-breaking temperatures hasten glacier, permafrost melt.
Latest: EPA won’t regulate logging road runoff
Latest: EPA won’t regulate logging road runoff
EPA says the Clean Water Act is enough to ensure stream health.
By the numbers: Western coal mine layoffs
By the numbers: Western coal mine layoffs
Coal mines are scaling back and shutting down — and jobs are disappearing.
Meet the new advocates for the West
Meet the new advocates for the West
A generation of young Western activists are using outdoor sports as a step towards conservation.
A skipped issue, and a farewell to Bill Mitchell
New hydrocarbon estimates put western Colorado on edge
New hydrocarbon estimates put western Colorado on edge
USGS now says the region has the nation’s second-largest reserves, but a flush market means little will change for now.
Farewell to a valuable staff member
El Niño adds fuel to Southwestern fires
El Niño adds fuel to Southwestern fires
In California, Arizona and New Mexico, an underperforming weather pattern increased wildfire risk.
Tracing the West’s heroin highways
Tracing the West’s heroin highways
Illicit drugs move through this region at farther distances and greater speeds.
HCN’s board meeting on the horizon, and a springtime deep clean
Why Hetch Hetchy is staying under water
Why Hetch Hetchy is staying under water
A judge ruled in favor of San Francisco water needs over the valley’s restoration.
After years of drought and overuse, the San Luis Valley aquifer refills
After years of drought and overuse, the San Luis Valley aquifer refills
How an over-taxed basin is getting its water use under control.
Latest: Elk, not bison, are spreading disease near Yellowstone
Latest: Elk, not bison, are spreading disease near Yellowstone
Agencies have historically culled bison to prevent the spread of brucellosis to cattle.
Can the feds save birds by allowing more to be killed?
Can the feds save birds by allowing more to be killed?
Fish and Wildlife Service hopes proposal will entice energy developers to obtain permits for eagle deaths.
Who’s cutting illegal ski trails in the Santa Fe National Forest?
Who’s cutting illegal ski trails in the Santa Fe National Forest?
On the trail of a backcountry criminal with the Forest Service.
Blossoming fruit trees and a bounty of awards
Latest: New wind farm releases plan to mitigate bird deaths
Latest: New wind farm releases plan to mitigate bird deaths
Renewable energy installations can cause thousands of bird deaths but have been slow to respond.
Southwest primed for a nasty fire season
Southwest primed for a nasty fire season
In much of California, Arizona and New Mexico El Niño and La Niña have combined to create dry fuels, ready to burn.
High Country News Classifieds
  • 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...
  • 92 ACRE EASTERN WASHINGTON GEM
    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...
  • GILA GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER
    New Mexico Wild is seeking a Gila Grassroots Organizer who is passionate about public lands and community engagement. The Gila Grassroots Organizer will take a...
  • 20/40 ACRES IN ARIZONA WINE COUNTRY
    Chiricahua riparian ecosystem: 5100 ft elevation:18+ inches of rain/year: 1/4 mile creek through property: The Chiricahuas' have been called: "The most biologically diverse place in...
  • SMALL CABIN WITH 260 ACRES
    Adorable quaint cabin on the Arizona Strip, on the foothills of the Kaibab Plateau with 260 acres bordering BLM lands on two sides of the...
  • LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE
    A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.