Items by Paige Blankenbuehler

Keeping busy during publication break
Snowpack is melting fast, despite April storms
Snowpack is melting fast, despite April storms
It has dwindled faster than experts have seen in nearly four decades, which could upset reservoir management.
Pain pill addiction has helped precipitate a rise in heroin abuse West-wide
Pain pill addiction has helped precipitate a rise in heroin abuse West-wide
Near Sacramento, California, nearly a dozen people died from opioids in recent weeks.
Soundtable: The West and the White House
Soundtable: The West and the White House
Experts discuss this year’s presidential race and what Western issues are coming to the fore.
A new Klamath water deal emerges, but unease persists
A new Klamath water deal emerges, but unease persists
Agreement picks up the pieces of the failed landmark accords.
HCN founder Tom Bell to receive honorary degree
The growing influence of Hispanic voters in the West
The growing influence of Hispanic voters in the West
Latinos make up 21 percent of the region’s electorate, and election-day turn-out is on the rise.
Welcome, Glenn Nelson
How Nevada became the first Western caucus (and why it matters)
How Nevada became the first Western caucus (and why it matters)
The early caucus drew attention to Western issues. In November, the state will play an even bigger role.
National parks: Where we go and where we don’t
National parks: Where we go and where we don’t
Much of the Park Service’s land in the West is poorly visited and little-known.
On the road between here and there
The disappearing wetlands in California’s Central Valley
The disappearing wetlands in California’s Central Valley
Where water is scarce, waterbirds pay the price.
Presidential candidates vie for the Western vote
Presidential candidates vie for the Western vote
The Nevada caucus brought Western issues into the fray this political season.
Latest: Klamath dams to come down
Latest: Klamath dams to come down
A deal that would have supplied water to irrigators and tribes fell apart.
Interns take up crampons on icy sidewalks
Invasive plants beat natives in climate adaptation race
Invasive plants beat natives in climate adaptation race
In California, native and endemic plants are slower to shift their ranges in response to climate change, a study shows.
On the Klamath, a surprising win for river advocates
On the Klamath, a surprising win for river advocates
Dam removals on the Oregon-California border move forward without water deals for irrigators.
Above normal snowpack in some of last winter's driest regions
Above normal snowpack in some of last winter's driest regions
Precipitation in recent months chips away at California drought, but the water deficit will be hard to overcome.
Hope fades for Klamath River accords
Hope fades for Klamath River accords
Could the breakdown of the landmark water agreement imperil other collaborative deals?
Fresh faces and fresh powder
Forest Service leaves control of water rights to ski resorts
Forest Service leaves control of water rights to ski resorts
How does industry control of water affect public land management?
Malheur arrests, as they happened on social media
Malheur arrests, as they happened on social media
As the Tuesday’s confrontation unfolded, key information came out on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Home after the holidays, with bittersweet tidings
Rock art and the struggle for preservation
Rock art and the struggle for preservation
Review of Jonathan Bailey's "Rock art: A Vision of a Vanishing Cultural Landscape."
Economic downturns fuel Sagebrush Rebellion events
Economic downturns fuel Sagebrush Rebellion events
Natural resource-dependent rural economies help explain why disputes happen where they do.
Two visions collide in Utah’s Wasatch Range
Two visions collide in Utah’s Wasatch Range
As ski resorts push for a mega-connection, backcountry skiers try to save some wild.
Early season snowpack falls short across the West
Early season snowpack falls short across the West
Nevada and Idaho are the only Western states above their historic averages.
Latest: California's plan for conservation-minded energy development takes its first step forward
Latest: California's plan for conservation-minded energy development takes its first step forward
The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is intended to guide energy development, while protecting wildlife and recreation.
BLM may cancel oil and gas leases in Colorado’s Thompson Divide
BLM may cancel oil and gas leases in Colorado’s Thompson Divide
Fate of disputed leases could show ongoing shift in the Bureau of Land Management.
What will become of the backcountry in Utah’s Wasatch?
What will become of the backcountry in Utah’s Wasatch?
In Park City, a decades-long battle against the resort industry may be all but over.
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...
  • LUNATEC HYDRATION SPRAY BOTTLE
    A must for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Cools, cleans and hydrates with mist, stream and shower patterns. Hundreds of uses.
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    are a must try. They stay odor-free, dry fast, are durable and don't require machine washing. Try today.