
Items by Ray Ring

The Black Forest Fire highlights a political disconnect around the West

Western kids have fun -- and die -- motoring off-road, thanks to loose ATV regulations, a libertarian spirit and fun-loving parents.

In Wyoming's top resort town, the desire to protect the environment and the community's character kills big affordable housing projects.

An HCN editor reflects on the many changes around Coeur d'Alene.
And other oddities from Heard Around the West
And more oddities from Heard Around the West

Editor’s note for HCN’s second annual special issue on travel in the West describes some quirky personal trips.

Mining in British Columbia could have big impacts on parts of Canada -- and the U.S.

U.S. environmental groups like Rivers Without Borders, Conservation Northwest and Round River Conservation Studies work with First Nations in British Columbia to slow a mining rush.
A long overdue evaluation of the popular 1822 poem

Will the soul of wildlife biology survive in an era of remote monitoring technology?

The gadgets we attach to wild animals and fish include radio transmitters, microchips, acoustic tags, geolocators and accelerometers.

Environmentalists are trying to buy out oil and gas leases in national forests, including the Wyoming Range and Thompson Creek Divide, while the drillers often have their way in the desert and sagebrush.
You're welcome to add your observations

Races for seats on state commissions that oversee utilities are among the most important elections you’ve never heard of. They could decide the future of renewable energy in Montana and Arizona this year.

If Democrats succeed in an improbable coup -- winning a U.S. Senate seat in Arizona, and making the state competitive for Obama -- they’ll have Latino voters to thank.
Maybe or maybe not a trend, it's worth rooting for ...

Marshall Bloom, who heads up disease research at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Mont., discusses his work on deadly viruses and his passion for conservation.

A list of some of Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg's major policy differences with incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg has exploited his family's long Montana history to get where he is today, but his current campaign for Democrat Jon Tester's Senate seat is raising questions about his record and that history.

When wandering newcomers and deep-rooted old-timers collide in the West, it gets difficult, especially in a place as culturally complex as northern New Mexico.

Ambitious schemes to build railroads and ports to ship Powder River Basin coal abroad will bring pollution and traffic to communities along the transport path, who are rising up in protest.
A caveman CEO and a frothing Range magazine also get dinged

A lot of places call themselves "gateway cities," but Reno, Nev., is truly the gateway to a lot of strange and amazingly gorgeous places.

Crimes committed by a fundamentalist sect on the Utah-Arizona border needs to be seriously investigated by both the Mormon Church and those states.

The state of Montana is leading the way in the fight to destroy the bizarre
legal fiction that corporations are people.

Maps, photos and text describe some of the federal and private, nonprofit work in Northwest Mexico to preserve imperiled landscapes and a rich diversity of plants and animals.
Featured stories
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Western Slope Conservation Center in Paonia, CO, seeks a dynamic leader who is mission-driven, hardworking, and a creative problem-solver. WSCC is committed to creating...
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PLANNED GIVING OFFICER National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), the nation's oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocacy organization seeks a Planned Giving Officer. Do you find energy in...
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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,...
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REGIONAL TRAIL STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR Are you passionate about connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with trail maintenance and volunteer engagement...
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TRAIL CREW MEMBER Position Title: Trail Crew Member Position Type: 6 month seasonal position, April 17-October 15, 2023 Location: Field-based; The RFOV office is in Carbondale, CO, and...
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CEO BUFFALO NATIONS GRASSLANDS ALLIANCE Chief Executive Officer, Remote Exempt position for Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance is responsible for the planning and organization of BNGA's day-to-day operations
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IDAHO DIRECTOR - WESTERN WATERSHEDS PROJECT Western Watersheds Project seeks an Idaho Director to continue and expand upon WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Idaho, with...
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DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, NA'AH ILLAHEE FUND Na'ah Illahee Fund (NIF) is seeking a highly qualified Development Director to join our team in supporting and furthering our mission. This position will create...
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DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, NA'AH ILLAHEE FUND Na'ah Illahee Fund (NIF) is seeking a highly qualified Operations Director to join our team. This position will provide critical organizational and systems support to...
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DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP) is seeking a leader to join our dynamic team in the long-term protection of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM). We...
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GRASSLAND RESEARCH COORDINATOR The Grassland Research Coordinator is a cooperative position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that performs and participates in and coordinates data collection for...
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HYDROELECTRIC PLANT 1.3 MW FERC licensed hydroelectric station near Taylorsville CA. Property is 184 deeded acres surrounded by National Forrest.
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"PROFILES IN COURAGE: STANDING AGAINST THE WYOMING WIND" 13 stories of extraordinary courage including HCN founder Tom Bell, PRBRC director Lynn Dickey, Liz Cheney, People of Heart Mountain, the Wind River Indian Reservation...
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GRANT WRITER JOB DESCRIPTION: This Work involves the responsibility of conducting research in the procurement of Federal, State, County, and private grant funding. Additional responsibilities include identifying...
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MATADOR RANCH STEWARD The Matador Ranch Steward conducts annual stewardship projects at the Matador Ranch Preserve and occasionally supports stewardship projects elsewhere in Montana's Northern Great Plains. The...
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT The Idaho Conservation League is seeking a motivated individual to help build public support for key strategic initiatives in northern Idaho through public outreach and...
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ASPIRE COLORADO SUSTAINABLE BODY AND HOME CARE PRODUCTS Go Bulk! Go Natural! Our products are better for you and better for the environment. Say no to single-use plastic. Made in U.S.A., by a...
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CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE Field seminars for adults in the natural and human history of the Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
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CORTEZ COLORADO LOT FOR SALE Historic tree-lined Montezuma Ave. Zoned Neighborhood Business. Build your dream house or business right in the heart of town. $74,000. Southwest Realty
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ATTORNEY AD Criminal Defense, Code Enforcement, Water Rights, Mental Health Defense, Resentencing.