Items by Ray Ring

Editorial drift
Bipartisan weather emerges in the Northern Rockies
We can do our part to defuse the West
The BLM fails to provide public records
The BLM fails to provide public records
The agency's main Freedom of Information Act office appears incompetent or overworked.
Defuse the West
Defuse the West
Public-land employees are easy targets for a violent, government-hating fringe.
Reports from the front lines
Reports from the front lines
Excerpts from official accounts of threats against U.S. Forest Service and BLM employees.
Bowden the half-mad hiker
Bowden the half-mad hiker
The iconic Southwest writer brought minimal gear but loads of reading material on the trail.
Adiós Charles Bowden
Adiós Charles Bowden
The writer passed away in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Aug. 30.
Bowden the half-mad hiker
Bowden the half-mad hiker
The iconic Southwest writer brought minimal gear but loads of reading material on the trail.
Adiós Charles Bowden
Adiós Charles Bowden
The writer passed away in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Aug. 30.
Taking the romance out of farming
Taking the romance out of farming
Some farms are using the river as their sewer.
Border out of control
Border out of control
National security runs roughshod over the Arizona wild.
Remembering Cecil Garland
Remembering Cecil Garland
The passing of a wilderness advocate, and an HCN correspondent moves to North Dakota.
Native American tourism quietly thrives
Native American tourism quietly thrives
Can tourists benefit, not just exploit, tribal communities?
Adventure travel vs. conservation
Adventure travel vs. conservation
A conversation with outdoor entrepreneur Bill Bryan.
Strange little museums and zoos enliven the region
Strange little museums and zoos enliven the region
Mishaps and mayhem from around the West.
A brave and unusual conservationist turns 90
A brave and unusual conservationist turns 90
Happy birthday to HCN’s founder, Tom Bell.
Savoring the horror stories
Savoring the horror stories
HCN readers get a kick out of their difficult travels in the West.
Best place to see a crowd of grizzlies
Best place to see a crowd of grizzlies
A few tourists get close to amazing numbers of bears catching salmon at Alaska's McNeil River Falls.
How to travel the West on $5,000 per day
How to travel the West on $5,000 per day
Our pick of high-end tourism accessories includes a $600K RV and an 87-tool Swiss Army knife.
The Hanford Whistleblowers
The Hanford Whistleblowers
For decades, insiders have reported problems in the cleanup of our worst nuclear mess — but is anyone listening?
What do a biker bar and nuclear waste have in common?
What do a biker bar and nuclear waste have in common?
Gritty, ongoing reportage delivers an important message: The fundamental problem with nuclear energy — its incredibly dangerous waste products — remains unsolved.
Top 10 reasons not to move to Bozeman
Hard lessons from the mighty salmon runs of Bristol Bay
Hard lessons from the mighty salmon runs of Bristol Bay
The world’s longest ongoing salmon research reveals the astounding complexity of wild ecosystems -- and how easily it can be lost.
Discovery: Good ol' tallgrass was formed by good ol' bacteria
Worst place for a major mine?
Worst place for a major mine?
Update on the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region -- a threat to the world’s best salmon ecosystem.
Western towns shaped by industries they pursue
Western towns shaped by industries they pursue
Converting an old mine to a physics lab in Lead, South Dakota, is just one example of how towns change directions due to deliberate actions as well as random chance.
Wonderful, gritty 'Indian Relay' documentary airs on PBS
Help HCN complete its online archives!
Help HCN complete its online archives!
We’re scanning in all of the pre-1994 issues for our website; visitors came to call; correction.
Killer bees could help solve honeybee colony collapse
High Country News Classifieds
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites and locate buried drums, tanks, debris and also find groundwater.
  • 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.
  • WESTERN NATIVE SEED
    Native plant seeds for the Western US. Trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and regional mixes. Call or email for free price list. 719-942-3935. [email protected] or visit...