Magazine
Acre by acre

February 28, 2000

The land trust movement is bigger than the earliest groups imagined, but the challenge the 250 Western groups face is even bigger, as development swallows the last open space.

Feature

Acre by acre
The land trust movement is bigger than the earliest groups imagined, but the challenge the 250 Western groups face is even bigger, as development swallows the last open space.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Sidebar

A land-trust toolbox
A glossary defines some of the real estate-style concepts behind land trust deals.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'We didn't even know what a land trust was'
Rondal Snodgrass of Sanctuary Forest describes how his land trust group has saved old growth in Northern California.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'We need a whole paradigm shift'
Carla of the McDowell-Sonora Land Trust describes how her group tries to save land near Scottsdale, Ariz.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'Our first focus is the landowner'
Lynne Sherrod of the Colo. Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust talks about how ranchers save open space. Rancher Jay Fetcher came up with the idea of a cattleman's land trust when his family began to look for ways to preserve their Yampa Valley lands.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'We have a stake in the place'
Wendy Ninteman of the Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula, Mont., talks about the experience of her land trust.
Michelle Nijhuis And Ali Macalady Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'The growth wasn't organic'
Wendy Fisher of Utah Open Lands talks about how her land trust group began in booming Park City.
Michelle Nijhuis Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Burgers bolster Colorado open space
The Yampa Valley Beef Corp. seeks to protect land near Steamboat Springs, Colo., by selling locally raised beef in the area.
Brenda Biondo Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'We still have a ways to go'
Colette Kostelec of the Jefferson Land Trust talks about trying to save land on the Olympic Peninsula near Port Townsend, Wash.
Michelle Nijhuis And Ali Macalady Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Uncommon Westerners

Montana loses an environmental leader
Montana State Rep. Ben Cohen, environmentalist, garbageman, actor and outdoorsman, is mourned in Whitefish, Mont.
George Ochenski Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Book Reviews

Drain it now, says organization
The Glen Canyon Action Network plans a Restoration Celebration and Rendezvous at Utah's Glen Canyon Dam.
Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Bovine boondoggle
A special investigative report by the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News says public-lands grazing consumes dollars as well as grass.
Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Goose eggs in Congress
The League of Conservation Voters gives most Western congress people a poor grade on environmental issues.
Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Fed-bashing investigated
The Forest Service investigates Gloria Flora's charges of "anti-federal fervor" and employee harassment in Nevada.
Robyn Morrison Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Saving the environment saves money
"Green Scissors 2000," a report by a coalition of environmental and taxpayer groups, cites 77 wasteful government programs.
Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Porta-potties to Posters: Planning Community Events
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Training Academy offers courses for interpreters involved with tourism.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
The Murie Center
Grand Teton National Park hosts a gathering to celebrate the legacy of the Muries, July 20-30.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Impressions of Nature, an Internet photography exhibit and auction
American Land Conservancy presents an Internet art show on-line, March 3-31.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
High Altitude Revegetation Workshop
Colorado State University presents a High Altitude Revegetation Workshop, March 8-10.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Northwest Wilderness Conference
The Northwest Wilderness Conference, March 31-April 2, will feature David Brower and Polly Dyer as speakers.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
10th Annual Spring Conference
The Colorado Coalition of Land Trusts is sponsoring a spring conference in Golden, Colo., April 6-8.
Staff Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Book says cows don't belong on most BLM lands
Prof. Debra Donahue's book, "The Western Range Revisited: Removing Livestock from Public Lands to Conserve Native Biodiversity," has infuriated Wyoming ranchers.
Katharine Collins Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Heard Around the West

Heard around the West
USFS mulls changing vehicle color; Ariz. couch potatoes slim; Idaho's potato supremacy threatened; San Francisco battles rodeos; Tom Forsythe told to quit photographing Barbie dolls; Aspen fights monster homes; faux fish trophies; what animal?
Betsy Marston Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Dear Friends

Dear Friends
Dam-breaching correction; HCN's Robert Hayutin and Three Rivers Land Trust; HCN is 30; Peggy Rawlins.
Ed Marston Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

News

Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
A prof takes on the sacred cow
At the University of Wyoming, Prof. Debra Donahue's book, "The Western Range Revisited," with its criticism of grazing, has provoked fury among ranchers and raised questions about academic freedom.
Katharine Collins Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
The Wayward West
Babbitt plans "national landscape monuments"; Phoenix air pollution; Animas-La Plata rises again; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's ideas on storing nuclear waste; lawsuit over Makah Indians' right to hunt gray whales.
Rebecca Clarren And Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
To breach or not to breach
Both sides are surprised when dam-breaching supporters outnumber opponents at public meetings over breaching four Snake River dams to save salmon.
Eric Barker Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Tribe calls dam a trout trap
In Montana, the Blackfeet Tribe wants to remove a dam on the reservation that is killing endangered St. Mary's River bull trout.
Ali Macalady Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
A town defends a peacemaker
Ashland, Ore., rallies to defend consensus-building Forest Service District Ranger Linda Duffy, when she is unexpectedly demoted and reassigned.
Vickie Aldous Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
A test case on access
Jack and Stephanie McFarland sue when Glacier National Park officials deny them a special permit to snowmobile into their park inholding.
Ron Selden Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Roadkill keeps the peace
In Washington's Methow Valley, hunters deliver roadkilled deer to six tribes in an agreement in which the tribe agrees to stop hunting in the valley.
David Williams Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
What to do about "Frankenfoods'?
Two natural-foods chains - Wild Oats Market and Whole Foods Market - are banning genetically engineered foods from their stores.
Catherine Lutz Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
BLM signs snatched
San Juan County, Utah, officials are removing "road closed" signs from BLM land in the Grand Gulch area, claiming ownership of the roads.
Jim Woolf Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Dog doesn't get its day
The Fish and Wildlife Service agrees that the black-tailed prairie dog needs protection but decides not to list it as endangered yet.
Robyn Morrison Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Tern terror
The Army Corps of Engineers is trying to figure out how to relocate the 10,000 pairs of Caspian terns nesting on Rice Island at the mouth of the Columbia - and eating millions of young salmon.
Rebecca Clarren Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
HCN at 30: The saga begins
High Country News celebrates its 30 years by looking back at the paper's early days in Lander, Wyo.
Paul Larmer Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
Tom Bell quotes
Quotes from High Country News' founding father, Tom Bell, show his passion about preserving the West.
Paul Larmer Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Opinion

In Wyoming, academic freedom is an endangered species
A University of Wyoming faculty member says that the furor over Debra Donahue's book, "The Western Range Revisited," is just the most recent attack on academic freedom led by Wyoming special interests.
Steve Gloss Opinion Essay Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
The West 'ain't no cow country'
Prof. Debra Donahue defends her controversial book, "The Western Range Revisited," and its criticism of public-lands grazing.
Debra Donahue Opinion Essay Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition

Letters

One rancher's narrow viewpoint
Peg Ferm Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
'Old West' Idaho was better
Charlie Swearingen Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
We're making a new claim on nature
Roz Mcclellan Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
A red herring issue
Linda Blum Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
WTO protesters deserve better
Martin Murie Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
McNeal should be sheepish
Lew Vavra Feb. 28, 2000 From the print edition
High Country News Classifieds
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
     Executive Director Position Announcement POSITION TITLE: Executive Director ORGANIZATION: Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument REPORTING TO: Board of Directors EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Part-time - Full-time, based...
  • HEALTHY CITIES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
     The Healthy Cities Program Director leads and manages the Healthy Cities Program for the Arizona Chapter and is responsible for developing and implementing innovative, high...
  • CONSERVATION PROGRAM MANAGER
     Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP) Conservation Programs Manager Job Opening Our Mission: Honoring the past and safeguarding the future of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through...
  • ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
     Grand Staircase Escalante Partners (GSEP) Associate Director Job Posting Our Mission: Honoring the past and safeguarding the future of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through science,...
  • UNIQUE, ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME ON ACREAGE NEAR MOSCOW, IDAHO
     Custom-built energy-efficient 3000 sqft two-story 3BR home, 900 sqft 1 BR accessory cottage above 2-car garage and large shop. Large horse barn. $1,200,000. See online...
  • OUTDOOR ADVENTURE BUSINESS FOR SALE
     Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures (MOLA) - established and profitable outdoor adventure & education business in Missoula, Montana. Summer camp, raft & climb guide, teen travel,...
  • OJO SARCO FARM/HOME
     A wonderful country setting for a farm/work 1350s.f. frame home plus 1000 studio/workshop. 5 acres w fruit trees, an irrigation well, pasture and a small...
  • STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR
     Join Skagit Land Trust (the Trust), a not-for-profit conservation organization based in Mount Vernon, Washington, and help protect land for people and wildlife. Skagit Land...
  • 2022 SEASONAL SCIENCE EDUCATOR
     The Mount St. Helens Institute Science Educator supports our science education and rental programs including day and overnight programs for youth ages 6-18, their families...
  • POLICY DIRECTOR
     Heart of the Rockies Initiative is seeking a Policy Director to lead and define policy efforts to advance our mission to keep working lands and...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
     Self-Help Enterprises seeks an experienced and strategic CFO
  • CONSERVATION SPECIALIST - LAND PROTECTION FOCUS
     View full job description and how to apply at
  • RIVER EDUCATOR & GUIDE
     River Educator & Guide River Educator & Guide (Trip Leader) Non-exempt, Seasonal Position: Full-time OR part-time (early April through October; may be flexible with start/end...
  • LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTOR
     The Land and Water Conservation Director is a full-time salaried position with the Mountain Area Land Trust in Evergreen, CO. The successful candidate will have...
  • FOOD SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENTAL FELLOWSHIP
     If you were to design a sustainable society from the ground up, it would look nothing like the contemporary United States. But what would it...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
     The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) is seeking an Executive Director who will lead RiGHT toward a future of continued high conservation impact, organizational...
  • COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
     Help protect Montana's water quality, family farms and ranches, & unique quality of life. Work hard, meet good people, make the world a better place!...
  • NEW BOOK:
     True Wildlife Tales From Boy to Man. Finding my voice to save wildlife in the Apache spirit. 365+ vivid colorful pictures. Buy on Amazon/John Wachholz
  • CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
     with Rural Community Assistance Corporation. Apply here: https://www.marcumllp.com/executive-search/chief-operations-officer-rcac
  • CARPENTER WANTED
     CARPENTER WANTED. Come to Ketchikan and check out the Rainforest on the coast, Hike the shorelines, hug the big trees, watch deer in the muskeg...