Tough economics, drought, and increasing clashes with
other public-lands users are leading some ranchers to consider
taking the "golden saddle" – a check from conservationists in
exchange for their grazing permits
Magazine
April 4, 2005
Tough economics, drought, and increasing clashes with other public-lands users are leading some ranchers to consider taking the "golden saddle" – a check from conservationists in exchange for their grazing permits. Also in this issue: Two researchers say that the "Sustainable Slopes" program, touted by the National Ski Areas Association as a sign of the industry’s environmental responsibility, is little more than "greenwashing."
Feature
Sidebar
The various grazing buyout proposals offer different
amounts to ranchers in exchange for retiring their grazing
permits
On the Upper Deschutes area of Oregon, the Bureau of Land
Management is working to move cows off the public land
Paul Larmer interviews longtime activist Andy Kerr, director of the National Public Lands Grazing Campaign, about grazing buyouts and the future of public-lands ranching
Editor's Note
Some Western ranchers, fed up with economic problems and
other conflicts, are handing over their grazing allotments to
conservation groups in exchange for a healthy check
Uncommon Westerners
Lorena Gorbet, a Mountain Maidu Indian, has dedicated her
life to saving her tribal culture through forest management in the
Feather River area of Northern California
Essays
The Wild West lives on in a distinctly Eastern way at
Western Village in Imaichi, Japan, sister city of Rapid City,
S.D.
Book Reviews
Caribou Rising by Rick Bass is an
impassioned plea on behalf of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
and the Gwich’in people who have hunted caribou there for
thousands of years
In Common Waters, Diverging Streams
William Blomquist, Edella Schlager, and Tanya Heikkila argue on
behalf of "conjunctive management" – coordinating the use of
surface water with underground aquifers
Santa Fe Hispanic Culture: Preserving Identity in
a Tourist Town by Andrew Leo Lovato explores the way
Santa Fe, N.M., both preserves and exploits its colorful
past
In Diminished Democracy, Harvard
University professor Theda Skocpol considers the decline of
volunteerism in American life, and what it means for the
nation’s democracy
In Common Southwestern Plants, Jack L.
Carter, Martha A. Carter and Donna J. Stevens have created a
user-friendly botanical guide
Writers on the Range
A rider in the federal spending bill will end a
34-year-old ban on selling wild horses for slaughter
Heard Around the West
Only resident of Monowi, Neb., loves it, but other Great
Plains towns struggle to attract people; "no intelligent life out
here" is right; no plastic surgery for Hollywood pets; Glenwood
Springs, Colo., cops catch Denver bad guy; "low-cow" Internet in
Hot
Dear Friends
Tragedy in Paonia; visitors; "Starting West" conference at
Stanford discusses frustration; clarification from BLM; Happy 35th
birthday, HCN
News
Biologist Mark Intyme is marking time; "Termoonator" takes
on wolves; coorections; "Million Bush March" and other
oddities
Developer George Johnson is being sued by the state of
Arizona for major violations of environmental laws, committed in
the early stages of his planned La Osa Ranch development
Two researchers say that the "Sustainable Slopes" program,
touted by the National Ski Areas Association as a sign of the
industry’s environmental responsibility, is little more than
"greenwashing"
Resolution Copper Company is trying to obtain a land swap
in order to mine at Arizona’s Oak Flat campground, a popular
rock-climbing spot
Three important "takings" lawsuits claim farmers should be
compensated when water is withheld from irrigators in order to help
endangered species during times of drought
A judge rules that Pacific Coast fishermen can intervene
as a third party in a lawsuit between Klamath River Basin farmers
and the federal government
Letters
Featured stories
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CONSERVATION ASSOCIATE - OKANOGAN LAND TRUST (NORTH CENTRAL WA) Do you enjoy rural living, wild places, and the chance to work with many different kinds of people and accomplish big conservation outcomes? Do you...
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CARDIGAN WELSH CORGIS 10 adorable, healthy puppies for sale. 4 males and 6 females. DM and PRA clear. Excellent pedigree from champion lineage. One Red Brindle male. The...
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A CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR THE CLIMATE CRISIS!! "Goodnight Fossil Fuels!" is a an engaging, beautiful, factual and somewhat silly picture book by a climate scientist and a climate artist, both based in...
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DIGITAL ADVOCACY & MEMBERSHIP MANAGER 
The Digital Advocacy & Membership Manager will be responsible for creating and delivering compelling, engaging digital content to Guardians members, email activists, and social media...
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DIGITAL OUTREACH COORDINATOR, ARIZONA Job Title: Digital Outreach Coordinator, Arizona Position Location: Phoenix or Tucson, AZ Status: Salaried Job ID Number: 52198 We are looking for you! We are...
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DESCHUTES LAND TRUST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER The Deschutes Land Trust is seeking an experienced Volunteer Program Manager to join its dedicated team! Deschutes Land Trust conserves and cares for the lands...
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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming seeks an experienced fundraiser to join our team. We're looking for a great communicator who is passionate about conservation and...
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INDIAN COUNTRY FELLOWSHIP Western Leaders Network is accepting applications for its paid, part-time, 6-month fellowship. Mentorship, training, and engaging tribal leaders in advancing conservation initiatives and climate policy....
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MULESHOE RANCH PRESERVE MANAGER The Muleshoe Ranch Preserve Manager develops, manages, and advances conservation programs, plans and methods for large-scale geographic areas. The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area (MRCMA)...
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ARTEMIS PROGRAM MANAGER Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF or Federation) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more...
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ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HUMANITIES Assistant or Associate Professor of Environmental Humanities Whitman College The Environmental Humanities Program at Whitman College seeks candidates for a tenure-track position beginning August 2023...
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ANNUAL FUND MANAGER Working closely with the Foundation's leadership, the Annual Fund Manager is responsible for the oversight and management of the Foundation's annual operating fund. This is...
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DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR Looking for someone who loves public land and understands the value and importance of data in reaching shared goals as part of a high-functioning team....
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) in Crested Butte, CO is seeking an enthusiastic Executive Director who is passionate about the public lands, natural waters and...
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ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Are you passionate about connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with volunteer management experience to join...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The conservation non-profit Invasive Species Action Network seeks an executive director. We are focused on preventing the human-caused spread of invasive species by promoting voluntary...
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NEW BOOK: A FEAST OF ECSTATIC VERSE AND IMAGERY
Dynamic fine art photographer offers use of images to raise funds. Available for use by conservation groups. Contact at www.anecstaticgathering.com.
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WANTED: TALENTED WRITER
Write the introduction to A Feast of Ecstatic Verse and Imagery, a book concerning nature and spirituality. Contact at www.anecstaticgathering.com. Writer who works for conservation/nature...
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MT STATE DIRECTOR- THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY The Montana State Director is a member of The Wilderness Society's (TWS) Conservation program team who plays a leading role in advancing the organization's mission...
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HIGH COUNTRY NEWS EDITORIAL INTERNS High Country News, an award-winning magazine covering the communities and environment of the Western United States, is looking for its next cohort of editorial interns....
