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
-
STAFF ATTORNEY Upper Missouri Waterkeeper is hiring a Staff Attorney available to start Summer 2022. The Staff Attorney is responsible for working with Waterkeeper's team to develop...
-
MONTANA DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION A LITTLE ABOUT US Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all...
-
FIGHTING FOR WILDLIFE Position Type: Community organizer; full-time, exempt Location: Bozeman, MT. Compensation: $50,000 Benefits: Medical stipend, vacation time, flexibility. Application Deadline: June 15th. Starting Date: July 1...
-
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN COORDINATOR The Coeur d'Alene Tribe is hiring an Environmental Programs Manager in the Natural Resources Department. This position manages work in wetlands, brownfields, climate change, energy...
-
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - YELLOWSTONE TO YUKON CONSERVATION INITIATIVE 
About the Organization The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization with a mission to connect and protect wildlife habitat...
-
COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR Position Type: Full time, exempt Location: Bozeman, MT Compensation: $42,000 - $47,000 Benefits: Major Medical Insurance, up to 5% match on a 401k, PTO, flexible...
-
PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION DIRECTOR WEST REGION WILDFIRE COUNCIL- RIDGWAY, CO The partnership & collaboration director will provide leadership and/or assistance with all initiatives that create and enhance connections between...
-
2 FIELD PROJECT SPECIALISTS (POSITION FORMERLY TITLED TRAIL CREW TECHNICAL ADVISOR)
Are you passionate about environmental conservation and connecting people to the outdoors? The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is looking for someone with outdoor leadership...
-
WATER STEWARD
The Blackfoot Challenge is seeking a full-time Water Steward to coordinate and deliver a variety of partnerships and projects aimed at conserving and enhancing water...
-
SMALL FARM AT BASE OF MOUNT SHASTA, CALIF. Fruit/berry/veggie/flower farm in the mountain town of Mount Shasta. Small home, 2 barns (one with apartment), and more. Famously pure air and water.
-
POLICY & PLANNING SPECIALIST Position Type: Full time, exempt Location: Bozeman, MT highly preferred, remote negotiable Compensation: $50,000-54,000 Benefits: Major Medical Insurance, up to 5% match on a 401k,...
-
CONSERVATION PROGRAM MANAGER Illinois Valley SWCD is offering an incredible career opportunity in beautiful SW Oregon. .8+ FTE, plus benefits. Visit our website for full details.
-
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Formed in 1980, Western Colorado Alliance for Community Action brings people together to build grassroots power through community organizing and leadership development. The Alliance works...
-
LITIGATION ASSISTANT, NORTHERN ROCKIES OFFICE - FULL-TIME BOZEMAN | REMOTE OPTION
Visit our website to apply: earthjustice.org/about/jobs
-
BUFFALO NATIONS GRASSLANDS ALLIANCE SEEKING AN ASSESSMENT CONSULTANT ASSESSMENT OF THE SCOPE OF CONSERVATION PLANNING AND ACTIVITIES IN NATIVE NATIONS IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance...
-
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Rural Community Assistance Corporation seeks experienced CFO.
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks, the official philanthropic non-profit partner with the National Park Service Southeast Utah Group, is seeking an Executive Director....
-
OUTDOOR PROGRAM - ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (TEMPORARY, FULL-TIME POSITION) St. Lawrence University seeks to fill a temporary, full time, Assistant Director position in the Outdoor Program. The Outdoor Program provides professional outdoor recreational and...
-
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOPHYSICS We find groundwater, reduce excavation costs and determine your IBC site class for a fraction of drilling costs.
-
11.7-ACRE SANCTUARY PROPERTY FOR SALE, WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO GILA WILDERNESS Secluded and quiet. 6,700 ft. Expansive views to Mexico. Mixed conifer, oak, & meadows. Maintained access road and trails. Electrical access on property. Bordered on...
