High Country News December 10, 2012
Feature
As it goes high-tech, wildlife biology loses its soul
We're learning a lot by monitoring wild animals, but the high tech methods used to track them take some of the mystery out of our relationship with the wild.
Current
Producing more power means using more water
Federal agencies often overlook the tight relationship between energy production and water use.
Weird and wacky White House petitions
Opinionated Americans ask to create the 51st state of Jefferson on the West Coast and ride their ATVS where they please, among other things.
A new measure of poverty shifts rankings in the West
When determining who is poor, the Census Bureau takes geography into account in its Supplemental Poverty Measure.
Turning dead deer into good soil
A pilot program in Oregon transforms roadkill into compost.
Can the oyster industry survive ocean acidification?
As fossil fuel emissions lower the ocean’s pH, Pacific Northwest shellfish growers face an uncertain future.
Will Navajos approve a Grand Canyon megadevelopment?
An audacious development proposal near Grand Canyon National Park divides a tribe and its neighbors.
Editor's Note
A bird in hand
Will the soul of wildlife biology survive in an era of remote monitoring technology?
Dear Friends
Good news and goodbyes
Editor Michelle Nijhuis wins an award; three brave Westerners pass away.
Book Reviews
Of faith and frostbite: a review of True Sisters
Mormon pioneers crossing the country in 1856 meet with disaster in Sandra Dallas' book.
Up the road and a world away: A review of Elsewhere, California
A black girl growing up in ‘70s L.A. must learn to navigate between two worlds, in Dana Johnson's new book.
Essays
Date with a climate-change denier
A first (and last) date with someone who doesn't believe in global warming.
