ROUND ’EM UP!
Regarding “The co-opting of cowboy poetry” (April 2024), the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering does draw many attendees who appreciate the culture but may not work on ranches. But that’s OK. Given the urban-rural divide in the U.S., it is important to build bridges.
Cowboy culture is still center stage, and there are plenty of spontaneous events, jam sessions, open mics, great people and all-around good times. Gathering the strays would make it even better.
George Wallace
Waverly, Colorado
CLEARING THE WAY
“Perilous Paths” (April 2024) highlights the importance of migration corridor conservation and the use of solutions like wildlife crossings and corridor designations. However, challenges remain, including rapidly increasing development and working effectively across levels of government.
Center for Large Landscape Conservation, via the social media platform X
EYES IN THE SKIES
Drones aren’t the all-encompassing solution (“Managing predators from the sky,” April 2024). But when early detection is the best means of mitigating conflict (between livestock and predators like wolves), drones can be very valuable for conservation efforts in places with high instances of human-wildlife conflict.
Bill Hilf, via X
CATTLE CALL
I just read Jonathan Thompson’s article about cattle (and alfalfa) consuming water (“Cattle are drinking the Colorado River dry,” March 28, hcn.org). I am one of those water-using ranchers. My family owns 80 acres in Colorado, with just enough water rights to keep the land almost green and the cows almost fed. We could afford to turn off the irrigation, sell the cattle and let the land sit fallow. What we need is research that tells us how to do that without creating 80 acres of dust. For now, we keep irrigating, but we have committed environmentalists in the family who would happily do the work toward more earth-friendly practices, if we knew what they were.
Sara Ferguson
Crawford, Colorado
I have been seeing changes in many diverse environments in my 79 years. Mainly, I see that the sage has been destroyed by cattle and by crops to feed cattle. Both are exported! To me, that means that we are destroying our country to create profits for corporations. Forget the long-gone little farmers. Even their products are sucked into co-ops that siphon into corporate exportation.
More publication of facts related to the beef industry and its terrible detrimental environmental effects is what is needed to move the needle. The carbon footprint of corporate cattle is enormous, from water use, millions of tons of fecal waste, water contamination, transportation carbon, and, oh … the deleterious health effects of eating so much red meat.
Martha Bibb
Hailey, Idaho
SPRING, INTERRUPTED
I’ve been monitoring these recent seasonal shifts myself (“Climate change is happening too fast for migrating birds,” March 25, hcn.org). It’s not just the insects, but it’s interrupting the spring growing season and seed production/germination of native plants. My region gets a false spring that triggers growth and then a “second winter” that stunts it shortly after, which lasts later, before “real spring” arrives. At that point, some of the wild crops have missed their windows for full production or lost seeds to early dead flowers.
Joe Whittle, via Instagram
POWERFUL REFLECTIONS
I am writing to express my heartfelt appreciation for “Faces Like Mirrors” (March 2024). As a member of the lesbian community, I was deeply moved by the poignant reflections and powerful imagery presented in the article.
Seeing images that reflect our experiences and celebrate our diversity is affirming and empowering. It reminds us that we are not alone and that our stories deserve to be told and celebrated.
The story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility, representation and community. It is a tribute to those who came before us and paved the way for future generations of lesbians to live authentically and proudly. Thank you once again for featuring this important piece.
Alice Barczak
Albuquerque, New Mexico
I read articles in HCN like “Regeneration Underground” March 2024 that are based in the West and are scientific. What an excellent topic! There used to be a slogan on your cover that said, “For people who care about the West.” Lately, it seems I can’t read an issue that doesn’t devote at least one article related to the LGBTQ community. Their issues are not particularly Western.
I appreciate your coverage of issues that affect everyone in the West.
David Poling
Grand Junction, Colorado
SOLARVIGILANCE
Green colonialism is so disappointing but not surprising. I really appreciate your coverage of it (“Who’s Protecting Badger Mountain?” February 2024). I may not have been aware of it otherwise. I started working for a solar company recently (not Avangrid), and I’m definitely going to be paying more attention to where they are building.
Brandon Webster, via Mastodon
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