In HCN’s November issue, we learn about the surprising evolution of that ubiquitous, lifesaving Western landmark, the snow fence, while our feature delves into the problems caused by barbed wire and investigates whether modern-day “virtual fences” could benefit both ranchers and wildlife. In “Hidden Waters,” photographer Bremner Benedict finds unexpected beauty in the West’s disappearing springs and waterholes. The Southwest’s rivers are equally endangered, and if the Colorado River continues to dry out, the Grand Canyon will be seriously impacted. A proposed ballot measure could help fund climate resilience projects in Eugene, Oregon. In 1972, the state of California offered to reimburse Indigenous residents for stolen land — if they were willing to accept just 47 cents an acre. An Alaska Native praises saunas, and Aileen Keown Vaux’s new poetry collection offers advice for a fractured world.

Borehole Spring, Mojave Desert, California. A borehole exploration punctured a pressurized aquifer, creating an accidental oasis that attracts migratory birds and supports wildlife. Severe drought now threatens this wetland.
Borehole Spring, Mojave Desert, California. A borehole exploration punctured a pressurized aquifer, creating an accidental oasis that attracts migratory birds and supports wildlife. Severe drought now threatens this wetland. Credit: Bremner Benedict

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