INSPIRATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE
Thank you for such a great and informative article on Greater Yellowstone’s present and possible future, which is truly under attack (“Defunding the Greater Yellowstone,” April 2026). I am a city resident from Nebraska but enjoy two weeks a year in the Teton and Yellowstone areas. Your story will inspire me to continue supporting several wildlife and environmental groups, especially the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
Gene Dinkel
Omaha, Nebraska
AN ESSAY WORTH READING
Thank you for Ollie Hancock’s gentle, proud, plain-spoken essay (“Transition point,” April 2026).
Ashley Daugherty
Forest Grove, Oregon
COCKROACHES “R” US
I enjoyed Kate Siber’s reflection, “The unsung beauty of flies” (April 2026). It sparked thoughts of other ways animals mirror our humanity while just being animals. What about our hatred for cockroaches? They are very sensitive animals with many fine hairs on their back and antennae, along with well-developed sensory organs that sense our approach, allowing them to dart away at the last second and causing us to do a crazy “cockroach-stomping dance.” Cockroaches are family- centered, incredibly resilient, adaptable and durable, much like us.
If we destroy this planet, I believe the C-suite of species will survive: cockroaches, coyotes, crows. And now I will add flies to my list. They will be just fine.
Barb Horn
Durango, Colorado
GOODBYE SCIENCE, HELLO MARKETING
Agency jobs seem to be shifting into certain nongovernmental organizations (“Forest Service overhaul sows confusion, concern,” March 31). It’s early, but this is a shift away from science driving the resource needs of our public lands to one where marketing and membership drive the actions on the ground. This move will wipe out a lot of the science and applied science staff. I’m glad I left last April, when Elon was sending emails.
@redbandia1
Via Instagram
LOVE FOR LAURELI
Every time I receive an issue of HCN, I flip through to see if I’m lucky enough that it will include the “Lifeways” column by Laureli Ivanoff. They’re always my favorite part of any issue — I only wish there were more of them! The March issue’s exploration about Susan Butcher was no exception (“Iditarod idol”). Thanks, Laureli, for another inspirational read.
Bridget Lowry
Santa Cruz, California
POWER TO THE PEOPLE, PRESS ON!
I felt seen by Jennifer Sahn’s March editor’s note (“Look to the future”) as she expressed the hope that drives our seemingly quixotic quest to defend Mother Earth from this rapacious administration. We must continue to use our voice and not acquiesce as this administration streamlines, fast-tracks and rolls back as much as possible, steamrolling decades of environmental progress. The stakes are too high not to.
Our communities must engage, make their voices heard, demand transparency and accountability — and, ultimately, justice. Find your people. Make a ruckus. Do not go quietly. Stand up for what’s right and for the communities and critters that need your voice and relentless spirit. Our children and future generations deserve nothing less.
Kitty Craig
Seattle, Washington
THROUGH WITH GRAZING
I could read no further when reading “The Bird and the Herd” (February 2026) before writing. I got as far as page 38, where the article states that by early 1900s the livestock herds had decimated native vegetation in the West, and the ranchers needed help. The only “help” the ranchers needed was education on preventing further damage to the natural environment. Alas, the almighty government stepped in, and here we are today with a huge environmental mess. Absolutely infuriating. I have witnessed what overused grazing has done to BLM lands in southeast Arizona. Unfortunately, money speaks louder than the intelligent, thoughtful treating of Mother Earth.
Katherine Brown
Cortez, Colorado
JAZZ WITH JACLYN
My goodness, can Jaclyn Moyer ever write a wonderful article (“The Sound of Black History in Portland,” February 2026)? I live in Portland and am fairly familiar with the jazz and blues history here and was blown away with the thoroughly researched article. Jaclyn’s past articles have also been eye-opening for me; her most recent one prompted me to reinstate my HCN subscription.
I came for the country and stayed for the city.
John Lokting
Portland, Oregon
GEOLOGICAL JOY AND MUSICAL MASTERY
I really got a lot out of both the January and February issues.
The focus on geology in January (“Deep Time in the West”) was wonderful; good to take a (much!) longer perspective in response to all the craziness currently going on in the human world.
The February issue about the music scene in Portland (“The Recording Artists”) also spoke to me, as I travel through the Albina district multiple times per week, via bicycle or bus, and am familiar with many of the landmarks.
Marian Rhys
Portland, Oregon
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