The abrupt decision leaves the future of NPS river management up in the air.
Grand Canyon abolishes river district in response to sexual harassment allegations
Posted inArticles
Desert tortoise militia occupies Bundy Ranch
Endangered reptiles stage heavily armored takeover of cattleman’s property.
Posted inArticles
County by county, the West braces for rise in mosquito-borne diseases
As the climate warms, mosquitoes thrive, and communities try to figure out how to prevent disease outbreak.
Posted inArticles
How Colorado is trying to get beyond zero-sum water wars
The new water plan represents an evolving moral algebra that transcends more primitive water law.
Posted inArticles
Fracking linked to groundwater contamination in Pavillion, Wyoming
Contaminants that likely came from fracking were found in an aquifer that supplies drinking water.
Posted inArticles
No, Ted Cruz, Westerners should not follow in Texas’ footsteps
The state’s public lands boondoggle was a historical accident.
Posted inArticles
It’s inevitable. There will be bikes in wilderness.
It hasn’t happened yet, but one day, bicycles and baby strollers will be welcome in wilderness. That’s the goal of the nonprofit Sustainable Trails Coalition, which seeks to permit other forms of human-powered trail travel in wilderness areas, besides just walking. Congress never prohibited biking or pushing a baby carriage. Both are banned by outmoded […]
Posted inArticles
Photos: The costs of air pollution in Bakersfield, California
In the Central Valley, oil and agriculture both support and harm communities, making air pollution a complex problem.
Posted inArticles
The growing influence of Hispanic voters in the West
Latinos make up 21 percent of the region’s electorate, and election-day turn-out is on the rise.
Posted inArticles
Oregon’s energy plan offers a glimmer of hope for biomass energy
Advocates hope the timber-rich state’s decision to ditch coal could help revive the struggling industry.
Posted inArticles
It’s time to stop development and save the Rio Grande
The rattling trumpet call of sandhill cranes echoed throughout the Rio Grande Valley in central New Mexico this February. The flocks began to make their ascent into the sky, circling to gain altitude and then heading north. The cranes’ early departure — driven by climate change — reveals one of the many challenges of adapting […]
Posted inArticles
This is what an oil bust looks like
Low prices have energy companies and communities reeling as rig counts plummet and unemployment climbs.
Posted inArticles
Podcast: The last Nevada showgirl revue came to a close this year
Preserving showgirl culture, amidst lasting discomfort around the tradition.
Posted inArticles
Ranch Diaries: I’m starting (another) new business. Will it work?
I’ll soon be delivering our grass-fed beef to the processor myself, and connecting directly with customers.
Posted inArticles
Interior Department waffles on Arctic oil and gas leasing
The federal government is asking Alaska Natives which areas are too sensitive to drill.
Posted inMarch 21, 2016: Making Sense of Malheur
Welcome, Glenn Nelson
We’re excited to report that Seattle-based journalist Glenn Nelson is joining High Country News as our newest contributing editor. Glenn’s work has broken down barriers for diversity and inclusion in discussions about public lands. He’ll be joining fellow contributing editors Cally Carswell, Sarah Gilman and Michelle Nijhuis to bring even more great stories to the […]
Posted inMarch 21, 2016: Making Sense of Malheur
The darkness at the heart of Malheur
A Westerner traces the roots – and meaning – of the Oregon occupation.
Posted inMarch 21, 2016: Making Sense of Malheur
Taxing water
The article from Feb. 22, “Growing Heavy” by Sena Christian, does an excellent job of presenting the issue of California’s agricultural water usage. Unfortunately, the article misses the essence of what is exacerbating the effects of California’s drought: bad economics. The market has incorrectly priced water for agriculture, which is subsequently destroying California’s economy and […]
Posted inMarch 21, 2016: Making Sense of Malheur
Snapshot of a sad moment
When a band of militants took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon this winter, we at High Country News worked hard to understand not only what was happening day by day, but also why it was happening. What did Ammon Bundy and his supporters actually want? We’re still trying to figure it out. […]
Posted inMarch 21, 2016: Making Sense of Malheur
Sharing food … and history
Thank you for Patricia Limerick’s essay on the complex sociology of the current conflict over oil and gas development (“Fractured,” HCN, 2/22/16). Learning from the past has not been one of the West’s strengths. Many Westerners seem as passionately devoted to ignoring or denying history as Ms. Limerick is to bringing history to bear on […]