Writers on the Range

Writers on the Range was a project of High Country News from 1998 to 2018. It is now an independent nonprofit organization.


Let your kids play with fire
Let your kids play with fire
Giving a 6-year-old fire-tending responsibilities is good for the whole family.
Firefighters, it’s time we led the way on ending harassment
Firefighters, it’s time we led the way on ending harassment
Allegations that the Forest Service enabled a culture of harassment were no surprise.
Montana’s only congressman sells public lands short
Montana’s only congressman sells public lands short
Recreation-based businesses like canoe guiding rely on continued protection for national monuments.
Killer bees are calming down
Killer bees are calming down
The gentling of “Africanized” bees in Mexico bodes well for beekeeping in the southern U.S.
Natural gas wells make poor neighbors
Natural gas wells make poor neighbors
Without a rule to prevent waste, living close to industry is difficult and dangerous.
Beware the privatization of your town’s water
Beware the privatization of your town’s water
People often assume private providers will be cheaper and more efficient; often the opposite is true.
Bail out coal communities, not coal executives
Bail out coal communities, not coal executives
The good times are over for the coal industry. It’s time to move on.
Republican politicians should support the outdoor industry
Republican politicians should support the outdoor industry
Public lands should be conserved — not exploited for short-term gain.
We can’t lose the wild to save the domestic
We can’t lose the wild to save the domestic
A few months ago, a coyote ate one of our cats. But I would never kill it for revenge.
The business of climate change, in market terms
The business of climate change, in market terms
Climate change solutions are socially and politically divisive, but they needn’t be.
What to plant as spring approaches
What to plant as spring approaches
It’s time to peruse seed catalogues and plan for the gardening months of summer.
What Westerners take for granted
What Westerners take for granted
“I never really considered the concept of public lands until I moved to Iowa.”
A corporate takeover of legal weed looms in California
A corporate takeover of legal weed looms in California
Thousands of small-scale marijuana growers could be replaced by Big Ag.
No one needs an AR-15
No one needs an AR-15
Mental illness exists everywhere in the world, of course, but mass shootings do not.
Don’t give up on riding the rails
Don’t give up on riding the rails
A writer muses on a recent loss of confidence in the West’s rail system.
A Western town says ‘no’ to guns in schools
A Western town says ‘no’ to guns in schools
School shootings raise a question that once seemed settled in Mancos, Colorado.
Policies affect people, we affect policies
Policies affect people, we affect policies
President Donald Trump’s reversals of decades of immigration policy bring families to the brink of exile.
Protected lands generate big-time revenue
Protected lands generate big-time revenue
In Alaska, sustainable recreation dollars help advocates for protected areas.
Art and education fuel young public lands advocates
Art and education fuel young public lands advocates
At University of Montana, students foster a conservation vision for the future.
Animals’ advice for surviving trying times
Animals’ advice for surviving trying times
Are you the political equivalent of an armadillo, ant or tiger?
High Country News Classifieds
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) seeks a strategic and visionary Executive Director: View all job details here- https://bit.ly/CCRHED
  • MONTANA BLUES
    The new novel by Ray Ring, retired HCN senior editor, tackles racism in the wild, a story told by a rural White horsewoman and a...
  • DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
    Title: Digital Engagement Specialist Location: Salt Lake City Reports to: Communications Director Status, Salary & Benefits: Full-time, Non-Exempt. Salary & Benefits information below. Submission Deadline:...
  • CONSERVATION FIELD ORGANIZER
    Title: Conservation Field Organizer Reports to: Advocacy and Stewardship Director Location: Southwest Colorado Compensation: $45,000 - $50,000 DOE FLSA: Non-Exempt, salaried, termed 24-month Wyss Fellow...
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    Who We Are: The Nature Conservancy's mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create...
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    Apply by Oct 18. Seeking collaborative, hands-on ED to advance our work building community through fresh produce.
  • INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS EDITOR - HIGH COUNTRY NEWS
    High Country News is hiring an Indigenous Affairs Editor to help guide the magazine's journalism and produce stories that are important to Indigenous communities and...
  • STAFF ATTORNEY
    Staff Attorney The role of the Staff Attorney is to bring litigation on behalf of Western Watersheds Project, and at times our allies, in the...
  • ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
    Northern Michigan University seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. With new NMU President Dr. Brock...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Clark Fork Coalition seeks an exceptional leader to serve as its Executive Director. This position provides strategic vision and operational management while leading a...
  • GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT MANAGER
    Help uphold a groundbreaking legal agreement between a powerful mining corporation and the local communities impacted by the platinum and palladium mine in their backyard....
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Feather River Land Trust (FRLT) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to advance our mission to "conserve the lands and waters of the...
  • COLORADO DIRECTOR
    COLORADO DIRECTOR Western Watersheds Project seeks a Colorado Director to continue and expand WWP's campaign to protect and restore public lands and wildlife in Colorado,...
  • ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY - INDIGENOUS HISTORIES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST
    Whitman College seeks applicants for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Histories of the North American West, beginning August 2024, at the rank of Assistant Professor....
  • DAVE AND ME
    Dave and Me, by international racontuer and children's books author Rusty Austin, is a funny, profane and intense collection of short stories, essays, and poems...
  • CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    Rural Community Assistance Corporation is looking to hire a CFO. For more more information visit: https://www.rcac.org/careers/
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Foundation (ABWF) seeks a new Executive Director. Founded in 2008, the ABWF is a respected nonprofit whose mission is to support...
  • CANYONLANDS FIELD INSTITUTE
    Field seminars for adults in natural and human history of the northern Colorado Plateau, with lodge and base camp options. Small groups, guest experts.
  • COMING TO TUCSON?
    Popular vacation house, everything furnished. Two bedroom, one bath, large enclosed yards. Dog-friendly. Contact Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS
    We characterize contaminated sites, identify buried drums, tanks, debris and also locate groundwater.