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.


To save our oceans, let’s start with our rivers
To save our oceans, let’s start with our rivers
Dams and pollution affect rivers across the West, to the detriment of our oceans.
The power of fossil fuels is fading
The power of fossil fuels is fading
Will Western states react in time to save local economies?
Utah’s approach to public lands won’t work
Utah’s approach to public lands won’t work
New Mexico exemplifies the risk of managing lands at the whim of local interests.
Wild horses aren’t overrunning the West
Wild horses aren’t overrunning the West
A Trump administration proposal sets wild horse populations at extinction levels.
Montana’s first black mayor is here to listen
Montana’s first black mayor is here to listen
How might the toxic tenor of national politics change if more of us practiced forbearance and gratitude?
Utah is headed into a water battle it can’t win
Utah is headed into a water battle it can’t win
Why is this fiscally conservative state pushing an expensive diversion project?
We have better options than killing bison
We have better options than killing bison
Annual culls, loss of genetic diversity and climate change set the odds against American bison.
As a rancher, I see failure on both sides of the Bundy trial
As a rancher, I see failure on both sides of the Bundy trial
It takes wisdom, patience and humanity to make federal land management work.
Fly fishing conversations with a New York real estate developer
Fly fishing conversations with a New York real estate developer
In 1972, a guide tries to help a pompous client hook a steelhead.
What Abbey’s ‘Desert Solitaire’ means in these trying times
What Abbey’s ‘Desert Solitaire’ means in these trying times
The book turns 50 this year, and is more relevant now than ever.
The Endangered Species Act itself could go extinct
The Endangered Species Act itself could go extinct
Congress and the Trump administration threaten an act vital to wildlife and habitat.
Hemp is one town’s way out of a uranium mining past
Hemp is one town’s way out of a uranium mining past
A former mining region embraces a trade with a ‘hippie’ reputation.
Logging isn’t the solution to our wildfire problems
Logging isn’t the solution to our wildfire problems
We can’t ‘solve’ fire any more than we can ‘solve’ hurricanes.
Native voices aren’t being heard on Bears Ears
Native voices aren’t being heard on Bears Ears
Members of the Navajo Nation are not ‘conquered subjects.’
Stop trying to militarize Interior, Ryan Zinke
Stop trying to militarize Interior, Ryan Zinke
Military-style management doesn’t work everywhere.
In military matters, neighbors should get a say
In military matters, neighbors should get a say
A new Air Force base expands, without the input of locals.
Does a river have a right to life?
Does a river have a right to life?
No law gives a river a right to exist; at best, laws protect a river from harm caused by new development.
An agricultural community that embraces its artistic side
An agricultural community that embraces its artistic side
A town with cattle-ranching roots branches out.
Firefighters, your next mission might be next door
Firefighters, your next mission might be next door
Many are still unaware of the dangers of living in the wildland-urban interface.
Congress has rejected many of Trump’s budget cuts
Congress has rejected many of Trump’s budget cuts
Congress has pushed back on repeated efforts to ax environmental programs.
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...
  • UTAH STATE DIRECTOR
    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...
  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    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.