Conflict in the West constantly remakes itself. This issue looks at new iterations of those fights: A water battle over rural wells in Washington, Cliven Bundy’s victory rally for Freedom and Property, and the struggle of Navajo Nation residents to prevent more oil and gas exploration in historically important lands.
An armchair journey to the desert
A photography book captures the natural splendor of Utah’s five national parks.
Water connections
Thank you for investigating threats to the San Pedro River east of Tucson, Arizona (“Federal agency retracts opposition to Arizona project,” HCN, 1/22/18). The river is unique in that it is one of the last free-flowing desert streams in the United States, supporting riparian habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species of conservation interest. In the San…
Why we should reconsider the starling
An author explores the unlikely relationship between a musical genius and avian pariah.
A new board member and goodbye to an editor
A forthcoming radio documentary, and a change of pace for our senior editor.
A long tradition of oppression and perserverence
From the Bundys to #NoDAPL, protest movements in the West thrive.
Elk vs. helicopter; Girl Scouts expand to weed shops; Colorado’s albino raccoon
Mishaps and mayhem from around the region.
More than one pupfish per smile
Thanks to Laura Pritchett (“Laughter, America, Death Valley,” HCN, 2/5/18) and her sweetheart, Kevin, for paying homage to laughter, sorrow and native desert fishes. Death Valley’s pupfish species set an especially good example for us in these dark and heated times: They keep swimming even when the water in the tub is trickling down the drain and…
State of dysfunction
The Mark Baird-led push for state of Jefferson endorsement in Plumas County, California, consisted of relentlessly pressuring the county board of supervisors (who are sworn to uphold the California State Constitution) for a vote of support to leave California, and then walking away from any relationship with that body when that support was not forthcoming…
Resistance to drilling grows on the Navajo Nation
Indigenous activists try to quell a rising tide of oil and gas exploration in Chaco Canyon.
A shrinking supply of abalone shells affects coastal tribes
Climate change and overfishing have pushed the prized mollusk to perilously low numbers in California.
Latest: Outdoor recreation recognized as economic contributor
The Commerce Department affirms the growing clout of outdoor retailers.
Latest: Return of the giant orange-toothed rodents
Invasive nutria were eradicated from California but are coming back.
In Oregon, a peculiar case for protecting the beaver
Using the Endangered Species Act, a novel strategy could protect keystone species.
Cliven Bundy’s victory lap
In Montana, Bundy and his followers celebrate a sound defeat of federal prosecutors.
Interior opens more Western waters to offshore drilling
Officials from both parties ask Secretary Ryan Zinke to reconsider.
The Air Force wants to expand into Nevada’s wild desert
A 300,000-acre base expansion would push into intact bighorn sheep habitat.
Fight over household wells highlights rural growing pains
Can Washington balance development with the needs of rivers, fish and water users?
From bears to condors, the West’s wildlife is finding ways to survive
Five ways science is finding unexpected resilience in animals.
The class disparity in Montecito’s disaster recovery
Southern California sits at the intersection of wealth, poverty and climate change.