Deb Haaland’s vision for New Mexico comes from tradition
A Q&A with the state’s likely next governor about tribal sovereignty and politics.
Tribally contested Badger Mountain solar project canceled by developer
Avangrid withdrew its application from the Washington state permitting process following years of objections and delays.
A ban on chainsaws in wilderness is performative, not practical
An experienced trail crew leader argues that, in today’s forests, the rigidity of the regulation buries what it’s designed to protect.
The conflict over permanent climbing anchors in wilderness
Climbers concerned about safety are pitted against wilderness advocates worried about overcrowding and unfettered bolting.
Pueblo leaders, New Mexico lawmakers speak out to protect Chaco Canyon
Officials call push to remove an oil and gas buffer around the culturally critical monument ‘an absolute gut punch.’
I used to ignore prediction markets. Then I learned people were betting on wildfires
My story on prediction market wildfire wagers exposed the gamification of natural disasters.
Reporting on the West is a team effort
HCN gets a new team member and a first union contract.
A longtime donor gives back
Author and naturalist Audrey Benedict helps support science through good reporting.
Alaska Native communities prepare for man camps driven by new mining boom
How one village established a Native-led sexual assault response team to help address the oncoming chaotic boomtown atmosphere.
A new section of the billion-dollar border wall in Arizona is bent out of shape
At least four panels of the wall in the San Rafael Valley were mysteriously damaged months before a controversy-plagued contractor even finished construction.
The clock is ticking for New Mexico to cut Rio Grande water use
For now, the state is counting on voluntary cuts among vegetable and pecan farmers. But that might not be enough.
Bears Ears cuts also end first-of-its-kind tribal land commission
A presidential proclamation slashed the monument by 90% despite a promise to involve tribes.
The Chinese immigrants trafficked on New Mexico’s weed farms
Migrant workers were trapped in the Southwest’s illicit cannabis boom and treated as criminals — until investigators began chasing their bosses.
Feds transfer grizzly bear management to states
After 20-year controversy and numerous court battles, the Trump administration declared grizzlies recovered despite public lands rollbacks.
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- Summary Description: AMRC is seeking an Executive Director to replace our current Interim Director who is retiring. This half time (20 hours/week) position reports to the Board of Directors (with strategic direction from the Steering Committee of members of the […]
In This Issue
August 2026: The Conversations Issue
Our August issue celebrates “Conversations” — exploring a variety of communication, from the unspoken interactions of flowers and fungi to the human need to discuss the complicated issues we face today. We also examine what happens when communication fails, and words are used to misinform…
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Water
Collapsing mountains in Alaska are causing massive tsunamis
Can restoration save the Delta smelt?
The Klamath Tribes couldn’t get federal dollars for salmon. Then the Yurok stepped in
Wildlife
How a Utah Republican’s quiet battle for hunting access undercut LandBack hopes
The electrifying allure of a tide pool creature
Bazillions of bunnies, Montecito’s ‘hog heaven,’ and pride will always prevail
Public Lands
The rules for grazing on 155 million acres of public lands are getting overhauled
Sen. Mike Lee targets the Roadless Rule
Billions in border wall contracts are going to a Montana firm run by a Trump donor
Indigenous Affairs
Treat water like family, not profit
The facade of the Red Wind commune
War, climate change and AI are at stake at the 2026 UN Indigenous forum
Communities
Let’s go in on the American dream, together
Meet the students graduating from Montana’s smallest classes
The Deschutes River goes to the water-rich few during drought. Farmers are paying the price
Books
On Mount Shasta, a photographic record outlasts living memory
What can we learn from salt lakes?
Badger signs: An essay from Terry Tempest Williams’ new book ‘The Glorians’
In the News
The West’s forever fire season
How climate change makes wildfire more likely to happen all year round.