Features Archives - High Country News https://www.hcn.org/topic/features/ A nonprofit independent magazine of unblinking journalism that shines a light on all of the complexities of the West. Wed, 13 Mar 2024 20:53:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.hcn.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/cropped-HCN_Logo-Monogram_White_Sq-2-32x32.png Features Archives - High Country News https://www.hcn.org/topic/features/ 32 32 229054741 Underground seed banks hold promise for ecological restoration https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-3/underground-seed-banks-hold-promise-for-ecological-restoration/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:10:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=322925

Indigenous science is using natural regeneration to restore Western
ecosystems.

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An ode to lesbians who showed the way https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-3/an-ode-to-model-women/ Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:05:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=322893

The photography series ‘Hidden Once, Hidden Twice’ highlights women who serve as a model for others.

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Learning to live with musk oxen https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-2/wildlife-learning-to-live-with-musk-oxen/ Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:48:32 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/?p=321845

The species were introduced to Alaska’s Seward Peninsula decades ago, without local consent. Now they pose danger to life and property.

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New DNA technique could bring closure for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people https://www.hcn.org/articles/justice-new-dna-technique-could-bring-closure-for-families-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/ Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/justice-new-dna-technique-could-bring-closure-for-families-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/ Maskwacis, Alberta.

But experts say this risks DNA sovereignty.

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Washington’s solar permitting leaves tribal resources vulnerable to corporations https://www.hcn.org/issues/56-2/energy-industry-washingtons-solar-permitting-leaves-tribal-resources-vulnerable-to-corporations/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/energy-industry-washingtons-solar-permitting-leaves-tribal-resources-vulnerable-to-corporations/ SOURCES: USGS; Library of Congress; Flickr Creative Commons; Oregon Department of Transportation; Washington Department of Natural Resources via a public records request.

Tribal officials say the process threatens cultural resources and what remains of healthy Indigenous foodways.

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How grizzly bear poachers are getting away with it https://www.hcn.org/articles/bears-how-grizzly-bear-poachers-are-getting-away-with-it/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/bears-how-grizzly-bear-poachers-are-getting-away-with-it/ Grizzly boars take turns eating a bison carcass in Yellowstone National Park.

Investigation finds that Department of Justice rarely prosecutes grizzly bear killers under the Endangered Species Act.

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North Denver’s green space paradox https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-12/communities-north-denvers-green-space-paradoxx/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/communities-north-denvers-green-space-paradoxx/

Will a billion-dollar infrastructure project heal a Colorado community — or displace its residents?

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Horrible holly: A festive plant runs amok https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-12/plants-horrible-holly-a-festive-plant-runs-amok/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/articles/plants-horrible-holly-a-festive-plant-runs-amok/

Meet the scientists and conservationists fighting to save the Northwest’s forests from an invasive plant.

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The climate crisis is pushing Washington’s prisons to the brink https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-11/climate-change-the-climate-crisis-is-pushing-washingtons-prisons-to-the-brink/ Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/climate-change-the-climate-crisis-is-pushing-washingtons-prisons-to-the-brink/

Why not let people out?

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Kasigluk endures the many challenges of thawing permafrost https://www.hcn.org/issues/55-11/unstable-earth/ Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.hcn.org/unstable-earth/ Infrastructure on the Akiuk side of Kasigluk, Alaska, is surrounded by water and vulnerable to flooding, permafrost thaw  and erosion.

Residents of the Alaska village maintain community in the face of climate change.

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