Closure of USGS Water Science Centers Could Harm Western Producers
The closure of 25 United States Geological Survey Water Science Centers will have outsize impacts on rural western communities that rely on accurate information about water, flooding and drought conditions. Earlier
Farm Bill Funding Freeze: Updates and Opportunities
The American Relief Act of 2025, signed into law on December 21, 2024, extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) through September 30, 2025. This extension maintains
Federal Cuts, Working Lands, and What’s Next with Lesli Allison
With major shifts happening in federal policy—funding freezes, staffing cuts, and growing uncertainty - Lesli Allison breaks down what these changes mean for working lands and the people who steward
Stream Gaging Capacity Cuts Could Be Devastating for the West
In January 1889, an intrepid group of hydrographers, led by Frederick H. Newell, installed the first U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) stream gage on the Rio Grande near Embudo, New Mexico.
Divisive Elk Require A United Response
The Rocky Mountain elk. Majestic scion of the wild, celebrated conservation success story, deadly tourist trampler, big-money trophy hunt attraction, delicious and nutritious wild food, wanton destroyer of fences and
From the Ground Up: Policy talk covers Farm Bill, wildlife issues, water and more
The first Western Landowners Policy Talk, hosted by Louis Wertz, editor-in-chief of On Land and communications director of the Western Landowners Alliance, featured Jason Fearneyhough, WLA's chief policy officer, and
House committee on natural resources to review key conservation bill next week
North America’s largest carnivores are in the midst of dramatic comebacks in the lower 48. Reintroduction and natural dispersal have returned gray wolves to parts of the West that they
New rules for the river
State and Tribal negotiators are hashing out proposals for management of the Colorado River that will Kick in in 2026. Why should Western landowners care, and how can they participate? As
New Map Shows Land, Water, Agriculture & Outdoor Recreation Projects Funded in New Mexico
Today, a broad coalition of New Mexico organizations supporting the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund released a new interactive map showing more than 750 land, water, agriculture and outdoor recreation
The ESA at 50: Six steps to better outcomes for people and wildlife
Were it not for the Endangered Species Act (ESA), it is likely that bald eagles, humpback whales, whooping cranes, peregrine falcons and American alligators would no longer be with us
Stream Access: A Western Water Issue
In March of 2022, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling upholding the public’s right to access waterways that flow through private land. As noted by the court in