Rural America

Yellowstone Is Losing Its Snow, with Repercussions for Everyone Downstream
A climate assessment found that snowfall is declining in Greater Yellowstone — and likely to keep declining. The problems trickle down to impact everyone from trout to grizzly bears to people.
Bryan Shuman

What Can the Biden Admin Do to Make Our Food System More Resilient? Make it More Local.
Our food supply chains are vulnerable because they’re highly concentrated, corporatized and unaccountable to the public.
Ben Lilliston

For Farmworkers, the Fight for the 8-Hour Day Isn’t Over
Federal labor laws exclude farmworkers from overtime pay and other protections. After years of advocacy by farm labor groups, lawmakers in Oregon, Washington and Colorado are working to change that.
Alex Brown

Firefighters Are Worth More than $13.45/Hour
Federal wildland firefighters are leaving the workforce because the risks of the job outweigh the poor pay. It couldn't happen at a worse time.
Jonathon Golden

How the Covid Land Rush Is Hurting New Farmers
The pandemic has inspired city dwellers and investors to buy land in rural areas. That’s driving up farmland prices and pushing some beginning farmers out of the market.
Sadie Morris

How Cuts to Unemployment Benefits Will Hurt Rural People
Republican governors in at least 22 states are ending federal unemployment assistance. The cuts will hit hard in rural areas and communities of color.
Aallyah Wright

In the Southeast, Climate Change Finds a Landscape Already Ravaged by Inequality
Meet the groups demanding climate justice that fits the region's unique needs.
Paul Gordon

Why Climate Plans Must Include Farmers of Color
Proposed legislation would give farms resources to fight climate change. Will farmers of color get equal access?
Hadassah Patterson

When Wildfire Prevention Destroys Wildlife Habitat
As Western towns cut back nearby forest fuels to deter wildfires, new houses continue to sprawl relentlessly into the surrounding wildlands.
Pepper Trail