Whether it’s pronghorn on the eastern plains, elk in the upper Rio Grande or bighorn sheep in the Red River Gorge, New Mexico’s wildlife, both big and small, requires large tracts of intact habitat. Species need the ability to move, whether that means seeking out lower elevation areas during winter, moving throughout river systems to avoid localized threats or migrating to cooler environments as climate change makes certain areas inhospitable.
My story from last December, “Fracking in New Mexico creates uncertain future for land and people,” was nominated by Edible Santa Fe for its Edible Writer/Best Story award. This is the second year in a row that I have been nominated.
I’m very excited to announce that I received the Andrew Weegar Memorial Award from the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources for my project, “When the Wheaties Come to Town: A Journey into a Vanishing American Present.”
Michael Dax is the author of Grizzly West: A Failed Attempt to Reintroduce Grizzly Bears in the Mountain West (Nebraska, 2015). He lives and writes in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Last summer, in its second attempt since 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deemed grizzly bears in the Yellowstone ecosystem recovered. When conservation efforts first began in the early 1980s, the bears’ population had dwindled below 150, but with roughly 700 grizzlies currently inhabiting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Service removed federal protections and returned management to the states of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
But following a court decision last autumn regarding wolf populations in the Great Lake states that hinged on an obscure provision of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) related to geographically isolated species, the Service opened a comment period to accept public input on how treating Yellowstone grizzlies as a distinct population would affect other grizzly populations…
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My June story for Edible Santa Fe, “Oktober Forests: For New Mexico, Healthy Forests Mean Good Beer” was nominated by the magazine for its “Best Writer/Story” award.
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Over the past decade, more and more thru-hikers have ditched maps and have instead opted for guides like The A.T. Guide or Yogi’s Pacific Crest Trail Handbook that stick to the highlights – water sources, shelters, road crossings, AYCE buffets and other necessary information. They’re lighter, more compact, and easier to use. Considering the map set for Appalachian Trail contains 43 (yes, 43) maps, the logistics of figuring out when you need what maps is enough to convince even the staunchest traditionalist to ditch the topos and grab the crib notes.
Two pieces I wrote for Yes! Magazine last year were recognized by the Native American Journalists Association. The annual competition recognizes excellence in reporting by Native and non-Native journalists across the US and Canada.
After five rainy days on the trail, you’ve reached the road and you can practically feel the cold beer hitting the back of your throat, washing down the big bite of cheeseburger you’ve been dreaming about since leaving the last town. The only problem? You still have to get to town.
Below is my comment my comment on Interior Secretary Zinke’s review of 27 national monuments that was initiated by an executive order signed by President Trump in April. Monday, July 10th is the deadline for comments that can be submitted here. Continue reading
Seven hundred miles into my 2011 Appalachian Trail thru-hike, I met Scavenger. From Germany, Scavenger exuded the look of the classic European mountaineer with a wide-brimmed brown felt hat, heavy leather hiking boots and a backpack that towered over his head. He had earned his trail name due to his indiscriminating penchant for adding to his back whatever he found along the trail, in shelters or in town. By the time I met him outside Catawba, Virginia, his pack had grown to 70 pounds, weighed down by frivolous items like a small hatchet and a mirror he claimed to have never used. “But it weighs nothing!” he said in defense of the comb that had yet to stroke a single hair follicle. Continue reading
michael j. dax 