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Nature Undisturbed

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) is broken. Indeed, it was born broken. Enacted in 1973, the act is based on the myth of the balance of nature and, in particular, on a flawed understanding of the biological state of the Americas at the time of Columbus’s arrival. It is not even an endangered speciesContinue reading “Nature Undisturbed”

The Lasater Ranch

Shortgrass prairie, which once extended across vast stretches of the western Great Plains, is largely gone. A Nature Conservancy-owned ranch in Kansas and several National Grasslands on the High Plains, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, preserve remnants. But most has disappeared. Working rancher Dale Lasater is bringing it back. The shortgrass prairie co-evolved withContinue reading “The Lasater Ranch”

The Ecological Role of IFQs in U.S. Fisheries

IFQs improve the health of fish stocks and the broader marine environment. Examining the data on the ecological role IFQs can play.

The Endangered Species Act Needs a Better Definition

Headwaters News January 5, 2005 By Randy T. Simmons At the Western Governors Association’s two-day Executive Summit on the Endangered Species Act, I told the governors that the Endangered Species Act is broken – that it was born broken. The ESA is based on a flawed understanding of the Americas at Columbian contact and onContinue reading “The Endangered Species Act Needs a Better Definition”

Rescuing Water Markets: Lessons from Owens Valley

A look at the problems that surrounded the Ownes Valley water transfers and the lessons that can be applied to water trades today.

Business and the Environment:

Business Economics January 2005 Evidence of good environmental stewardship is more extensive than most economists and executives recognize. By Jane S. Shaw Actions taken to improve the environment are frequently good for profits, but many executives, including economists, are not fully aware of just how good business’s environmental record is. As a result, they oftenContinue reading “Business and the Environment:”

Bamboo Sprouts in Mexico

Pioneer bamboo producers in Mexico are hoping to turn the tables on China and become one of the world’s largest producers of bamboo. Although the fact is not widely known, bamboo is actually a grass, which has long grown wild throughout many parts of Mexico. Bamboo is a versatile fiber that can be used inContinue reading “Bamboo Sprouts in Mexico”

The Dust Bowl Reconsidered

The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was one of the worst environmental crises to strike twentieth century North America. Severe drought and wind erosion ravaged the Great Plains for a decade. Yet there were comparable droughts in the 1950s and 1970s with no comparable degree of erosion. The mystery of the huge contrast between theContinue reading “The Dust Bowl Reconsidered”