Hello friends!

Here’s your weekly dose of Good News from the American West:

Mark your calendars for October 3rd in Santa Fe: Once again, I’ll be joining renowned historian and New York Times bestselling author Hampton Sides onstage to discuss history, literature, and the 20th anniversary of one of my all-time favorite books, Blood and Thunder. The event will be held at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, and tickets go on sale this Friday.

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, then you’ve probably heard great things about Montana’s Matador Ranch. And if you happen to be the kind of person who has both the hard skills and a deep passion for ranching, then you should check out this Matador Ranch Assistant Manager position with The Nature Conservancy.

And speaking of Montana and ranches, all-around-awesome-humans Morgan Gemay Marks and Kate Mannix are hosting a Natural Dye + Creative Reflection Retreat this August on Montana’s famed J Bar L Ranch. A very special opportunity to spend time with amazing people doing meaningful creative work.

“The Conservation Fund has permanently protected over 4,000 acres of at-risk land in western Colorado, approximately 25 miles south of Grand Junction. Now conserved, this former ranch will be integrated into Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area–a dramatic canyon landscape known for red-rock cliffs, free-flowing rivers, and rugged backcountry.”

Renowned author, scientist, NOLS trustee, and past podcast guest Alan Townsend will soon be taking the helm at (my alma mater) Wake Forest University’s Sabin Family Center for Environment and Sustainability. A huge win for Wake and its many conservationists in training.

Last week, I released a super-inspiring podcast with Meriwether Hardie, discussing her recent five-month horseback journey across the West… along with the lessons she learned from moving slowly through big landscapes and paying close attention to both the place and the people who are so closely connected to the land.

Mountain & Prairie is reader- and listener-supported via Patreon, with additional generous support from these top-notch, purpose-driven organizations: