Finally, a Little Snow

Finally, a little more snow in central Wyoming today. We’ve only had one other snow event giving a paltry few inches. We were up on Casper Mountain Saturday and I commented that it looked like the average October dusting, not what we hope to see at the end of January. Powder Pass in the southern…

Patches of Native Plants Increase Crop Pollination

Using large mango farms as a case study, a group of researchers representing Britain, South Africa, and the Netherlands, recently reported the results of a study in the Journal of Applied Ecology which “show that the presence of small patches of native flowers within large farms can increase pollinator-dependent crop production if combined with preservation…

Join Governor Mead to Discuss Wyoming Energy Policy

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead’s website states, “Wyoming needs an energy plan that balances development with the environment—that incorporates open space and clear skies with jobs and economic progress.” Governor Mead has drafted over 70 energy strategy initiatives covering four main themes: Economic Competitiveness, Expansion and Diversification; Efficient, Effective Regulation; Natural Resource Conservation, Reclamation, and Mitigation;…

Coal Industry Roundtable Discussion

There’s no doubt coal is a big part of Wyoming’s economic base. It is also foundational to the availability of electricity in the US with over 42% of the US electricity generated by coal. The burning of fossil fuels is surrounded by controversy. If you are interested in the future use of coal, you might…

The Dust Bowl PBS Series to Air Tonight

The PBS Dust Bowl series will air again tonight in two consecutive shows from 8 to midnight.  Before the days of no-till, cover crops, and contour plowing, agriculturalists coming from the humid eastern states simply did not understand the volatility of weather patterns in the arid west, and so they plowed up millions of acres…

Plane Missing in Wyoming

For those living in populated areas it can be hard to fathom how a relatively large object, such as a missing airplane, can be so difficult to find in places like Wyoming. For the second time in two months a search is going on for a missing private aircraft in Wyoming. Today marks the fourth…

Headway Against Cheatgrass in Our Future?

I sure  hope so. I’ve always wondered about that fungus I’ve seen on cheatgrass. Wonder if it’s the Black Finger of Death? Great Basin scientists unleash new weapons to fight invasive cheatgrass I would like to comment, however on an enlightening chat I had with my great uncle. He lived through the severe drought years…

Gaillardia aristata

Sometimes I’m guilty of not wanting to grow what’s “already been done” as far as native plants are concerned, but I would do well to remember that folks who grow, propagate, and select native plants for use in the arid west usually have a pragmatic bent, and there’s a reason it’s “been done.” We had…

Warning Snow

  As long as I can remember we’ve had an October snow. The DH and I call it the warning snow. It snows enough to remind us to get the firewood cut and stacked; winterize certain outdoor water faucets; finish up any yard chores; get the horse hay into the barn; and put the winter…

My Visit to the Crazy Woman

The North Fork of Crazy Woman Creek tumbles down the dramatic Crazy Woman Canyon southwest of Buffalo, Wyoming.  Two legends exist as an explanation for how the drainage got its name: One involves a native American woman who was left alone after a rival tribe attacked and killed everyone in her village. She supposedly stayed…