Issue 14: Wildlife Conservation and Management in Large Landscapes

Western Confluence magazine, a publication of the Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming, seeks story ideas for our issue on conserving and managing wildlife in large landscapes around the world, with implications for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The magazine explores complex natural resource challenges and shares sound, interdisciplinary, collaborative solutions.

What we are looking for

In every corner of the world, large ecosystems fostering diverse wildlife and complex species interactions sprawl over jurisdictional boundaries. They provide ecological wonders and societal benefits, but also present considerable management challenges and potential for conflict. While acknowledging that each landscape—and the toolkit for managing it—is shaped by a unique historical, social, political, administrative, legal, economic, and biophysical context, this issue of Western Confluence will focus on opportunities for reciprocal learning around common challenges faced by the world’s most iconic ecosystems. The issue will ask:

  • How do we conserve and protect large landscapes in the context of change—from climate change, land conversion, invasive species, and biodiversity loss, to shifting social values, political and legal frameworks, and economic development?
  • How can recognizing and upholding the culture, knowledge, and rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities globally improve collaborative wildlife conservation and management?
  • What innovative and successful approaches, policies, and strategies—as well as lessons from past failures—can help communities manage human-wildlife conflict?
  • How do we best collaborate across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders in large landscapes that traverse political and jurisdictional boundaries?

As a publication based in the Mountain West, we are interested in stories from around the world that can inform and improve wildlife management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well as stories from Yellowstone that may inform wildlife management in other places.

Stories will be released monthly online throughout 2024 and in a print edition in early 2025.

How it works

To write for the magazine, please email a story pitch describing the angle your piece would take and the reporting approaches you intend to employ to editor@westernconfluence.org. Pitches should be no longer than 500 words and should clarify why the story will matter to Western Confluence readers.

We also welcome story concepts from scientists, researchers, managers, policy makers, and other engaged citizens including tips, names of contacts, links to scholarly papers, or other leads that we can develop into a story. We will consider assigning those to a reporter/writer, who may wish to reach out to you as a source for the article.

Western Confluence editors and advisors will discuss and answer all pitches. For those we’d like to pursue, an editor will work with the writer to hone the approach to the story.

  • If your pitch is accepted, we’ll meet to discuss your angle and story approach. We’ll also agree on a word count and deadline for the first draft.
  • Write your draft and send it to us on time and near the agreed-upon word count. Be patient, and willing to work through several rounds of edits to make sure the story fits the magazine and is as clear and compelling for readers as it can be.
  • Before publication, you will need to fact check. This includes sending parts (but not all) of the story to your sources to ensure that you have presented the information and their voices accurately, double-checking your numbers and data, or asking an expert to review a paragraph or concept.
  • You are not responsible for all the graphics, illustrations, or photos that will accompany your article, but if you have good ideas for what to include, work with us to get access to those materials. We are always happy to connect with photographers, artists, and graphic designers who might be interested in publishing their work in our magazine.
  • Enjoy seeing your work published and share it widely!

If you are an employee of a public institution for whom a contribution to Western Confluence fulfills part of your professional duties, we will not provide compensation for the article. If you are a student, a freelance journalist, or a contributor of another sort, we will pay you $0.75-$1.25/word for the story depending on your writing experience and skill and the complexity of the story.

All Western Confluence articles go through several rounds of editing to bring them in line with our style. Writers should expect an extensive revision process.

View the guide: How to Write for Western Confluence

Please direct all questions, pitches, and ideas to editor@westernconfluence.org.