Comments for Western Confluence

Comment on The Changing Face of Bogd Khan Mountain by John Koprowski

John Koprowski — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 16:24:33 +0000

Writing transported me to one of my favorite places in the world…thanks colleagues and great friends for your commitment to conservation and collaboration amongst the challenges so well introduced here. Until we meet again on Bogdkhan!

Comment on The Changing Face of Bogd Khan Mountain by Tad McCall

Tad McCall — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 22:14:19 +0000

This is a sensitive and beautifully written and photographed story of lives lived in harmony with nature in ways our society seldom achieves. The lives and practices whisper to us that we should be better stewards. The possible fate of the nomadic life being overtaken by modern society and the harmony destroyed is evident. However, through education , the herder’s daughter may be able to help meld modernization to the the culture and its inhabitants in a way that is not destructive of the habitat and its inhabitants, whether walking on four legs or two. Through the university, learning may come that preserves the culture of nuture and respect for what nature has given and cannot give for the the present and future generations who live holistically with their surroundings.

Hope and risk in parallel. Does this snapshot from Mongolia reflect on the challenges found in the more developed, but many quite natural spaces of Wyoming, and even for all of us who live in places that have not heeded the balance, beauty, and limits of nature?

Comment on Bison on Wind River by The 10 U.S. States With The Highest Populations Of American Bison

The 10 U.S. States With The Highest Populations Of American Bison — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:16:20 +0000

[…] © Western Confluence […]

Comment on Wildlife Crossing Innovation by Daniel Malyuta

Daniel Malyuta — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:56:43 +0000

From the research and limited practical experience, FRPs appear to be robust/strong materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio, which holds significant promise for engineering applications. Their key material properties, such as tensile and flexural strength, meet several standards required for bridge construction materials, making them viable substitutes for conventional materials like steel and concrete (this potential substitution could truly lead to cost reductions and environmental conservation). However, critical scrutiny is warranted, for example, there is a dearth of long-term practical experience with their application, potentially compromising their durability over time. Additionally, polymer performance, a significant component of FRPs, is known to be highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. This susceptibility implies that the material properties, and consequently its performance, may also be compromised over time due to temperature changes. Therefore, further research and investigation are imperative to fully comprehend the properties of FRPs before widespread adoption as substitutes for conventional materials.

Comment on Restoring Connection to the Land by Marc Coles-Ritchie

Marc Coles-Ritchie — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 21:27:37 +0000

You might be interested in this free symposium we are organizing: https://escalanteriverwatershedpartnership.org/grand-staircase-escalante-symposium-2024/

Comment on Fair Game by Perrie'Lee Prouty

Perrie'Lee Prouty — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 23:00:53 +0000

I am a retired wildlife rehabber worked mostly with waterfowl which is a hunted species. I had been asked several times to attend community meetings regarding wildlife where they were mostly opposed to hunting.
Most were not aware of how the state agencies are funded & I currently live in a state that has tightened their gun laws & most residents do not hunt. I appreciate the fact that there are people
attempting to address better funding & management of all of our wildlife especially since there are
fewer people hunting.

Comment on Fair Game by Charles Fox

Charles Fox — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:46:03 +0000

Whenever I see the word “management” used by state wildlife agencies I understand that it means kill, killing wildlife as the primary management tool. Wyoming is not doing great on wolves, native carnivores that provide enormously important ecological services, if they’re allowed to live, which generally they are not. 75% of Wyoming is an instant kill zone for “predators”. This iextreme hostility to basic ecological integrity does not bide well for wildlife or humans. The Wyoming Game department feeds elk like they are domestic cows and that has caused a high level of mortality from disease transmission in concentrated ungulate herds. Wyoming Game likes to congratulate itself for doing a great job of “conserving” wildlife but the real focus is, and always has been, on recreational killing.

Comment on Horses, Hats, and Heritage by Elaine Hensley

Elaine Hensley — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 21:41:10 +0000

Our family visited Nine Quarter Circle Ranch for twelve summers. It was always an amazing experience. Seeing Montana on rides twice a day was exhilarating. The challenges, learning and improving riding skills while immersed in the landscape was thrilling. Great food. We relished the simple pleasures of an evening softball game, a cook out and the Saturday night Square dance event .They even host an adults only “happy hour”. We made so many memories. This family
Owned ranch is everything authentic and your article summed up exactly why a trip like this is worth every penny.

Comment on Horses, Hats, and Heritage by Sheila Bourgeois

Sheila Bourgeois — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 02:40:03 +0000

FABULOUS ARTICLE….

Comment on Horses, Hats, and Heritage by TH Hawkins

TH Hawkins — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:43:50 +0000

We spent many summers at THE RANCH… if our children had to choose between Christmas and the ranch .. it would be the ranch … bring the Nine QuarterCircle… was an essential part of our lives.. Bobbi Hawkins

Comment on Cliff Notes by Jack States

Jack States — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:00:49 +0000

From my perspective, the authors of “Cliff Notes” have presented an accurate, balanced and lucid account of the environmental conflict and, as it transpired, heated controversy over state government’s intent and attempt to develop a rock climbing, recreational opportunity “known as the “Via Ferrata” in Sinks Canyon State Park. As a long time stake holder in Sinks canyon, States Canyon Ranch, and as a member of the Park’s friends group, the Sinks Canyon Conservancy, I am grateful to all of those in the Lander community who voiced their opinions (so well captured in this article) which eventually lead to the State Park decision to drop their plan for the Via Ferrata as it was initially conceived.

Comment on Reimagining “Leave No Trace” by Common sense

Common sense — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 03:02:57 +0000

Sounds like this was written by an eighteen year old kid who got in his feelings about not letting kids hold frogs when they obviously shouldn’t have held the frogs. Some real critical thinking going on here.

Comment on Reimagining “Leave No Trace” by Dave

Dave — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 21:06:06 +0000

That was a fantastic read!

Comment on Bison on Wind River by Joyce Battle-Klarin

Joyce Battle-Klarin — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 01:27:15 +0000

It pains my heart to hear the history of the bison and tribes. I’m glad you have started to bring back to native lands the animals that used to thrive there. If I had money, I would share with you but Im sorry thats not the case. I will pray your endeavors are fruitful for you and generations to come. Thank you for what you do. Joyce Battle-Klarin

Comment on Happy Trails by Brent

Brent — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 01:34:12 +0000

Without being totally obvious, the entire development of this trail system has been for our southern friends in Colorado. Please feel free to drive through that parking lot and note how many are not WY plates. I have lived here my entire 53 years of existence and never once needed a groomed trail to enjoy this most magical place. The combined population of Cheyenne and Laramie is roughly 100k so no other place for all this traffic to come from. Colorado mountains are plentiful….they are just too extreme for the average rider, so they come here. You fail to mention these our our fresh water reservoirs being developed around…..that is not forward thinking. You also point outside people to our two next treasured open spaces to look at developing trail systems to connect to minimize impact. You will run ALL of our cherished wildlife out…all of it. The moose, the beaver, the badger, the Eagles, the cranes, the turkeys, the deer and so many many more. Leave it alone. I guess there are some not cut out for making their own trail and they will miss out on what Wyoming REALLY has to offer.

Comment on Happy Trails by Brent

Brent — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 01:07:31 +0000

So with all due respect, we have been enjoying this land without development

Comment on Foraging for Data by Clayton Culbreath

Clayton Culbreath — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:46:59 +0000

This is a very interesting and informative article.

Comment on Foraging for Data by John Atkinson

John Atkinson — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:20:13 +0000

Pretty darn good information and well written.

Comment on Happy Trails by David Vincent Brennan

David Vincent Brennan — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:06:58 +0000

Curt Gowdy, legend with Red Sox fans from the 60’s through the 70’s… nice read

Comment on Constructing Sage Grouse Habitat by Stu

Stu — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:32:05 +0000

In reply to Dan Stroud.

Hi Dan,
You are absolutely right. We are seeing that here in Oregon.
Can we talk?
Stu Garrett
Bend, OR
garrett@bendcable.com