UW’s Western Confluence Magazine Receives Top Regional Awards

Western Confluence magazine, a publication of the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources’ Ruckelshaus Institute at the University of Wyoming, won two first-place awards in the Society of Professional Journalists Top of the Rockies competition. The contest received more than 1,900 entries from 80 news outlets and 30 freelancers.

Janey Fugate’s “Bison on Wind River: Restoring a wildlife economy and revitalizing culture” earned first place in the Short Form Feature Writing category.

“Not only does this piece have a positive impact for the reader; it captures the desired emotion palpably,” the judges said.

Jill Bergman’s “Flight Interrupted: Biologist works to preserve eagles on collision course with wind power” won first place in the Illustration category for a pair of linocuts she created for the story.

“Beautiful illustration of an eagle,” the judges wrote.

“Both of these writers put an incredible amount of care and effort into their stories, and I’m thrilled to see that work recognized,” says Birch Malotky, editor of Western Confluence.

Top of the Rockies is a regional, multiplatform contest for reporters and news organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Western Confluence competes in the small newsroom division.

Both award winners were published in Issue 12 of Western Confluence, which explored the intersection of conservation and prosperity.

“These stories showcase the best of a world where conservation doesn’t have to mean sacrifice and progress doesn’t come at the expense of the environment,” Malotky says.

In “Bison on Wind River,” Jason and Patti Baldes show Fugate how returning bison to the land supports tribal sovereignty while restoring the “ecological heart” of the Great Plains. 

In “Flight Interrupted,” Bergman follows wildlife biologist Mike Lockhart to the “places in Wyoming where the sky is more imposing than the land” to learn about how affordable, carbon-free energy doesn’t have to come at the expense of golden eagles and other birds.  

Western Confluence is an annual print magazine that explores the Rocky Mountain West’s most confounding natural resource issues while providing support and training to the next generation of environmental storytellers. Print and email subscriptions are free to interested readers.