Stanford’s Bill Lane Center for the American West

Our next #ArtsWest program will be held at @SFMOMA on Fri., April 17 from 3-5 p.m., as the Bill Lane Center hosts a special guided tour of the exhibition Alejandro Cartagena — Ground Rules. All photos courtesy the artist © Alejandro Cartagena. brnw.ch/21x1uIP

On April 15 at 4:30 p.m., Carolin Görgen will give a book talk on "The California Camera Club: Collective Visions in the Making of the American West." The event explores one of the largest photography groups in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century. brnw.ch/21x1d9Y

In our latest '& the Best,' find stories about seldom-seen solutions to the Colorado River crisis, including large releases from upstream dams; the Iran war's impact on California nut exports; Congress's investigation of Native boarding schools, and more: brnw.ch/21x1bt9

We're live today, March 24, from Bozeman, Montana for #RuralWest2026, "Beyond the Range: Exploring Rural Horizons in Montana and the Intermountain West." We'll post highlights to Instagram all day (@Billlanecenter). Livestream: brnw.ch/21x10BO

March 24 at 9 a.m. MT, join us live for the 12th Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference at the Ivan Doig Center for the Study of the Lands & Peoples of the North American West. Join the conversation on Instagram at #RuralWest2026. Livestream: brnw.ch/21x0ZiL

All winter quarter we've been working hard to cultivate sound policy, environmental stewardship, tribal well-being, rural health, sustainable resource management, and community revitalization across the American West. Read all about it in Dispatch West: brnw.ch/21x0V48

An offshore oil platform that experienced a massive 2015 spill is ordered reopened by the Trump administration; Upper Colorado River basin expects 1/3 of normal flow; Wyoming approves a small modular nuclear reactor; and more news from around the West. brnw.ch/21x0N1T

Please join us for the 2026 Water in the West Research Conference at @Stanford on Tues. and Weds. March 17 & 18 in Paul Brest Hall. Speakers will examine issues of critical importance to water resources in the western U.S. and the world at large. brnw.ch/21x0ET0

Every few weeks, our online magazine brings you a collection of the region's top news stories. We call this series, "& the Best," and today's post looks at U.S.-Mexico border walls; salmon vs. ag interests; the Tijuana River's sewer crisis; and more: brnw.ch/21x0qCS

Who creates maps for gigascale grid buildout? How? What's at stake? Join Precourt Instititute for Energy on March 3 for "Data Science for Spatial Planning: Mapping for Policy Decisions about Gigascale Grid Buildout." 6 p.m. in the Lyman Atrium: brnw.ch/21x0ow3

The Bill Lane Center is seeking applicants for the Thomas D. Dee II Graduate Fellowship, offering support to a doctoral student conducting research on the American West for three academic quarters. To learn more about eligibility and requirements, visit brnw.ch/21x0kaG

Colorado River basin states again fail to agree on water-use cuts; the Washoe Tribe purchases 10,000 acres north of Lake Tahoe; Alaskan Native groups raise concern about deep-sea mining; a major wildlife crossing nears completion outside LA; and more: brnw.ch/21x03Sq

On March 24, with @montanastate, we present our annual Rural West Conference, featuring researchers and practitioners alike. Panels and speakers will discuss the future of rural Montana and the Intermountain West: brnw.ch/21x0219

The Bill Lane Center has proudly supported the launch of the Sustainable Stanford Living Lab program, which offers a range of paid opportunities to make an impact while building student experience and professional skills. Deadline to apply is Feb. 23: brnw.ch/21wZFfg

"The signs of anti-corruption failure are everywhere, but especially in the White House," writes Bruce Cain, former director of the Lane Center. democracyproject.org/posts/cleaner-…

Indigenous people have the lowest average life expectancy of all racial groups in the U.S. On Feb. 11, join Prof. Melissa Lewis of @mumedicinel for dinner and a presentation on revitalizing culturally-centered programs to promote health and well-being. brnw.ch/21wZtEw

On Jan. 20, the Madera Irrigation District dedicated a groundwater monitoring well field to Dick Luthy, beloved Stanford affiliate and renowned environmental engineer whose work helped shape the future of sustainable groundwater management: brnw.ch/21wZlId

Discrimination against Chinese people in the U.S. began in 1852 when California passed a tax explicitly designed to exploit Chinese labor. Learn more on Jan. 29 in a book talk with Beth Lew-Williams, head of Princeton's Program in Asian American Studies: brnw.ch/21wZ9D9

In today's "& the Best," water giveaways to farmers in California and Arizona; an attempt to limit tribal authority on tribal lands; Trump administration ending Colorado center gathering climate data; Utah beavers drafted for new projects, and more: brnw.ch/21wYSvA

The Bill Lane Center’s research program offers paid, undergraduate research positions consisting of 35+ hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks during summer 2026. Self-designed and Center-designed projects are available. Learn more, and apply on SOLO: brnw.ch/21wYSrV