Welcome to the Bill Lane Center for the American West
Dedicated to advancing scholarly and public understanding of the past, present, and future of western North America, the Center supports research, teaching, and reporting about western land and life
Lane Center student researchers investigate salient challenges facing the West
In 2022, we’re pleased to welcome 16 RAs into the Lane Center family, with projects addressing climate change, water conservation, the energy transition, tribal justice, tourism, and more.
Bill Lane Center Director Bruce Cain with Senior Researcher Iris Hui
Remembering Iris Hui
We mourn the loss of our beloved colleague, mentor and friend, Iris Hui.
From left to right, Hope Eccles, Eve Lilley, and Bill Lilley
Remembering Bill Lilley
The Lane Center remembers Bill Lilley, a charter member of our Advisory Council, whose commitment, generosity and creativity represented unparalleled contributions to the Council’s work and the Center
Image credit: Christopher Michel
Practical tips to mitigate harm from wildfire smoke
Lane Center researchers and partners offer tips for staying safe from the smoke during wildfire season.
Photo by Phanatic via Flickr
Ninth Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference
This year, our Rural West Conference takes up the theme of “Human and Ecosystem Health in the Rural West." On April 1, we'll be in Fort Collins, Colorado, to address the challenges of rural policy, health, and environment with top academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
Apply today for Sophomore College on the Columbia River
Our sophomore college course, "River and Region: The Columbia River and the Shaping of the Pacific Northwest," is now accepting applications. Students who participate in this SoCo seminar will travel widely throughout the Columbia basin in September of 2023, visiting water and energy facilities and regulatory agencies. Professors David Freyberg and David Kennedy will instruct.
2022: A Year in Review
It was an abundant and meaningful year for us at the Bill Lane Center. Check out our year-end letter to learn about the return of Sophomore College and Rural West, our spring hike to the sea, some wonderful new staff members, original research and reporting, and more. Happy holidays and happy trails from all of us to all of you.
Julia Simon (left) and Janet Wilson, 2022-2023 Western Media Fellows
Announcing our 2022-2023 Western Media Fellows
The Bill Lane Center has selected Janet Wilson and Julia Simon as recipients of this year's Western Media Fellowship, which provides support for journalists illuminating critical issues about the American West.
