Rural West

The Rural West Initiative explores issues of the less populated areas of the North American West – places whose natural beauty and heritage are matched only by the challenges they face. These issues, such as access to economic opportunity, health care, education, and housing, often get less attention than they deserve. This is why the Bill Lane Center has made it a priority to study rural communities in the first place. How did we initially approach the difficulties faced by rural areas? First we listened, then we presented research on the problems, and now we are finding solutions. 

The Rural West Initiative is made possible by generous support from the Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Foundation.

Photo of an old fence in Southwest New Mexico


 

Zephyr Frank and Daniel Grant, directors of the Bill Lane Center and Ivan Doig Center, respectively, address the audience at the 2026 Rural West Conference in Bozeman, Montana.

A new podcast episode from the Ivan Doig Center looks back on the many valuable takeaways from the 2026 Rural West Conference at Montana State University. Bill Lane Center Director Zephyr Frank appears in conversation with Daniel Grant, head of the…
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  • Rural West
On February 26 and 27, 2025, at our 11th Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference, scholars, policymakers, and community leaders gathered at Fresno State University to address the Central Valley’s evolving role in climate adaptation, agriculture,…
  • Rural West
The California Water Institute and the Maddy Institute are collaborating with Stanford University’s Bill Lane Center for the American West to bring the Eleventh Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference to Fresno State University on Wednesday, Feb…
  • Rural West
In the Deseret News, Amy Joi O'Donoghue reports on the Colorado River water crisis as explored by panelists at our annual Rural West Conference in Tempe, Arizona.