As the Society of Environmental Journalists heads to Colorado this week for its annual gathering, it’s a good time to consider how to report on the vast public lands throughout the western United States. The latest TipSheet explores the history of conflict over public lands, the stories they yield and the resources needed to better report the issue.

The politics of federal appropriations is convoluted, but buried within are important local environmental stories. Heading into the upcoming fiscal year, the latest TipSheet explains how the process works and where to find the news. Plus, spotting environmental pork barrel, and what a “minibus” bill is and why it matters.

A new rule expands hunting and fishing in National Wildlife Refuges and fish hatcheries, and that means potential impacts on critically important public policy around fish and wildlife conservation. The latest TipSheet offers up story ideas and resources for local coverage of the story.

Mosquito control isn’t just about health and hassles. It’s also about potential harm to the environment. The latest TipSheet explains the ways municipal governments and private pest firms try to get rid of mosquitoes, and why those methods may be worthy of journalistic scrutiny. How to find local angles, plus, story ideas and reporting resources.

When it comes to bringing environmental stories home to your audience, don’t soft-pedal the topic of bicycling. Bikes are a way in to the issue of climate, as well as health and infrastructure. The most recent TipSheet has more on why you can ride the bike beat for your local reporting

The nation’s parks are generally thought to be pristine natural havens. But a recent study finds the overwhelming majority suffer from air pollution problems like smog and ozone. That makes for important local and regional news stories, per the latest biweekly TipSheet. Get background, story ideas, resources and more.

A decades-old environmental jobs program that provided work for thousands of disadvantaged young people across more than a dozen states has been hit with one of the largest federal downsizings in a decade. Find out how the closing of some Civilian Conservation Centers may be a story near you, from the latest TipSheet.

The rise of the modern environmental and food movements has shifted urban farming into high gear. For environmental journalists, that could yield a bumper crop of local stories. The latest TipSheet has more, along with questions to ask, story angles to follow and reporting resources to tap.

Toxic chemicals and disease-causing microorganisms can be found in some fresh-caught fish. And that means local stories for environmental journalists, who can pick up on problems through federal and state fish advisories. The latest TipSheet explains the health impacts and how they’re regulated, plus questions to ask and story ideas, including an environmental justice angle.

It’s a good case for the global-local nexus: The potent greenhouse gas methane may be leaking from your local landfill. And this week’s TipSheet explains the latest news developments in this long-standing controversy, as well as policy disputes over capturing the gas. Plus, get story ideas and questions to ask for your local reporting.