Trevor Ritland Publications
“On the Mountain of the Golden Toad”
for Re:wild
January, 2022
This blog for Re:wild (formerly Global Wildlife Conservation) chronicles a return to the mountain of the iconic golden toad’s last sighting, guided by the last person to have ever seen the lost species alive. With photos of some of the world’s rarest frogs, this brief dispatch from the field is just one piece of a larger mystery still unraveling in the ethereal cloud forests of Costa Rica.
Link: Re:wild
“In Search of Nímbulos, Guardians of Costa Rica’s Mountain of Death”
In Atlas Obscura
October, 2021
This article explores the connection between local folklore and environmental stewardship in Costa Rica; drawing on the mythology of Indigenous Boruca communities and stories from landowners and biologists, "In Search of Nímbulos" examines Costa Rica’s mischievous spirits known as tricksters, punishers, and protectors of the endangered forests.
Link: Atlas Obscura
“The Night Patrol”
In Pilgrim Magazine
June, 2021
Part personal essay and part conservation spotlight, “The Fishermen & Night Patrol of Isla Chira: Where tradition and conservation collide” was published as part of Pilgrim Magazine’s “(Found) at Sea” series.
Link: Pilgrim Magazine
“Night of the Ferrets”
In Skylight Kicker
April, 2021
Published in Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library’s online literary magazine as part of the Northern Arizona Book Festival, “Night of the Ferrets” is a short essay exploring the conservation status of the black-footed ferret through the lens of a night survey on the dreary ranch-lands west of Flagstaff.
Link: Skylight Kicker
“Lake of Myths”
In The EcoTheo Review
February, 2021
“Lake of Myths,” a short story reckoning with the human relationship with nature through faith, family, and mortality, is available online from The EcoTheo Review.
Link: The EcoTheo Review
“The Sea Turtle”
in The EcoTheo Review
December, 2020
“The Sea Turtle” is a rumination on evolutionary patience through an examination of the sea turtles of the Caribbean. The essay was published in the winter 2020 print issue of The EcoTheo Review.
Link: The Sea Turtle
“Frontera”
in Nowhere Magazine
October, 2020
“Frontera” is an immersive journey through the borderlands of Nicaragua, exploring the ecological impacts of the human race, the history of the landscape, and the experience of the transient identities moving through the territory. It was selected as a finalist in Nowhere’s Emerging Travel Writers contest.
Link: Nowhere Magazine
“Chasing Hope for Costa Rica’s Golden Toad”
for Global Wildlife Conservation
July, 2020
This blog post for Global Wildlife Conservation offers a brief history of the Golden Toad’s discovery, extinction, and legacy, with archival images from biologist Martha Crump and my own photos from the cloud forests of Monteverde.
"Into the Canyon"
in Williams-Grand Cayon News
September, 2019
This article covers a talk from southwestern author and adventurer Craig Childs, sharing stories of his travels through Arizona’s most famous landmark as part of the Grand Canyon National Park Centennial Lecture Series.
"Rumble on the Rim"
in Williams-Grand Cayon News
July, 2019
In July of 2019, I covered the “Rumble on the Rim” event at the Grand Canyon’s Shrine of the Ages. The event brought together Native American artists, musicians, and storytellers to collaboratively present an indigenous history of the Grand Canyon.
“Vanishing River”
with Northern Arizona University Virtual Reality
April, 2019
In collaboration with the Northern Arizona University Virtual Reality Lab, I produced a series of articles examining water management in Arizona from the perspective of scientists and agriculturalists.
Link: Vanishing River
"Code Red: THE ENDANGERED RED WOLF MAY GO EXTINCT IN THE WILD THIS YEAR"
in Blue Ridge Outdoors
March, 2018
In January of 2018, I co-authored an investigative article about the dwindling Red Wolf populations in eastern North Carolina for publication in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine; the article was published in print and online in March, 2018.
Link: Blue Ridge Outdoors
"Unveiled: The unraveling of Nicaragua’s Indio Maíz Biological Reserve"
in Mongabay
June 2017
I provided photos for this investigative article, which explored illegal deforestation of Nicaragua’s Indio Maiz reserve. With Karen Masters, Hector Castaneda, and Adam Stein. Published online 29 June, 2017.
Link: Mongabay
"An improbable future for nicaragua's inter-oceanic canal"
in Mongabay
may 2016
I provided photos for this investigative article, which detailed the theoretical effects of the proposed Interoceanic Canal in Nicaragua, as well as the reasons the canal is likely to remain unrealized. With Karen Masters, Hector Castaneda, and Adam Stein. Published online 25 May, 2016.
Link: Mongabay