90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke interviews Myles Traphagen, a conservationist and scientist working with The Wildlands Network. They discuss the impact of the border wall on wildlife and the environment, as well as the artificial humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border. Traphagen highlights the need for a more humane and constructive approach to immigration and em...

Discover the beauty and biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert in this episode of "90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast." Host Chris Clarke explores the challenges of conserving this vast desert, primarily located in Mexico but also extending into Texas and New Mexico. He speaks with Janae Reneaud Field, Kathia Gonzalez, and Rocio Ronquillo from El Paso's Frontera Land Alliance, who...

In this episode, host Chris Clarke shares an excerpt from his book in progress about the Joshua tree, the signature plant of the Mojave Desert. He reflects on his experiences in the desert, the balance of nature, and the kinship of all life. With vivid descriptions of the desert landscape and personal anecdotes, Clarke explores the connection between humans and the natural world. Become a desert d...

Join host Chris Clarke as he explores the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument with advocates Skylar Begay and Mike Quigley. They discuss the importance of protecting this pristine Sonoran Desert landscape, rich in cultural and natural history. With the threat of encroaching development and destructive recreation, the establishment of the monument would safeguard significant cultural...

In this episode, host Chris Clarke speaks with Patrick Donnelly of the Center for Biological Diversity about a significant victory in the Nevada Supreme Court regarding water rights. They discuss the case of Coyote Springs, a proposed city in the desert that would have a detrimental effect on the Muddy River and its endangered species. The court ruling sets a precedent for managing groundwater and...

In this episode, host Chris Clarke discusses the successful fight against a proposed glamping project called Flamingo 640 in the California desert. Clarke is joined by community member Caroline Partamian, former president of the Homestead Valley Community Council Justin Merino, and Luke Basulto from the National Parks Conservation Association. They discuss the negative impacts the project would ha...

The Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Utility-Scale Solar energy development is shaping the future of solar in the western United States. In this episode, host Chris Clarke explores the different alternatives proposed in the draft and their potential impact on public lands. He discusses the exclusion areas, the size of land available for solar development, and the importance of...

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke introduces four books that will challenge preconceptions about the desert. The first book, "The Arid Lands: History, Power, and Knowledge" by Diana K. Davis, challenges the notion that deserts are wastelands in need of development. The second book, "Peoples of a Sonoran Desert Oasis" by Jared Orsi, explore...

About The Guest(s): Dr. Christina Aiello is a bighorn sheep biologist and research associate with Oregon State University. She has dedicated her career to studying and conserving desert wildlife, particularly desert tortoises and desert bighorn sheep. With a focus on the Mojave Desert region, Dr. Aiello's research examines the impacts of habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change on bighorn s...

Summary: Chris discusses the challenges that the deserts will face in 2024, including increased utility scale development of renewable energy, the threat of lithium mining, and the continuation of border policies that waive environmental laws. Chris emphasizes the need for accurate advocacy for the deserts and challenges the misconception that the desert is a defective version of other ecosystems....

About The Guest(s): Obi Kaufmann is an artist, author, and naturalist known for his California Field Atlas series. His latest book, "The Deserts of California," explores the biodiversity and ecological systems of California's deserts. Summary: Obi Kaufmann joins hosts Chris Clarke and Alicia Pike on the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast to discuss his latest book, "The Deserts of California." The bo...

It's been a minute since we published an episode, in part because Chris and Alicia have had complicated lives. Here's how we contend with bad news inside and out of the desert: we go to ground in the desert. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into the world of the saguaro cactus, exploring its cultural significance, scientific studies, and more. We talk to journalist Henry Brean of the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson storyteller Audrey Scheere about different aspects of this magnificent plant, the threats it faces,  and how people interact with it — for good or ill. Join us as we uncover the secrets of the saguaro! Become a dese...

Chris and Alicia discuss the recent victory in delaying exploration for lithium near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. They also announce the formation of the Desert Advocacy Media Network, the podcast's new nonprofit organization home. The hosts then delve into their love for the desert plant, the Globe Mallow. They share personal stories and observations about the plant's adaptability and it...

Mason Voehl from the Amargosa Conservancy joins hosts Chris Clarke and Alicia Pike to discuss the threat posed by a Canadian mining company's plans to conduct exploratory drilling for lithium near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada. The drilling could potentially puncture the aquifer and cause catastrophic damage to the fragile ecosystem. The hosts highlight the conflict between th...

We spend a lot of time correcting misapprehensions about the desert. But don't get the impression we think we're flawless! We've made our share of mistakes about the desert as well. In this episode, we share some of the things we once thought about the desert that are just plain wrong, on topics ranging from rainfall to rattlesnakes. And of course we do this on a hike in the Mojave Desert. Become...

Chris and Alicia talk to Elizabeth Paige of Native American Land Conservancy and Save Our Springs.  Podcast episode photo by John Fowler. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are flowers to be seen in the desert, if you know where to look. Chris and Alicia de-stress while enjoying the best of the desert, and discuss how best to celebrate such effusive blooms without destroying them. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We here at 90 Miles from Needles are big fans of The Border Chronicle podcast and email newsletter, and in this episode, we're republishing an episode from that podcast first aired in November in which Melissa Del Bosque talks to Texas border activist Scott Nicol about how the Biden Administration is continuing to build Trump's border wall, though it's called something else. From The Border Chroni...

The US Interior Department is rethinking the ways it has managed big corporate solar on public lands, and we have opinions. Chris pontificates based on his many years of covering public lands renewable energy as a recovering journalist, and Alicia interrupts his solarsplaining once in a while to inject some non-jargon-ridden analysis. We love solar! We want it in our backyards! And we want to prot...

Alicia talks to a well-organized group of desert denizens who are working together to stop an inappropriate development from destroying their way of life, and the desert environment they cherish.  For more information, or to tell California's San Bernardino County to insist on a full environmental review of the project, see stopwonderinn.org Extra thanks to Lucas Basulto of NPCA and Saving Slowpok...

In late 2022, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ordered the illegal construction of sections of ineffective but ecologically disastrous border wall made out of shipping containers. Then, in response to a federal order as he prepared to leave office, he ordered that wall torn down. Protesters on the ground helped in a big way, by forcing contractors to stop work on the project. We talk to Melissa Del Bos...

Edwin P. (Phil) Pister, who died January 17, was a fisheries biologist long employed by the California Department of Fish and Game (now Fish and Wildlife.) He was involved in working to protect numerous fish in Eastern California and beyond, including the golden trout and the Devils Hole pupfish. We here republish an excerpt of Episode 7 from Season 1 that featured Phil talking about the moment wh...

Welcome to Season 2! Chris and Alicia spend time communing with an 11,700-year-old creosote in the Mojave Desert, and discuss the species' importance as well as the ethics of treating millennia-old beings as disposable. King Clone's Wikipedia page is here.  If for some reason you want to learn more about creosote gall midges, you can start here .  You can learn more about the Western Solar PEIS, a...

The desert ironwood, Olneya tesota , is the basis of an entire ecosystem in the Sonoran desert. And this ecosystem includes people. Alicia and Chris hike in Ironwood Country and talk to the renowned Petey Mesquitey, host of Growing Native on KXCI in Tucson AZ , about this wonderful tree. We also take a little time to thank those of you who've made our first season a resounding success. Check us ou...