Our Public Lands

In this episode, I share a presentation by avian ecologist Lindsay Adrian of the American Bird Conservancy from the 2025 Bird Alliance of Oregon Marbled Murrelet Survey event. Lindsay discusses the unique biology and conservation challenges of the marbled murrelet, a federally listed seabird that nests in old-growth forests along the Pacific Coast. The presentation highlights the impact of the Nor...

In this episode, I interview Scott Silver, about the transformation of outdoor recreation and its impact on wilderness preservation and “little w” wilderness values. The discussion explores the formation and mission of Wild Wilderness, an organization committed to protecting undeveloped recreation on public lands. We cover insights into the development of the 'Fee Demo' program, commercialization...

In this episode, I interview Jimmy Tobias and Mark Olalde about their investigative series on public lands grazing featured in High Country News and ProPublica. They discuss their research methods, findings on political influence, economic implications, subsidies, and environmental impacts of grazing. Our conversation also covers billionaire and other high-profile ranchers such as large mining com...

In this episode, I speak with Josh Schlossberg of the Eco Integrity Alliance about what he calls the largest logging project in Colorado’s history—roughly half a million acres of planned industrial logging. The proposal is divided into four contiguous projects along the Front Range, with the newest, the Pikes Peak Vegetation Management Project, covering 200,000 acres on its own. The plan includes...

In this episode, I speak with Thomas Welch, retired pediatrician, Adirondack guide and amateur historian about early Adirondack history. Thomas discusses key historical events like the 1837 ascent of Mount Marcy led by meteorologist William Redfield and notable figures such as Verplanck Colvin, who mapped and surveyed the Adirondacks in the late 1800s, and Bob Marshall, a pioneer in wilderness pre...

In this episode of the podcast, I interview George Wuerthner, ecologist, author and president of the Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness Alliance . An organization dedicated to restoring and protecting the Northern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with a particular focus on the Gallatin Range north of Bozeman, Montana. George and I have a detailed discussion about the Gallatin Forest Partnership proposal...

In this episode, I speak with Kyle Lavin, a conservationist and wilderness and wildlife advocate from Bozeman, Montana. We talk about Kyle’s experiences growing up in Pinedale Wyoming and his strong ties to the wilderness areas of Montana and Wyoming. We discuss the significant changes in Pinedale and Jackson Hole, Wyoming over the years, from childhood memories to the impacts of natural gas produ...

In this episode, I speak with journalist Gloria Liu about her recent article on National Parks in RE:PUBLIC and Outside Magazine, her career trajectory, and the significance of long-form journalism. We delve into the condition of national parks, the impact of staffing shortages, and the Trump administration’s approach to public lands. Gloria shares insights from her reporting trips, discussing the...

In this episode, I speak with Jennifer Mamola of the John Muir Project and Josh Osher of Western Watersheds Project about the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA), its implications, and the actions needed to prevent its passage. Our conversation delves deeply into various aspects of the bill, including its potential impact on public lands, logging, vegetation treatments, endangered species, judicial review,...

In this episode, I speak with Ryan Semerad—attorney with Fuller & Semerad Law Firm—who represented the four hunters who were charged with trespass after corner crossing over a private ranch onto public lands in Wyoming. The Supreme Court issued an order on Monday declining to hear the case, upholding the district court ruling dropping the charges. As a result, corner crossing is now legal across t...

In this episode, I interview Joe Gutkoski, a conservation legend and hero to many in Southwest Montana. Joe passed away in 2021. In the introduction, I am joined by former friend and colleague Pat Simmons who shares personal stories and background about Joe. Joe was born and raised in northeast Pennsylvania, and details his move to Montana after serving in the Navy in 1946. He discusses his 30-plu...

In this episode, I interview Ryan Busse, 2024 Democratic candidate for Montana Governor and former executive with Kimber Firearms. We discuss crucial issues surrounding public lands, conservation, and hunting advocacy. Ryan highlights his concern for the declining state of democracy and its impact on public lands, emphasizing the need for hunters and anglers to be unapologetic in their advocacy fo...

In this episode, I interview Christopher Keyes, former editor-in-chief of Outside Magazine about his new venture RE:PUBLIC, a journalism outlet dedicated to covering public lands issues. We discuss his journalism career and 15 years working at Outside Magazine. Our conversation covers the significance of public lands, the recreation economy, and the challenges faced by the journalism industry. Chr...

In this episode, I interview Josh Jackson, author and public lands advocate. Our discussion centers around Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and the imperative of connecting people to these vast stretches of public lands. We discuss Josh’s new book, The Enduring Wild, which focuses on California BLM lands and aims to highlight their beauty and importance through immersive storytelling, photogr...

In this episode, I interview Josh Schlossberg, a forest advocate, coordinator of the Eco-Integrity Alliance, and eco-horror writer. Josh discusses the complexities of forest management and the profound challenges that come with advocating for public lands. We critically examine the role of propaganda and biased journalism in shaping public opinion on wildfire management. Josh shares his experience...

In this episode, I interview Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Tim discusses PEER's unique mission in representing public employees, particularly whistleblowers. Our conversation touches on the challenges faced by public employees, the critical state of public lands, and the impact of current administrative policies. Tim emphasizes the...

In this episode, I sit down with Brock Evans, a legend in the conservation movement. Brock is now 88 years old and lives in La Grande, Oregon with his wife Linda. He discusses his decades-long journey of conservation efforts ranging from protecting the North Cascades National Park, to the Hells Canyon and the French Pete drainage in Oregon. He recounts his encounters with logging and mining threat...

In this episode, I interview Len Montgomery — the Great Outdoors Campaign Director for Environment America, about her background in environmental activism and her work to protect public lands and forests. Len shares insights from her early days collecting public comments for the Roadless Rule and her experiences as an environmental organizer. Our discussion delves into the history and significance...

In this episode, I interview Jim Pattiz of More Than Just Parks, to talk about the unprecedented damages to public lands that we can soon expect from the recent enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill. First, we discuss his latest film about the Ocmulgee Mounds, an ancient indigenous gathering site in Georgia before moving on the impacts of the recent reconciliation bill, highlighting the massive incr...

In this episode, I speak with Dallas Gudgell, a tribal member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes about the conservation movement today, indigenous perspectives, and the current state and challenges of bison management in and around Yellowstone National Park. Dallas discusses tribal leadership and inclusive decision-making in addressing climate change and biodiversity, and also highlight...

In this episode, Glenn Monahan of the Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness Alliance discusses the history of the Gallatin Range land exchanges, focusing on Big Sky's development and the impact on wilderness protection. Initiating with land ownership complexities since 1862, Glenn describes the role of pivotal land exchanges in the 1990s. He highlights the changing dynamics of land use advocacy, now inf...

In this episode, I interview Matt Mikkelsen of Quiet Parks International, to discuss the importance of preserving quiet in our natural and urban environments. Matt delves into the effects of noise pollution, such as increased stress levels and its impact on wildlife communication. Our conversation also highlights the global efforts by Quiet Parks International to certify quiet places, the personal...

In this episode, I interview Michael Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Mike discusses in detail numerous legal battles led by the Alliance, aimed at protecting imperiled species such as grizzly bears, bull trout, and lynx, from destructive practices such as road building, logging, and livestock grazing. Specific examples from regions like the Manti-La Sal National F...

In this episode, I catch up with Maya Khosla and Craig Swolgaard in the field in a recently burned snag forest near Mono Lake, California. Our discussion revolves around the ecological importance of snag forests (areas with standing dead trees primarily caused by wildfires and/or insects). Maya and Craig discuss the ecological significance and the rich biodiversity of snag forests, emphasizing the...

In this episode, I mic up Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project in the sequoia groves of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park in Southern California as part of a preliminary research trip to study post fire recovery. Chad discusses the response of the National Park Service to the 2020 and 2021 wildfires revealing discrepancies between government claims and the actual state of sequoia regeneration...