About the Host: Chris Clarke is an environmental advocate and the knowledgeable host of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast. He is committed to desert protection and conservation, bringing decades of experience and insights into environmental issues, policy discussions, and activism. Known for drawing attention to critical environmental concerns, including endangered species and responsible land use, Chris actively engages with audiences who care deeply about ecological preservation and advocacy.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast, host Chris Clarke examines the much-talked-about claim of dire wolf de-extinction by a biotech firm. Chris navigates through the intricacies of this scientific breakthrough, unearthing the partial truths and sensationalism, while keeping a focus on broader environmental implications. Throughout the episode, Chris challenges the notion of de-extinct species fitting seamlessly into today's ecosystems. Drawing parallels between the dire wolves and other potential candidates for de-extinction, like the Shasta ground sloth, he discusses the feasibility and ethical considerations of such scientific pursuits. The conversation isn't just about biology; it encompasses the cultural and ecological dynamics that ground these animals in past and present narratives. Tying together scientific discourse and environmental activism, Chris highlights why preserving current ecosystems is critical for any species reintroduction success.

Key Takeaways:

The idea of de-extincting dire wolves is riddled with complexities, from scientific limitations to ecological impacts. Dire wolves possibly have physical adaptations ill-suited to surviving in today’s drastically altered ecosystems, calling into question their viability if brought back. De-extinction efforts are providing the antienvironmentalists in power with arguments to rescind environmental protection laws. The example of California condors serves as a reminder of the financial and ecological challenges faced in conservation and species restoration efforts. Chris advocates for a holistic approach to conservation that considers ecosystems' dynamic nature and the cultural knowledge animals pass down through generations.

Notable Quotes:

"Even if we grant Colossal Biosciences claims… the dire wolf is useless without its habitat."

"The ecosystem that held the species and the relationships changes… they become, to some extent, new ecosystems."

"What's the difference between that and releasing an invasive species into a habitat that doesn't have a niche for it?"

"As long as they're in Botanic gardens, we don't have to worry, right? But it's the relationships that are important here."

"If the process of theoretical de extinction is going to be used as an excuse to get our basic environmental laws…"

Resources:

Learn more about the podcast and support 90 Miles from Needles: https:/90milesfromneedles.com

Hank Green's response: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar0zgedLyTw

Hank offers a correction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jGFT2rnL8Y

Ventana Wildlife Society Condor Status pge: https://www.ventanaws.org/status.html

The Bernie & AOC event in Los Angeles (All 5.5 hours!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU_GhbFH2Gw&t=11697s

Listen to the full episode for a comprehensive understanding of the topic discussed and stay tuned for more insightful discussions from "90 Miles from Needles." This episode serves as both an enlightening exploration of modern conservation challenges and a call to action for listeners invested in ecological preservation.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest:

Josh Jackson is a passionate author and explorer of public lands, focusing specifically on the often-overlooked Bureau of Land Management (BLM) territories in California. He is the mastermind behind the "Forgotten Lands Project," where he explores and highlights the beauty and significance of BLM lands throughout the West. His forthcoming book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," scheduled for release later this year, captures his extensive experiences and insights from visiting these lands. Jackson is committed to raising awareness and fostering appreciation for America's public lands, hoping to inspire conservation efforts.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast, host Chris Clarke engages in a compelling conversation with author Josh Jackson about the significance of BLM lands in California. Josh shares his journey from discovering BLM lands to exploring them extensively and writing a book about his experiences. His book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," aims to shed light on the underappreciated beauty and value of these lands, advocating for their protection against growing threats. This episode explores deeper themes of environmental conservation, management challenges, and the intersection of recreation and preservation on public lands. The discussion also dives into the current crises facing BLM lands under the current trying political climate, including government slashing agency budgets and staff. Josh offers his perspective on the importance of public engagement in land conservation, drawing parallels between treasured national parks and less-known but equally significant landscapes managed by the BLM. The conversation underscores the valuable connection between experiencing these lands and the motivation to protect them, highlighting Jackson’s aspiration to fuel public awareness and political action.

Key Takeaways:
BLM Land Discovery & Exploration: Josh Jackson discusses his initiation into exploring BLM lands in California and how those experiences fueled his book, "The Enduring."
Environmental and Political Challenges: The episode highlights the severe staffing and funding cuts faced by the BLM, threatening the conservation and management of public lands. Importance of Public Engagement: The conversation emphasizes the necessity of the public connecting with BLM lands to inspire conservation efforts.
California’s BLM Land Significance: Despite California's better balance in BLM land use, threats like mining persist, calling for heightened awareness and action.
Future Projects: Josh hints at potential explorations and writings about BLM lands in Utah, indicating continuous efforts in advocating for these regions.
Notable Quotes: "In the end, we will conserve only what we love." - Baba Dioum
"The anonymity that once protected these landscapes now works against them." - Josh Jackson
"It's a delicate balance between recreation and conservation." - Josh Jackson
"The desert invited me to leave behind my notions about what I might find or experience, or even how I might feel." - Josh Jackson

Resources:
Forgotten Lands Project: https://www.forgottenlandsproject.com
Pre-order Josh Jackson's book: https://90milesfromneedles.com/books
Past podcast episode with Kristen Brengel discussing Park Service layoffs: https://90milesfromneedles.com/s4e5
Find a Bernie Sanders event near you: https://berniesanders.com/oligarchy/
Find an April 19 event: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
This rich episode provides an insightful look into the complex world of BLM lands, urging listeners to appreciate and protect these often-overlooked areas.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes. From the surprising biological interactions involving desert tortoises and ticks to the hidden carbon-sequestering prowess of desert soils, the episode showcases desert ecosystems, their intricate balance, and the sometimes unexpected roles they play. This episode provides a fresh perspective on how deserts contribute to global environmental stability and why they merit protection.

The first segment of the episode highlights the intriguing relationship between desert tortoises and ticks, specifically the role tortoises play in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever. Clarke discusses research by Dr. Molly June Bechtel, which reveals that desert tortoises possess a blood factor that reduces harmful Borrelia bacteria, thereby offering insights into the greater ecological importance of these critically endangered reptiles.

In another surprising desert fact, Clarke explores the soil carbon sequestration abilities of arid ecosystems. Despite popular misconceptions, deserts store immense amounts of carbon, thanks to unique geological and biological processes such as calcium carbonate formation and glomalin production by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings emphasize the critical environmental role deserts play and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.

The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of desert pavement, a geological phenomenon that stabilizes loose sediment and contributes to air quality by preventing dust pollution. Clarke describes how desert pavement forms over time and its ecological benefits, like housing viable wildflower seed banks. This episode not only captivates with revelations about the intricate mechanisms at play in desert environments but also reinforces the necessity of preserving these ecosystems for their environmental and health benefits.

Key Takeaways

Desert tortoises host ticks, which have a low incidence of Borrelia due to a bactericidal factor in tortoise blood, aiding in controlling tick-borne diseases.

America's deserts act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering over 55 million tons of carbon annually through soil processes like glomalin production and caliche formation.

Desert pavements, formed over time through wind and water interactions, play vital roles in air quality and soil stability.

Protecting desert ecosystems is crucial, not only for conserving biodiversity but also for their role in reducing climate change impacts and preventing the spread of diseases.

The podcast emphasizes the various misunderstood yet essential ecological functions of deserts, advocating for their conservation.

Notable Quotes

"One desert tortoise has done more for human public health than an entire RFK junior."

"We may actually be making climate change worse in the long term by destroying the desert to put in solar power."

"A feature of the landscape that's about as innocuous as you can imagine turns out to clean our air of asthma-inducing dust."

"If we're going to get through this really ugly period, it's going to have to be about the love."

Resources

Desert Protection Podcast Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Research by Molly June Bechtel, PhD: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/

Andrew Alden's blog post on desert pavement at the Cima Volcanic Field: https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193

More on glomalin from the Summertree Institute: https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/

Desert Advocacy Media Network: https://thedamn.org

To uncover more revealing insights into the remarkable intricacy of desert ecosystems, listen to the full episode.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Clarke explores the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts. He delves into historical and contemporary issues, from indigenous genocide to border wall impacts, underscoring the importance of inclusive environmental advocacy. Clarke also reflects on the diversity challenges within his podcast team, urging for broader representation. Join him for insights on DEI's crucial role in fostering social justice and environmental resilience in desert landscapes. No guests featured this episode.

Resources:

90 Miles from Needles Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Southwest Organizing Project 1990 Big Green letter: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/

Explore the full episode to better understand of how diversity and inclusion intertwine with the fight to protect our deserts.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join host Chris Clarke for an insightful discussion with journalist Kyle Paoletta about his book "American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest." Explore surprising histories and contemporary challenges of cities like Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and El Paso, and their role in shaping the desert Southwest. The episode examines urbanization, civil rights movements, and the cultural interconnectedness of cities across political borders.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

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Episode Summary:
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into two pivotal events illuminating the current challenges and triumphs in desert conservation efforts. The episode captures the essence of grassroots advocacy, community solidarity, and the ongoing struggle to protect unique desert landscapes from economic exploitation. Chris shares inspiring stories of dedication and sacrifice from residents of Amargosa Valley, Nevada, and Joshua Tree, demonstrating the collective effort to conserve natural resources for future generations. The episode takes listeners to a community meeting in Amargosa Valley, where residents are voicing their support for protecting Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge from mining threats. With a focus on preserving local ecosystems and species like the Devils Hole Pupfish, Chris highlights the shift in community attitudes towards a sustainable future. In the latter part of the episode, Chris covers a demonstration in Joshua Tree where numerous activists protest staffing cuts in the National Park Service. These cuts threaten park maintenance and visitor safety, sparking an outcry from passionate community members who recognize the intrinsic value of national parks as public treasures.

Key Takeaways:

• The Amargosa Valley community's remarkable support for stricter limits on mining activity reflects a strong endorsement of preserving local ecosystems and endemic species.
• The growing reliance on national parks for economic and ecological balance underscores the importance of protecting staffing levels to maintain safety and conservation efforts.
• Community members from various backgrounds, along with city officials, unite to oppose federal budget cuts affecting Joshua Tree National Park, highlighting the fiscal and environmental repercussions.
• Direct personal connections to desert landscapes drive local activism, emphasizing how environmental issues remain deeply personal and community-oriented.
• Listening to voices advocating for nature over profit reaffirms the enduring human spirit favoring sustainability and communal well-being over economic gain.

Notable Quotes:

"I'm here because I believe nature is more important than money and profit and capitalism and billionaires." - Katie Joy

"The loss of this delicate place would be a terrible day. In my view, the protection of the Amargosa is non-negotiable." - Amargosa Valley Resident

"This national park is the Joshua Tree national park…we need to be here doing everything that we can, the rangers and the community, to mitigate all of these threats to Joshua Trees and protect this place." - Sant Khalsa

Resources:

90 Miles from Needles Amargosa Mineral Withdrawal episode: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e2

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Information on Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows

Joshua Tree National Park: https://www.nps.gov/jotr

Growing list of firings at individual NPS units: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CJgh2K4KG7Ewcp8f-MxrE3y64yRy5N-tND10X3Wmks4/edit?gid=807158143#gid=807158143

Podcast episode photo courtesy the Desert Trumpet, at https://www.deserttrumpet.org/

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest

Kristen Brengel serves as the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). With extensive experience in advocacy and policy, Kristen has been a pivotal voice in the conservation and protection of national parks across the United States. Her work involves lobbying on Capitol Hill, engaging with international media, and championing environmental policies that safeguard public lands and ecosystems. Kristen is a long-time advocate for the protection of public lands, bringing awareness and action to issues impacting national parks and their staff.

Episode Summary

In this episode, we discuss the recent layoffs affecting the National Park Service and other land management agencies. Featuring Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association, the episode looks into the devastating effects of the recent federal workforce reductions on desert public lands and conservation efforts. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing park staff and the significant measures needed to restore these vital environmental protections. Chris and Kristen explore the impact of thousands of layoffs within the National Park Service and other federal agencies, critically affecting the management and protection of public lands in the desert and beyond. The conversation touches on the importance of seasonal and probationary workers to the National Park Service and how their abrupt terminations are undermining both visitor safety and conservation efforts. Kristen emphasizes the urgent need for public action to support park staff and shares strategies for pressuring Congress to reverse these harmful reductions.

Key Takeaways

Thousands of employees across federal land management agencies, including the National Park Service, have faced unjustified layoffs, severely impacting public lands protection. The layoffs include significant numbers of seasonal and probationary workers who provide essential services such as search and rescue, impacting visitor safety and park operations. Kristen Brengel emphasizes the critical role of Congress in reversing these layoffs and urges public action to pressure lawmakers to protect public land staff.

Despite the bleak circumstances, there are positive discoveries in national parks, such as the finding of a new plant genus, Ovicula biradiata, in Big Bend National Park. The episode advises on the economic and cultural importance of national parks to local gateway communities, highlighting the broader impacts of workforce reductions.

Notable Quotes

"In just over a week, the Park Service has lost 9% of its staff. It's not like there is a plan in place to handle this decrease in staff."

"Parks have a ripple effect on the economy. It's just pure math when you look at the economics of this."

"It's not like the Park Service had an alternative plan. It's a dramatic and traumatic cut."

"This is not the year to go on a rigorous hike. We want people to be safe, and we're worried about folks going into the summer."

Resources

National Parks Conservation Association https://www.npca.org/

Contact your Congressional representatives to advocate against federal layoffs in national parks: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

90 Miles from Needles' donation page: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.