This episode, celebrated over several parts to accommodate in-depth discussions, features a captivating final chapter with Ruth Nolan. A distinguished voice in desert poetry and a former wildland firefighter, Ruth shares her insights into the ecological challenges and intrinsic beauty of California's deserts through her evocative poetry, with themes of renewable energy impacts, wildfires, and invasive species.

Through readings from her works such as "Ruby Mountain" and "After the Dome Fire," Ruth Nolan paints a vivid picture of the Mojave Desert's poignant struggles and enduring spirit. She invites us to reflect on the necessity of environmental vigilance and collective action through the memories of her firefighting days, close calls with nature, and poetic musings on desert life. The narrative threads courage, resilience, and reflection into a poetic tapestry that speaks to both the heart and the mind, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts in the face of modern challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Ruth Nolan emphasizes the blend of past experiences and contemporary challenges in the struggle to protect the desert, alongside her literary contributions.
• The readings from Ruth's works highlight themes of environmental impact due to renewable energy projects and the cultural significance of desert landscapes.
• The episode celebrates the collaboration of activists, journalists, and writers engaging in the dialogue on desert preservation.
• The interconnectedness of art, activism, and environment is a recurring theme, urging listeners to witness both poetic and practical advocacy for desert protection.
  
  

Notable Quotes:

"I saw three golden eagles on the morning of an all-night mourning ceremony..." – Ruth Nolan
"This is how you put out a fire before it has a chance to erupt into something big." – Ruth Nolan
"We did this to ourselves, people. And we keep doing it again and again and not again." – Ruth Nolan
"Look for the small things. A wisp of sultry smoke... This is where it will stop." – Ruth Nolan
"We have to love it. But we also know there's a lot of darkness." – Ruth Nolan

Resources:

"Ruby Mountain" by Ruth Nolan
"No Place for a Puritan: The Literature of California's Deserts"
"Fire and Rain: Eco Poetry of California"

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In this chapter of the milestone hundredth episode of the "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke introduces a rich tapestry of insights from renowned desert advocate and writer Ruben Martinez. The chapter, part of a comprehensive six-part series celebrating this landmark with diverse contributors, invites listeners into a profound discussion linking deserts not only as geographical landscapes but as symbols of spiritual and existential exploration.

Martinez shares an evocative narrative that intertwines personal experiences in the stark wilderness with broader socio-political and spiritual themes. Describing his retreat at a Cistercian monastery on the Lost Coast of California, he highlights the desert as a metaphor for existential struggle and spiritual enlightenment. Drawing connections between historical Christian meditation traditions and the contemporary borders between the U.S. and Mexico, Martinez explores the desert as both a literal and metaphorical backdrop for human migration and introspection. Through this exploration, he echoes the desert's dual role as a site of significant suffering amid hope, and as a place where nature's stark reality meets transcendent potential.

Key Takeaways:

• The desert serves as a powerful metaphor for contemplation, self-discovery, and refuge.
• Historical Christian monastic traditions often depict the desert as a spiritual sanctuary and testing ground.
• The U.S.-Mexico borderlands bear a dual representation as both harsh environments and spaces of profound human migration and hope.
• Spiritual silence and withdrawal can act as essential means to confront personal and collective traumas.
• The chapter underscores the vital integration of storytelling and activism in understanding the contemporary and historical significance of desert regions.

Notable Quotes:

"I write about the desert from within the confines of a Cistercian monastery...in a region known generally as the Lost Coast."
"The desert is lack, was fullness, was political or beyond politics...was native land."
"Two darks, two deserts. One where corruption and violence joined to crucify the bodies of the vulnerable, and the other where silence is a salve..."
"Every step in the wilderness was an act of faith."
"I'm in my desert alongside the migrants in theirs, writing in the dark."

Resources:

Rubén Martinéz at Loyola Marymount University https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/journalism/faculty/?expert=rubn.martnez

Gary Paul Nabhan's anthology, The Nature of Desert Nature, published by University of Arizona Press.

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Episode Summary:

In this chapter of the landmark 100th episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast, journalist David Morales, known for his insightful "Three Sonorans" newsletter, joins the discussion to unravel the complexities behind this development and how a community united to challenge a potentially devastating project.

The episode highlights how Project Blue, backed by Amazon Web Services, planned to establish a massive data center in Tucson, Arizona. This project raised alarm due to its anticipated consumption of scarce desert resources, including water and energy. Community activists scrutinized the implications of this center, revealing its environmental impact and the economic motivations linked to enticing tax exemptions.

Morales passionately articulates the broader significance of this victory and how it exemplifies a stand against exploitative initiatives pushing the limits of desert environments. The episode educates listeners on the historical connections of resource extraction in Arizona, the racial aspects of environmental degradation, and the importance of thoughtful modern policies that respect both indigenous heritage and future sustainability. With phrases like "manifest destiny" still ringing true in new forms today, this episode serves as an inspiring example of local advocacy effecting meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

• Project Blue's proposed data center in Tucson faced significant opposition due to excessive water and energy demands in a desert region.
• The initiative exemplifies environmental racism and reflects historical patterns of extraction and exploitation in Arizona.
• Community activism was pivotal in stopping the project, showing the power of collective action in confronting large corporations like Amazon.
• Kevin Dahl, a Tucson City Council member, took a hard oppositional stance that contributed to the council's unanimous decision to halt the project.
• The "Three Sonorans" newsletter provides valuable insights into indigenous and progressive perspectives on environmental issues in Tucson.

Notable Quotes:

"Now's your chance today. Stopping Project Blue is your way of stopping manifest destiny today."
"It's all connected because you have energy, you have coal, you have water."
"You have to know the history. You have to know all of it together."
"They were trying to build this out here because our last governor passed this bill in 2013 to give huge tax incentives to data centers."

Resources:

David Morales’ "Three Sonorans" Newsletter: https://threesonorans.substack.com

Arizona Luminaria: Coverage on the public records request that revealed Amazon's involvement: https://azluminaria.org/2025/07/21/amazon-web-services-is-company-behind-tucsons-project-blue-according-to-2023-county-memo/

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