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.

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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/

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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

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This week, Chris shifts focus to recommending several podcasts that align with the mission of desert protection and conservation. Marissa Ortega Welch’s “How Wild” challenges conventional perceptions of wilderness by exploring cultural narratives that shape our understanding of solitude in nature. With Emily Guerin’s investigative series, "California City," listeners uncover the tantalizing history and real estate tales of this less-known Mojave Desert town. Michael Elizabeth Sakas captivates audiences with "Parched," a series that unpacks the critical water shortages plaguing the Colorado River Basin. And Jennifer Errick from the National Parks Conservation Association's podcast The Secret Lives of Parks gets Chris and Luke Basulto out in the field to talk desert protection Highlighting gems from these productions, this episode celebrates the intricate beauty and significance of deserts in contemporary discourse.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover various perspectives on wilderness concepts with Marissa Ortega Welch in "How Wild," which critiques the cultural narratives surrounding solitude and wilderness.
• Explore the thrilling investigative journey of Emily Guerin's podcast "California City" to explore historical and ongoing real estate dynamics in the desert.
• Gain insights into the pressing water issues facing the Colorado River Basin with Michael Elizabeth Sakas' comprehensive series "Parched."
• Hear from Jennifer Errick and Luke Basulto on the newly designated Chuckwalla National Monument and the importance of connecting desert landscapes for better ecological health.

Resources:

• How Wild with Marissa Ortega Welch https://www.howwild.org/
• California City by Emily Guerin https://laist.com/podcasts/california-city
• Parched, Hosted by Michael Elizabeth Sakas https://www.cpr.org/podcast/parched/
• The Secret Lives of Parks, with Jennifer Errick https://thesecretlivesofparks.org/
• The Border Chronicle https:/theborderchronicle.com
• Desert Oracle https://www.desertoracle.com/radio/
• Desert Advocacy Media Network https://thedamn.org

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In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," Chris provides listeners with an update on the state of the podcast. Despite a minor setback due to illness, Chris emphasizes the importance of authentic desert protection content while previewing future episodes. The upcoming "Other Podcasts" episode (actual title to be determined) promises to feature recommendations on influential podcasts like "The Border Chronicle," known for its in-depth analysis of border and migration issues.

Key Takeaways:

• The update explains a brief hiatus in regular programming due to the host’s bad cold and resulting voice issues.
• Upcoming episodes in the pipeline include feature recommendations for other podcasts related to desert protection and advocacy.
• Chris provides a sneak peek into "The Border Chronicle," a podcast focused on the U.S.-Mexico border and related issues.
• The newly redesigned 90 Miles from Needles podcast website aims to enhance user experience and engagement.
• Personal note shared on Chris's dog Heart undergoing cancer surgery, with an emotional appeal to listeners.

Resources:
The Border Chronicle (https://www.theborderchronicle.com/)
90 Miles from Needles Podcast Website (https://90milesfromneedles.com)
To donate to 90 Miles from Needles, text "needles" to 53-555

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Episode Summary:

In this extensive episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke dives into the controversial Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Station project in the Mojave Desert. He examines the ecological impacts of this large-scale solar project, highlighting the tension between renewable energy and biodiversity preservation. Chris discusses the unforeseen consequences on local wildlife, particularly the endangered desert tortoise and avian species, as a consequence of this project. Through a blend of personal narrative and investigative journalism, he offers insights into the ongoing debates over habitat disruption by renewable energy initiatives. The episode continues to chronicle the story of Ivanpah, offering an in-depth analysis of bird mortality rates caused by the solar project's thermal technology. Clarke provides a critical examination of the response from environmentalists, regulatory agencies, and the public to the Ivanpah plant's adverse effects. He contrasts the utility of renewable projects against their ecological costs, challenging the notion of desert landscapes as barren wastelands. Clarke's passion for desert conservation is evident as he reflects on both personal experiences in the Ivanpah Valley and the broader implications of unchecked industrial progress on these fragile ecosystems. Key Takeaways: Large-scale renewable energy projects like the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Station can have significant negative impacts on local wildlife, including endangered species. There is a crucial need for evaluating the ecological costs of industrial projects against their purported benefits. Conservation often finds itself at odds with technological advancements. Biodiversity preservation should be prioritized even in areas deemed suitable for renewable energy; this requires balancing climate change goals with ecosystem integrity. Economic and technological advancements can abruptly shift narratives and outcomes, as seen with the affordable availability of photovoltaic panels influencing Ivanpah's future. Continuous advocacy, investigative journalism, and public awareness are vital in halting potentially damaging industrial projects but might not solely suffice without economic shifts.

Notable Quotes:

"Are we really so bereft of wisdom that we see this beleaguered but beautiful stretch of ancient desert as nothing more than a blank spot on the map?"

"In the Ivanpah Valley, a place that, though radically altered by the hands of industry, is still precious, still alive, well worth being defended from further unnecessary and destructive change."

"The split happened even within groups…few people fought harder to keep the Ivanpah solar power plant from being built than a handful of Sierra Club members."

"The Ivanpah plant should never have been built."

"Photovoltaics are just cheaper. That's essentially what will force Ivanpah to shut down."

Listen to the full episode for an eye-opening exploration of the challenges facing desert conservation amid the push for renewable energy. Stay tuned for more insights from "90 Miles from Needles" as we continue to discuss critical environmental issues affecting desert regions.

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About the Guest:

Mason Voehl is the Executive Director of the Amargosa Conservancy, which works to protect and celebrate the valuable ecosystems within the Amargosa Basin. Voehl's work includes a special focus on groundwater management near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke discusses the recent conservation victory concerning lithium drilling near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge with Mason Voehl, Executive Director of the Amargosa Conservancy. As the episode unfolds, listeners are taken through the journey that led to a significant win for preserving this crucial desert oasis. The discussion focuses on how public support and science-based advocacy led to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's recent decision to temporarily halt mining exploration that potentially threatens the sensitive groundwater systems crucial for the area's biodiversity. The conversation covers the unique ecological importance of Ash Meadows, home to numerous endemic species, and the continuous threats posed by Rover Critical Minerals' lithium exploration plans. Mason Voehl explains the strategic use of an administrative mineral withdrawal process to secure a 20-year pause on new claims that could disrupt the ecosystem. Furthermore, the dialogue explores the broader implications of mining, water conservation, and policy engagement, presenting a case study of community resilience and collaborative conservation efforts. This episode serves as a testament to achieving impactful environmental protection through grassroots activism, scientific grounding, and governmental engagement.

Key Takeaways:

• Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a crucial biodiversity hotspot with rare and unique desert water sources.
• Public and community-driven advocacy is vital in attaining conservation victories against large-scale industrial developments.
• Temporary segregation of affected lands by the BLM can pave the way for potential long-term environmental protections.
• The Devil's Hole pupfish, an endangered species, plays a significant role in shaping water management strategies.
• Active community involvement and strategic litigation can leverage bureaucratic processes to secure ecological safeguards.

Notable Quotes:

• "Ash Meadows is the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert and it is a biodiversity hotspot of international importance." – Mason Voehl
• "For a long time we have hated and resented the Devil's Hole pupfish. And now it's the pupfish's turn to save us." – Mason Voehl
• "We only got to this point because the local communities really believed in what we were doing." – Mason Voehl

Resources:

Amargosa Conservancy: amargosaconservancy.org

Sign up for the AC's newsletter: amargosaconservancy.org/newsletters/

90 Miles from Needles Patreon (sign up for free to join our new community of desert defenders): 90milesfromneedles.com/patreon

Follow Amargosa Conservancy on social media for updates:

• Facebook: Facebook.com/AmargosaConserv
• Instagram: Instagram.com/amargosaconserv/

Listen to this episode to gain deeper insights into desert conservation strategies and the power of community-driven environmental action. Stay tuned for more episodes of "90 Miles from Needles" as we continue to explore and protect the incredible landscapes of the desert southwest.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.