S5E23: Beyond Laws: Building a Movement to Save Our Deserts

Episode Summary: In this episode, Chris Clarke highlights the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle crucial environmental laws and the effect of those rollbacks on desert landscapes. He guides listeners through the gutting of environmental and cultural protection laws, and argues for a more…

S5E22: Morgan Sjogren on the War on Utah's National Monuments

Episode Summary: This episode covers the recent decision by the Trump administration to drastically reduce the acreage of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah. Listeners are will hear the central issues surrounding desert conservation, including potential th…

S5E21: Don't Mine 29! Australian Company Threatens Joshua Tree

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke focuses on mining in the California desert, in particular, a rare earth elements mine proposed by an offshore mining startup. This 20,000-acre mine would be surrounded by Joshua Tree Natio…

S5E20: Our Love for Fireworks Could Harm the Desert

Against the backdrop of the current wildfire season, which has ravaged vast areas across states like Utah and Colorado, Chris draws attention to a major human activity causing these fires, particularly the use of fireworks. The discussion is timely, as it coincides with the Fourth of July celebrati…

S5E19: Greenlink West Carves a Costly Path Through Wild Nevada

We visit the Amargosa watershed to discuss Greenlink West, a transmission project now under construction that will ship energy from Vegas-area solar facilities to data centers near Reno. This project not only threatens to enable an explosion of data centers in Northern Nevada, but also incentivizes…

S5E18: Desert Heat: Who Really Pays the Price?

In this timely episode, Chris discusses the best ways to avoid becoming a statistic while hiking during desert heat waves. He also points out that the vast majority of people suffering injury and death from extreme heat have little other choice. Migrants, the incarcerated, and outdoor labor all fac…

S5E17: The Desert Needs Our Voice and We Need Your Help

In the wake of a personal loss and a several-week hiatus, our host Chris wonders about the future of the podcast and whether it's doing what we need it to do to get to the people who need to hear it. Listeners are encouraged to take a few easy and free (or cheap) steps to help spread the word of 90…

Short Update: Explaining Our Brief Hiatus

Content note: sadness. Due to the death of a close family member, we will return on June 5. Listen if you want a few details.  Pet Loss Resources and Support Hemangiosarcoma in dogs Donate to our Fellowship for Desert Reporting

S5E16: The Double Border Wall: A New Environmental Catastrophe

In this episode, Chris talks with longtime border environmental activist Russ McSpadden about the controversial plans to erect a second border wall on the U.S.-Mexico borde. From the devastating effects on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to the des…

S5E15: When Commerce Meets Culture: Art Fairs in the Desert

Episode Summary: In this episode, host Chris Clarke revisits the spirited discussion surrounding the High Desert Art Fair and its portrayal in media. Cindy Bernard and Bernard Leibov engage in a dialogue to address critiques and misconceptions, particularly related to an LA Times article that stir…