The largest reptile in the Mojave faces threats ranging from predation to illegal collection to loss of habitat. But the desert tortoise has defenders.

We talk to Tim Shields of Hardshell Labs  about his campaign to use 21st century tech to help the tortoises, and Luke Basulto of Saving Slowpoke (and the National Parks Conservation Association's California Desert team) about his work to bring the beast a new generation of supporters in communities of color.

The largest reptile in the Mojave faces threats ranging from predation to illegal collection to loss of habitat. But the desert tortoise has defenders.
We talk to Tim Shields of <a href="https://hardshelllabs.com/">Hardshell Labs</a>  about his campaign to use 21st century tech to help the tortoises, and Luke Basulto of <a href="https://www.savingslowpoke.org/">Saving Slowpoke</a> (and the National Parks Conservation Association's California Desert team) about his work to bring the beast a new generation of supporters in communities of color.

Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

Vital info on protecting our irrepaceable deserts

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

Join host Chris Clarke and guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice.

Join host Chris Clarke and guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice.

Things are bleak for desert tortoises. But they have help.

S1E21: The Desert Tortoise Still Has a Chance

In this update, Chris discusses an unexpected pause in regular programming due to a recent house fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but smoke has damaged his family's belongings, including his extensive and cherished library collection, which includes numerous rare and out-of-print books. Amid these challenges, Chris previews an upcoming episode featuring Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, who will discuss efforts to protect the national monument. Tune in next week for insightful discussions on conservation, or support the podcast through their website.

Episode image is a stock photo and does not show Chris' house, thankfully. 

In this update, Chris discusses an unexpected pause in regular programming due to a recent house fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but smoke has damaged his family's belongings, including his extensive and cherished library collection, which includes numerous rare and out-of-print books. Amid these challenges, Chris previews an upcoming episode featuring Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, who will discuss efforts to protect the national monument. Tune in next week for insightful discussions on conservation, or <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate">support the podcast through their website.</a>
Episode image is a stock photo and does not show Chris' house, thankfully.&nbsp;

Chris discusses an unexpected brief pause in regular programming due to a recent house fire.

Brief hiatus due to house fire

Podcast episode image: ©Jim Boone, BirdAndHike.com

This episode, we welcome back Tim Shields, a dedicated desert tortoise biologist whose half-century-long career has been devoted to unwavering efforts in conservation. As we explore abandoned terrains once frequented by old Hollywood, Tim shares his innovative methods combatting raven predation and invasive plant species threatening tortoise habitats.

In this captivating episode, Tim Shields explores how the invasive grass Schismus has transformed once vibrant, diverse desert landscapes into monotonous expanses, diminishing essential food sources and shelter for the desert tortoise. Chris and Tim engage in a panoramic conversation covering technological advances in ecosystem management, the ecological consequences of invasive species, and the ways technology can help mitigate human impact on wildlife. Through innovative tools and perseverance, Tim aims to hand over a toolkit to future generations for the restoration of these precious ecosystems.

Key Takeaways:
Raven Management: Tim has pioneered non-lethal methods to deter ravens, such as innovative lasers that make the birds uneasy without physical harm, significantly reducing raven presence in key habitats.
Invasive Species Impact: Schismus grass represents a major threat to desert ecosystems, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to restore native plant diversity.
Ecological Vibrancy: Creating a sound-based ecological index could help measure the health and diversity of the desert ecosystems, showing the vibrancy and biodiversity of an environment through acoustics.
Future of Conservation: Tim emphasizes the importance of preparing future generations with the tools and knowledge to continue ecological restoration and avoid repeating past mistakes.
Hope Through Innovation: Despite challenges, Tim remains optimistic about technologies and methods paving the way for ecological recovery in the desert.

Notable Quotes:
"Ravens are good students. We are talking to them in bird."
"If you have an environment that can support tortoises, it supports the whole crew."
"The Schismus remains invisible to most; they don't notice it, but we see the ecological damage."
"It’s about putting our hands on the ecological levers; otherwise, protected lands will become irrelevant."
"This is a beloved landscape, and it is in dire trouble."

Resources:
Tim Shields & Ornilogic: Discover more about Tim Shields' ongoing efforts and projects in desert conservation here.
Chris’ 2015 article on raven deterrence: read it at pbssocal.org
90 Miles from Needles Podcast: For more information and additional episodes, visit our website.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Explore extensive bird call collections referenced by Tim in the episode here.

Join us in this insightful conversation to uncover how persistence and innovative thinking can foster change in conservation. Engage with how desert ecosystems can be protected and invite yourself to imagine sustainable futures for these wild terrains. Don’t miss tuning into the full episode for an enriching experience, and stay connected for more compelling discussions on the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast.

 

Podcast episode image: &copy;Jim Boone, BirdAndHike.com
This episode, we welcome back Tim Shields, a dedicated desert tortoise biologist whose half-century-long career has been devoted to unwavering efforts in conservation. As we explore abandoned terrains once frequented by old Hollywood, Tim shares his innovative methods combatting raven predation and invasive plant species threatening tortoise habitats.
In this captivating episode, Tim Shields explores how the invasive grass Schismus has transformed once vibrant, diverse desert landscapes into monotonous expanses, diminishing essential food sources and shelter for the desert tortoise. Chris and Tim engage in a panoramic conversation covering technological advances in ecosystem management, the ecological consequences of invasive species, and the ways technology can help mitigate human impact on wildlife. Through innovative tools and perseverance, Tim aims to hand over a toolkit to future generations for the restoration of these precious ecosystems.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Raven Management: Tim has pioneered non-lethal methods to deter ravens, such as innovative lasers that make the birds uneasy without physical harm, significantly reducing raven presence in key habitats.</li>
<li>Invasive Species Impact: Schismus grass represents a major threat to desert ecosystems, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to restore native plant diversity.</li>
<li>Ecological Vibrancy: Creating a sound-based ecological index could help measure the health and diversity of the desert ecosystems, showing the vibrancy and biodiversity of an environment through acoustics.</li>
<li>Future of Conservation: Tim emphasizes the importance of preparing future generations with the tools and knowledge to continue ecological restoration and avoid repeating past mistakes.</li>
<li>Hope Through Innovation: Despite challenges, Tim remains optimistic about technologies and methods paving the way for ecological recovery in the desert.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ul>
<li>"Ravens are good students. We are talking to them in bird."</li>
<li>"If you have an environment that can support tortoises, it supports the whole crew."</li>
<li>"The Schismus remains invisible to most; they don't notice it, but we see the ecological damage."</li>
<li>"It&rsquo;s about putting our hands on the ecological levers; otherwise, protected lands will become irrelevant."</li>
<li>"This is a beloved landscape, and it is in dire trouble."</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li>Tim Shields &amp; Ornilogic: Discover more about Tim Shields' ongoing efforts and projects in desert conservation <a href="https://ornilogic.com/">here.</a></li>
<li>Chris&rsquo; 2015 article on raven deterrence: <a href="https://www.pbssocal.org/redefine/hazing-ravens-with-lasers-a-humane-way-to-save-baby-tortoises">read it at pbssocal.org</a></li>
<li>90 Miles from Needles Podcast: For more information and additional episodes, visit our <a href="http://90milesfromneedles.com">website</a>.</li>
<li>Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Explore extensive bird call collections referenced by Tim in the episode <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
Join us in this insightful conversation to uncover how persistence and innovative thinking can foster change in conservation. Engage with how desert ecosystems can be protected and invite yourself to imagine sustainable futures for these wild terrains. Don&rsquo;t miss tuning into the full episode for an enriching experience, and stay connected for more compelling discussions on the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast.
&nbsp;

Desert biologist Tim Shields joins 90 Miles from Needles to discuss efforts to protect the Mojave Desert's tortoise population. Shields updates on using non-lethal lasers to deter ravens, major tortoise predators, and shares insights into the challenges posed by the invasive schismus grass. He reveals plans to restore native ecosystems using cutting-edge technologies, aiming to revive the desert's biodiversity. The conversation highlights innovative conservation strategies and Shields' dedication to preserving the desert environment for future generations.

S5E6: Ravens and Splitgrass: A Deep Dive into the Mojave's Ecological Challenges

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke discusses the pressing environmental issues faced by the American Southwest with guest Zak Podmore. The discussion centers around the potential for San Juan County, Utah, to become a storage site for nuclear waste. The conversation explores the environmental and social justice implications of such initiatives, pointing out the burden placed on historically underserved communities that have already borne a disproportionate share of impacts from the nuclear industry.

The episode also explores the possibilities for the future of the Colorado River and the diminishing Lake Powell. Zak Podmore provides insights into what lower reservoir levels mean for the region's ecosystems and water management strategies. Encouraging discussions about restoring Glen Canyon and possibly decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam, the conversation transcends mere environmental discourse, hinting at a broader narrative of resilience and adaptation.

Key Takeaways:
Nuclear Waste Storage Concerns: The proposal to store nuclear waste in Southeast Utah raises significant environmental and social justice issues.
Glen Canyon Restoration: Lower water levels in Lake Powell reveal the adaptive potential of natural ecosystems, opening doors for restoration opportunities like decommissioning the Glen Canyon Dam.
Climate Change Impacts: The episode reflects the looming threat of climate change-induced drought in the Colorado River Basin and its implications for water management in the Southwest.
Community Resistance: Zak Podmore emphasizes the importance of community awareness and resistance against potentially harmful environmental policies.
Historic Environmental Advocacy: Insights into past environmental battles, including the roles of figures like David Brower, remind listeners of the enduring fight for ecological preservation.

Notable Quotes:
"These meetings were held, the nonprofits involved said they were just listening sessions. They said, we're not trying to actually bring radioactive waste to your area. We're just here to listen and provide information." — Zak Podmore
"I don't think that's a very valid argument. But even if you really believe that, they still leave out the impacts from all the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle." — Zak Podmore
"The ecosystems are incredibly resilient and they're recovering faster than anyone expected." — Zak Podmore
"It's a dire situation for 40 million people who get water from the Colorado River throughout the Southwest." — Zak Podmore
"If you give Glen Canyon, this famous place that was lost to the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s, a chance to recover, it will come back." — Zak Podmore

Resources:
Zak Podmore's Website
Zak’s Substack
"Life After Deadpool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River"

Listen to the full episode to engage deeply with these issues and explore further enlightening insights from "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." Stay tuned for more episodes that continue to unveil the stories and voices of the desert.

 

Episode Summary:
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke discusses the pressing environmental issues faced by the American Southwest with guest Zak Podmore. The discussion centers around the potential for San Juan County, Utah, to become a storage site for nuclear waste. The conversation explores the environmental and social justice implications of such initiatives, pointing out the burden placed on historically underserved communities that have already borne a disproportionate share of impacts from the nuclear industry.
The episode also explores the possibilities for the future of the Colorado River and the diminishing Lake Powell. Zak Podmore provides insights into what lower reservoir levels mean for the region's ecosystems and water management strategies. Encouraging discussions about restoring Glen Canyon and possibly decommissioning Glen Canyon Dam, the conversation transcends mere environmental discourse, hinting at a broader narrative of resilience and adaptation.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Nuclear Waste Storage Concerns: The proposal to store nuclear waste in Southeast Utah raises significant environmental and social justice issues.</li>
<li>Glen Canyon Restoration: Lower water levels in Lake Powell reveal the adaptive potential of natural ecosystems, opening doors for restoration opportunities like decommissioning the Glen Canyon Dam.</li>
<li>Climate Change Impacts: The episode reflects the looming threat of climate change-induced drought in the Colorado River Basin and its implications for water management in the Southwest.</li>
<li>Community Resistance: Zak Podmore emphasizes the importance of community awareness and resistance against potentially harmful environmental policies.</li>
<li>Historic Environmental Advocacy: Insights into past environmental battles, including the roles of figures like David Brower, remind listeners of the enduring fight for ecological preservation.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ol>
<li>"These meetings were held, the nonprofits involved said they were just listening sessions. They said, we're not trying to actually bring radioactive waste to your area. We're just here to listen and provide information." &mdash; Zak Podmore</li>
<li>"I don't think that's a very valid argument. But even if you really believe that, they still leave out the impacts from all the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle." &mdash; Zak Podmore</li>
<li>"The ecosystems are incredibly resilient and they're recovering faster than anyone expected." &mdash; Zak Podmore</li>
<li>"It's a dire situation for 40 million people who get water from the Colorado River throughout the Southwest." &mdash; Zak Podmore</li>
<li>"If you give Glen Canyon, this famous place that was lost to the Glen Canyon Dam in the 1960s, a chance to recover, it will come back." &mdash; Zak Podmore</li>
</ol>
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://zakpodmore.com/">Zak Podmore's Website</a></li>
<li><a href="https://zakpodmore.substack.com/">Zak&rsquo;s Substack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thedamn.org/books/life-after-dead-pool/">"Life After Deadpool: Lake Powell&rsquo;s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River"</a></li>
</ul>
Listen to the full episode to engage deeply with these issues and explore further enlightening insights from "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." Stay tuned for more episodes that continue to unveil the stories and voices of the desert.
&nbsp;

Journalist Zak Podmore joins us to explore nuclear waste storage proposals in southeastern Utah, revealing concerns about the environmental and cultural impact on indigenous lands. Podmore discusses his book "Life After Dead Pool," detailing the transformation of Glen Canyon as Lake Powell diminishes and the potential for decommissioning the Glen Canyon Dam.

S1E21: The Desert Tortoise Still Has a Chance

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