There are flowers to be seen in the desert, if you know where to look. Chris and Alicia de-stress while enjoying the best of the desert, and discuss how best to celebrate such effusive blooms without destroying them.

There are flowers to be seen in the desert, if you know where to look. Chris and Alicia de-stress while enjoying the best of the desert, and discuss how best to celebrate such effusive blooms without destroying them.

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

It's not a real desert hike unless you get thirsty. Unless your skin gets punctured by an innocent-looking plant. Unless you have a close encounter with a nervous venomous critter. The desert is alive, and it will defend itself. And we will help. 90 Miles From Needles brings you stories from far out in the American outback: a land unlike any other that is both intense and subtle, that has endured for eons in the harshest conditions imaginable but which could go away in a heartbeat if we act the wrong way. Science, politics, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

It's not a real desert hike unless you get thirsty. Unless your skin gets punctured by an innocent-looking plant. Unless you have a close encounter with a nervous venomous critter. The desert is alive, and it will defend itself. And we will help. 90 Miles From Needles brings you stories from far out in the American outback: a land unlike any other that is both intense and subtle, that has endured for eons in the harshest conditions imaginable but which could go away in a heartbeat if we act the wrong way. Science, politics, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.

90 Miles from Needles Member feed

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.

S2E7: Superb Loom

Summary: Chris discusses the challenges that the deserts will face in 2024, including increased utility scale development of renewable energy, the threat of lithium mining, and the continuation of border policies that waive environmental laws. Chris emphasizes the need for accurate advocacy for the deserts and challenges the misconception that the desert is a defective version of other ecosystems. He introduces the Desert Advocacy Media Network and highlights the importance of support to continue their work in providing accurate information and promoting desert protection.

Key Takeaways:
2024 will bring challenges for the deserts, including increased utility scale development and the threat of lithium mining.
The Desert Advocacy Media Network aims to provide accurate information and challenge misconceptions about the desert.
Support is needed to hire sound editors, pay freelance reporters, and promote the podcast through targeted advertising.

Quotes:
"We have no lack of work to do. We just need to be able to do that work." - Chris Clarke
"Please consider helping us make the Desert Advocacy Media Network the place people turn to when they want to learn more about the desert and how to protect it." - Chris Clarke

How to Donate
Use the podcast's Patreon account at 90milesfromneedles.com/patreon
Text "NEEDLES" to 53-555
Visit our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/ninetymilesfromneedles to donate via Network For Good

Summary: Chris discusses the challenges that the deserts will face in 2024, including increased utility scale development of renewable energy, the threat of lithium mining, and the continuation of border policies that waive environmental laws. Chris emphasizes the need for accurate advocacy for the deserts and challenges the misconception that the desert is a defective version of other ecosystems. He introduces the Desert Advocacy Media Network and highlights the importance of support to continue their work in providing accurate information and promoting desert protection.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>2024 will bring challenges for the deserts, including increased utility scale development and the threat of lithium mining.</li>
<li>The Desert Advocacy Media Network aims to provide accurate information and challenge misconceptions about the desert.</li>
<li>Support is needed to hire sound editors, pay freelance reporters, and promote the podcast through targeted advertising.</li>
</ul>
Quotes:
<ul>
<li>"We have no lack of work to do. We just need to be able to do that work." - Chris Clarke</li>
<li>"Please consider helping us make the Desert Advocacy Media Network the place people turn to when they want to learn more about the desert and how to protect it." - Chris Clarke</li>
</ul>
How to Donate
<ul>
<li><a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com/patreon">Use the podcast's Patreon account at 90milesfromneedles.com/patreon</a></li>
<li>Text "NEEDLES" to 53-555</li>
<li>Visit our Facebook page at <a href="https://facebook.com/ninetymilesfromneedles">https://facebook.com/ninetymilesfromneedles to donate via Network For Good</a></li>
</ul>

As we approach the end of the year, Chris can't help but think about the challenges the deserts will face in 2024. Join us in protecting these precious landscapes. Donate today!

S2E15: On Giving Tuesday, Make a Difference for the Desert

About The Guest(s): Obi Kaufmann is an artist, author, and naturalist known for his California Field Atlas series. His latest book, "The Deserts of California," explores the biodiversity and ecological systems of California's deserts.

Summary: Obi Kaufmann joins hosts Chris Clarke and Alicia Pike on the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast to discuss his latest book, "The Deserts of California." The book is part of his California Field Atlas series, which aims to explore the how of ecological systems rather than the what or where. Kaufmann shares his fascination with the complexity and diversity of California's deserts and the importance of celebrating and understanding their biodiversity. He also discusses the challenges of conservation and preservation in the face of development and exploitation. Kaufmann emphasizes the need for a democratic approach to finding solutions and the power of combining data and love in stewardship efforts. The conversation touches on the changing nature of the deserts, the importance of oral tradition and sharing knowledge, and the role of beauty and art in inspiring curiosity and hope.

Key Takeaways:
The California Field Atlas series aims to explore the how of ecological systems rather than the what or where.
The deserts of California are full of biodiversity and ecological complexity, challenging the perception of them as empty spaces.
Conservation efforts require a combination of data, love, and understanding to address the challenges of development and exploitation.
The deserts are a moving target, constantly changing and adapting to new conditions.
The power of beauty and art lies in its ability to inspire curiosity and hope.

Obi Kaufmann's podcast with Greg Sarris, Place and Purpose, can be found here: https://www.placeandpurpose.live/

Order The Deserts of California here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-deserts-of-california-a-california-field-atlas/19407146?ean=9781597146180

Quotes:
"The complexity is where the truth is. When things get too simple, too generalized, we miss so much." - Obi Kaufmann
"The desert is doing so much heavy lifting for both of those goals [conservation and carbon zero]." - Obi Kaufmann
"Democracy is having this conversation right now here." - Obi Kaufmann
"The desert itself is an indicator landscape, if you will. It's a litmus test of our stewardship." - Obi Kaufmann
"Acceptance of the natural cycles and patterns in nature brings peace and understanding." - Alicia Pike
"The combination of data and love is a powerful force for conservation and preservation." - Obi Kaufmann

About The Guest(s): Obi Kaufmann is an artist, author, and naturalist known for his California Field Atlas series. His latest book, "The Deserts of California," explores the biodiversity and ecological systems of California's deserts.
Summary: Obi Kaufmann joins hosts Chris Clarke and Alicia Pike on the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast to discuss his latest book, "The Deserts of California." The book is part of his California Field Atlas series, which aims to explore the how of ecological systems rather than the what or where. Kaufmann shares his fascination with the complexity and diversity of California's deserts and the importance of celebrating and understanding their biodiversity. He also discusses the challenges of conservation and preservation in the face of development and exploitation. Kaufmann emphasizes the need for a democratic approach to finding solutions and the power of combining data and love in stewardship efforts. The conversation touches on the changing nature of the deserts, the importance of oral tradition and sharing knowledge, and the role of beauty and art in inspiring curiosity and hope.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>The California Field Atlas series aims to explore the how of ecological systems rather than the what or where.</li>
<li>The deserts of California are full of biodiversity and ecological complexity, challenging the perception of them as empty spaces.</li>
<li>Conservation efforts require a combination of data, love, and understanding to address the challenges of development and exploitation.</li>
<li>The deserts are a moving target, constantly changing and adapting to new conditions.</li>
<li>The power of beauty and art lies in its ability to inspire curiosity and hope.</li>
</ul>
Obi Kaufmann's podcast with Greg Sarris, Place and Purpose, can be found here: https://www.placeandpurpose.live/
Order The Deserts of California here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-deserts-of-california-a-california-field-atlas/19407146?ean=9781597146180
Quotes:
<ul>
<li>"The complexity is where the truth is. When things get too simple, too generalized, we miss so much." - Obi Kaufmann</li>
<li>"The desert is doing so much heavy lifting for both of those goals [conservation and carbon zero]." - Obi Kaufmann</li>
<li>"Democracy is having this conversation right now here." - Obi Kaufmann</li>
<li>"The desert itself is an indicator landscape, if you will. It's a litmus test of our stewardship." - Obi Kaufmann</li>
<li>"Acceptance of the natural cycles and patterns in nature brings peace and understanding." - Alicia Pike</li>
<li>"The combination of data and love is a powerful force for conservation and preservation." - Obi Kaufmann</li>
</ul>

The author of the recently released field atlas The Deserts of California, Obi Kaufmann, sits down with Chris and Alicia to talk about the deserts.

S2E14: Obi Kaufmann and The Deserts of California

It's been a minute since we published an episode, in part because Chris and Alicia have had complicated lives. Here's how we contend with bad news inside and out of the desert: we go to ground in the desert.

When we lose parts of the desert, we need ways to keep going.

S2E7: Superb Loom

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