In this episode host Chris Clarke shares his recent visit to the Amargosa Basin, highlighting the stunning wildflower bloom and the importance of supporting local communities. He also presents three captivating desert stories, including the self-awareness of bursage plants, the connection between humans and coyotes, and the deceptive allure of desert magic.

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.

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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.

A compelling perspective on the symbolic and literal connections between humans and the natural desert environment.

S3E11: Desert Stories

About the Guest: 

Josh Jackson is a passionate author and explorer of public lands, focusing specifically on the often-overlooked Bureau of Land Management (BLM) territories in California. He is the mastermind behind the "Forgotten Lands Project," where he explores and highlights the beauty and significance of BLM lands throughout the West. His forthcoming book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," scheduled for release later this year, captures his extensive experiences and insights from visiting these lands. Jackson is committed to raising awareness and fostering appreciation for America's public lands, hoping to inspire conservation efforts.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast, host Chris Clarke engages in a compelling conversation with author Josh Jackson about the significance of BLM lands in California. Josh shares his journey from discovering BLM lands to exploring them extensively and writing a book about his experiences. His book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," aims to shed light on the underappreciated beauty and value of these lands, advocating for their protection against growing threats. This episode explores deeper themes of environmental conservation, management challenges, and the intersection of recreation and preservation on public lands. The discussion also dives into the current crises facing BLM lands under the current trying political climate, including government slashing agency budgets and staff. Josh offers his perspective on the importance of public engagement in land conservation, drawing parallels between treasured national parks and less-known but equally significant landscapes managed by the BLM. The conversation underscores the valuable connection between experiencing these lands and the motivation to protect them, highlighting Jackson’s aspiration to fuel public awareness and political action.

Key Takeaways: 
BLM Land Discovery & Exploration: Josh Jackson discusses his initiation into exploring BLM lands in California and how those experiences fueled his book, "The Enduring." 
Environmental and Political Challenges: The episode highlights the severe staffing and funding cuts faced by the BLM, threatening the conservation and management of public lands. Importance of Public Engagement: The conversation emphasizes the necessity of the public connecting with BLM lands to inspire conservation efforts. 
California’s BLM Land Significance: Despite California's better balance in BLM land use, threats like mining persist, calling for heightened awareness and action. 
Future Projects: Josh hints at potential explorations and writings about BLM lands in Utah, indicating continuous efforts in advocating for these regions. 
Notable Quotes: "In the end, we will conserve only what we love." - Baba Dioum
"The anonymity that once protected these landscapes now works against them." - Josh Jackson 
"It's a delicate balance between recreation and conservation." - Josh Jackson 
"The desert invited me to leave behind my notions about what I might find or experience, or even how I might feel." - Josh Jackson

Resources: 
Forgotten Lands Project: https://www.forgottenlandsproject.com
Pre-order Josh Jackson's book: https://90milesfromneedles.com/books
Past podcast episode with Kristen Brengel discussing Park Service layoffs: https://90milesfromneedles.com/s4e5
Find a Bernie Sanders event near you: https://berniesanders.com/oligarchy/
Find an April 19 event: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events
This rich episode provides an insightful look into the complex world of BLM lands, urging listeners to appreciate and protect these often-overlooked areas.

About the Guest:&nbsp;
Josh Jackson is a passionate author and explorer of public lands, focusing specifically on the often-overlooked Bureau of Land Management (BLM) territories in California. He is the mastermind behind the "Forgotten Lands Project," where he explores and highlights the beauty and significance of BLM lands throughout the West. His forthcoming book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," scheduled for release later this year, captures his extensive experiences and insights from visiting these lands. Jackson is committed to raising awareness and fostering appreciation for America's public lands, hoping to inspire conservation efforts.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast, host Chris Clarke engages in a compelling conversation with author Josh Jackson about the significance of BLM lands in California. Josh shares his journey from discovering BLM lands to exploring them extensively and writing a book about his experiences. His book, "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands," aims to shed light on the underappreciated beauty and value of these lands, advocating for their protection against growing threats. This episode explores deeper themes of environmental conservation, management challenges, and the intersection of recreation and preservation on public lands. The discussion also dives into the current crises facing BLM lands under the current trying political climate, including government slashing agency budgets and staff. Josh offers his perspective on the importance of public engagement in land conservation, drawing parallels between treasured national parks and less-known but equally significant landscapes managed by the BLM. The conversation underscores the valuable connection between experiencing these lands and the motivation to protect them, highlighting Jackson&rsquo;s aspiration to fuel public awareness and political action.
Key Takeaways: BLM Land Discovery &amp; Exploration: Josh Jackson discusses his initiation into exploring BLM lands in California and how those experiences fueled his book, "The Enduring." Environmental and Political Challenges: The episode highlights the severe staffing and funding cuts faced by the BLM, threatening the conservation and management of public lands. Importance of Public Engagement: The conversation emphasizes the necessity of the public connecting with BLM lands to inspire conservation efforts. California&rsquo;s BLM Land Significance: Despite California's better balance in BLM land use, threats like mining persist, calling for heightened awareness and action. Future Projects: Josh hints at potential explorations and writings about BLM lands in Utah, indicating continuous efforts in advocating for these regions. Notable Quotes: "In the end, we will conserve only what we love." - Baba Dioum "The anonymity that once protected these landscapes now works against them." - Josh Jackson "It's a delicate balance between recreation and conservation." - Josh Jackson "The desert invited me to leave behind my notions about what I might find or experience, or even how I might feel." - Josh Jackson
Resources: Forgotten Lands Project: <a href="https://www.forgottenlandsproject.com">https://www.forgottenlandsproject.com</a> Pre-order Josh Jackson's book: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com/books">https://90milesfromneedles.com/books</a> Past podcast episode with Kristen Brengel discussing Park Service layoffs: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com/s4e5">https://90milesfromneedles.com/s4e5</a> Find a Bernie Sanders event near you:&nbsp;<a href="https://berniesanders.com/oligarchy/">https://berniesanders.com/oligarchy/</a> Find an April 19 event: <a href="https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events">https://www.fiftyfifty.one/events</a> This rich episode provides an insightful look into the complex world of BLM lands, urging listeners to appreciate and protect these often-overlooked areas.

Explore the struggles and triumphs of California's public lands with Josh Jackson, author of "The Enduring: A Journey into California's Public Lands." Host Chris Clarke and Jackson discuss the importance of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, the impact of recent funding cuts on conservation efforts, and the unique beauty of lesser-known desert landscapes.

S4E11: Beauty Meets Struggle: The Endangered Treasures of BLM Lands

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes. From the surprising biological interactions involving desert tortoises and ticks to the hidden carbon-sequestering prowess of desert soils, the episode showcases desert ecosystems, their intricate balance, and the sometimes unexpected roles they play. This episode provides a fresh perspective on how deserts contribute to global environmental stability and why they merit protection.

The first segment of the episode highlights the intriguing relationship between desert tortoises and ticks, specifically the role tortoises play in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever. Clarke discusses research by Dr. Molly June Bechtel, which reveals that desert tortoises possess a blood factor that reduces harmful Borrelia bacteria, thereby offering insights into the greater ecological importance of these critically endangered reptiles.

In another surprising desert fact, Clarke explores the soil carbon sequestration abilities of arid ecosystems. Despite popular misconceptions, deserts store immense amounts of carbon, thanks to unique geological and biological processes such as calcium carbonate formation and glomalin production by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings emphasize the critical environmental role deserts play and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.

The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of desert pavement, a geological phenomenon that stabilizes loose sediment and contributes to air quality by preventing dust pollution. Clarke describes how desert pavement forms over time and its ecological benefits, like housing viable wildflower seed banks. This episode not only captivates with revelations about the intricate mechanisms at play in desert environments but also reinforces the necessity of preserving these ecosystems for their environmental and health benefits.

Key Takeaways

Desert tortoises host ticks, which have a low incidence of Borrelia due to a bactericidal factor in tortoise blood, aiding in controlling tick-borne diseases.

America's deserts act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering over 55 million tons of carbon annually through soil processes like glomalin production and caliche formation.

Desert pavements, formed over time through wind and water interactions, play vital roles in air quality and soil stability.

Protecting desert ecosystems is crucial, not only for conserving biodiversity but also for their role in reducing climate change impacts and preventing the spread of diseases.

The podcast emphasizes the various misunderstood yet essential ecological functions of deserts, advocating for their conservation.

Notable Quotes

"One desert tortoise has done more for human public health than an entire RFK junior."

"We may actually be making climate change worse in the long term by destroying the desert to put in solar power."

"A feature of the landscape that's about as innocuous as you can imagine turns out to clean our air of asthma-inducing dust." 

"If we're going to get through this really ugly period, it's going to have to be about the love."

Resources

Desert Protection Podcast Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Research by Molly June Bechtel, PhD: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/

Andrew Alden's blog post on desert pavement at the Cima Volcanic Field: https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193

More on glomalin from the Summertree Institute: https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/

Desert Advocacy Media Network: https://thedamn.org

To uncover more revealing insights into the remarkable intricacy of desert ecosystems, listen to the full episode.

Episode Summary:
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes. From the surprising biological interactions involving desert tortoises and ticks to the hidden carbon-sequestering prowess of desert soils, the episode showcases desert ecosystems, their intricate balance, and the sometimes unexpected roles they play. This episode provides a fresh perspective on how deserts contribute to global environmental stability and why they merit protection.
The first segment of the episode highlights the intriguing relationship between desert tortoises and ticks, specifically the role tortoises play in reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases like tick-borne relapsing fever. Clarke discusses research by Dr. Molly June Bechtel, which reveals that desert tortoises possess a blood factor that reduces harmful Borrelia bacteria, thereby offering insights into the greater ecological importance of these critically endangered reptiles.
In another surprising desert fact, Clarke explores the soil carbon sequestration abilities of arid ecosystems. Despite popular misconceptions, deserts store immense amounts of carbon, thanks to unique geological and biological processes such as calcium carbonate formation and glomalin production by mycorrhizal fungi. These findings emphasize the critical environmental role deserts play and their potential impact on mitigating climate change.
The episode concludes with a fascinating examination of desert pavement, a geological phenomenon that stabilizes loose sediment and contributes to air quality by preventing dust pollution. Clarke describes how desert pavement forms over time and its ecological benefits, like housing viable wildflower seed banks. This episode not only captivates with revelations about the intricate mechanisms at play in desert environments but also reinforces the necessity of preserving these ecosystems for their environmental and health benefits.
Key Takeaways
Desert tortoises host ticks, which have a low incidence of Borrelia due to a bactericidal factor in tortoise blood, aiding in controlling tick-borne diseases.
America's deserts act as significant carbon sinks, sequestering over 55 million tons of carbon annually through soil processes like glomalin production and caliche formation.
Desert pavements, formed over time through wind and water interactions, play vital roles in air quality and soil stability.
Protecting desert ecosystems is crucial, not only for conserving biodiversity but also for their role in reducing climate change impacts and preventing the spread of diseases.
The podcast emphasizes the various misunderstood yet essential ecological functions of deserts, advocating for their conservation.
Notable Quotes
"One desert tortoise has done more for human public health than an entire RFK junior."
"We may actually be making climate change worse in the long term by destroying the desert to put in solar power."
"A feature of the landscape that's about as innocuous as you can imagine turns out to clean our air of asthma-inducing dust."&nbsp;
"If we're going to get through this really ugly period, it's going to have to be about the love."
Resources
Desert Protection Podcast Website: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com">https://90milesfromneedles.com</a>
Research by Molly June Bechtel, PhD: <a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/">https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/bechtel_ticks/</a>
Andrew Alden's blog post on desert pavement at the Cima Volcanic Field: <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193">https://www.thoughtco.com/theories-of-desert-pavement-1441193</a>
More on glomalin from the Summertree Institute: <a href="https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/">https://summertree.org/the-desert-underground/</a>
Desert Advocacy Media Network: <a href="https://thedamn.org">https://thedamn.org</a>
To uncover more revealing insights into the remarkable intricacy of desert ecosystems, listen to the full episode.

Surprising scientific facts about desert tortoises, the hidden carbon sinks within desert landscapes, and the ecological importance of desert pavement.

S4E10: 3 Ways the Desert Improves Your Life

Chris Clarke explores the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts. He delves into historical and contemporary issues, from indigenous genocide to border wall impacts, underscoring the importance of inclusive environmental advocacy. Clarke also reflects on the diversity challenges within his podcast team, urging for broader representation. Join him for insights on DEI's crucial role in fostering social justice and environmental resilience in desert landscapes. No guests featured this episode.

Resources:

90 Miles from Needles Website: https://90milesfromneedles.com

Southwest Organizing Project 1990 Big Green letter: https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/

Explore the full episode to better understand of how diversity and inclusion intertwine with the fight to protect our deserts.

Chris Clarke explores the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts. He delves into historical and contemporary issues, from indigenous genocide to border wall impacts, underscoring the importance of inclusive environmental advocacy. Clarke also reflects on the diversity challenges within his podcast team, urging for broader representation. Join him for insights on DEI's crucial role in fostering social justice and environmental resilience in desert landscapes. No guests featured this episode.
Resources:
90 Miles from Needles Website: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com">https://90milesfromneedles.com</a>
Southwest Organizing Project 1990 Big Green letter: <a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/">https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/downloads/swop/</a>
Explore the full episode to better understand of how diversity and inclusion intertwine with the fight to protect our deserts.

We explore the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts.

S3E11: Desert Stories

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90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

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