Under Chevron, agencies interpreted often vague language in laws passed by Congress. Supreme Court’s move now reallocates these decisions to the courts. We explain what this means.

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.

S3E21: The War on Facts: Environmental Protection after Chevron

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. 

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.&nbsp;

Albuquerque, Las Vegas, El Paso, and Other Desert Cities have more in common with each other than any of them do with cities outside the desert.

S4E7: The Southwest's Hidden Urban Histories

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/

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:
<ul>
<li>The Amargosa Valley community's remarkable support for stricter limits on mining activity reflects a strong endorsement of preserving local ecosystems and endemic species.</li>
<li>The growing reliance on national parks for economic and ecological balance underscores the importance of protecting staffing levels to maintain safety and conservation efforts.</li>
<li>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.</li>
<li>Direct personal connections to desert landscapes drive local activism, emphasizing how environmental issues remain deeply personal and community-oriented.</li>
<li>Listening to voices advocating for nature over profit reaffirms the enduring human spirit favoring sustainability and communal well-being over economic gain.</li>
</ul>
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&hellip;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: <a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e2">https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e2</a>
U.S. Fish &amp; Wildlife Service Information on Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows">https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash-meadows</a>
Joshua Tree National Park: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/jotr">https://www.nps.gov/jotr</a>
Growing list of firings at individual NPS units: <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CJgh2K4KG7Ewcp8f-MxrE3y64yRy5N-tND10X3Wmks4/edit?gid=807158143#gid=807158143">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CJgh2K4KG7Ewcp8f-MxrE3y64yRy5N-tND10X3Wmks4/edit?gid=807158143#gid=807158143</a>
Podcast episode photo courtesy the Desert Trumpet, at <a href="https://www.deserttrumpet.org/">https://www.deserttrumpet.org/</a>

We explore the grassroots activism defending desert ecosystems in Amargosa Valley, Nevada and Joshua Tree, California.

S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out

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

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.&nbsp;
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 <a href="https://www.npca.org/">https://www.npca.org/</a>
Contact your Congressional representatives to advocate against federal layoffs in national parks: <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative</a>
90 Miles from Needles' donation page: <a href="https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate">https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate</a>

Chris hosts Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association, discussing recent layoffs in U.S. federal land management agencies, including 9% staff cuts in the National Park Service. They explore the impacts on park safety, visitor experiences, and the economic health of gateway communities.

S3E21: The War on Facts: Environmental Protection after Chevron

In 1 playlist(s)

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips