Desert Dispatch Media is bringing together artists and communities to document how the AI buildout is affecting desert lands and the people who live there. Chris talks with organizer Melinda Matson Spina, filmmaker Jodi Darby, and musician Sage Bond about their planned community-led documentary, a short film for public assemblies, and the stories they hope to gather across the Southwest.

Sage describes composing with sounds and materials from the land, while Jodi explains how footage contributed by community members can shape the larger film. Chris also surveys actions communities and tribal governments are taking in response to proposed data centers.

Links and further reading


Desert Dispatch Media


Listen to Sage Bond on YouTube


The Border Chronicle and its fifth-anniversary celebration


Virginia’s Data Center Accountability Framework
Gallup: Americans Oppose AI Data Centers in Their Area — In a March 2026 national survey, 71% of U.S. adults opposed construction of an AI data center in their local area.


Support 90 Miles from Needles
Episode image is from a satirical website dated 2013

Desert Dispatch Media is bringing together artists and communities to document how the AI buildout is affecting desert lands and the people who live there. Chris talks with organizer Melinda Matson Spina, filmmaker Jodi Darby, and musician Sage Bond about their planned community-led documentary, a short film for public assemblies, and the stories they hope to gather across the Southwest.
Sage describes composing with sounds and materials from the land, while Jodi explains how footage contributed by community members can shape the larger film. Chris also surveys actions communities and tribal governments are taking in response to proposed data centers.
Links and further reading
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://thedamn.org/desertdispatchmedia/">Desert Dispatch Media</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@sagebond8919">Listen to Sage Bond on YouTube</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.theborderchronicle.com/">The Border Chronicle</a> and its <a href="https://www.theborderchronicle.com/the-border-chronicle-turns-five-whats-next/">fifth-anniversary celebration</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.energychief.virginia.gov/datacenters/">Virginia&rsquo;s Data Center Accountability Framework</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/709772/americans-oppose-data-centers-area.aspx">Gallup: Americans Oppose AI Data Centers in Their Area</a> &mdash; In a March 2026 national survey, 71% of U.S. adults opposed construction of an AI data center in their local area.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/donate/">Support 90 Miles from Needles</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://nsa.gov1.info/utah-data-center/index.html">Episode image is from a satirical website dated 2013</a></li>
</ul>

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

90 Miles from Needles is a podcast about the environment, landscapes, and people of the American deserts—the Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Great Basin and beyond. Host Chris Clarke explores desert ecology, wildlife, public lands, history, culture, road trips, conservation and the people working to protect these landscapes.

90 Miles from Needles is a podcast about the environment, landscapes, and people of the American deserts&mdash;the Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Great Basin and beyond. Host Chris Clarke explores desert ecology, wildlife, public lands, history, culture, road trips, conservation and the people working to protect these landscapes.

Meet the artists behind Desert Dispatch Media’s community-led documentary about AI infrastructure, data centers, and desert communities.