As we publish, scientists are announcing that the last dozen years are the driest in more than a millennium. With the desert's cities ever more dependent on water from the Colorado River, how will southwestern society meet the challenge of hyper-aridity? Chris and Alicia get water wonky with Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network.

As we publish, scientists are announcing that the last dozen years are the driest in more than a millennium. With the desert's cities ever more dependent on water from the Colorado River, how will southwestern society meet the challenge of hyper-aridity? Chris and Alicia get water wonky with Kyle Roerink of the <a href="https://greatbasinwater.org/">Great Basin Water Network</a>.

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.

Drought on the Colorado River forces us to consider big changes.

S1E4: The End of the Cadillac Desert: Megadrought in the Southwest

Urgent: Find your member of Congress and tell them to vote no on the Lee-Malloy resolution

Episode Summary:

In this timely and engaging episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast, we look into the ongoing legislative challenges faced by Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. In conversation with Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, the discussion unravels the intricacies of environmental policy, community engagement, and the unforeseen impacts of political maneuvers on public lands. This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about conservation and environmental justice.

The episode sheds light on the latest efforts by Utah politicians, including Senator Mike Lee, to overturn the monument's management plan using the Congressional Review Act. Dr. Grant elaborates on the implications of such actions, emphasizing how it could cause chaos across all public lands with management plans. The discussion also highlights the socioeconomic benefits derived from the monument's existence, opposing the idea that these lands are barren and underutilized. Through a meticulous examination of the issue, the conversation underscores the vital importance of community voices and scientific reasoning in land management decisions.

Key Takeaways:
Congressional Review Act Impact: The recent moves by Utah legislators pose a threat not only to Grand Staircase Escalante's management plan but also to the concept of public land management nationwide.
Diverse Stakeholder Engagement: The formation of the monument's current management plan involved extensive input from varied community representatives, highlighting the need for balanced perspectives in environmental policy.
Economic and Ecological Significance: The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument supports local economies through tourism and recreation while preserving diverse ecosystems and night skies.
Urgency of Advocacy: Listeners are encouraged to speak out to their elected representatives to protect public land management plans from being undermined.
Wider Conservation Context: This episode contextualizes Grand Staircase Escalante as a crucial link in the larger preservation corridor stretching from Moab to Mojave.

Notable Quotes:
"The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is almost 2 million acres in size… We don't really know how big a monument needs to be to protect 660 species of native bees." – Dr. Jackie Grant
"If we err on the side of the bigger is more protective, then we know for sure we have protected those bees." – Dr. Jackie Grant
"It seems unlikely, but in this administration, nothing's unlikely anymore." – Dr. Jackie Grant

Resources:
Grand Staircase Escalante Partners
Headwaters Economics Report on National Monuments
Grand Canyon Trust – Information on Grand Staircase Escalante
BLM Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Page
Trinational Sonoran Desert Symposium

Explore the urgent and profound issues featured in this informative episode of 90 Miles from Needles; The Desert Protection Podcast. Stay tuned for more remarkable insights and stories addressing the protection of these precious desert landscapes.

 

Urgent: <a href="https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member">Find your member of Congress and tell them to vote no on the Lee-Malloy resolution</a>
Episode Summary:
In this timely and engaging episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast, we look into the ongoing legislative challenges faced by Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. In conversation with Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, the discussion unravels the intricacies of environmental policy, community engagement, and the unforeseen impacts of political maneuvers on public lands. This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about conservation and environmental justice.
The episode sheds light on the latest efforts by Utah politicians, including Senator Mike Lee, to overturn the monument's management plan using the Congressional Review Act. Dr. Grant elaborates on the implications of such actions, emphasizing how it could cause chaos across all public lands with management plans. The discussion also highlights the socioeconomic benefits derived from the monument's existence, opposing the idea that these lands are barren and underutilized. Through a meticulous examination of the issue, the conversation underscores the vital importance of community voices and scientific reasoning in land management decisions.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Congressional Review Act Impact: The recent moves by Utah legislators pose a threat not only to Grand Staircase Escalante's management plan but also to the concept of public land management nationwide.</li>
<li>Diverse Stakeholder Engagement: The formation of the monument's current management plan involved extensive input from varied community representatives, highlighting the need for balanced perspectives in environmental policy.</li>
<li>Economic and Ecological Significance: The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument supports local economies through tourism and recreation while preserving diverse ecosystems and night skies.</li>
<li>Urgency of Advocacy: Listeners are encouraged to <a href="https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member">speak out to their elected representatives</a> to protect public land management plans from being undermined.</li>
<li>Wider Conservation Context: This episode contextualizes Grand Staircase Escalante as a crucial link in the larger preservation corridor stretching from Moab to Mojave.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ol>
<li>"The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is almost 2 million acres in size&hellip; We don't really know how big a monument needs to be to protect 660 species of native bees." &ndash; Dr. Jackie Grant</li>
<li>"If we err on the side of the bigger is more protective, then we know for sure we have protected those bees." &ndash; Dr. Jackie Grant</li>
<li>"It seems unlikely, but in this administration, nothing's unlikely anymore." &ndash; Dr. Jackie Grant</li>
</ol>
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://gsenm.org/">Grand Staircase Escalante Partners</a></li>
<li><a href="https://headwaterseconomics.org/">Headwaters Economics Report on National Monuments</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.grandcanyontrust.org/hikes/info-cpe-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/">Grand Canyon Trust &ndash; Information on Grand Staircase Escalante</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument">BLM Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.isdanet.org/symposium">Trinational Sonoran Desert Symposium</a></li>
</ul>
Explore the urgent and profound issues featured in this informative episode of 90 Miles from Needles; The Desert Protection Podcast. Stay tuned for more remarkable insights and stories addressing the protection of these precious desert landscapes.
&nbsp;

Chris Clarke hosts a timely conversation with Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, about the potential impacts of a new congressional effort to overturn the monument's management plan. The management plan's erosion could threaten Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument's ecological integrity and its economic implications for local communities. Clarke reflects on the local and national support for this ecological treasure amid political challenges. Additionally, Chris discusses his upcoming travel to the Trinational Sonoran Desert Symposium.

S5E7: The Battle for Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

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.

S1E4: The End of the Cadillac Desert: Megadrought in the Southwest

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