Native Peoples Episodes

Groundwater and surface water may have different names, but ecologically they're often the same resource. Chris Clarke talks with Patrick Donnelly of the Center for Biological Diversity about a major Nevada Supreme Court decision involving Coyote Springs, a proposed desert city whose groundwater pumping could damage the Muddy River and endangered wildlife. The ruling affirms Nevada's ability to consider interconnected groundwater and surface-water systems together, with potentially important consequences for water management throughout the state's arid landscapes.

The federal government is reconsidering where utility-scale solar development should occur across the American West. Chris Clarke examines the Bureau of Land Management's draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, the alternatives it considers, and the enormous areas of public land potentially available for solar development. He looks at exclusion zones, environmental impacts, and an alternative largely absent from the discussion: putting far more solar on rooftops and already-developed land instead of intact desert habitat.

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke introduces four books that will challenge preconceptions about the desert. The first book, "The Arid Lands: History, Power, and Knowledge" by Diana K. Davis, challenges the notion that deserts are wastelands in need of development. The second book, "Peoples of a Sonoran Desert Oasis" by Jared Orsi, explores the history and culture of Quito Bacito and the impact of border policies on the oasis. The third ...

Artist, naturalist, and bestselling author Obi Kaufmann joins the podcast to discuss California's deserts, public lands, and the stories maps can tell. Together we explore how art, science, and conservation can help people see familiar landscapes with fresh eyes—and inspire them to protect what they discover.

The saguaro cactus is an enduring symbol of the American Southwest, yet its life story is even more remarkable than its silhouette. This episode explores the biology, ecology, and cultural significance of the Sonoran Desert's iconic giant, revealing how saguaros support countless other species throughout their centuries-long lives.

For generations, Americans have been taught that deserts are barren wastelands waiting to be developed. This episode challenges those misconceptions by exploring what science—and the desert itself—actually tells us about biodiversity, resilience, and why changing our understanding of these landscapes is essential to their protection.

Across the Southwest, Indigenous communities are leading efforts to protect sacred places, public lands, and cultural traditions. In this episode, Native advocates discuss the connections between environmental stewardship, tribal sovereignty, and the enduring relationship between people and the desert landscape.

Wonder Valley is more than a quiet Mojave community—it's a place where residents are working together to defend the character of their desert home. This episode explores the challenges facing Wonder Valley, from industrial development to land-use conflicts, and highlights how local organizing can help protect both communities and the landscapes that surround them.

Arizona's controversial shipping-container border wall was erected in a matter of weeks—but dismantling it became a powerful symbol of the legal and political battles surrounding border policy. This episode examines why the barrier was built, the environmental damage it caused, and what its removal means for wildlife, public lands, and the future of the U.S.–Mexico border.

Few people have done more to protect the desert than Phil Pister. In this tribute, we remember the pioneering conservationist whose work helped save California's desert fishes from extinction and inspired generations of environmental advocates. We reflect on his legacy, his approach to conservation, and the lasting impact of a life devoted to protecting some of the desert's smallest—and most remarkable—creatures.

Despite decades of habitat loss and declining populations, there are still reasons for optimism about the Mojave Desert tortoise. This episode explores the threats facing this iconic reptile, the conservation efforts showing promise, and why protecting connected desert habitat remains essential to its recovery.

The debate over protecting California's western Joshua tree continued long after the initial proposal for legal protection. This episode provides an update on the political and scientific discussions surrounding the species and explains why decisions made today will shape the future of one of the Mojave Desert's defining plants.