Utah Episodes

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.

Journalist Zak Podmore joins us to explore nuclear waste storage proposals in southeastern Utah, revealing concerns about the environmental and cultural impact on indigenous lands. Podmore discusses his book "Life After Dead Pool," detailing the transformation of Glen Canyon as Lake Powell diminishes and the potential for decommissioning the Glen Canyon Dam.

Mary O'Brien from Project 1100 joins us to discuss the often-overlooked impact of honeybee apiaries on public lands, highlighting the threat they pose to native bee species and their critical role in desert ecosystems. The episode explores the unique biodiversity of deserts, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of native bees in pollination. Listeners will gain insights into how industrial beekeeping practices disrupt this balance and what can be done to protect these vital pollinators. Discover the hidden stories of our deserts and the small but crucial inhabitants they shelter.

Morgan Sjogren shares an evocative reading from her recent book Path of Light : A Walk Through Colliding Legacies of Glen Canyon discussing uranium mining's impact on red rock country and the broader implications for desert landscapes.

Explore urban environmental restoration at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai in South Salt Lake, guided by Parker Lloyd from the Tracy Aviary. Discover how this innovative project offers a sanctuary for native wildlife and a community haven amid industrial sprawl.

Chris Clarke hosts a compelling discussion with Diné activist Davina Smith on the significance of the Bears Ears National Monument.

In this first episode of Season Four, we look at: Wildfires and Power Infrastructure: Power lines and climate change are making wildfires worse, so it's time to think about smaller, local power setups. Chuckwalla National Monument: Creating this monument is a big step in keeping sensitive ecosystems safe from the impacts of climate change. Moab to Mojave Conservation Corridor: This amazing set of protected lands showcases a joint effort to preserve the Southwest's unique landscapes. ...

Chris Clarke talks with public lands journalist Jonathan Thompson about Utah's lawsuit seeking greater state control over federal lands and what it could mean for development, recreation, conservation, and NEPA.

Great Salt Lake is shrinking, threatening an ecosystem of hemispheric importance to migratory birds. Chris Clarke travels to Utah to examine efforts to protect the lake and the Wilson's phalarope, a remarkable shorebird that depends on saline wetlands during its enormous migrations. Scientists and advocates consider whether the Endangered Species Act could provide another tool for protecting both the bird and its habitat, while Utah residents gather at the State Capitol to demand action for the lake.