Episodes

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most extraordinary desert oases on Earth, home to crystal-clear springs and species found nowhere else. This episode explores the refuge's unique ecology, the conservation challenges it faces, and why protecting desert water is vital for preserving biodiversity throughout the Southwest.

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.

A desert superbloom is one of nature's most spectacular events, transforming dry landscapes into seas of wildflowers after the right combination of rain and temperature. This episode explores what causes these rare displays, why they don't happen every wet year, and how visitors can experience a superbloom while helping protect the fragile habitats that make it possible.

Even after the Trump administration ended, border wall construction—and its environmental consequences—continued in unexpected ways. Featuring reporting from The Border Chronicle, this episode examines ongoing border infrastructure projects, their effects on wildlife and desert ecosystems, and the complicated politics surrounding conservation along the U.S.–Mexico border.

Renewable energy is essential for addressing climate change—but where we build it matters. This episode looks at the ecological costs of poorly sited utility-scale solar projects in the desert and discusses how better planning can protect wildlife, intact ecosystems, and public lands while still accelerating the transition to clean energy.

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.

The creosote bush is so common across the Southwest that it's easy to overlook—but it may be the single most important plant in North American deserts. This episode explores the biology, ecology, and remarkable adaptations of Larrea tridentata, from its ancient clones to its role in supporting wildlife and shaping entire desert ecosystems. You'll never look at a creosote flat the same way again.

Ironwood trees are among the ecological giants of the Sonoran Desert, supporting hundreds of species while helping entire ecosystems flourish. In the Season 1 finale, we celebrate this extraordinary tree, explore its biology and importance, and reflect on the first year of 90 Miles from Needles with thanks to the listeners who made it possible.

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.