Episodes

Discover how grassroots activism and environmental awareness halted a resource-intensive project threatening water and energy supplies in the Arizona desert. Learn about the vital role of unified community voices and progressive city leaders in this victory.

This chapter of our 100th episode showcases poetry and prose, celebrating the Mojave and Amargosa regions' beauty and resilience. Cameron Mayer shares poetry on plants like the Honey Mesquite and Mojave Aster, exploring themes of nature's resilience and connection.

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.

This chapter of our 100th episode highlights the inspiring victory against the proposed lithium mining project near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

We discuss crucial topics affecting public media, including funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and their impact on stations serving rural and tribal communities.

Chris Clarke reflects on the recent loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge, urging listeners to prioritize visiting their own wish lists of desert sites before they vanish.

Join host Chris Clarke and guest Kevin Emmerich, Co-Founder of Basin and Range Watch, as they discuss the environmental implications of the Greenlink West transmission line projects in Nevada.

This episode highlights the human cost of migration through one of the harshest terrains on earth, the Sonoran Desert, while advocating for more humane approaches to immigration and border policies.

Chris shares a crucial update on the show's release schedule, shifting new episodes to Fridays for better work-life balance. Previously released on Tuesdays, this change allows Chris to reclaim weekends and connect with family while continuing to advocate for desert conservation. Expressing gratitu…

Explore the evolving debate over a budget rider proposed by Senator Mike Lee that threatens to privatize millions of acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

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.

Investigative journalist David Helvarg talks to us about threats to democracy, public lands, and global environmental activism amid escalating misinformation and violence.

Chris Clarke explores Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book "Abundance," scrutinizing its stance on environmental regulations.

Chris interviews Laurie Cantillo, Chair of Humane Borders. They discuss the organization's critical work in saving lives by providing water in the Sonoran Desert, the challenges faced by migrants, and the alarming militarization of the US-Mexico border.

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke sits down with Teal Lehto, a passionate water rights activist also known on social media as Western Water Girl. Teal shares insights into her work on public lands protection, the challenges posed by current legi…

In this engaging episode of the "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke is joined by author Barret Baumgart. The conversation centers around Baumgart's book "Yuck," which explores the peculiar and iconic Joshua Tree. From its historical misunderstandings and numero…

Chris explores the controversial claim of dire wolves' de-extinction, the ecological implications, and the potential risks tied to genetic modification. Get insights into recent political maneuvers, the delicate nature of ecosystems, and why reviving the past isn't as simple as it seems.

Episode Summary: In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast, host Chris Clarke engages in a compelling conversation with author Josh Jackson about the significance of BLM lands in California. Josh...

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke looks into three astonishing science facts about deserts that challenge traditional views of these arid landscapes....

We explore the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with desert protection, highlighting how Trump's attacks on DEI harm not just people but also the ecosystems and communities inhabiting deserts.

Chris Clarke hosts an engaging discussion with Caroline Tracey, a journalist with The Border Chronicle, on the environmental and political challenges surrounding Plan Sonora, Mexico's ambitious renewable energy project. They examine the complex issues of lithium mining, solar and natural gas develo…

Join host Chris Clarke for an insightful discussion with journalist Kyle Paoletta about his book "American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest." Explore surprising histories and contemporary challenges of cities like Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and El Paso, and their role in shapin…

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into two pivotal events illuminating the current challenges and triumphs in desert conservation efforts. The episode captures the essence o...