Episodes
Sept. 24, 2024
S3E28: There Ain't No Big Faucet: Water Politics with the Great Basin Water Network
About the Guest: Kyle Roerink is the Executive Director of the Great Basin Water Network. Roerink has been a pivotal figure in advocating for sustainable water management across the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. His o...
Sept. 18, 2024
S3E27: Los Alamos's Dark Legacy: Plutonium Pollution in Plain Sight
About the Guest: Dr. Michael E. Ketterer is a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Northern Arizona University. With extensive expertise in analytical chemistry and environmental analysis of radionuclides such as uranium and pl...
Sept. 3, 2024
S3E26: The New Western Solar Plan: A Disaster for Desert Ecosystems?
Chris Clarke delves into the controversial final programmatic environmental impact statement for the western Solar Plan, revealing the potential ecological damage from vast solar developments across 11 states. Despite persona...
Aug. 27, 2024
S3E25: Utah's Public Lands Lawsuit Sparks Controversy
Public lands in Utah take center stage as Governor Spencer Cox announces a lawsuit aiming to shift control of those lands from federal to state hands. Chris Clarke explores the implications with Jonathan Thompson, a long-time...
Aug. 20, 2024
S3E24: The Fight to Protect the Pahrump Valley
The rise of renewable energy projects, particularly solar farms, in desert regions has sparked concern regarding their impact on native wildlife, including the desert tortoises. Solar panels cover vast tracts of land to captu...
Aug. 7, 2024
S3E23: Moonlit Deserts and Lost Love
In this heartfelt episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke shares an evocative reading from his book, "Walking with Zeke," reflecting on meaningful experiences with his previous dog Zeke. This story reveals the d...
July 24, 2024
S3E22: Debunking Snake Misconceptions
Chris chats with Lucas Basulto, president of the Desert Advocacy Media Network, from a swelteringly hot living room about snakes in the desert. They trade snake stories, discuss common misconceptions about these reptiles, and...
July 16, 2024
S3E21: The War on Facts: Environmental Protection after Chevron
Under Chevron, agencies interpreted often vague language in laws passed by Congress. Supreme Court’s move now reallocates these decisions to the courts. We explain what this means. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfr...
June 26, 2024
S3E20: Desert Protection versus Climate Capitalism: Can we have both?
A representative of a Canadian mining firm poised to damage Ash Meadows and the Amargosa says opponents might be shills for oil and gas companies. We take him to task. We often hear that sacrificing natural landscapes is a ne...
June 18, 2024
S3E19: Oh, those dark desert skies
Episode Summary: In this enlightening episode of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast , host Chris Clarke delves into the importance of dark skies over the Southern California desert. With guests Mitch Miller ...
June 11, 2024
S3E18: Don't Die Today! Staying Safe in Desert Heat
Surviving and thriving in desert heat require a combination of knowledge, preparation, and vigilance. Understanding the immediate dangers, recognizing early symptoms of heat injuries, and taking practical precautions can help...
June 4, 2024
S3E17: Submerged No More! Restoring Chemehuevi Land and Traditions
Daniel Leivas, Southern Paiute-Chemehuevi from Lake Havasu, shares his journey of reviving ancestral agricultural practices on the Chemehuevi Nation's traditional farm. He narrates how his family transformed the land into a t...
May 21, 2024
S3E16: Ash Meadows Faces New Mining Threat
In this episode we welcome back Mason Voehl from the Amargosa Conservancy for an engaging and informative update on the situation surrounding Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the threat of lithium mining explorations ...
May 15, 2024
S3E15: The Surprising Longevity of Desert Plants
Discover the ancient plants of the desert in this episode of 90 Miles from Needles. From the 11,700-year-old King Clone creosote bush to the surprisingly long lifespans of cholla cacti and Mojave yuccas, host Chris Clarke exp...
May 7, 2024
S3E14: Saving El Paso's Rio Bosque Wetlands
Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke engages with Jon Rezendes to explore the rich ecological landscape and current environmental threats facing the Chihuahuan Deser...
April 30, 2024
S3E13: Why Protecting Cultural Sites is Important
In this revealing episode, we delve into the clandestine underworld of archaeological site looting and cultural vandalism in the Southwest. Our esteemed guests, Shannon Cowell and Dustin Whiting of Archaeology Southwest, shin...
April 25, 2024
S3E12: Our 50th Episode
In this 50th episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke reflects on the importance of protecting the desert and the need for more desert activists. He discusses the challenges faced by the desert, including resourc...
April 16, 2024
S3E11: Desert Stories
In this episode host Chris Clarke shares his recent visit to the Amargosa Basin, highlighting the stunning wildflower bloom and the importance of supporting local communities. He also presents three captivating desert stories...
April 3, 2024
S3E10: Can the Wilson's Phalarope Save the Great Salt Lake?
Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of "90 Miles from Needles," the Desert Protection podcast, we journey with the host to the shores of the rapidly shrinking Great Salt Lake and the steps of the Utah State Cap...
March 26, 2024
S3E9: How Avi Kwa Ame Transformed My Life
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke reflects on the significance of the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in Nevada. He shares personal stories of his deep connection to th...
March 19, 2024
S3E8: Border Wall: A Barrier to Wildlife and Humanity
In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke interviews Myles Traphagen, a conservationist and scientist working with The Wildlands Network. They discuss the impact of the border wall on wildlife and the envi...
March 6, 2024
S3E7: Saving the Chihuahuan Desert with Frontera Land Alliance
Discover the beauty and biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert in this episode of "90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast." Host Chris Clarke explores the challenges of conserving this vast desert, primarily loca...
Feb. 27, 2024
S3E6: Joshua Trees and Family Trees
In this episode, host Chris Clarke shares an excerpt from his book in progress about the Joshua tree, the signature plant of the Mojave Desert. He reflects on his experiences in the desert, the balance of nature, and the kins...
Feb. 20, 2024
S3E5: Protecting the Great Bend of the Gila
Join host Chris Clarke as he explores the proposed Great Bend of the Gila National Monument with advocates Skylar Begay and Mike Quigley. They discuss the importance of protecting this pristine Sonoran Desert landscape, rich ...