90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast
Join Chris Clarke as he explores the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.
90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast
Join desert environmental journalist Chris Clarke as he explores the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest's fragile but vibrant ecosystems. Hear engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. And we take roadtrips!
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Oct. 3, 2025
S4E37: Desert Communities and United Fronts: Building a Cross-Desert Protection Movement
Chris Clarke embarks on a journey to the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta in El Paso, sharing insights from his travels and engaging encounters. He highlights the importance of desert protection, discussing his experiences with passionate advocates across diverse desert communities. Chris explores the sign…
Sept. 26, 2025
S4E36: The Fallout You Never Knew About: California's Hidden Nuclear Legacy*
Chris Clarke and Mike Ketterer explore the fallout from nuclear testing and its unexpected impact on regions considered "safe," like Inyo and Mono counties in California. Discover the surprising results of isotopic testing and the potential health legacy of communities near past nuclear test sites.
Sept. 19, 2025
S4E35: Silencing the Left: The Fight for Truth and Justice in Uncertain Times
Chris discusses the fallout from media control and recent political events, emphasizing the need for grassroots support and engagement. The episode touches on the struggles small media outlets face against corporate control and authoritarian tendencies, urging listeners to spread the word.
Sept. 12, 2025
S4E34: Joshua Trees and Family Trees
Chris Clarke reflects on his first encounter with the North American deserts, sparked by a 1966 road trip with his father, James Clarke, who recently celebrated his 91st birthday. This episode revisits a previously shared piece by Chris exploring family ties, personal history, and the profound conn…
Sept. 5, 2025
S4E33: Monsoon Madness: When the Desert Comes Alive
Monsoonal rainstorms reshape the desert landscape, and in this episode, Chris explores their recent impact on 29 Palms. Despite the chaos, the storms bring life, vibrancy, and transformation to the arid region. Clarke shares survival tips during flash floods and reflects on the power of nature, fro…
Aug. 22, 2025
S4E32: Joshua Trees are Still Caught in the Climate Crossfire
Chris Clarke and Brendan Cummings discuss the recent approval of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan by California's Fish and Game Commission. Brendan outlines the journey from the 2019 petition for protection to the 2023 Conservation Act, highlighting its aim to combat climate threats and ma…
Aug. 15, 2025
S4E31: 5 Years On: Cima Dome After the Flames
Chris Clarke reflects on the fifth anniversary of the Dome Fire, which devastated over 44,000 acres of the Joshua Tree forest in the Mojave National Preserve. The episode explores themes of loss, recovery, and environmental impact, as Clarke recounts his personal connection to the area and its tran…
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E30: Episode 100 | Former Wildland Firefighter Ruth Nolan's Literary Mission
A distinguished voice in desert poetry and a former wildland firefighter, Ruth Nolan shares her insights into the ecological challenges and intrinsic beauty of California's deserts through her evocative poetry.
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