Politics And Activism Episodes
Covering the intersection of policy, grassroots movements, and environmental activism in the fight to protect desert lands and communities.
March 4, 2025
S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out
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...
Feb. 26, 2025
S4E5: DOGE Layoffs Are Sabotaging Public Lands
Episode Summary In this episode, we discuss the recent layoffs affecting the National Park Service and other land management agencies. Featuring Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association, the episode look...
Nov. 26, 2024
S3E35: Reimagine, Rebuild, Resist: Creating the World We Want Together
Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke delivers an impassioned reflection on the results of the recent election. He traces the roots of today's situation ...
Nov. 5, 2024
S3E32: Vote, Engage, and Protect Our Desert
In this special Election Day 2024 episode of "90 Miles from Needles," Chris sheds light on the crucial role of civic engagement in the ongoing struggle to protect North America’s deserts. Released strategically on a day when ...
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...
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...
Jan. 29, 2024
S3E3: The Fight Against Flamingo 640; How a Community Stood Up to Big Development
In this episode, host Chris Clarke discusses the successful fight against a proposed glamping project called Flamingo 640 in the California desert. Clarke is joined by community member Caroline Partamian, former president of ...
Feb. 18, 2023
S2E4: Protecting Wonder Valley
Alicia talks to a well-organized group of desert denizens who are working together to stop an inappropriate development from destroying their way of life, and the desert environment they cherish. For more information, or to t...
Oct. 11, 2022
S1E19: Shannon Salter Fights to Save the Desert
Solar in the built environment could meet America's need for electrical power. But still the desert is in the crosshairs. Public lands with intact habitat are coming under extreme threat because of the Inflation Reduction Act...