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Episodes

S4E10: 3 Ways the Desert Improves Your Life
April 1, 2025

S4E10: 3 Ways the Desert Improves Your Life

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....
S4E9: DEI and Desert Protection
March 25, 2025

S4E9: DEI and Desert Protection

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.
S4E8: Plan Sonora: The New Face of Green Colonialism
March 18, 2025

S4E8: Plan Sonora: The New Face of Green Colonialism

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…
S4E7: The Southwest's Hidden Urban Histories with Kyle Paoletta
March 11, 2025

S4E7: The Southwest's Hidden Urban Histories with Kyle Paoletta

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…
S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out
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...
S4E5: DOGE Layoffs Are Sabotaging Public Lands
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...
S4E4: Other Podcasts You Should Check Out
Feb. 18, 2025

S4E4: Other Podcasts You Should Check Out

This week, Chris shifts focus to recommending several podcasts that align with the mission of desert protection and conservation. Marissa Ortega Welch’s “How Wild” challenges conventional perceptions of wilderness by explorin...
Teaser: a quick update
Feb. 11, 2025

Teaser: a quick update

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," Chris provides listeners with an update on the state of the podcast. Despite a minor setback due to illness, Chris emphasizes the importance of authentic desert protection content w...
S4E3: Ivanpah Solar to shut down
Jan. 29, 2025

S4E3: Ivanpah Solar to shut down

Episode Summary: In this extensive episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke dives into the controversial Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Station project in the Mojave Desert. He examines the ecological impacts ...
S4E2: Good News at Ash Meadows
Jan. 21, 2025

S4E2: Good News at Ash Meadows

About the Guest: Mason Voehl is the Executive Director of the Amargosa Conservancy, which works to protect and celebrate the valuable ecosystems within the Amargosa Basin. Voehl's work includes a special focus on groundwater ...
Guest: Mason Voehl
S4E1: Moab to Mojave: The Largest Conservation Corridor Explained
Jan. 14, 2025

S4E1: Moab to Mojave: The Largest Conservation Corridor Explained

In this first episode of Season Four, we look at: Wildfires and Power Infrastructure: Power lines and climate change are making wildfires worse, so it's time to think about smaller, local power setups. Chuckwalla National Mon...
Season Four coming soon!
Jan. 6, 2025

Season Four coming soon!

Explore the vital efforts in desert conservation with the return of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." Season four kicks off on January 14th. We explore the profound impact the desert has on global enviro...
S3E37: BLM Cozies Up To Renewable Energy Companies
Dec. 24, 2024

S3E37: BLM Cozies Up To Renewable Energy Companies

Join Chris Clarke as he discusses apparent collusion between Nevada's BLM staff and energy companies with journalist Jimmy Tobias. In this enlightening episode, explore the controversy surrounding the development of Greenlink...
Guest: Jimmy Tobias
S3E36: Laughing Coyotes and Saguaro Dreams: An Unlikely Desert Awakening
Dec. 18, 2024

S3E36: Laughing Coyotes and Saguaro Dreams: An Unlikely Desert Awakening

The desert is more than a landscape; it is home. Chris Clarke's personal narrative exemplifies this connection, merging personal reflection with broader ecological advocacy. For those invested in its fate, the desert isn't ju...
S3E35: Reimagine, Rebuild, Resist: Creating the World We Want Together
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 ...
S3E34: Hope the Mexican Wolf: A Tale of Survival and Loss in Northern Arizona
Nov. 19, 2024

S3E34: Hope the Mexican Wolf: A Tale of Survival and Loss in Northern Arizona

Join host Chris Clarke as he delves into the poignant tale of Hope, a Mexican wolf, with Greta Anderson from Western Watersheds Project. Discover the politics behind wolf recovery north of Interstate 40, and the broader impli...
S3E33: Dr. Naomi Fraga on the Frontlines of Botanical Conservation
Nov. 12, 2024

S3E33: Dr. Naomi Fraga on the Frontlines of Botanical Conservation

Join host Chris Clarke and guest Dr. Naomi Fraga, Director of Conservation Programs at the California Botanic Garden, as they explore the challenges and successes in desert plant conservation in Nevada. Discover the plight of...
Guest: Naomi Fraga
S3E32: Vote, Engage, and Protect Our Desert
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 ...
S3E31: Return of the Lobo: Restoring Texas' Mexican Wolves
Oct. 22, 2024

S3E31: Return of the Lobo: Restoring Texas' Mexican Wolves

About the Guest(s): Chris Clarke is the host of the "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." He brings a wealth of knowledge about wildlife and conservation topics, particularly relating to the American Southwe...
S3E30: Exploring the Art and Science of Joshua Trees
Oct. 15, 2024

S3E30: Exploring the Art and Science of Joshua Trees

Explore the rich intersections of art, ecology, and desert life in this episode with Juniper Harrower, Sant Khalsa, and Chris Clarke. As curators and contributors to the "Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees" exhibition and ...
S3E29: Barbed Wire and Border Walls: The Unseen Cost of Fragmented Habitats
Oct. 8, 2024

S3E29: Barbed Wire and Border Walls: The Unseen Cost of Fragmented Habitats

About the Guest : Ben Goldfarb is an award-winning environmental journalist and prolific author known for his focus on the intersection of human activity and wildlife. His works, including Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shapi...
Guest: Ben Goldfarb
S3E28: There Ain't No Big Faucet: Water Politics with the Great Basin Water Network
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...
Guest: Kyle Roerink
S3E27: Los Alamos's Dark Legacy: Plutonium Pollution in Plain Sight
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...
S3E26: The New Western Solar Plan: A Disaster for Desert Ecosystems?
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...