Episodes
Nov. 8, 2023
S2E14: Obi Kaufmann and The Deserts of California
About The Guest(s): Obi Kaufmann is an artist, author, and naturalist known for his California Field Atlas series. His latest book, "The Deserts of California," explores the biodiversity and ecological systems of California's...
Oct. 23, 2023
S2E13: Dealing With Loss
It's been a minute since we published an episode, in part because Chris and Alicia have had complicated lives. Here's how we contend with bad news inside and out of the desert: we go to ground in the desert. Become a desert d...
Aug. 26, 2023
S2E12: The Majestic Saguaro, Part 1
We delve into the world of the saguaro cactus, exploring its cultural significance, scientific studies, and more. We talk to journalist Henry Brean of the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson storyteller Audrey Scheere about differe...
July 26, 2023
S2E11: Globemallow Binding the Desert's Wounds
Chris and Alicia discuss the recent victory in delaying exploration for lithium near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. They also announce the formation of the Desert Advocacy Media Network, the podcast's new nonprofit org...
July 11, 2023
S2E10 Save Ash Meadows!
Mason Voehl from the Amargosa Conservancy joins hosts Chris Clarke and Alicia Pike to discuss the threat posed by a Canadian mining company's plans to conduct exploratory drilling for lithium near the Ash Meadows National Wil...
June 13, 2023
S2E9: What We Got Wrong About the Desert
We spend a lot of time correcting misapprehensions about the desert. But don't get the impression we think we're flawless! We've made our share of mistakes about the desert as well. In this episode, we share some of the thing...
May 29, 2023
S2E8: Native Activism in the Desert (Part 1)
Chris and Alicia talk to Elizabeth Paige of Native American Land Conservancy and Save Our Springs. Podcast episode photo by John Fowler. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate See omnystudio.com/list...
April 23, 2023
S2E7: Superb Loom
There are flowers to be seen in the desert, if you know where to look. Chris and Alicia de-stress while enjoying the best of the desert, and discuss how best to celebrate such effusive blooms without destroying them. Become a...
April 9, 2023
S2E6: Border Chronicle: Biden Still Building Trump's Border Wall"
We here at 90 Miles from Needles are big fans of The Border Chronicle podcast and email newsletter, and in this episode, we're republishing an episode from that podcast first aired in November in which Melissa Del Bosque talk...
March 19, 2023
S2E5: The Problems with Desert Solar
The US Interior Department is rethinking the ways it has managed big corporate solar on public lands, and we have opinions. Chris pontificates based on his many years of covering public lands renewable energy as a recovering ...
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...
Feb. 2, 2023
S2E3: Governor Ducey's Border Wall Comes Down
In late 2022, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ordered the illegal construction of sections of ineffective but ecologically disastrous border wall made out of shipping containers. Then, in response to a federal order as he prepare...
Jan. 18, 2023
S2E2: Remembering Phil Pister
Edwin P. (Phil) Pister, who died January 17, was a fisheries biologist long employed by the California Department of Fish and Game (now Fish and Wildlife.) He was involved in working to protect numerous fish in Eastern Califo...
Jan. 17, 2023
S2E1: Larrea tridentata a.k.a. the Humble Creosote
Welcome to Season 2! Chris and Alicia spend time communing with an 11,700-year-old creosote in the Mojave Desert, and discuss the species' importance as well as the ethics of treating millennia-old beings as disposable. King ...
Nov. 28, 2022
S1E22: Season Finale! Ironwoods: the Sonoran Desert's Tree of Life. Plus thank you
The desert ironwood, Olneya tesota , is the basis of an entire ecosystem in the Sonoran desert. And this ecosystem includes people. Alicia and Chris hike in Ironwood Country and talk to the renowned Petey Mesquitey, host of G...
Nov. 7, 2022
S1E21: The Desert Tortoise Still Has a Chance
The largest reptile in the Mojave faces threats ranging from predation to illegal collection to loss of habitat. But the desert tortoise has defenders. We talk to Tim Shields of Hardshell Labs about his campaign to use 21st c...
Oct. 25, 2022
S1E20: California still doesn't know what to do about the western Joshua tree
On October 12, the California Fish and Game Commission postponed a decision yet again on whether to grant the western Joshua tree protection under the California Endangered Species Act. Chris and Alicia speak to Brendan Cummi...
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...
Sept. 21, 2022
S1E18 Chris is Stressed Out + Some Good News
We're not going to be able to save the desert if we self-immolate. Alicia reads Chris the riot act about taking time to enjoy the desert without being preoccupied by saving it. He responds by heading to the Colorado River. Al...
Sept. 7, 2022
S1E17: Mylar Balloons: threat or menace? plus Joshua Tree NP AMA
Alicia takes on one of her personal bugbears: the endless supply of mylar balloons landing in the desert, choking wildlife and starting fires, just because people don't care what happens to their floating trash. Also, we subj...
Aug. 21, 2022
S1E16 Flood and Drought; Death Valley and the Great Salt Lake
As the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts contend with record rainfalls, climate change and urban development are drying up the Great Salt Lake. We talk to David Smith of Joshua Tree National Park about floods in desert parks, and Za...
Aug. 7, 2022
S1E15 What Keeps You Going plus Bristlecone Pines
With bad news all around, how do we keep up our strength and resolve to protect the places that matter? Chris and Alicia start an ongoing conversation in a couple of those places. In between, 90 Miles from Needles talks to LA...
July 21, 2022
S1E14 The Bean Trees! But first, please help us
There's good news: the desert offers sweet sustenance that can be had for a little bit of work. And we mean actual food, not that metaphorical well being stuff. Though that's here too. But first, Chris offers some thoughts on...
July 7, 2022
S1E13: Don't Die Today: Heat in the Desert
Chris enjoys the desert at its hottest. Alicia, on the other hand, is closer to sanity. Both of them treat desert heat with respect. We talk about how to make sure your time in the desert doesn't end in tragedy. The desert ne...