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PODCAST

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore 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.

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All Episodes

2:01

Brief hiatus due to house fire

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/02/26

In this update, Chris discusses an unexpected pause in regular programming due to a recent house fire. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but smoke has damaged his family's belongings, including his extensive and cherished library collection, which includes numerous rare and out-of-print books. Amid these challenges, Chris previews an upcoming episode featuring Dr. Jackie Grant, Executive Director of the Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, who will discuss efforts to protect the national monument. Tune in

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57:33

S5E6: Ravens and Splitgrass: A Deep Dive into the...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/02/20

Podcast episode image: ©Jim Boone, BirdAndHike.com This episode, we welcome back Tim Shields, a dedicated desert tortoise biologist whose half-century-long career has been devoted to unwavering efforts in conservation. As we explore abandoned terrains once frequented by old Hollywood, Tim shares his innovative methods combatting raven predation and invasive plant species threatening tortoise habitats. In this captivating episode, Tim Shields explores how the invasive grass Schismus has

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54:43

S5E5: From Nuclear Waste to Restoring Glen Canyon

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/02/13

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke discusses the pressing environmental issues faced by the American Southwest with guest Zak Podmore. The discussion centers around the potential for San Juan County, Utah, to become a storage site for nuclear waste. The conversation explores the environmental and social justice implications of such initiatives, pointing out the burden placed on historically underserved communities that have

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41:14

S5E4: Celebrating 25 Years: The Timbisha Shoshone's...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/02/06

In this enlightening episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke takes listeners to the heart of the desert Southwest for a special commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act. The episode celebrates the journey of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe in reclaiming their ancestral lands in Death Valley National Park. Tribe members, including Jimmy John Thompson, Mandy Campbell, and George Gholson share their stories and highlight ongoing collaborations with the

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59:50

S5E3: How Honeybees Threaten The Desert's Native...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/01/23

In this enlightening episode of 90 Miles from Needles, host Chris Clarke explores the intricate world of bees with Mary O' Brien from Project 1100. The conversation delves into the potentially deleterious effects of honeybee apiaries on public lands, a topic that's both counterintuitive and crucial for the public to understand. Honeybees, although often seen as critical to agriculture and ecosystems, can pose significant threats to native solitary bees that have co-evolved with local flowering

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41:09

S5E2: Cross-Border Conservation in the Big Bend...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast, host Chris Clarke engages in a thought-provoking discussion with guest Rick LoBello about ambitious conservation strategies along the U.S.-Mexico border. Rick shares insights into his life-long campaign to establish a transboundary protected area encompassing Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and several protected regions in Mexico. Despite the current political climate, Rick’s vision emphasizes the possibility of

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54:18

S5E1: Standing Up to Tech Giants: Desert Locals vs....

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2026/01/09

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke looks into the contentious topic of a proposed AI data center in Imperial County, California. As the largest project of its kind proposed in the state, local residents, led by community advocates like Gilberto Manzanarez of Valle Imperial Resiste, express concerns over the establishment's potential environmental and social impacts. The discussion emphasizes the community's grassroots efforts to halt the project through public awareness

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27:30

S4E45: The Desertification Myth: Unpacking the Truth...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/12/20

In this thought-provoking episode of "90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke embarks on a journey to unpack the concept of desertification and its implications for environmental policy. Engaging listeners with tales of ecological history and colonial narratives, Chris explores the intersection of science, politics, and public perception in shaping how we view and treat deserts. Through an insightful discussion backed by the work of geographer Diana K. Davis, he

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30:00

S4E44: Why the Desert's Sounds Matter More Than Ever

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/12/12

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke takes a moment to reflect on the challenges the desert has faced throughout the year. As 2026 looms with potential political upheavals, industrial intrusions, and environmental crises, he underscores the fragility and beauty of the North American deserts. Chris discusses the concept of desert quiet, a theme reflecting not only the absence of noise but the presence of life, and how human

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57:01

S4E43: Saving the Santa Rita Mountains from...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/11/22

In this episode of the 90 Miles from Needles podcast, host Chris Clarke embarks on a detailed discussion with John Dougherty, Executive Director of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas Association, about the invasive copper mining initiatives threatening Arizona's sacred lands. Set against the backdrop of legal and environmental challenges, the conversation highlights the destructive potential of projects like the Copper World mine. With vibrant descriptions of Arizona's natural beauty juxtaposed with the

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26:43

S4E42: Defending the Desert in a World of Lies

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/11/15

In this compelling episode of 90 Miles from Needles, host Chris Clarke explores the delicate balance of truth in natural environments and everyday life. With a focus on the impact of modern technology, Chris explores how misinformation, notably from AI-generated content, can distort our understanding of the natural world. He raises vital questions about the integrity of information and prompts listeners to reconsider how we consume media. This discussion extends to an examination of the timeless

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59:36

S4E41: How Fire, Furloughs, and Federal Cuts Threaten...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/11/07

In this compelling episode of 90 Miles from Needles, host Chris Clarke engages in a deep conversation with Nick Graver as they explore the pressing challenges facing Joshua Trees and desert conservation efforts amid climate change and governmental policy swings. Recorded during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, this episode highlights the hurdles that scientists and conservationists face in protecting vulnerable species against the backdrop of political instability. The

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30:36

S4E40: The Battle for the San Rafael Valley

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/10/31

About the Guest: Andrea Hoerr is a committed environmental advocate working with Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Great Old Broads for Wilderness in Tucson, Arizona. Her work involves fighting against environmentally detrimental projects, such as huge mining operations and the development of border walls in biodiverse regions. Andrea, also known as Dre, uses her expertise as an Arizona Master Naturalist to engage in preserving wilderness areas and fostering grassroots efforts for environmental

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47:54

S4E39: Ideology vs. Wildlife Science: A Conversation...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/10/17

Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke takes listeners into the complex worlds of wildlife policy and desert preservation. The episode features Mandy Culbertson, Communications Director at Wildlife for All, discussing the implications of state and federal-level wildlife governance on biodiversity and the environment, particularly within the Southwest's desert landscapes. She explains how Wildlife for All is working to reform

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16:33

S4E38: 2 Big Reasons to Avoid National Parks During...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke provides valuable insights into the impact of government shutdowns on national parks, especially those within desert regions. The episode opens with a beautiful recording of a hermit thrush by nature sound artist Fred Bell, setting a serene and reflective tone for discussing the challenges facing these national treasures during shutdowns. Clarke advises listeners to reconsider visiting national parks until they are fully operational again

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20:44

S4E37: Desert Communities and United Fronts: Building...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/10/03

Host Chris Clarke takes listeners along on a recent journey to El Paso for the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta. The trip was made possible by supporters who contributed to the Chihuahuan Desert Travel Fund. Clarke shares insights and experiences from traveling over 1600 miles across the deserts of the Southwest. This episode provides a heartfelt thank you to supporters and explores the challenges facing desert conservation. As Clarke reflects on the journey, he explores common ecological threats facing

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45:13

S4E36: The Fallout You Never Knew About: California's...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/09/26

Episode Summary In this eye-opening episode of *90 Miles from Needles*, host Chris Clarke welcomes back Dr. Michael E. Ketterer to explore the unsettling connections between historical nuclear testing in the Nevada Test Site and fallout in unexpected areas like eastern California. With cutting-edge mass spectrometry, Dr. Ketterer reveals how nuclear tests conducted decades ago may have risked public health in unexpected places such as eastern California. The episode not only dives deep into the

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20:36

S4E35: Silencing the Left: The Fight for Truth and...

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/09/20

Chris Clarke discusses the political tensions boiling over in the U.S., particularly surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Clarke offers a profound exploration into the implications of this event on the left-wing movement while criticizing the portrayal of the desert, advocating for the urgent need to protect these delicate ecosystems. As a long-time activist, Chris emphasizes the significance of non-violence in political change and the dangers of one-sided media narratives. Throughout the

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29:06

S4E34: Joshua Trees and Family Trees

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/09/12

Chris Clarke, the host of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast"is a seasoned storyteller, passionate environmentalist, and a desert aficionado. Throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to the protection of desert ecosystems through his writings, activism, and this podcast. Chris's work often intersects with emotional narratives tied to family, nature, and the unique beauty of desert landscapes. Episode Summary: In this heartwarming episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host

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27:49

S4E33: Monsoon Madness: When the Desert Comes Alive

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast ·

2025/09/05

Episode Summary This episode of the "90 Miles from Needles" podcast does a racing dive into the fascinating topic of monsoonal rainstorms in the desert, focusing on their effects and significance. With detailed insights into recent rain events in Twentynine Palms, California, Chris shares the challenges and celebrations that accompany these powerful meteorological phenomena. Amid the backdrop of a biome shaped by water scarcity, the podcast explores both the danger and the necessity of monsoon

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