The Landscape

In this discussion, Alan Zibel, a research director at Public Citizen specializing in energy and environmental issues, delves into the implications of Trump's 'energy dominance' agenda for public lands. He highlights the U.S. as a leader in natural gas exports and critiques the environmental consequences of excess production. Zibel explores the political ties between energy policies and industry interests, raising questions about the motivations behind them. Additionally, he addresses Biden's new conservation efforts and the ongoing controversies surrounding energy regulation.

In this insightful discussion, Chris Clarke, host of the 90 Miles from Needles podcast and a dedicated environmental journalist, dives into the controversial Cadiz pipeline project. He reveals how this water mining initiative threatens the Mojave Desert’s delicate ecosystem and scrutinizes the complex history of the project since the 1980s. Clarke also discusses the ecological and cultural stakes of aquifer depletion, stressing the urgent need for conservation efforts and the impact on indigenous communities.

In this special episode of The Landscape, Kate visits the Dolores River Canyon Country in southwest Colorado, along with CWP’s Lauren Bogard and Sterling Homard, to meet with folks who support protecting this special region. The Dolores River’s riparian zone contains the largest and most biodiverse stretch of unprotected public lands in Colorado. Advocates are currently working to protect this area through a national monument proposal and legislation to establish a national conservation area. Come with us on this audio journey to learn more about the future of the Dolores River Canyons. News Colorado lawmakers work to protect Dolores River Canyon by end of year – Durango Herald Resources Learn more about the national monument proposal Sign the national monument petition Join the Dolores River Boating Advocates Meet the National Monuments Disinformation Brigade Transcript  Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Dolores Canyon Overlook; Source: BLM Colorado/Flickr  The post Special episode: Inside the Dolores River Canyons appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities, and Curtis Hubbard, a seasoned political consultant from Colorado, dive into the implications of the recent election results on public lands. They discuss the threatening tides of fossil fuel policies and Project 2025's potential overhaul of public land management. The duo emphasizes the importance of community involvement in conservation, navigating political challenges, and the risks of unqualified oversight. Tune in for insights on how these political shifts could transform America's treasured landscapes!

Sanjay Narayan, managing attorney at the Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program, delves into the lawsuit challenging the Uinta Basin oil train project. He discusses the case's implications for the National Environmental Policy Act and how it could reshape environmental regulation. Narayan highlights the balance between environmental concerns and energy demands, local health impacts, and the potential legal chaos if NEPA is weakened. The conversation also touches on the shifting political landscape and its influence on environmental governance.

Kate and Aaron are joined by Dr. Dominick DellaSala, Chief Scientist at Wild Heritage, a project of the Earth Island Institute. Dr. DellaSala came on The Landscape twice last year to talk about the Biden administration’s plans to protect mature and old growth forests. He recently wrote an op-ed for the Seattle Times in which he says the Forest Service’s is still planning to allow logging in mature and old growth forests. We talk about why that’s the case, how the Old Growth Amendment process plays into this, and what the Biden administration can do about it, then discuss recent headlines about wildlife connectivity in forests and carbon sink failure. News Biden delivers “long overdue” apology in Arizona for Indian boarding school atrocities – CBS White House must redirect the Forest Service to preserve old forests – Seattle Times USDA Announces Department-wide Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity – USDA Trees and land absorbed almost no CO2 last year. Is nature’s carbon sink failing? – The Guardian Group puts up fence, claims ownership over 1,400 acres of Colorado forest, sparking outrage – Colorado Sun Resources Land Management Plan Direction for Old-Growth Forest Conditions Across the National Forest System – U.S. Forest Service Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Old growth forest, Oswald West State Park, Oregon; USFWS/Flickr   The post What Biden can do for America’s forests before he leaves office appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Kate and Aaron are joined by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers CEO Patrick Berry to talk about why Utah’s lawsuit seeking control of over 18 million acres of national public land in the state would be terrible for sportsmen across the West. News Other states urge Supreme Court to hear Utah federal land case – E&E News ‘A beautiful thing’: Klamath River salmon are spotted far upstream in Oregon after dam removal – Los Angeles Times Opinion: Risking Utah’s hunting heritage: Where’s the truth in Utah’s land transfer plans? – Deseret News Resources Utah is not for sale – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Sign the petition against Utah’s land grab lawsuit Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Bull elk, Blacktail Deer Plateau; Source: NPS/Flickr   The post How Utah’s land grab lawsuit could harm hunting in the West appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Kate and guest host Sterling are joined by journalist and producer Marissa Ortega-Welch to talk about her new podcast series, How Wild, which was recently released by KALW and distributed by NPR. The podcast explores how the concept of capital W wilderness is changing due to climate change, technology, crowding, and shifting views on colonialism. News Leaked recordings detail a major environmental agency quietly gutting its workforce – Vox New Federal Rules Aim to End Tax Confusion for Tribally Owned Businesses, Boost Clean Energy Projects – Native News Online Resources How Wild podcast Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, near Vail; Source: PDTillman/Wikimedia Commons     The post How climate, crowds, and colonialism are complicating the concept of Wilderness appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Aaron and Kate are joined by members of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe to talk about the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument in southern California. This is part of our Road to 30 postcards series, in which we highlight local efforts to protect iconic landscapes around the country. A Tribal elder, a Tribal youth, and one of the leaders of the monument proposal talk about why it’s important to protect this desert region as part of a broader cultural landscape that connects Avi Kwa Ame National Monument and the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. News Two oil and gas companies orphaned a record number of wells in Colorado last year, records show – CPR News Resources Sign the petition and learn more about the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument  Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Courtesy of Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe/Bob Wick   The post Meet the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument—a 390,000 acre landscape in the California desert appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Wyatt Myskow, a reporter for Inside Climate News, dives into the fascinating story of the endangered Devil's Hole pupfish in Nevada's Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Discover how this small fish is transforming its image from villain to hero amidst a controversial lithium mining proposal. Wyatt highlights the growing alliance between environmentalists and the local community, uniting to protect vital water resources. The discussion emphasizes the delicate balance between economic development and ecological preservation, showcasing a unique fight for conservation.