Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson

Sean Claffey is the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Conservation Coordinator at the Nature Conservancy, a role that places him at the center of one of the West’s most overlooked but critically important ecosystems: the sagebrush steppe. Based in Dillon, Montana, Sean works across public and private lands to protect and restore this sprawling, foundational landscape that serves as habitat for countless species, supports rural economies, and connects the region’s valleys and mountain ranges. Through his leadership in the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership—a collaborative effort uniting agencies, landowners, and nonprofits—Sean helps ensure that the health of this “land in between” doesn’t fall through the cracks. In this conversation, Sean and I dig into the complex threats facing sagebrush country, from invasive grasses and wildfire to conifer encroachment and land conversion. We talk about how fire suppression and ecological shifts have allowed evergreens like Douglas fir and juniper to overtake sagebrush, and how Sean’s team is using a mix of prescribed burns, manual thinning, and innovative partnerships with local mills to restore balance to the landscape. He also shares how they’re engaging young people in hands-on restoration work, creating pathways for rural youth to connect with the land and gain meaningful employment. Sean brings a unique blend of scientific insight, community-mindedness, and boots-on-the-ground experience to this work, and he’s quick to credit the collaborative culture of southwest Montana for making so much progress possible. From low-tech wet meadow restoration to building a more resilient restoration economy, this is a hopeful, grounded conversation about how conservation can succeed when it centers people, place, and purpose. If you’re a new listeners and want to go deeper on this subject, I’d encourage you to go back and listen to my earlier episode with Matt Cahill who gives an excellent crash course on the Sagebrush Sea and the epsiode with Austin Rempel and Nancy Smith, who dig deep into riparian restoration in Montana.   But for this episode, be sure the check out the webpage and episode notes for some excellent videos about Sean’s work and links to everything we discuss.  Thanks for listening.  --- Sean Claffey Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership Matt Cahill M&P episode Nancy Smith and Austin Rempel M&P episode Full episode notes, video, and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sean-claffey/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. During the last week of every month throughout 2025, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:26 - Intro and Ed’s love of Dillon 4:14 - The Sagebrush Sea 7:19 - Pressures on the sea 9:42 - Conifer expansion, the main reason for grassland reduction 12:00 - Ecological, environmental, economical 17:52 - Working with the timber industry 21:59 - Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership, not just another NGO 26:41 - Sean’s first priorities with SW MT Sagebrush 30:11 - The way the water should flow 34:47 - Youth programming 40:53 - Cheatgrass, an actual cheater 43:47 - Containing cheatgrass 45:01 - Cheatgrass and fire 47:02 - Working with private landowners 52:58 - Connecting with the community 58:21 - A little more about Sean 1:01:10 - Career advice for people who want to make the world a better place 1:03:54 - Book recs and life recs --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Adam Cramer is the CEO of the Outdoor Alliance, a coalition that brings together human-powered outdoor recreation groups to protect public lands and waters. With a deep understanding of both policy and recreation, Adam has helped position the Outdoor Alliance as a powerful voice in the national conservation movement—bridging the gap between grassroots outdoor communities and high-level decision-making in Washington, DC. Before launching into public lands advocacy, Adam spent years working as an attorney in DC. But outside the office, his life was centered on outdoor adventure—he started as a skateboarder, then became a climber, and eventually a whitewater kayaker. A chance encounter in a river parking area led to his first pro bono conservation case, and that spark ultimately evolved into his full-time vocation. Adam’s story is a testament to the idea that if you care deeply about a place, there’s a way to use your unique skills to help protect it. In this conversation, we talked about the origins of the Outdoor Alliance, Adam’s evolution from attorney to coalition-builder, and why generosity—not dominance—is his guiding principle for leadership. We discussed why civic engagement matters more than ever, how outdoor recreation can build bipartisan bridges, and why showing up—even when it feels small—can make a real difference.  It’s worth noting that we recorded this conversation in early June 2025, just as a wave of new legislation and political turbulence was rolling across the public lands landscape. Since then, things have continued to change rapidly. If you care about the future of outdoor recreation and conservation in this country, I highly recommend signing up for the Outdoor Alliance’s newsletter or following them on social media to stay informed and involved.  Again, a big thanks to the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation for introducing me to Adam, and another big thanks to Patagonia Denver for generously letting us use their community room to record this conversation. Enjoy! --- Adam Cramer Outdoor Alliance Outdoor Alliance - TAKE ACTION The latest from the Outdoor Alliance (as of 6.16.25) Outdoor Alliance on Instagram Sign up for Action Alerts Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/adam-cramer/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation. To whom much is given, much is expected. This value guides the philosophy behind the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation today. Committed to its cause and infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, Mighty Arrow aims to invest in solutions that take action on climate change to build a more vibrant future, repair relationships from farm to market to table, heal our connection to the lands and waters we call home, and demand a more just and equitable society. To learn more about Mighty Arrow’s forward-thinking, optimistic, and visionary work here in the American West and beyond, please visit www.mightyarrow.org. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:05 – Intro (with a jiu jitsu connection) 6:45 – Law school, then what? 8:01 – The individuality of skateboarding 10:38 – Billdering 11:45 – Beginning of kayaking and the end of a relationship 13:40 – A type of code switching 16:26 – Giving back to the places 23:03 – How Outdoor Alliance came together 27:51 – Sticking points 30:46 – Attorney mindset to strategy point-person 33:13 – Leadership inspiration 37:24 – A generous mindset 42:49 – Who’s pro selling off public lands? 45:21 – Guidepost goals 49:04 – The reason Adam got on the plane to Colorado, where he’s talking with Ed 48:14 - Why you should engage with your elected officials 58:30 - Evidence the world doesn’t totally suck 59:43 - Optimistic? 1:03:40 - How to get involved 1:05:06 - Book recs --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Tony Bynum is a conservation photographer, scientist, and advocate who’s spent decades working at the intersection of public lands, Indigenous rights, and environmental storytelling. Based in Montana, his images have helped shape national conversations around energy development, landscape protection, and the cultural importance of the Northern Rockies. His work has been published widely and used by countless conservation organizations to make the case for protecting wild places. Before photography became his profession, Tony spent many years working for the Yakama Nation as a senior scientist, eventually landing in Washington, D.C., where he helped shape tribal environmental policy at the highest levels of government. But his path was never linear. A born-and-bred Westerner, he’s been a cowboy, a fly fishing guide, a federal program manager, and a backcountry wanderer. His guiding principle—“Don’t just love something, do something for it”—has carried him through an unconventional but deeply impactful career. In this episode, Tony tells us about his winding path and the values that have guided him along the way. We dig into his time in D.C., his decision to walk away from a conventional career, and the beginnings of his conservation photography—especially his long-running effort to document proposed energy development near Glacier National Park. As you’ll hear, I stepped back a little bit in the conversation and let Tony tell his story in his own words, and the result is a thoughtful and unfiltered look at what it means to live a life rooted in land and responsibility. You can check out more of Tony’s work by following the link in the episode notes. Thanks so much for listening, hope you enjoy! --- Tony Bynum Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/tony-bynum/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:02 – Intro, where Tony grew up 6:21 – Photography in the early days 9:15 – Just doing interesting things 13:13 – Indigenous and Western takes on science 18:35 – Family dynamics 21:24 – Where the work ethic came from 23:14 – Where Tony didn’t tread 25:48 – Bureaucracy 31:07 – Lessons from the copy room 36:17 – Tony’s purpose in DC 39:01 – And why he had to leave 40:41 – Restarting in Montana 42:46 – Full-time photography 47:07 – A diverse portfolio 50:16 – Film to digital and internet access 56:05 – Finding conservation 58:18 – Energy development near Glacier and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation 1:02:52 – The importance of having a visual context 1:04:04 – Describing the oil and gas map 1:09:51 – Book recs 1:18:04 – Final words --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Jackie Miller is the Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), and Carlos Fernández is the Colorado State Director for The Nature Conservancy. Both are highly respected leaders in Colorado’s conservation community, and they’ve played pivotal roles in shaping the state’s approach to protecting land, water, wildlife, and outdoor access. While Carlos has joined me on the podcast several times before, this is Jackie’s first appearance, and I was honored to have them both on to discuss one of the most significant conservation developments in recent memory. Just a few weeks ago, the State of Colorado announced the launch of its Outdoors Strategy—a comprehensive, collaborative roadmap designed to align the state’s conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience efforts for decades to come. Developed through years of planning, dialogue, and consensus-building across hundreds of organizations and communities, the Strategy addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing Colorado’s landscapes and communities. It’s not just a plan—it’s a shared vision backed by actionable goals, clear metrics, and powerful tools for implementation at the local and statewide levels. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the origin of Colorado's Outdoors Strategy, the urgency behind its creation, and the unique collaborative process that brought it to life. Jackie shares how GOCO’s long-standing community partnerships and flexible funding model positioned the organization to lead at a statewide scale, while Carlos explains how the Strategy dovetails with The Nature Conservancy’s science-based goals and priorities. We also explore the Strategy’s three “North Star” goals, the innovative Resource Hub that supports on-the-ground action, and the importance of regional implementation and tribal engagement. It’s a timely, inspiring look at how Colorado is setting a national standard for coordinated, community-driven conservation. --- Jackie Miller Great Outdoors Colorado Carlos Fernandez The Nature Conservancy in Colorado Colorado’s Outdoor Strategy Episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/jackie-carlos/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. During the last week of every month throughout 2025, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:03 – Intros, Carlos then Jackie 5:09 – Explaining Great Outdoors Colorado 8:51 – How Jackie got to GOCO 11:37 – Carlos on GOCO 15:29 – Challenges that led to Colorado's Outdoors Strategy 19:04 – Opportunities that the Strategy will address 21:33 – Jackie’s executive summary 27:01 – How the Strategy aligns with TNC’s other goals 29:59 – North stars and measuring success 33:22 – The TNC tools Carlos is excited about 36:34 – Creating urgency to execute a plan 40:14 – Face-to-face 42:51 – Carlos’s thoughts on execution 45:49 – How the plan affects the layperson 47:25 – What did we miss? First Jackie 51:29 – Then Carlos 53:31 – Book recs 57:42 – Wrap up words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Sonnie Trotter is a world-renowned rock climber, father, husband, writer, and the author of the new book "Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life." For the past three decades, Sonnie has built a career as one of the most accomplished climbers of his generation— pushing standards, putting up first ascents, and bringing a sense of creativity, humility, and grit to every project he tackles. His new book is part memoir, part meditation on movement and meaning, and it’s one of the most thoughtful and grounded climbing books I’ve read in a long time. In this wide-ranging conversation, Sonnie and I talk about the unexpected ways writing has shaped his life, how his approach to climbing has evolved over the years, and what it’s been like to move from living out of a van to raising a family in the mountains of Canada. We also discuss how he’s stayed grounded throughout his career, his relationship with sponsors like Patagonia, and why gratitude— not rage or ego— has been the driving force behind his decades of commitment to climbing. Sonnie also opens up about how parenting has shifted his perspective on adventure, freedom, and ambition—and how he and his wife are raising their kids in a way that emphasizes curiosity, effort, and joy. Whether you’re a climber, a writer, a parent, or just someone trying to live a meaningful life, there’s a ton of wisdom in this one. Sonnie’s new book "Uplifted" is out now, and I highly recommend picking up a copy—you’ll find a link in the episode notes, along with links to everything else we discussed. Hope you enjoy both this conversation and the book.  Thanks for listening.  --- Sonnie Trotter Uplifted: The Evolution of a Climbing Life Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sonnie-trotter/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 1:55 - Intro, how Sonnie got into writing 4:58 - Influences 8:30 - Why write this book now 12:40 - Stumbling into the climbing world 17:45 - Into the unknown 20:27 - Origins of drive 25:07 - Climbing’s darkness 27:11 - The road to Patagonia 32:23 - Parent perspectives 36:54 - Becoming a parent 42:35 - Getting kids active (a jiu jitsu segway) 48:13 - Training, nutrition and getting older 52:47 - Race to 9A 56:31 - Book recs 59:29 - Final words of wisdom — get back to work --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts  

Cassidy Randall is a journalist and author whose work explores the intersections of adventure, history, and the natural world. Her new book, “Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali,” tells the gripping true story of six women who, in 1970, became the first all-female team to summit North America’s tallest mountain. It's a meticulously researched, beautifully written account that brings long-overlooked voices to the forefront of mountaineering history. As someone with a deep personal interest in Denali, I was especially excited to read this book and speak with Cassidy. In our conversation, we talk not only about the origins of “Thirty Below” and the individual women at the heart of the story, but also about Cassidy’s career as a journalist— how she got started, the path she’s carved through the world of longform storytelling, and how she approaches writing with such clarity, depth, and purpose. She also shares insights into her research process, the challenge of shaping complex narratives, and the broader importance of telling stories that have too often been overlooked or dismissed. Whether or not you’ve ever set foot on a glacier, Thirty Below offers a deep dive into universal themes— resilience, purpose, and the human desire to explore. It’s a story about ambition and endurance, but also about complexity, contradiction, and the ways women have long carved space for themselves in places that often excluded them. Cassidy brings these histories to life with nuance and empathy, honoring the individuality of each woman while raising timeless questions about legacy, belonging, and what drives us to push beyond our limits.  Thanks to Cassidy for writing the book and for taking the time to chat. I hope you enjoy. --- Cassidy Randall "Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali" Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cassidy-randall/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:06 – Intro, how did Cassidy get into Denali? 8:28 – Getting to know Grace 13:08 – Landscape of women in climbing 18:16 – Margaret and her journey with multiple sclerosis 22:39 – Why do people climb mountains? 25:38 – Grace at 88, any discontent? 28:08 – Ed on his experience climbing Denali 31:02 – The process of climbing 37:39 – Adventure for the sake of adventure 42:23 – Writing advice on structure 45:41 – Source change 47:07 – Book writing compared with magazine work 50:36 – Early creativity threads 53:28 – Shifts in the writing industry 55:24 – What is journalism’s role anymore? 1:00:17 – It’s alive! (The content we’re consuming.) 1:01:19 – Denali or McKinley? 1:04:37 – Writer recs 1:08:03 – Pro tips on being a writer 1:10:17 – Wrapping it up --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Sara Domek is Wyoming’s Migration Program Director for The Nature Conservancy. Sara grew up in the small town of Kemmerer and later moved to Pinedale, giving her a rare, firsthand perspective on Wyoming’s working landscapes—both from a natural resources and a conservation standpoint. Her upbringing, paired with years of experience working in nonprofits, agencies, and boots-on-the-ground conservation, makes her uniquely suited to lead TNC’s efforts to protect Wyoming’s world-renowned wildlife migrations. If you’ve spent any time driving through Wyoming, you’ve probably cruised past some of the most important migration corridors in North America—maybe without even realizing it. Sara and her team are working to keep those landscapes permeable, helping mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and other species continue the seasonal journeys they’ve been making for thousands of years. We talk about the science behind migration, how seemingly small barriers like fences can create big challenges for wildlife, and how collaborative conservation—between landowners, agencies, and nonprofits—can create real, lasting wins. Sara also shares some fascinating details about Wyoming’s longest mule deer migration, the importance of building trust with local communities, why cheatgrass is a bigger villain than it looks, and how carefully designed wildlife crossings can benefit both animals and people. We also get into her favorite books, why she’s hopeful about the future, and, once again, the simple but powerful idea that success in conservation often comes down to strong relationships. This is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation with someone who truly embodies the spirit of collaborative, community-driven conservation. I hope you enjoy! --- The Right to Roam: Sustaining Wyoming’s Migratory Herds Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sara-domek --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. During the last week of every month throughout 2025, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:50 – Intro, growing up in Wyoming and valuing natural resources 6:09 – Pinedale and the Wind Rivers 7:15 – Plan after high school 10:37 – Finding TNC 14:16 – Sara describes her job 17:21 – Mule deer and pronghorn migration corridors 21:57 – Fencing and migration 26:25 – Getting the word out about fencing 29:27 – Migration primer: distance, predators and collisions 35:54 – Valley of the warm winds 42:37 – RCPP programs 45:27 – Cheatgrass 101 48:54 – Important partners 51:08 – Prioritizing projects 54:40 – What Sara’s looking forward to 57:57 – Where to learn more 1:00:22 – Book recs 1:03:04 – Parting words --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Cody Wellema is a master hatmaker and the founder of Wellema Hat Co., a highly regarded, California-based custom hat business. For over a decade, Cody built a reputation as one of the country’s premier craftspeople in the art of traditional hatmaking, creating heirloom-quality hats by hand, using vintage tools and techniques that harken back to a slower, more intentional era. His work has been worn by artists, ranchers, musicians, and everyday folks alike, and his shop became not only a destination for finely made hats, but a gathering place rooted in community and craft. On January 8th of this year, Cody and his family lost their Altadena storefront and workspace in the Eaton Canyon Fire, one of the many devastating fires that destroyed a large part of the greater Los Angeles area in early 2025. In the aftermath, he has navigated an overwhelming combination of grief, logistics, and uncertainty—yet throughout it all, he has maintained a sense of gratitude, humility, and forward-looking optimism that is as rare as it is inspiring. As he puts it, the fire forced a kind of reset—one that, while painful, has given him a blank page and the opportunity to reimagine the next chapter of his creative life. In this conversation, we talk about Cody’s early entrepreneurial spirit, his deep appreciation for vintage craftsmanship, and how he taught himself the trade by deconstructing old hats and learning from the past. We also explore the role of presence in parenting, the importance of community, and the creative possibilities that can emerge when the old path is unexpectedly cleared. Cody’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and deep care– for people, for his craft, and for doing things the right way. I was so inspired by Cody’s optimism and gratitude, and I know you will be too. Be sure to check out the episode notes for links to everything we discussed, including a GoFundMe page that was set up to support Cody and his family during this unexpected time of chaos. Thanks for listening, I hope you enjoy! --- Wellema Hat Co. Cody on Instagram GoFundMe page for the Wellemas Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/cody-wellema/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 – Intro, how’s Cody doing? 7:04 – His default wiring is optimism 8:49 – Setting an example for the kids 10:52 – Roots 12:41 – Cody’s evolution 17:33 – Heading out on his own 19:31 – Getting to hats 25:50 – Taking apart old hats 28:33 – Monetization 30:59 – Hindsight and going all in 34:41 – The fear of diving in 38:33 – Time to define 41:14 – More than just hats 46:29 – Blessing in the bad 51:59 – Moving on 56:00 – Cody’s first time voicing his new idea 1:04:59 – Taking the compliments 1:08:56 – Figuring out a blank slate 1:13:00 – Inspiration recs 1:18:16 – Final words of wisdom --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

This is a special live episode recorded this past March at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and it features a conversation I had the honor of moderating with two powerhouse guests: Cate Havstad-Casad of Range Revolution and Daniel Mouw of Duckworth. The title of the panel was Farmer-Founded Brands Will Save American Fashion. At first glance, that might sound like a bold claim, but these two are actually doing the work to make it real. Cate is a designer, hatmaker, and regenerative rancher whose company, Range Revolution, is turning discarded cattle hides into regenerative high-end leather goods. Daniel is the president of Duckworth, a Montana-based wool company that’s rebuilding the American supply chain– one sheep, sweater, and ranch at a time. Together, we dug into some big questions: What happened to American-made textiles? Why are most of us walking around wearing plastic? And what would it look like to rebuild rural economies from the ground up, using natural fibers like leather and wool, raised and processed responsibly, here in the United States? It might sound like we’re talking fashion and manufacturing trends—but this is really a conversation about values, ecosystems, and the future of rural America. Cate and Daniel are funny, deeply thoughtful, and grounded in the realities of both agriculture and business. They bring hard-earned optimism to a conversation that too often gets bogged down in doom and gloom. And they make a compelling case for why fashion can be a vehicle for stewardship, beauty, and connection to the land. We also had a sharp, engaged audience that asked some truly insightful questions– you’ll hear a few of those toward the end. Thanks to Cate and Daniel for the amazing conversation, thanks to SXSW for inviting us, and thank you for listening. --- SXSW Range Revolution Casad Family Farms Duckworth Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/sxsw/ --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 2:10 - Introductions 6:35 - A history lesson in US fiber production 10:22 - Current supply chain challenges facing producers 16:17 - Why natural fibers are superior to synthetics 19:17 - The true cost of synthetics and fast fashion 23:17 - How Range Revolution and Duckworth are restoring economic power to ag producers 27:36 - The unique role of for-profit businesses in solving these challenges 33:13 - Positivity as a strategic business decision 37:09 - How do you scale this regenerative fashion movement? 40:32 - Embracing natural characteristics in design 42:06 - How to capture attention in today’s information age 46:13 - What would an ideal community support system look like? 50:26 - Fabric frequencies! 52:53 - How to convert standard retail buyers into regenerative buyers 56:40 - Any collaboration with the EU fashion industry? --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts

Elliot Ross is a photographer and writer whose work focuses on the intersection of landscape, identity, and justice in the American West. His images have appeared in Time, National Geographic, and The New York Times, and he’s known for deeply researched, long-term projects that combine striking visual storytelling with a journalist’s rigor. Whether he's documenting water access on the Navajo Nation or tracing the contours of Glen Canyon as it reemerges, Elliot brings a rare mix of artistry, empathy, and precision to every assignment. Born in Taiwan and raised on the eastern plains of Colorado, Elliot grew up between cultures and landscapes—an experience that shaped both his worldview and his creative path. He picked up a camera early, inspired by his grandmother’s family albums, and later earned a full-ride to the Savannah College of Art and Design. After college, he cut his teeth in New York City, assisting some of the most high-profile portrait and fashion photographers in the industry. All the while, he was quietly dreaming about building a career on his own terms—one rooted in storytelling, purpose, and the landscapes he still called home. In this episode, we talk about the early experiences that shaped his artistic voice, the evolution of his career, and how he’s learned to navigate the demands of both commercial and documentary work. Elliot shares the backstory of his recent Time magazine cover story on water equity in the West, a project that involved years of reporting, deep community ties, and even a return to the classroom. We also discuss his thoughts on creative endurance, working across political divides, and the role of photography in fostering empathy and connection. I’d encourage you to visit Elliot’s website and dig deeper into all of his work, especially his project A Question of Balance, which became the Time magazine feature. You can find links to everything in the episode notes. Thanks to Elliot for the inspiring and timely conversation, and thank you for listening. --- Elliot Ross Time magazine piece A Question of Balance Full episode notes and links: https://mountainandprairie.com/elliot-ross/ --- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation. To whom much is given, much is expected. This value guides the philosophy behind the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation today. Committed to its cause and infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, Mighty Arrow aims to invest in solutions that take action on climate change to build a more vibrant future, repair relationships from farm to market to table, heal our connection to the lands and waters we call home, and demand a more just and equitable society. To learn more about Mighty Arrow’s forward-thinking, optimistic, and visionary work here in the American West and beyond, please visit www.mightyarrow.org. --- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:05 – Elliot growing up in Taipei and how his parents met 6:00 – Few but vivid memories of Taipei 7:09 – The culture shock of moving to eastern Colorado 8:25 – How photography came into Elliot’s life 10:29 – Reading influences 13:16 – Travel bug 16:22 – Savannah College of Art and Design 18:07 – Parental pressure 19:49 – Credit to high school art teachers 20:54 – Figuring out photography 27:47 – No wavering 29:54 – Moving into independent business 33:29 – Pitching Carhartt 37:03 – Nat Geo ups and downs 42:10 – Near-death experiences 45:44 – Approaching long-term projects 49:35 – Pulling on threads 51:45 – Humans and landscapes 56:35 – Curiosity as the most authentic de-escalator 58:05 – Writing and shooting and doing it all 1:02:45 – Response to the Time story 1:07:35 – A tale of two places 1:13:45 – Using water in the West 1:16:35 – The Desiderata creed 1:17:05 – Book recs 1:23:05 – Parting words --- ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts