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90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast

By: Chris Clarke
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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.

2026 Desert Advocacy Media Network Biological Sciences Science Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • S5E13: A Partnership Torn Asunder

    S5E13: A Partnership Torn Asunder
    Apr 24 2026

    Episode Artwork by Carl Dennis Buell.

    In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke shares a poignant and introspective narrative about his early years in the Mojave Desert, weaving together personal reflections and environmental insights. Chris takes listeners on a journey back to 2008, reflecting on his time in the small town of Cima, California, and the unique experiences that have shaped his understanding of desert ecosystems and the vital partnerships within them.

    Chris explores the intriguing history of the Joshua tree, its interaction with the extinct Shasta ground sloth, and the fascinating complexities of ecological relationships over time. With vivid storytelling, he describes the challenges faced by these iconic desert plants in the face of climate change, highlighting the interconnectedness of species and the profound impact of historical events on modern-day ecology.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Chris Clarke draws a compelling parallel between his personal journey and the ecological history of the Mojave Desert, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in understanding environmental issues.
    • The episode highlights the critical role that extinct species, like the Shasta ground sloth, played in the dispersal of Joshua tree seeds, illustrating the interconnectedness of past and present ecosystems.
    • Through reflections on climate change, Chris underscores the urgent need for proactive conservation measures to safeguard desert landscapes and their unique biodiversity.
    • The story of Cima, California, serves as a microcosm of broader desert challenges, including invasive species and human impacts on fragile environments.
    • Personal anecdotes and historical insights combine to create an engaging and thought-provoking narrative, reinforcing the value of desert ecosystems and the need for their protection.

    Notable Quotes:

    • "You know you're in a small town when your post office box number is lower than your age."
    • "Joshua trees are once again likely to die out in at least the southern parts of their range. But this time around, they have no sloths to carry their descendants northward."
    • "Live with someone long enough, and invariably, even after the relationship ends, an image of the other remains behind."
    • "The desert tree must now somehow manage on its own."
    • "This gentleman holds two mutually contradictory beliefs in his head, without noticing the incongruity."

    Resources:

    • More information on the Shasta ground sloth and its kin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothrotheriops
    • Rodent Mediated Seed Dispersal of Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia)

    For those who cherish the intricate narratives of the desert and its enduring mysteries, this episode of "90 Miles from Needles" is a must-listen. Join Chris Clarke as he unravels the threads of time and ecology, offering insights that resonate with both the heart and mind. Stay tuned for more captivating stories and essential discussions on desert conservation in upcoming episodes.

    Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    36 mins
  • S5E12: Whose Desert Is It Anyway? Navigating Change in the Mojave

    S5E12: Whose Desert Is It Anyway? Navigating Change in the Mojave
    Apr 17 2026
    About the Guest(s): Ruth Nolan: Ruth Nolan is a distinguished poet, educator, and an ardent desert advocate residing in the Joshua Tree area. With extensive experience living in Coachella Valley and the Mojave Desert, she has become a central figure in desert literature and education. Ruth serves as a Professor of English and Creative Writing at College of the Desert and was honored as the first Mojave Desert Literary Laureate in 2021. She is the editor of "No Place for a Puritan: The Literature of California's Deserts" and the author of "After the Dome Fire". Her work emphasizes the cultural and environmental significance of the desert. Episode Summary: In this compelling episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Ruth Nolan, examining the impacts of art festivals on the desert community, specifically focusing on the High Desert Art Fair near Joshua Tree. Clarke and Nolan critically analyze the language and intentions behind a recent LA Times article that portrayed Pioneertown's art fair as a cultural mecca, akin to the Hamptons or Marfa. This raised significant concerns among locals about the gentrification and ecological footprint on their cherished desert. Through an insightful conversation, Nolan shares her discontent with the article's portrayal of the desert as an exploitable blank slate, intended as a playground for affluent city-dwellers. Nolan, rooted in a deep appreciation for the desert's unique charm, critiques the growing trend of large-scale cultural incursions that disregard the needs and voices of local residents. The episode further explores the concept of desert protection by urging new inhabitants and visitors to approach the desert with respect and stewardship rather than seeking to transform it into an urban extension. Key Takeaways: Gentrification Concerns: Ruth Nolan expresses concern over the influx of affluent outsiders transforming the Joshua Tree area, highlighting community displacement and environmental implications.Media Influence: The interview critiques media portrayals which often serve as promotional content rather than objective journalism, significantly impacting local perceptions and realities.Local Voices Matter: The need for community involvement and acknowledgment of local voices in discussions about development and conservation is emphasized.Desert's Unique Identity: Nolan advocates for the protection and appreciation of the desert's intrinsic beauty and fragility, pushing back against external visions imposing changes.Environmental and Social Stewardship: Encouraging newcomers to embrace sustainable practices and support local conservation efforts is vital for the desert's future. Notable Quotes: "Ask what you can do for the desert, not what the desert can do for you." – Ruth Nolan"Are we not learning that there's nowhere else to go after this?" – Ruth Nolan"The magic's already here. Just get out of your own head and go listen." – Ruth Nolan"There's a difference between moving here and connecting and respecting, and importing yourself because you have a vision." – Ruth Nolan"Eventually, what had looked like a monotonous expanse of boring, scraggly shrubs reveals itself as a magnificent expanse of boring, scraggly shrubs." — Chris Clarke Resources: The Border Chronicle: What Do Argentina's Disappeared Have to Do With Unidentified Migrants on the U.S.-Mexico Border?"Just outside Joshua Tree, this art fair set in a desert motel is building something you can’t get in L.A.": Los Angeles TimesRuth Nolan's Latest Work: "After the Dome Fire"Mojave Desert Land Trust: Mojave Desert Land TrustMorongo Basin Conservation Association: Morongo Basin Conservation AssociationNative American Land Conservancy: NALC This episode of "90 Miles from Needles" invites listeners to reconsider how art, development, and culture intersect with conservation in sensitive desert ecosystems. Tune in to the full episode for a deeper exploration into these pressing topics and subscribe for more insights on desert protection and community advocacy.Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    33 mins
  • S5E11: Help Us Preserve Deep Desert Reporting

    S5E11: Help Us Preserve Deep Desert Reporting
    Apr 10 2026

    In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," Chris describes how the rise of the internet and profit-driven media ownership have decimated local news outlets and journalists' jobs. Within this context, Chris introduces a new Fellowship for Desert Reporting, aiming to foster in-depth, contextual journalism that connects desert communities to important environmental narratives.

    Chris Clarke recounts his experience in journalism, emphasizing the need for deep reporting that goes beyond superficial coverage of isolated events. He explains the fellowship's goals of nurturing new voices, providing aspiring journalists with the support and resources to develop expertise, and encouraging more comprehensive reporting on environmental and social issues affecting desert regions. The episode also touches on the dwindling support for local journalism and the potential transformative impact of community-driven media initiatives. As Chris notes, "You can't understand one project or one event without understanding the system it exists within," highlighting the necessity of systemic approaches to reporting on the desert's complex challenges.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The substantial decline in traditional journalism has left many communities without comprehensive, contextual reporting.

    • The Fellowship for Desert Reporting aims to transform how desert stories are told, emphasizing long-term perspectives and deep, systemic analysis.

    • Chris Clarke explains that understanding environmental events requires a grasp of the systems and structures that underpin them.

    • The podcast seeks to diversify its reporting by bringing in new voices with local expertise in desert communities through the fellowship.

    • Listeners are encouraged to support this initiative, helping maintain diverse and impactful journalism in underrepresented areas.

    Notable Quotes:

    • "The desert isn't a collection of isolated events. It's a system." - Chris Clarke

    • "Give journalists the time and space to develop expertise, to build institutional memory, to internalize context." - Chris Clarke

    Resources:

    • 90 Miles from Needles Website

    • Fellowship for Desert Reporting Information

    • Contact Chris Clarke: chris@90milesfromneedles.com

    Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    18 mins
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