For our last episode of 2025, we bring to our listeners some much needed information on a public lands topic. What would coal mining look like from a National Park? Why is this being proposed? Let's take a deep dive with the Legal Director & Attorney Steve Bloch of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA)!

Steve talks about how SUWA is working to stop coal mining from being implemented in the 48,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land that would directly affect visitors' experiences in Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef National Parks and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. He also tells us his favorite fossils, details an account with a raccoon who stole his food, and more!

Thank you to our listeners for tuning in for our 2025 Rangers of the Lost Park podcast kickoff. We are so grateful for you and plan on ramping up our content even more for 2026. We sincerely hope you have a happy New Year and go in with a new sense of vigor and hope.

Learn more about this issue on SUWA's website.
Follow SUWA on Instagram: @ProtectWildUtah.

Other Sources:

1. U.S. Energy Information Administration: Coal Explained.
2. Stanford University: Q&A: Stanford expert explains why we continue burning coal for energy.
3. @thegarbagequeen on TikTok.

Follow ROTLP on Instagram: @rangersofthelostpark.
Follow ROTLP on TikTok: @rangersofthelostpark.

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