In this episode, I interview Tim Whitehouse, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Tim discusses PEER's unique mission in representing public employees, particularly whistleblowers. Our conversation touches on the challenges faced by public employees, the critical state of public lands, and the impact of current administrative policies. Tim emphasizes the importance of public engagement and support for civil servants and federal workers.

https://peer.org/

https://peer.org/areas-of-work/public-lands/grazing-reform/mapping-rangeland-health/

01:33 Tim Whitehouse's Career Journey

02:44 The Mission and Work of PEER

04:13 Challenges in Public Land Management

08:54 Whistleblower Protections and Challenges

16:35 Impact of Administrative Policies on Public Employees

31:07 Current State and Future of Public Lands

38:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, I sit down with Brock Evans, a legend in the conservation movement. Brock is now 88 years old and lives in La Grande, Oregon with his wife Linda. He discusses his decades-long journey of conservation efforts ranging from protecting the North Cascades National Park, to the Hells Canyon and the French Pete drainage in Oregon. He recounts his encounters with logging and mining threats, his involvement with the Sierra Club, his friendships with key figures like David Brower, and his experience lobbying in Washington, D.C. Brock emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism, drawing boundaries around lands you want to see protected, and adapting new strategies for the contemporary conservation movement. He also shares personal stories of organizing local communities to protect wild places on public lands highlighting the roles of passion and unity in successful conservation efforts.

https://www.wakerobinpress.com/endless.html#/

https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Win-Evanss-Strategies-Eco-warrior/dp/0578132958

https://www.hellscanyon.org/single-post/preremembering-brock-evans-oregon-conservationist

04:10 Brock Evans' Early Conservation Efforts

05:10 Discovering the Wilderness and Activism

09:57 The Fight for the North Cascades

11:37 Battles Against Logging and Mining

15:55 Organizing for Conservation

20:24 Hells Canyon and Legislative Battles

44:49 National and International Conservation Efforts

46:48 David Brower and the Sierra Club

51:16 Early Days and Financial Struggles

52:06 Campaign to Protect French Pete Creek

55:29 Grassroots Activism and Love Battles

58:56 Challenges in Modern Conservation

01:07:34 The Importance of Naming and Boundaries

01:15:27 Advice for Future Generations

01:17:13 Reflections on a Life of Advocacy

01:33:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode, I interview Len Montgomery — the Great Outdoors Campaign Director for Environment America, about her background in environmental activism and her work to protect public lands and forests. Len shares insights from her early days collecting public comments for the Roadless Rule and her experiences as an environmental organizer. Our discussion delves into the history and significance of roadless areas, the ongoing threats from recent and current administrations, and the importance of combining both traditional and modern organizing methods. Len also talks about the need for public education, the role of various environmental groups, and the broader implications of logging and wildfire management on national forests as it relates back to roadless protections.

01:48 The Roadless Rule: History and Significance

02:57 Challenges and Threats to Roadless Areas

03:45 Len Montgomery's Journey in Environmental Activism

05:35 Organizing and Advocacy: Then and Now

09:54 Understanding Roadless Areas and Their Importance

23:21 The 2001 Roadless Rule and Its Impact

28:29 Recent Developments and Political Challenges

50:20 The Role of Public Support and Future Advocacy

59:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

https://environmentamerica.org

In this episode, I interview Jim Pattiz of More Than Just Parks, to talk about the unprecedented damages to public lands that we can soon expect from the recent enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill. First, we discuss his latest film about the Ocmulgee Mounds, an ancient indigenous gathering site in Georgia before moving on the impacts of the recent reconciliation bill, highlighting the massive increases in mandated logging on federal lands, long-term timber contracts, unsustainable coal mining practices, and how these policies undermine environmental protections. We also discuss how the United States and the public domain is being “asset stripped” for value for the wealthy and the ruling class. Our discussion also emphasizes the erosion of legal frameworks like NEPA, and the rollback of safeguards meant to protect roadless areas using the Tongas National Forest as one example. Jim underscores the need for political and public action to reverse these damaging policies, advocating for a legislative rider that can safeguard public lands and serve as a strategic political win for Democrats in the months ahead.

06:20 The Ocmulgee Mounds: A Historical and Cultural Treasure

19:42 Reconciliation Bill: The Biggest Attack on Public Lands in Modern History

47:24 Mandates and Quotas

48:59 The Decline of the Coal Industry

52:33 Environmental Rollbacks and Their Consequences

53:48 Logging and Local Economies:

56:39 Reinstating Canceled Leases

59:35 The Roadless Rule and Its Implications

01:07:56 Public Lands: A Political Battleground

01:14:30 A Call to Action: Protecting Our Public Lands

01:32:12 Conclusion: The Importance of Public Lands

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40873920-the-lost-city-of-the-monkey-god

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212428/

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/60165403-wild-new-world

More Than Just Parks

In this episode, I speak with Dallas Gudgell, a tribal member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes about the conservation movement today, indigenous perspectives, and the current state and challenges of bison management in and around Yellowstone National Park. Dallas discusses tribal leadership and inclusive decision-making in addressing climate change and biodiversity, and also highlights the need for better representation of tribal interests in conservation efforts, the impact of siloed federal agencies, and the potential benefits of holistic management practices led by indigenous people. Our conversation also covers the restoration of bison populations writ large, both on public lands and tribal territories, and legislative efforts to protect keystone species like bison, grizzly bears, and wolves.

https://www.dallasgudgell.com/

https://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

03:15 Challenges in Tribal Representation

06:23 Dallas’s Background and Experience

09:11 Bison Management and Tribal Efforts

10:42 Legislation and Tribal Management

22:44 Genetic Concerns and Migration

30:38 Tribal Coordination and Management

48:35 Upcoming Tribal Buffalo Summit

52:11 Final Thoughts and Resources

In this episode, Glenn Monahan of the Gallatin Yellowstone Wilderness Alliance discusses the history of the Gallatin Range land exchanges, focusing on Big Sky's development and the impact on wilderness protection. Initiating with land ownership complexities since 1862, Glenn describes the role of pivotal land exchanges in the 1990s. He highlights the changing dynamics of land use advocacy, now influenced by industry and recreation groups, and criticizes the Gallatin Forest Partnership and their draft legislation that jeopardizes wildlife. Glenn’s presentation underscores the significance of informed decisions for the future preservation of the wild Gallatins and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as a whole.

01:29 Historical Land Exchanges and Wilderness Protection

02:27 Wildlife Habitat and Migration Corridors

02:58 The Importance of Historical Land Consolidation

03:26 The Gallatin Forest Partnership Controversy

03:46 Personal Experiences in the Gallatins

04:34 The Complex History of Land Ownership

05:59 The Checkerboard Land Pattern and Its Challenges

06:52 The Role of Railroads in Land Distribution

07:35 Land Ownership Changes and Development

11:07 The Big Sky Resort and Environmental Impact

13:24 The Yellowstone Club

15:56 The Grand Bargain and Land Swaps

20:55 Current Threats and the Gallatin Forest Partnership

24:26 Mountain Biking and Wilderness Management

28:38 Proposed Wilderness Protections and Future Vision

20:51 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, I interview Matt Mikkelsen of Quiet Parks International, to discuss the importance of preserving quiet in our natural and urban environments. Matt delves into the effects of noise pollution, such as increased stress levels and its impact on wildlife communication. Our conversation also highlights the global efforts by Quiet Parks International to certify quiet places, the personal and societal benefits of quiet, and the ongoing challenge with military aircraft noise in Olympic National Park. Additionally, Matt shares insights into his background, his work in nature sound recording, and his filmmaking projects that focus on the natural world and its preservation. The episode emphasizes the need for collective awareness and action to protect and cherish the rare and valuable commodity of quiet in today's increasingly noisy world.

https://www.quietparks.org/

https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025/07/18/nature-sounds-noise-planet-quiet

01:30 The Impact of Noise Pollution

01:57 Raising Awareness and Support

02:17 Revisiting the Interview with Matt Mickelson

04:24 The Reality of Van Life

06:54 The Mission of Quiet Parks International

10:53 Challenges in Preserving Quiet Spaces

14:28 The Importance of Quiet in Nature

21:36 The Quietest Square Inch and Military Challenges

25:47 Realistic Training Exercises and Their Issues

27:39 The Impact of Noise Pollution on Communities

28:49 Understanding Infrasound and Its Effects

32:21 The Fight for Quiet Places

33:36 Exploring Quiet Parks Around the World

43:58 Matt's Journey and Filmmaking Career

51:15 Quiet Tourism and Future Projects

https://www.quietparks.org/

In this episode, I interview Michael Garrity, executive director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies. Mike discusses in detail numerous legal battles led by the Alliance, aimed at protecting imperiled species such as grizzly bears, bull trout, and lynx, from destructive practices such as road building, logging, and livestock grazing. Specific examples from regions like the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Targhee National Forest, and various projects in Montana and Idaho illustrate the wide-reaching effects of these legal actions. The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (otherwise known as NREPA) is presented as essential for preserving the northern Rockies and its world-class biodiversity by designating 23 million acres of roadless lands as wilderness and protecting 1,800 miles of wild and scenic rivers. Our conversation concludes with a call to action for public support and awareness to push for NRPEA and emphasizing that the success of NREPA and similar initiatives relies heavily on public engagement and the eventual support of major environmental organizations.

www.allianceforthewildrockies.org

https://allianceforthewildrockies.org/NREPA/

03:45 Discussion on Prescribed Fires and Their Impacts

05:56 Controversial Public Lands Provisions in Legislation

08:07 Timber Contracts and Environmental Concerns

19:29 Legal Challenges and Environmental Litigation

41:28 Impact of Logging on Bull Trout Habitats

41:40 Legal Battles and Environmental Advocacy

46:22 Citizen Enforcement and Legal Misconceptions

49:05 Working with Hunters and Anglers

52:22 Challenges with Elk and Predator Management

01:01:05 Expanding Environmental Protection Efforts

01:04:13 The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

01:15:37 Call to Action and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I catch up with Maya Khosla and Craig Swolgaard in the field in a recently burned snag forest near Mono Lake, California. Our discussion revolves around the ecological importance of snag forests (areas with standing dead trees primarily caused by wildfires and/or insects). Maya and Craig discuss the ecological significance and the rich biodiversity of snag forests, emphasizing their unique role in supporting a wide range of plant and animal species, particularly birds. Our conversation features observations about various bird species, their nesting habits, and the astounding natural regeneration occurring in these burned forests. Highlights include discussions on the challenges posed by industrial exploitation, misinformation, and inadequate environmental protections of these misunderstood and under appreciated ecosystems.

Maya Khosla is a biologist and writer who has served as Poet Laureate of Sonoma County in California. Her books include “All the Fires of Wind and Light,” and “Keel Bone.” She is now working as a filmmaker highlighting biomass energy and forests.

Craig Swolgaard is a retired scientist with a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science (UC Davis) and a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology (Sacramento State University). Craig has conducted extensive field research for the John Muir Project searching for nesting black-backed woodpeckers in post-fire forests across the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascades. He is co-author of the paper “Reproduction of a Serotinous Conifer, the Giant Sequoia, in a Large High-Severity Fire Area” in the journal Fire, 2024.

01:02 Support and Accessibility

02:37 Episode Overview: Snag Forests

03:39 Field Observations and Insights

04:17 Ecological Importance of Snag Forests

05:46 Birds and Biodiversity in Burned Forests

08:45 Challenges and Misconceptions

20:03 Black-backed Woodpecker: A Keystone Species

32:47 Research and Conservation Efforts

37:20 The Sequoia Forest Crisis

37:45 National and International Significance

39:00 Replanting and Biodiversity

40:36 Concerns About Biomass Energy

41:58 Environmental Impact of Bioenergy

43:36 Clear Cutting in Canada

44:13 Glyphosate Use on Public Lands

45:35 Exploring the Burned Forest

46:15 Bird Watching in the Burned Forest

53:16 Personal Stories and Backgrounds

56:33 Key Messages on Forest Management

58:27 Bird Behavior and Nesting

01:00:46 The Importance of Public Lands

In this episode, I mic up Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project in the sequoia groves of Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park in Southern California as part of a preliminary research trip to study post fire recovery. Chad discusses the response of the National Park Service to the 2020 and 2021 wildfires revealing discrepancies between government claims and the actual state of sequoia regeneration in high-intensity fire areas. Chad exposes the misleading narrative used to justify aggressive active forest management practices, and illegal manipulation in designated Wilderness..

https://johnmuirproject.org/

00:00 National Park Service Deception and Its Consequences

04:44 Exploring the Redwood Mountain Grove

05:34 Sequoia Regeneration and Government Mismanagement

14:03 Historical Context and Misleading Narratives

19:07 The Reality of Sequoia Regeneration

21:23 Challenges and Observations

35:53 High Intensity Fire Patches and Sequoia Survival

42:25 Natural Regeneration Post-Fire

42:52 Sequoia Seedlings and Shrub Cover

44:44 Challenges to Natural Regeneration

46:08 Impact of Human Intervention

47:09 Root Pathogens and Seedling Mortality

54:01 Misleading Public Information

54:17 Government Actions and Public Deception

57:18 Consequences of Logging and Management

59:07 The Reality of Sequoia Regeneration

01:05:08 Scientific Miscalculations and Data Issues

01:13:35 Call for Honest Communication

01:15:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Also listen to episode #24 if you missed it!