In this episode, I speak with Ryan Talbott the Pacific Northwest Conservation Advocate for WildEarth Guardians, about their work monitoring the Forest Service and BLM timber sale programs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Ryan discusses the origins and achievements of the Legacy Roads and Trails program, the impact of recent legislative and administrative changes on forest management, and the pressure faced by the Forest Service to meet timber targets. We also discuss internal Forest Service discussions revealed through FOIA documents, highlighting the ongoing conflicts between conservation efforts and industry demands. Ryan emphasizes the importance of public forest land and the need for continued advocacy to protect these vital ecosystems from increased logging pressures.

https://wildearthguardians.org/

00:25 Forest Service and Timber Sale Programs

01:00 Legacy Roads and Trails Program

04:12 Timber Targets and Forest Management

07:31 Northwest Forest Plan 

10:34 Industry Influence and FOIA Findings

18:31 Challenges and Future Outlook

33:09 Personal Reflections on Public Lands

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Chad Hanson of the John Muir Project to discuss the unique ecological role of giant sequoias and the critical importance of high-intensity fires for their reproduction. Chad outlines the widespread misunderstanding among policymakers and the public about these majestic trees and forests, emphasizing that low-intensity fires do not provide the conditions needed for giant sequoia regeneration. He criticizes the Save Our Sequoias Act, describing it as misleading and sure to cause irreparable harm to these unique forests facilitating industrial logging under the guise of conservation. Our conversation also covers the Park Service's controversial logging and planting activities in wilderness areas post-fires (yes, you read that right), which Chad argues further endangers these ecosystems. Chad calls for informed public activism and legislative changes to protect these vital groves from destructive policies.

https://johnmuirproject.org/

00:05 Exploring Sequoia Groves

02:08 The Misunderstood Giant Sequoias

03:28 Fire Adaptation and Dependency

05:22 Policy and Misconceptions

08:12 The 2020-2021 Fires

09:43 National Park Service's Response

12:27 Regeneration and Misleading Data

16:47 Logging and Its Impact

19:52 Emotional Impact and Ecological Importance

24:40 Logging Operations and Findings

28:29 Destruction of Giant Sequoia Forests

29:23 Legal Battles and Public Awareness

29:47 National Parks and Logging Controversies

30:27 Misguided Notions and Financial Motives

36:05 Trump Administration's Impact on Logging

37:58 Legislative Loopholes and Needed Reforms

42:38 Call to Action and Public Mobilization

51:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I speak with Ryan Talbott the Pacific Northwest Conservation Advocate for WildEarth Guardians, about their work monitoring the Forest Service and BLM timber sale programs in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Ryan discusses the origins and achievements of the Legacy Roads and Trails program, the impact of recent legislative and administrative changes on forest management, and the pressure faced by the Forest Service to meet timber targets. We also discuss internal Forest Service discussions revealed through FOIA documents, highlighting the ongoing conflicts between conservation efforts and industry demands. Ryan emphasizes the importance of public forest land and the need for continued advocacy to protect these vital ecosystems from increased logging pressures.

https://wildearthguardians.org/

00:25 Forest Service and Timber Sale Programs

01:00 Legacy Roads and Trails Program

04:12 Timber Targets and Forest Management

07:31 Northwest Forest Plan 

10:34 Industry Influence and FOIA Findings

18:31 Challenges and Future Outlook

33:09 Personal Reflections on Public Lands

In this episode, I interview Char Miller, a historian and professor with a focus on public lands, agencies, and land management. Char discusses the complexities of Gifford Pinchot's philosophy, contrasting it with that of John Muir, particularly around the conservation versus preservation debate. He offers insights into the historical development of public lands in the United States, the interconnection between local and federal influences, and the challenges posed by the current political climate under the Trump administration. The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on the significance of public lands for American identity and the need for collective efforts to protect and manage these cherished landscapes.

https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/author/char-miller

00:08 Discovering a Passion for History

01:19 Gifford Pinchot's Influence

02:37 Writing and Researching Pinchot

03:51 Pinchot's Post-Forest Service Career

06:58 Pinchot vs. Muir: A Complex Relationship

10:49 The Conservation vs. Preservation Debate

14:26 Personal Correspondence and Relationship Dynamics

18:19 Modern Implications and Reflections

24:19 Public Lands and Local vs. National Interests

28:59 Environmental Issues in Politics

33:04 Origins of American Public Lands

34:08 Roosevelt's Impact on Public Lands

36:27 Eastern vs. Western Public Lands

37:33 The National Parks System

39:45 The Wilderness Act and Environmentalism

44:45 Current Threats to Public Lands

46:21 Logging and Economic Realities

59:39 The Importance of Local Engagement

In this episode, I interview Wes Siler. Wes delves into the pressing issues surrounding America's public lands, discussing how privatization efforts threaten public access and ownership. Key examples include the Yellowstone Club, the Crazy Mountains land heist, corner crossing, state efforts to wrest control over public lands, and federal public land sales under the guise of "affordable housing." Wes also addresses broader political failures and the adverse effects of defunding federal land management agencies, such as the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. We discuss the necessity of updating multiple use laws and the role of public lands in supporting a healthy democracy and sustainable ecosystems. Our conversation underscores the significance of protecting public lands from corporate and political elites to maintain their ecological and societal value.

00:35 Moving to Montana:

01:27 Comparing Europe and America: Nature and Wildlife

06:36 Public Lands and Privatization Concerns

08:02 The Yellowstone Club and Land Access Issues

10:23 Corner Crossing and Public Access

23:08 Political and Social Commentary

35:13 Public Lands and Equal Access

35:30 Balancing Interests: Profit and Preservation

37:35 Challenges with Current Laws and Corporate Influence

40:59 The Misconception of Affordable Housing on Public Lands

48:27 State vs. Federal Management of Public Lands

53:43 Economic Benefits of Federal Land Management

56:29 Impact of Defunding Federal Land Agencies

01:05:58 Personal Reflections and Concerns

https://wessiler.substack.com/

https://www.outsideonline.com/byline/wes-siler/

https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/04/some-usda-rif-plans-take-shape-department-warns-employees-major-cuts/404247/

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/america-the-failed-state/

https://substack.com/home/post/p-160580019

In this episode, I interview Patrick Donnelly with the Center for Biological Diversity along the banks of the Amargosa River in California near Death Valley National Park. Patrick discusses the historical and ongoing impact of human activity, such as mining, and the modern-day pressures of the lithium boom in Nevada. He discusses how the Center is fighting to protect endemic species and the water resources that sustain life in the face of increasing industrial interests. We discuss specific legal battles against lithium mines and the impact of geothermal energy projects on biodiversity. Patrick also covers the checkered history of land and wilderness protection in Nevada, and the California Desert Protection Act of 1994. 

https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/

02:32 Exploring the Amargosa Basin: Biodiversity and Ecosystem

03:49 Unique Species and their Adaptations

11:52 Historical and Cultural Significance of the Amargosa River Watershed

16:20 The Center for Biological Diversity: Mission and Activities

18:49 Lithium Boom and Mining Challenges in Nevada

26:03 The Impact of Lithium Mining on Tiehm's buckwheat

27:57 Water Usage in Lithium Mining

29:50 Direct Lithium Extraction at the Salton Sea

32:36 Geothermal Energy and Its Environmental Impact

35:26 The Fight Against Geothermal Projects

39:13 Nevada Lands Bills

46:23 Greenlink North: A Threat to Nevada's Sagebrush Country

49:27 Personal Reflections on Public Lands

In this episode, I speak with Jimmy Tobias, a seasoned investigative journalist. Jimmy delves into his journey from working summertimes in wilderness in Montana to his current focus on public lands journalism. He discusses his deep passion for public lands issues, the influence of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in uncovering unethical behavior and corruption within governmental agencies, and the critical role of investigative journalism in holding power to account. We discuss the backgrounds of new political appointees at Interior and DOGE tinkering. Jimmy introduces his new project, Public Domain Media, which aims to provide robust investigative coverage on public lands and wildlife issues. Our discussion also highlights the political and environmental challenges facing public lands, including privatization efforts and budget cuts, and emphasizes the importance of public engagement and legal transparency.

https://www.publicdomain.media/

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:08 Tobias's Background and Passion for Public Lands

01:17 Jimmy's Experience with Western Public Lands

03:40 The Importance of Investigative Journalism

07:13 FOIA and Its Impact

13:13 Public Domain Media Project

18:24 Challenges Facing Public Lands

27:43 The Privatization Threat

35:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I interview Terri Martin with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). The podcast highlights the reintroduction of the America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, which seeks to protect over 8 million acres of public lands in Southern Utah from exploitation. The discussion includes the significance of the act within the broader '30 by 30' initiative aimed at conserving 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030. Topics covered include the role of local control versus federal oversight, the involvement and support of Native American tribes in wilderness designations, the concept of landscape connectivity for wildlife movement, and the climate benefits of protecting these lands. Terri emphasizes the critical role of citizen activism in driving conservation efforts. The episode reiterates the importance of these lands for future generations and the need for ongoing advocacy and legislative support.

https://suwa.org/ask-your-members-of-congress-to-cosponsor-americas-red-rock-wilderness-act-2/

https://suwa.org/

00:56 Breaking News: America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

03:43 The History and Success of SUWA

05:35 Challenges and Strategies in Wilderness Advocacy

08:14 Local Control vs. National Interest

11:45 30 by 30 Campaign and Wilderness

17:43 Native American Tribes and Wilderness Designation

24:07 America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

31:42 Climate Change and Wilderness Protection

40:14 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, I welcome back Andy Kerr to discuss Biden’s public lands record and legacy. We also discuss the contrasting environmental policies and actions early in the Trump 2.0 years. Andy delves into Biden's legacy on public lands, examining specific actions like the reinstatement of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monument boundaries and the broader issue of whether a president can undo national monument proclamations. The discussion draws attention to the procedural and legal challenges involved in reversing conservation regulations. There is also a critical examination of Biden's adherence to the 30 by 30 conservation initiative and the effectiveness of mineral withdrawals. Andy discusses a controversial land exchange in Alaska and the overall performance of the Biden administration in protecting public lands, comparing it to Trump's administration. He concludes with insights into the political landscape's impact on conservation efforts and the need for stronger advocacy and politically strategic actions from conservationists.

https://www.andykerr.net/

00:57 Biden's Public Lands Record and Legacy

02:53 Trump's Environmental Policies and Actions

06:17 Legal and Procedural Challenges in Conservation

15:05 Biden's 30 by 30 Conservation Initiative

29:08 Conservation Leases and Bureaucratic Challenges

35:37 Conservation Efforts and Political Challenges

36:27 Mineral Withdrawals and Federal Land Policies

40:13 Biden Administration's Conservation Actions

41:45 Alaska Land Exchange Controversy

47:37 Public Lands and Renewable Energy Development

01:00:52 Northwest Forest Plan and Conservation Issues

01:07:37 Final Thoughts on Conservation and Politics

In this episode, I interview Jennifer Mamola with the John Muir Project. Jenn discusses insights and frustrations with current wildfire policy in Washington, D.C. She stresses the importance of shifting focus from backcountry forest management to home hardening and defensible spaces around communities. Criticizing ineffective policies like the Fix Our Forests Act, she highlights the ecological necessity of allowing fire-adapted ecosystems to regenerate naturally. Jenn advocates for a community-out approach and better disaster mitigation funding, calling for Congress to adopt practical, science-backed solutions for true wildfire resilience.

https://johnmuirproject.org/

Oppose the "Fix Our Forests Act!"

https://johnmuirproject.org/take-action/#/14

or

https://www.westernwatersheds.org/actionalerts/tell-your-senators-to-oppose-the-fix-our-forests-act/

00:00 Introduction: Life in Washington D.C.

00:45 Challenges in Wildfire Mitigation

02:50 The Importance of Home Hardening

04:53 Misconceptions and Misinformation

06:09 Community-Centered Solutions

07:19 The Role of Federal Agencies

29:55 The Fix Our Forests Act

36:24 Natural Regeneration After Forest Fires

38:07 The Importance of Preservation Over Conservation

39:26 Challenges in Forest Management Policies

40:55 Political and Public Perception Issues

53:01 The Role of Prescribed Burns and Cultural Practices

59:38 The Need for Honest Conversations and Accountability

01:05:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts