Our Public Lands

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!

In this episode, I interview Josh Osher, Public Policy Director with Western Watersheds Project. Josh provides an in-depth look at the budget reconciliation process and its implications for public lands and federal spending. He explains the difference between annual and 10-year budgets, the appropriations process, and how budget reconciliation allows for changes to spending programs without the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Key issues discussed include the potential public land sell-offs, weakening of environmental laws, the increased industrial development on public lands, and impacts to people from cuts to Medicare and food assistance. We discuss the political maneuvers by Senator Mike Lee and the role of the parliamentarian in the reconciliation process.

A Rapid Assessment of the Senate’s Proposal to Sell Off Public Lands: https://www.colorado.edu/center/gwc/media/649

www.westernwatersheds.org

02:59 Understanding the Budget Process

07:50 Public Land Selloffs and Political Maneuvers

12:04 Mike Lee's Proposals and Political Implications

20:58 Local Land Use and Zoning Issues

26:23 Concerns Over Industrial Development

27:06 Timber Harvest and Oil Leases on Public Lands

28:41 Impact on Public Health and Welfare

31:11 Legislative Process and Parliamentary Actions

34:39 Opposition and Advocacy for Public Lands

47:04 Western Watershed's Project and Public Lands

49:49 Conclusion

In this episode, I interview Gary Macfarlane and Katie Bilodeau about the threats posed to roadless areas on Forest Service lands. We delve into the history and current challenges faced in conserving these invaluable wildlands.

We discuss loopholes in the state-specific roadless rules and their impacts on public lands. Emphasizing the urgency to protect roadless lands as future wilderness areas, Gary and Katie call for more concrete protections.

https://www.friendsoftheclearwater.org/2024/09/25/roadless-report/

https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/17/americas-roadless-rules-are-not-protecting-public-wildlands-from-development/

01:01 Support and Accessibility of the Podcast

01:47 Current Events: Roadless Rule Rollback

03:20 Interview Introduction: Katie Bilodeau and Gary McFarlane

05:46 The History and Importance of Roadless Areas

11:05 Rare One and Rare Two: Roadless Area Evaluations

16:37 Challenges and Legal Battles Over Roadless Areas

30:29 Exceptions and Loopholes in the Roadless Rule

34:32 State-Specific Roadless Rules and Their Impact

37:00 Redefining Protection: The Roadless Rule Loopholes

37:47 Forest Service's Logging Justifications

38:35 Impact on Roadless Areas and Wilderness

39:54 The Idaho Roadless Rule and Its Implications

43:13 The Roadless Report: Findings and Analysis

47:01 The Future of Roadless Areas and Wilderness

52:59 Call to Action

01:11:38 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

In this episode, I speak with Jonathan Ratner from Sage-Steppe Wild. Jonathan discusses the often unnoticed degradation caused by livestock grazing on public lands and shares his experiences working with agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. He recounts eye-opening moments from his conservation career, including detailed monitoring and documentation of ecological damage on various public lands, specifically highlighting grazing allotments in Utah and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The conversation delves into the inefficacies and challenges of current conservation policies and the importance of litigation and public involvement to achieve meaningful results. Jonathan emphasizes the need for on-the-ground data collection and site-specific knowledge to truly understand and advocate for the health of these ecosystems.

https://www.wild-sage.org

01:03 Introduction and Background

01:47 Early Career and Eye-Opening Experiences

03:22 Challenges in Conservation Efforts

04:25 Genesis of Conservation Initiatives

05:50 Conservation Organizations and Shifts

09:26 Current Conservation Work and Focus Areas

10:15 Data-Driven Conservation Approaches

11:27 Case Study: Robbers Roost Allotment

18:52 Wider Implications and Common Issues

25:00 Impact of Livestock Grazing on Western Landscapes

27:04 Challenges in Finding Ungrazed Land

28:05 Extreme Measures for Grazing in Utah

31:15 Restoration and Recovery Efforts

40:03 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

49:27 Public Lands and Personal Reflections

51:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I interview Steve Bloch from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) about the looming threats to public lands posed by Senator Mike Lee's Senate budget bill provisions. We discuss Lee's desire to sell millions of acres of federal public lands across 11 Western states, which is part of a broader republican extractive agenda. We also delve into the complexities of the budget reconciliation process, impacting policies on oil, gas leasing, timber harvest. and the stripping of national environmental protections.

Take Action! https://suwa.quorum.us/campaign/126972/

https://suwa.org/

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5346383-senate-proposes-sale-2-million-acres/

00:16 Senator Mike Lee's Budget Proposal

01:52 Public Reaction and Opposition

02:39 Details of the Land Sale Proposal

03:46 Critique of Lee's Vision for Federal Lands

05:18 Affordable Housing and Land Use Concerns

10:15 Legislative Process and Challenges

13:53 Environmental and Conservation Impacts

27:27 Call to Action and Advocacy

31:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts