Our Public Lands

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

In this episode, I interview Roger Long an ecologist and professor. We discuss his career trajectory that led him from computer programming to teaching and focusing specifically on the shrub steppe ecosystem. After switching careers and completing his master's and dissertation, Roger continued studying nitrogen cycling and the impact of cattle grazing on shrub steppe vegetation and wildlife. His findings underscore the depletion of nitrogen due to cattle grazing, which has critical implications for the ecosystem's health. Roger recalls his experiences with falconry, hunting, and fishing, which fueled his interest in how agricultural practices affect native wildlife and plant species. The episode concludes with Roger's perspectives on public lands and their significance to him, particularly in preserving natural habitats and promoting biodiversity.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:13 Transition from Programming to Field Work

01:41 Insights from Field Work and Career Shifts

04:08 Grazing Impact on Shrub Steppe Ecosystem

06:13 Nitrogen Cycling and Ecosystem Health

08:28 Challenges in Grazing Research

11:40 Forbs and Grazing Effects

15:39 Nutrient Transport and Ecosystem Impact

21:40 Kleiber Curve and Ungulate Metabolism

25:33 Dissertation Methodology and Findings

31:13 Transect Methodology and Initial Findings

32:21 Stable Isotopes and Nitrogen Content

35:19 Grazing Regimes and Sample Collection

35:44 Impact of Grazing on Vegetation

37:29 Wildlife and Ecosystem Interactions

41:23 Challenges in Sagebrush Restoration

47:45 Public Lands and Grazing Policies

53:40 Personal Reflections on Public Lands

In this episode, I interview Zack Porter who discusses the state of public lands and roadless areas in Vermont and across New England. He highlights the ongoing threats from logging and road construction, particularly in the Green Mountain and White Mountain National Forests. Zack emphasizes the ecological importance of these lands for clean water, carbon storage, biodiversity, and habitat protection. Our conversation touches on the challenges of preventing degradation, the inadequacies of current forest management practices, and the broader struggle to preserve wilderness areas. Zack also shares insights into his organization, Standing Trees, which is focused on stopping public land logging in New England, and the need for public support and action.

https://www.standingtrees.org/

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:07 Current State of Public Lands in Vermont

01:28 Challenges and Management of Roadless Areas

04:50 Comparisons with Other Regions

06:11 Logging Projects and Their Impact

09:07 Wilderness Act and Forest Service Policies

17:37 Public Response and Activism

20:16 Role of Environmental Organizations

31:09 Formation and Mission of Standing Trees

35:16 Personal Reflections on Wilderness

57:32 Call to Action and Conclusion

In this episode, I interview Conrad Gowell with the Wild Fish Conservancy. Based in Washington, his organization uses science and law to protect wild fish and ecosystems. Conrad dives into the issues around fishery policies lagging behind scientific knowledge, particularly with endangered species like Chinook salmon. He highlights the challenges with mixed stock fisheries in Alaska and potential detrimental effects on fish populations. He also explores the impact of hatcheries, debates around the ESA listings, and the importance of old growth forests for biodiversity. He emphasizes systemic change and the balance between preserving ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices. As a river snorkeler, he shares personal reflections on the underwater world and the significance of public lands for biodiversity and cultural practices.

https://wildfishconservancy.org/

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:31 Wild Fish Conservancy's Mission

00:56 Challenges in Salmon Recovery

01:34 Impact of Alaskan Fisheries

03:14 Sustainable Fishing Practices

06:10 Hatcheries and Their Effects

07:02 Climate Change and Fish Populations

09:12 Steelhead and Salmon in the Pacific Northwest

23:16 Old Growth Forests and Ecosystem Interconnections

33:02 River Snorkeling Adventures

42:45 Public Lands and Conservation Legacy

46:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I interview George Wuerthner, an independent advocate, ecologist, and author to explore what it means for fuels treatments to be effective in wildfire management. George challenges the prevailing assumption that preventing high-severity fires and minimizing tree deaths is inherently beneficial. He argues that high-severity fires create crucial habitats for numerous species, offering ecological benefits that are often overlooked. Using examples from various studies, George explains how snag forests and post-fire environments support a diverse range of native wildlife. He critiques current forest management practices, pointing out that thinning and prescribed burns are frequently ineffective under extreme fire conditions. Additionally, George delves into the historical context of fire suppression and logging, revealing how economic and political pressures influence the Forest Service's actions. Emphasizing the importance of protecting natural evolutionary processes, George advocates for reducing human intervention in forests and suggest focusing fire prevention efforts on areas around human communities.

00:00 Introduction to Fuels Treatment

00:35 Ecological Importance of High Severity Fires

02:42 Historical Fire Data and Large Fires

03:37 Challenges with Thinning and Prescribed Burns

04:48 Fire Behavior and Weather Conditions

07:29 Protecting Communities from Fires

13:26 Critique of Current Fire Management Policies

23:27 Issues with Scientific Studies and Funding

29:34 Collaboratives and Their Limitations

46:47 Misconceptions About Fire Regimes

53:21 Native American Burning

54:14 Localized Native Burning Practices

54:37 Climate's Role in Fire Patterns

56:39 Historical Fire Suppression

01:03:20 Forest Service and Fire Management

01:04:22 Economic and Political Pressures

01:10:49 Public Lands and Conservation

01:14:14 The Future of Forest Management

01:30:30 The Importance of Public Lands

Theme music by Kyran Daniel https://www.kyrandaniel.com/