Border-wall contractors have destroyed three ancient Fremont cottonwoods in the tiny community of Lochiel, Arizona. The trees, estimated to be 200 to 250 years old, stood within the path of two proposed 30-foot border walls through the San Rafael Valley. One landmark cottonwood remains—and activists have occupied it in what may be the first tree sit organized against border-wall construction.

Kate Scott joins Chris Clarke from the Casita de la Esperanza, the activists’ base in the former Lochiel port of entry. She describes the destruction of the cottonwoods, the birds and other wildlife that depended upon them, and concerns that construction continued despite evidence of active nests. She also explains why activists are demanding that the remaining tree be spared and the proposed secondary wall be stopped.

The fight is about more than one tree. For Scott and her fellow organizers, the surviving cottonwood represents the ecological richness, cultural history, and cross-border relationships threatened by wall construction throughout the Arizona–Sonora borderlands.

Episode image modified from a photo by the Center for Biological Diversity

Key Takeaways

• Contractors destroyed three of Lochiel’s four landmark cottonwoods to clear space for border-wall construction.
• Activists are occupying the remaining tree and calling for the proposed secondary wall through Lochiel to be abandoned.
• The cottonwoods provided habitat for barn owls, flickers, kingbirds, insects, and other wildlife; Scott also reports hearing a threatened yellow-billed cuckoo.
• Scott says Customs and Border Protection had promised protections for active bird nests, but activists saw no meaningful environmental monitoring during the removal.
• Organizers are using direct action alongside art, music, ceremony, and public gatherings to defend the San Rafael Valley.
• The wall threatens not only wildlife movement but also a historic border community, neighboring ranchland in Sonora, and potentially significant archaeological resources.

Notable Quotes

1. “We do not want a double wall through this historic community.”
2. “Each one [of the cottonwoods is] unique—a universe in and of itself.”
3. “This is not a crossing point. This is a wildlife migratory corridor.”
4. “We’re not taking this anymore. We’re making our stand here.”
5. “Don’t obey in advance.”

Resources

Rally for the Valley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rallyforthevalley/

GiveButter Donation Link: https://givebutter.com/stop-destruction-in-lochiel-oxsxdp

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Episode Summary:

In this episode, Chris Clarke highlights the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle crucial environmental laws and the effect of those rollbacks on desert landscapes. He guides listeners through the gutting of environmental and cultural protection laws, and argues for a more localized, community-centric approach to advocacy for the desert.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration's policies threaten the stability and effectiveness of long-standing environmental protection laws.
• Grassroots advocacy plays a crucial role in protecting desert ecosystems and public lands.
• Federal environmental protection laws are important, but local policies, ordinances, and community involvement provide additional, necessary layers of defense.
• By fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the environment, communities can build political weight to defend against detrimental policies.
• The episode calls for a united effort to develop narratives that resonate with local communities, inspiring collective action and environmental stewardship.

Notable Quotes:

• "The public loses more than money. We lose wildlife habitat, we lose groundwater, we lose archaeological and cultural sites, we lose wilderness."
• "Profits become concentrated by one party, and the costs are borne by the public."
• "Those of us who love a place shouldn't just rely on Washington to defend it."
• "The other side has built up their community since the 1970s, and while this is happening, environmental protection groups often relied more heavily on passing laws."
• "A president can weaken federal laws. And if federal laws are the only layer of protection that we have for places that we love, then we find ourselves in this position that we're in right now."

Resources:

• 90 Miles from Needles Podcast
• Chris’ Email: chris@90milesfromneedles.com (for community radio suggestions)
• Mazamar Pottery (Supporting local arts and advocacy)

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Episode Summary:

This episode covers the recent decision by the Trump administration to drastically reduce the acreage of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments in southern Utah. Listeners are will hear the central issues surrounding desert conservation, including potential threats of resource extraction like uranium and coal mining, which loom as monuments face reduction.

The episode features Morgan Sjogren, a writer deeply connected to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase regions. Through engaging dialogue, Morgan offers her insights as a resident and her reaction to the political maneuvers affecting monuments she holds dear. Her extensive experience in these areas provides an authentic perspective on the importance of protecting these lands. With direct quotes from Morgan emphasizing the emotional and ecological significance of the monuments, this episode serves as an urgent call to action for listeners to engage in conservation efforts and support local advocacy groups.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration has attempted to reduce Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments significantly, revisiting actions from its previous tenure.
• Local communities and environmental stewards are mobilizing against the possibility of resource extraction, such as uranium and coal mining.
• Sjogren emphasizes the connectedness of these landscapes, stressing that “landscape scale exploring” is essential to understand the full impact of these reductions.
• Support for on-the-ground groups and active participation in electoral processes are vital to combating these environmental setbacks.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The air is filled with tension, and the noise is mostly online, but outside it's eerily quiet." – Morgan Sjogren
2. "Monuments are one of the most robust protections we have for rivers in this country." – Morgan Sjogren
3. "Vote like this landscape and our lives depend upon it." – Morgan Sjogren
4. "I've been getting to know my riverside neighbors. Both the human and more than human, plant communities, wildlife, tribes, rural Americans, urbanites, farmers." – Morgan Sjogren
5. "Utah delegates have taken actions that disregard their constituents. 75% of Utahns oppose reducing monuments." – Morgan Sjogren

Resources:

• Morgan Sjogren's Website: Glen Canyon Backcountry Club (glencanyonbackcountryclub.com)

• Books by Morgan Sjogren:

  • "Path of Light: A Walk Through Colliding Legacies of Glen Canyon"
  • "Outlandish: Fuel Your Epic"
  • "The Best Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Hikes"

• Organizations:

  • Grand Staircase Escalante Partners
  • Bears Ears Partnership
  • Conservation Lands Foundation's Petition to leave the monuments alone

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Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke focuses on mining in the California desert, in particular, a rare earth elements mine proposed by an offshore mining startup. This 20,000-acre mine would be surrounded by Joshua Tree National Park and the gateway community of Twentynine Palms. Joined by Chance Wilcox of the National Parks Conservation Association, Chris explores the complexities and potential consequences of mining activities on the precious desert landscape.

The episode sheds light on the socioeconomic and environmental stakes, touching on conservation topics, the intricate processes governing mining claims, and the community's growing resistance, characterized by a coalition of local residents and environmental organizations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Stop Music Valley Mine Community Information Meeting will be held at Copper Mountain College’s Bell Center, July 15, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM.
• Dateline Resources, an Australian mining company, proposes a vast mining operation near Joshua Tree National Park, posing significant threats to local ecosystems and communities.
• The planned mine would disturb about 20,000 acres of land, impacting visibility, air and water quality, and desert wildlife such as the native tortoise population.
• Community members and conservationists are rallying to oppose the mine, arguing it endangers Twentynine Palms' economy, heavily reliant on tourism.
• The federal Mining Law of 1872, which still governs mining on public lands, allows mining companies nearly free rein to profit from despoiling these lands.
• Local and national political influences, including past and present administrations, play a crucial role in shaping the future of mining initiatives in sensitive ecological areas.

Notable Quotes:

1. "This is going to be about 20,000 acres of strip mine next to residential neighborhoods and Twentynine Palms…"
2. "People live here to really be part of this landscape. And people live here for a reason."
3. "Twentynine Palms is not a mining town. It's a gateway community to Joshua Tree."
4. "When people's livelihoods are actually at stake here alongside the conservation issue, there's a lot more ears that are willing to perk up."
5. "There's so much more at stake. It's about the interconnection of all of that to every small business in Twentynine Palms."

Resources:

• National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)
• Copper Mountain College: Website
• Learn more about Dateline Resources’ operation of the Colosseum Mine,

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Against the backdrop of the current wildfire season, which has ravaged vast areas across states like Utah and Colorado, Chris draws attention to a major human activity causing these fires, particularly the use of fireworks. The discussion is timely, as it coincides with the Fourth of July celebrations, a period notorious for firework-related fire ignitions.

Listeners are taken on a journey through a detailed analysis of wildfire statistics and historical data, stressing the pervasive problem of fireworks as a leading cause of fires each year. Chris also shares insights from a significant study published in PLOS One, highlighting July 4th as a peak day for wildland fire ignitions. His narrative is woven with examples of past fire tragedies and current ongoing fires, painting a vivid picture of the dangers facing the desert ecosystems. Ultimately, Chris advocates for alternative ways to celebrate holidays without compromising the natural world, emphasizing stewardship and self-reliance cultivated by the unique desert environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Fireworks are a major contributor to wildland fires, especially on the Fourth of July, causing around 300 wildfires annually in the U.S.

• The introduction of invasive grasses in desert regions has increased the frequency and spread of wildfires, which were previously rare in these habitats.

• With current federal firefighting resources strained due to staffing reductions and agency reorganizations, the Southwest faces heightened wildfire vulnerability.

• Alternative celebrations, such as using organized drone shows in place of fireworks, offer a safer option that aligns with environmental protection goals.

• Desert communities must balance the spirit of independence with responsible stewardship to preserve and protect their unique ecosystems.

Notable Quotes:

• "We remember the spectacular fires. We forget the thousands of ignitions that didn't become disasters."

• "The desert has already given us an incredible fireworks show. Thunderstorms over distant mountains, meteor showers, the Milky Way visible in the background of silhouetted Joshua trees."

Resources:

• 90 Miles from Needles Podcast Website

• PLOS One Study on Wildfires: [Vachula, Nelson, and Hall, 2023]

• App for Fire Information: Watch Duty https://app.watchduty.org/

Listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode for a comprehensive understanding of the wildfire issues facing the desert Southwest and to gain further insights on how to engage with the natural world responsibly. Stay connected with Chris Clarke and "90 Miles from Needles" for more episodes that bring critical environmental issues to the forefront.

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We visit the Amargosa watershed to discuss Greenlink West, a transmission project now under construction that will ship energy from Vegas-area solar facilities to data centers near Reno. This project not only threatens to enable an explosion of data centers in Northern Nevada, but also incentivizes solar developers to concentrate development in largely untouched desert in the Mojave and Great Basin.

Key Takeaways:

• The Greenlink West transmission line is purportedly for energy distribution but appears to primarily serve data centers.

• NV Energy's developments misalign with publicized renewable energy goals, potentially increasing the burden on natural gas resources.

• The substation built in the Amargosa Valley indicates the impending rise of massive solar projects, with minimal benefits to local communities.

• Sallying efforts such as the strengthening of water rights control and military navigation illustrate the complex web of interests surrounding the project.

• The discourse reflects on broader energy infrastructure expansions, potentially at the expense of Nevada's untouched desert landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• "It used to be the Greenlink was to fight carbon emissions and climate change. But the goal has been becoming more obvious over the years that no, it's just for hyperscale data centers that are going to suck up all of our energy and water." - Laura Cunningham

• "What if I told you, though, that there was a pretty good chance that data centers are going to seriously damage hundreds of square miles of the wild Mojave and Great Basin deserts in the state of Nevada?" - Chris Clarke

• "This public land needs to be put to use and it's not for people." - Laura Cunningham

• "The primary reason that so much solar was associated with Greenlink is because it was supposed to replace fossil fuel plants... they're gonna just go with the flow with whatever market is available." - Kevin Emmerich

• "To me, this is such an interesting area because 30 air miles that way is Area 51." - Laura Cunningham

Resources:

• Basin and Range Watch

• Western Watersheds Project

• Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma within the United States

• Google Maps: Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, NV

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In this timely episode, Chris discusses the best ways to avoid becoming a statistic while hiking during desert heat waves. He also points out that the vast majority of people suffering injury and death from extreme heat have little other choice. Migrants, the incarcerated, and outdoor labor all face serious threats from hot weather, with little recourse to protect themselves. That's why state and federal protections for workers and the incarcerated are so crucial.

Notable Quotes:

• "Heat turns minor mistakes into fatal mistakes."

• "Testosterone is not an electrolyte replacement."

• Incarcerated people dying from heat injury is a frequent and growing problem that is not tracked in any methodical way."

• "Hug your dogs."

Resources:

• Podcast Website: 90 Miles from Needles

• PO Box for Donations and Support: P.O. Box 127, 29 Palms, CA 92277

• New analysis provides more evidence that heat standards save lives

• Leading Healthcare and Public Health Organizations Call for Federal Government to Fast-Track Rules to Protect Workers from Worsening Extreme Heat
• American Hiking Society's Hot Weather Hiking Guide

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

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