Kate and guest host Sterling are joined by journalist and producer Marissa Ortega-Welch to talk about her new podcast series, How Wild, which was recently released by KALW and distributed by NPR. The podcast explores how the concept of capital W wilderness is changing due to climate change, technology, crowding, and shifting views on colonialism. News * Leaked recordings detail a major environmental agency quietly gutting its workforce – Vox * New Federal Rules Aim to End Tax Confusion for Tribally Owned Businesses, Boost Clean Energy Projects – Native News Online Resources * How Wild podcast Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, near Vail; Source: PDTillman/Wikimedia Commons    

Aaron and Kate are joined by members of the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe to talk about the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument in southern California. This is part of our Road to 30 postcards series, in which we highlight local efforts to protect iconic landscapes around the country. A Tribal elder, a Tribal youth, and one of the leaders of the monument proposal talk about why it’s important to protect this desert region as part of a broader cultural landscape that connects Avi Kwa Ame National Monument and the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument. News * Two oil and gas companies orphaned a record number of wells in Colorado last year, records show – CPR News Resources * Sign the petition and learn more about the proposed Kw’tsán National Monument  Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Courtesy of Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe/Bob Wick  

Kate and Aaron talk to Inside Climate News reporter Wyatt Myskow about an incredible story he wrote about what’s unfolding in Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, where the endangered Devil’s Hole pupfish is undergoing a rebrand from villain to hero. Click here for a transcript of this episode. News * The National Monuments Disinformation Brigade – Center for Western Priorities * Proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary – NOAA Resources * As a Nevada Community Fights a Lithium Mine, a Rare Fish and Its Haven Could Be an Ace in the Hole – Inside Climate News Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Crystal Spring, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, southern Nevada; Source: Wikimedia Commons/Stan Shebs  

In this episode of the Landscape, Kate and Aaron discuss Utah’s attempt to sue the federal government for control of over 18 million acres of federal public land with John Leshy, Professor Emeritus, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Leshy served as Solicitor (General Counsel) of the U.S. Department of the Interior throughout the Clinton administration and served in the Interior department in the Carter administration. Leshy discusses the underpinnings of Utah’s legal argument and explains why it’s likely to fail in court, if the U.S. Supreme Court even takes it up, which he says is also unlikely. Click here for a transcript of the episode. News * Utah lawsuit seeks state control over vast areas of federal land – Associated Press * Bureau Of Land Management Announces Protection Of D-1 Alaska Public Lands – Alaska Sporting Journal Resources * Are U.S. Public Lands Unconstitutional? – John Leshy Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Red Fleet Trails in Utah; Source: BLM Utah/Flickr 

For the 200th episode of The Landscape, we brought the whole Center for Western Priorities team together to talk about what brought us each into conservation work, and recount some of the most memorable moments we’ve had as public lands advocates. Click here for a transcript of this episode. News * Utah lawsuit seeks state control over vast areas of federal land.- Associated Press Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: The CWP team, left to right: Jen Rokala, Rachael Hamby, Lauren Bogard, Lilly Bock-Brownstein (with Wren), Sterling Homard, Aaron Weiss, Kate Groetzinger

Kate talks to author Zak Podmore about his upcoming book, Life After Deadpool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River, which explores various aspects of Lake Powell’s emptying due to drought, from how to replace the loss of hydropower to how wildlife and plant life is returning to Glen Canyon as the lake recedes. Click here to read a transcript of this podcast. News * US energy reform bill a ‘wishlist for the fossil industry’, say environmental groups – The Guardian * In long-sought change, states must consider tribal rights when crafting water rules – Source NM Resources * Pre-order Life After Deadpool Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River – Torrey House Press Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam; James Marvin Phelps/Flickr 

Kate and Aaron talk to Syren Nagakyrie, founder and director of Disabled Hikers, a nonprofit group seeking to make the outdoors more accessible for people with disabilities. Nagakyrie has been outspoken about the tokenization of disabled hikers by U.S. Senator Mike Lee, who recently filed a bill called the Outdoor Americans with Disabilities Act that encourages road building on public lands. Nagakyrie called the bill “a blatant attempt to scapegoat disability as an excuse to build more roads.” According to Nagakyrie, what disabled people really need to access the outdoors is good information and well-maintained trails.  Click here for a transcript of this episode. News * Senators release statement on protections for Dolores River – San Miguel Basin Forum * Plans to build more roads on public lands will help disabled Americans, Mike Lee says. Disabled hikers disagree – Salt Lake Tribune * 50-year fight in Crested Butte ends as land swap forever blocks mining on Red Lady – Colorado Sun Resources * Disabled Hikers Trail Guides – Disabled Hikers * Spoon Trail Rating System – Disabled Hikers Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Disabled Hikers founder Syren Nagakyrie; Credit: Eddie Bauer/Elise Giordano

Aaron and Kate talk to Dr. Hitesh Tolani, creator of the Gays of National Parks Instagram account, which is aimed at fostering community among LGBTQ people through a love of the outdoors. Hitesh began the account as a joke in 2022, but it has since grown into a community with over 15,000 followers. Hitesh talks about how the group is fostering connection both online and in person, as well as why representation in the outdoors and park leadership matters. News * The Supreme Court will consider reinstating a critical approval for a rail project in eastern Utah – Associated Press * Contact Gays of National Parks * New state program aims to put 500,000 acres of Montana prairie under conservation leases – Montana Free Press Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Participants in a GONP trip, courtesy of Hitesh Tolani

Kate and Aaron are joined by Boise State Public Radio’s Murphy Woodhouse, a reporter with the Mountain West News Bureau collaborative. Murphy covers wildfires and wildfire policy across the West, informed by his past experience as a wildland firefighter. In a wide-ranging discussion, Murphy talks about the bleak state of wildfire pay, the possibility of much of the West becoming uninsurable because of wildfire risk, and much more. News * Interior Department holds community meeting on Chuckwalla National Monument * Sen. Michael Bennet addresses the misinformation campaign on the Dolores River * Bonus editorial: Dolores monument proposal depends on compromise * White House swears in first class of the American Climate Corps Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: The 2021 Ponina Fire in Oregon, Oregon Department of Forestry

The proposed Mimbres Peaks National Monument would add protections for lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management in Luna County, New Mexico near the city of Deming. The collaborative effort is locally-led by elected leaders, business owners, economic development advocates, hunters, youth leaders, conservationists, and students. The proposal would protect approximately 245,000 acres in an area that contains documented cultural and historic sites that continue to hold importance to modern day Tribes and Pueblos, and also provides diverse outdoor recreation opportunities including hunting, hiking, equestrian use, biking, camping, picnicking, photography, and more. According to a recent independent economic analysis, the proposal would bring a much needed boost to the area, broadening access to nature and creating new jobs and revenue through increased visitation. Hear from a father and son who know and love this region and want to see it protected: Ray Trejo works for New Mexico Wildlife Federation and is currently a Luna County Commissioner. BJ Trejo lives in Deming and is working as an organizer for New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. He is also Ray’s son. News * DOD, Interagency Partners Designate 5 New Sentinel Landscapes – U.S. Department of Defense * Sign the petition to support the proposed Mimbres Peaks National Monument * Proposed national monument would be economic boon for area – Las Cruces Sun News * New Polling Confirms Strong Majority Support for an Owyhee Canyonlands National Monument – Protect the Owyhee * Owyhee Video Postcard – Center for Western Priorities Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Florida Mountains in the proposed Mimbres Peaks National Monument