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90 Miles from Needles: the Desert Protection Podcast
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90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast
Join Chris Clarke and a variety of guests as they explore the challenges and opportunities of the American Southwest’s fragile ecosystems. Engaging interviews with experts, activists, and advocates on conservation, land management, and environmental justice. Science and sentiment, politics and philosophy, hiking and history, culture and creativity all go into defending the desert. Be forewarned: We are out to recruit you to the cause.
In this episode, Chris talks with longtime border environmental activist Russ McSpadden about the controversial plans to erect a second border wall on the U.S.-Mexico borde. From the devastating effects on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to the desecration of a sacred geoglyph, Russ details the harm this unnecessary project would cause. The discussion emphasizes the challenges posed by waived environmental and cultural protection laws.
Russ also speaks about new hope—the sighting of a jaguar in the Arizona skies offering a glimmer of resilience in the face of destruction. The episode also highlights his new poetry book “Borderlings,” depicting life and conservation struggles along the border. Dive into this compelling dialogue for an in-depth understanding of desert conservation challenges and the ongoing fight to protect these precious landscapes from further harm.
Key Takeaways:
Ecological Impact of Border Wall: The construction of a second border wall poses critical challenges to biodiversity and destroys valuable habitats for numerous species, including the danger of groundwater depletion affecting Quitobaquito Springs.
Cultural Destruction Alert: The episode highlights the significant damage done to ancient geoglyphs and indigenous cultural sites, emphasizing the negligence in preserving sacred sites.
Legal Loopholes: The Real ID Act allows the waiver of significant environmental laws, facilitating unchecked progression of border wall construction, underscoring a critical need for legislative review.
Spotting Conservation Hope: The recent sighting of a new jaguar in Arizona demonstrates the continued, albeit precarious, presence of these majestic creatures in their historical habitats.
Personal Reflections in Poetry: Russ McSpadden’s book “Borderlings” offers personal insight and reflections on the emotional and environmental turmoil of border regions, combining advocacy with creative expression.
Notable Quotes:
“These contractors who can’t be even trusted to protect cultural sites sitting on the surface can really not be trusted to protect our groundwater sources as well.”
“We can’t sue under the Endangered Species act because the Endangered Species act has been waived.”
“This area represents this whole circuit of trade networks amongst various peoples… it was a place of exchange and movement and trade.”
“These are jaguars that are rewilding themselves across the southern border into incredible habitat in their traditional mountain ranges.”
“The federal government has declared it [the border] an invasion and a sort of a war.”
Resources:
Russ McSpadden’s Book: “Borderlings“
- See the Jaguar camera trap video
“90 Miles From Needles” Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads.
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