90 Miles From Needles

90 Miles From Needles The desert protection podcast The North American desert is split by county, state, and national borders. The environment doesn’t exist in a vacuum, however.

It holds a diverse range of ecosystems, landscapes, cultures, languages and people. But the California desert, for instance, has more in common with the desert elsewhere than it does with many parts of California. You can say much the same about deserts in Nevada, Texas, Sonora and Baja California. Arid lands face many of the same issues in ecological, cultural and political senses. The American d

esert is a discrete entity that is too seldom respected, or even recognized as something that deserves to exist on its own terms.

90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast, interprets and explains the desert, its living things, its people and our cultures in a clear and compelling fashion. Our main focus is on the desert environment: what it is, what threats it faces, and what people are doing to counter those threats. In fact, the desert is a place where people can’t pretend they aren’t affected by the non-human world. So we will cover environment through the lenses of not just science and recreation, but culture, history, the arts, and politics as well.

90 Miles from Needles is a project of the non-profit Desert Advocacy Media Network. It features the work of journalist, writer, and activist Chris Clarke, who has been interpreting the desert for more than 30 years. He is joined in this project by the community of activists and others working to keep the desert whole. We hope you will find this podcast valuable, interesting, and fun. We invite you to visit our donation page to lend support. We can't do this without our listeners! Thanks! https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/donate

We are extending our hiatus by at least a week. Apologies to those of you who were hoping for a new episode. We’re heade...
06/02/2026

We are extending our hiatus by at least a week. Apologies to those of you who were hoping for a new episode. We’re headed for a secluded cabin in the mountains in Arizona for a few days. Hopefully that will help me refocus.

I’ve gone through my share of losses. This one hurts more than any others I remember.

New Episode! "Short Update: Explaining Our Brief Hiatus"Content note: sadness. Due to the death of a close family member...
05/29/2026

New Episode! "Short Update: Explaining Our Brief Hiatus"

Content note: sadness. Due to the death of a close family member, we will return on June 5. Listen if you want a few details.

Content note: sadness. Due to the death of a close family member, we will return on June 5. Listen if you want a few details.

I apologize for the interruption in episodes. We missed last week, and there’s a pretty good chance we will miss this we...
05/26/2026

I apologize for the interruption in episodes. We missed last week, and there’s a pretty good chance we will miss this week as well. Today is my dog Heart’s last day on earth.
For the last five years she has been with me every time I edit an episode, sleeping next to my desk or reminding me to get up and walk around. As I post this, we are enjoying our last couple hours together, sitting in the sunshine in the Mojave Desert. Right now I feel like I should’ve taken the time I’ve spent working on the podcast and spent it paying attention to her. I’ll never get that time back. Anyway. Updates on the next episode as I figure out when I’ll be able to do it.

05/02/2026
Did you know deserts cover nearly a third of our planet, supporting rare species and resilient ecosystems? This Earth Da...
04/22/2026

Did you know deserts cover nearly a third of our planet, supporting rare species and resilient ecosystems? This Earth Day, Desert Advocacy Media Network shines a light on North America’s vital desert landscapes—celebrating their beauty, exposing urgent threats, and amplifying the voices of those working for change.

Join us. Help protect fragile ecosystems. Every action counts.

🌵 thedamn.org

Did you know North American deserts are home to rare species and resilient ecosystems, yet they face urgent threats ever...
04/17/2026

Did you know North American deserts are home to rare species and resilient ecosystems, yet they face urgent threats every day? 🌵

Your support helps Desert Advocacy Media Network shine a light on their beauty, protect vital biodiversity, and inspire action for future generations.

Donate today. Every action counts.

Thank you for being part of the mission.

🌞 thedamn.org

Did you know deserts are home to rare species and resilient ecosystems? *90 Miles from Needles* shines a light on desert...
04/14/2026

Did you know deserts are home to rare species and resilient ecosystems? *90 Miles from Needles* shines a light on desert conservation, community-led action, and the voices making a difference.

🌵 Tune in and join the conversation at 90milesfromneedles.com. Every action counts.

04/11/2026

VOLUNTEER WITH US

When people think of the desert, they often picture emptiness.

But the desert is anything but empty.

It’s alive—with stories, with communities, with species found nowhere else on Earth. And right now, many of those stories are going untold.

At the Desert Advocacy Media Network, we work to bring those stories to light. We report on the places, people, and policies shaping the future of desert landscapes across the Southwest.

But we can’t do it alone.

We’re looking for volunteers—people who care about the desert and want to help protect it.

Maybe that means amplifying our work on social media, helping more people hear the stories that matter.

Maybe it’s proofreading transcripts or articles, making sure our reporting is accurate, accessible, and strong.

Maybe it’s helping organize and set up local events—bringing people together across the desert to connect, learn, and take action.

Maybe you have skills in research, outreach, or organizing.

Or maybe you’re ready to take a bigger role—helping guide our work as part of our Board of Directors.

There’s no single way to contribute. What matters is that you show up.

Because the desert doesn’t have the media attention it deserves. And without that attention, it’s harder to protect what makes these places irreplaceable.

If you’ve ever stood in the desert and felt like it mattered—this is your chance to act on that.

Join us.

Help tell the stories that need telling.

The desert isn’t empty.

Let’s make sure it’s not unheard.

Email [email protected] or text 760 392-1996 for more info.

Call now to connect with business.

New Episode! "S5E9: Why Salt Lakes Matter More Than Ever"Join host Chris Clarke on "90 Miles from Needles" as he talks w...
03/28/2026

New Episode! "S5E9: Why Salt Lakes Matter More Than Ever"

Join host Chris Clarke on "90 Miles from Needles" as he talks with Caroline Tracey about her latest book, "Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History." Explore themes of salt lake conservation, colonialism, and q***r theory, revealing unique insights into these fragile desert ecosystems. The discussion touches on global lake preservation efforts and the intertwining of personal transformation with ecological narratives. This episode offers a compelling blend of environmental advocacy and cultural discourse, seamlessly integrating human and natural stories.

https://www.90milesfromneedles.com/e/14142088437747/

After the Ajo trip, we have some reading to look forward to. Shoutout to  and  and Rachel Guttierez for a fantastic read...
03/14/2026

After the Ajo trip, we have some reading to look forward to. Shoutout to and and Rachel Guttierez for a fantastic reading on Wednesday.

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Twentynine Palms, CA

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