Our Public Lands

Adam Bronstein

A podcast about our beloved and treasured public lands where I interview subject matter experts and activists from across the country who are working to protect and advocate for our public lands and their wildlife, wilderness, and cultural values. ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #65 - The Water Remembers: The Story Behind Historic Dam Removal on the Klamath River w/ Amy Cordalis

    In this episode, I interview Amy Cordalis, Yurok Tribal member, attorney and environmental activist about the historic decommissioning and removal of the four lower Klamath dams — the largest U.S. dam removal project in history. Amy shares the Yurok creation story about living in balance with a living river and the tribe’s responsibility to steward salmon and water. She discusses the history of U.S. violence and dispossession of the Yurok and other California tribes, including unratified treaties, reservation reductions, and the allotment era. The conversation centers on the 2002 Klamath fish kill—about 70,000 adult salmon perished—linked to drought-year water diversions ordered over scientific objections by then vice president Dick Cheney, which propelled Amy to law school and helped spark the movement that led to removal of four Klamath dams in 2024 through grassroots organizing and FERC relicensing. She discusses the Yurok rights of nature ordinance granting the river personhood under tribal law, early signs of ecological recovery after dam removal, ongoing upper-basin water quality challenges (including groundwater connections, grazing impacts, and the endangered sucker fish), and how Indigenous and non-Indigenous environmentalists can better work together. Purchase Amy’s Book - The Water Remembers Ridges to Riffles 04:07 Meet Amy Cordalis 05:39 Why Yurok Country Hasn’t Changed Much 08:12 The Yurok Creation Story 15:01 Living Connection to Place 26:17 2002 Klamath Fish Kill: Drought, Diversions, and Politics 31:38 “It’s Your Turn”: Off to Law School 35:36 From Grief to Movement: Grassroots Organizing and the FERC Relicensing Path 41:03 Rights of Nature for the Klamath: Personhood Under Yurok Law 44:03 Why Ecosystems Need Standing: Limits of U.S. Environmental Law 46:37 Behind-the-Scenes Dam Removal Lesson: Fight for All Four Dams 51:10 After the Dams Came Out: Salmon Return, Cleaner Water, River Reborn 59:13 Upper Basin Challenges: Sucker Fish, Groundwater, Grazing & Public Lands 01:02:41 Working Together For a Better Future Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 17m

  2. 17 FEB

    #64 - Exposing the Alaska Native Landless Equity Act w/ Wanda Culp

    In this episode of the podcast, I speak with Wanda Culp, a Tlingit elder living in the Tongass Rainforest in Southeast Alaska, about how clearcut logging and other extraction have impacted Southeast Alaska communities and subsistence resources. She argues the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which created for-profit Native corporations, concentrates power and profits while many shareholders remain poor and landless. Our conversation focuses on Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Alaska Native Landless Equity Act, which would amend the Settlement Act, and transfer about 115,000 acres from the Tongass National Forest (80,000 acres are ancient old growth forests and Roadless) to five Native corporations for clearcut logging and mining, Wanda calls the bill a misuse of “equity” language that advances privatization and extraction. She urges tribes and corporations to reunite decision-making with the people and calls for louder public opposition amid the climate crisis. 02:56 Meet Wanda Culp: background, climate whiplash, and path to activism 06:10 Clearcut shock: how ANCSA corporation logging hit village hunting & fishing grounds 09:12 Tlingit history & why the Tongass is sacred 10:47 Subsistence lifeways and a personal connection to Glacier Bay 12:35 Vanishing herring and salmon 13:24 From logging to mining: the next extraction wave in Southeast Alaska 14:22 What ANCSA created: for-profit corporations and poverty 18:42 Reform vision: return authority to tribes and grassroots voices 20:30 Murkowski’s S.2504 explained: ‘Landless Equity’ and Tongass land transfers 23:24 Conservation groups back the bill? Wanda’s reaction and call to oppose it Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min

  3. 10 FEB

    #63 - Livestock Industry Meddling in Sage Grouse Science

    In this episode, I interview Boone Kauffman, retired professor from Oregon State University and lead scientist of Illahee Sciences International, and Erik Molvar, Executive Director of the Western Watersheds Project to discuss the decline of the greater sage grouse and their habitat. Boone and Erik examine the impacts of livestock grazing and land use on sage grouse, the political stonewalling behind listing the bird as an endangered species, and the integrity of scientific research around the bird, specifically naming the livestock industry and their influence on university and agency research. Our conversation highlights the need for political will and effective science-backed conservation strategies to restore sage grouse populations and the Sagebrush Sea. http://www.westernwatersheds.org/ 02:13 Introducing Erik Molvar and Boone Kauffman 05:42 Understanding the Greater Sage Grouse 09:09 Impact of Livestock Grazing on Sage Grouse 13:55 Sage Grouse Conservation Plans and Challenges 23:51 Scientific Integrity and Livestock Industry Influence 35:59 The Role of Research and Public Policy 59:19 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 3m
  4. #62 - The Gray Wolf: Myths, Misconceptions & Culture w/ Amaroq Weiss & Samantha Miller

    3 FEB

    #62 - The Gray Wolf: Myths, Misconceptions & Culture w/ Amaroq Weiss & Samantha Miller

    In this episode, I speak with Amaroq Weiss, Senior Wolf Advocate, and Samantha Miller, Senior Carnivore Campaigner, with the Center for Biological Diversity, where we explore the ongoing challenges of wolf recovery and conservation across the United States, while dispelling myths along the way. Our conversation delves into the political pressures causing cyclical removal and reinstatement of wolf protections under the Endangered Species Act and the implications of state management, emphasizing public advocacy’s impact. Cultural differences in wolf management between the U.S. and Europe are examined, dispelling myths about ‘Canadian super wolves’ and the role that hunters play in the culture wars and conservation efforts. Ethical dilemmas in trophy hunting, the impact of politicized hunting organizations, and the specific case of the Cody Roberts incident in Wyoming are discussed. We end the episode with updates on Colorado’s wolf reintroduction efforts, focusing on the resilience of the Copper Creek wolf family. 02:05 Challenges and Myths in Wolf Conservation 07:00 Political Pressures and Wolf Protections 16:51 The Role of the Endangered Species Act 29:25 Cultural Perspectives on Wolves 42:09 The Hunting Community and Carnivore Conservation 47:14 The Changing Dynamics of Wolf Reintroduction 47:54 Ethical Hunting and Public Perception 50:32 The Controversy of Wolf Hunting 54:00 The Cody Roberts Incident 56:15 Legal and Social Implications of Wolf Hunting 01:03:01 Debunking the Myth of the Canadian Super Wolf 01:11:48 Wolf Reintroduction Efforts in Colorado 01:21:50 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 24m
  5. #61 - Save the Boundary Waters w/ Ingrid Lyons

    27 JAN

    #61 - Save the Boundary Waters w/ Ingrid Lyons

    Right now, the Boundary Waters is facing one of its most serious conservation threats in decades as efforts are underway to reverse a longstanding federal mining ban and open up lands in the Superior National Forest to copper-nickel sulfide mining. In January 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to overturn a 20-year moratorium that had protected the headwaters flowing into the Boundary Waters from sulfide-ore mining—now headed to the Senate and potentially the President’s desk. Proponents argue mining would supply critical minerals like copper, nickel, and cobalt and create jobs, but environmental groups like Save the Boundary Waters warn that sulfide mining has a long track record of acid mine drainage and heavy-metal pollution that could irreversibly contaminate the region’s pristine lakes, rivers, and groundwater, devastating wildlife, recreation, and local economies built on clean water and wilderness tourism. In this episode, I speak with Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters, about the historical, ecological, and economic significance of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. We explore the history of the Boundary Waters, the ecosystem and wildlife, the importance of outdoor recreation to the regional economy, and the ongoing battle against proposed copper mining operations. She shares insights into the impact of potential mining on this incredible ecosystem and the broader implications for public lands nationwide. https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/call-senate-now The main Capitol switchboard number to reach the United States Congress is (202) 224-3121. This operator can connect you directly with any Senate or House office. 02:10 Current Threats to the Boundary Waters 05:04 History and Significance of the Boundary Waters 08:04 Ingrid’s Personal Connection to the Boundary Waters 13:35 Unique Features and Wildlife of the Boundary Waters 19:34 The Mining Threat: History and Impact 26:40 Economic Importance of the Boundary Waters 29:22 Economic Impact of Proposed Mining Project 30:53 History and Legal Background of Mining Claims 31:18 Mineral Withdrawal Process and Challenges 36:05 Congressional Actions and Implications 41:21 Potential Consequences and Public Response 49:57 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min
  6. #60 - The Overlooked Ecological Costs of Pinyon-Juniper “Restoration” Treatments w/ Allison Jones

    21 JAN

    #60 - The Overlooked Ecological Costs of Pinyon-Juniper “Restoration” Treatments w/ Allison Jones

    In this episode, I interview Allison Jones, a seasoned conservation biologist with extensive experience in arid ecosystems—specifically the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. We discuss a range of topics including juniper treatments, sage-grouse, pygmy rabbits, and the unique ecology of the Great Basin. Allison details her educational background, professional experiences, and contributions to wildlife and land management policy through roles in organizations like the Sageland Collaborative, the Wild Utah Project and here current employer, Conservation Science Partners. Our discussion covers the impacts of mechanical vegetation treatments on pinyon juniper ecosystems, the impacts from livestock grazing post treatments, and the challenges posed by invasive species like cheatgrass, post treatments. We also delve into controversial practices, effects on water resources, and the impacts to wildlife species. Do Mechanical Vegetation Treatments of Pinyon-Juniper and Sagebrush Communities Work? A Review of the Literature The Pygmy Rabbit 03:02 Allison’s Background and Career Journey 08:04 The Great Basin: A Unique Ecosystem 12:21 Pinyon and Juniper Forests: Ecology and Management 16:29 Controversial Practices and Wildlife Impact 27:24 Cheatgrass Dominance in Treatment Areas 28:48 Impact of Grazing on Cheatgrass Spread 29:55 Water Flow and Juniper Removal 33:56 Phases of Juniper Encroachment 37:10 Sage-Grouse Habitat and Treatment Effectiveness 41:54 The Pygmy Rabbit: Habitat and Conservation 45:25 Fire Cycles and Livestock Grazing Impact Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  7. #59 - Bernard and Avis DeVoto: The Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild w/ Nate Schweber

    13 JAN

    #59 - Bernard and Avis DeVoto: The Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild w/ Nate Schweber

    In this episode of the podcast, I speak with author Nate Schweber about the life and activism of Bernard and Avis DeVoto. Nate is the author of ‘This America of Ours.’ He shares insights into DeVoto’s work as a journalist, historian, and public lands advocate. Our conversation delves into Bernard’s early years and the profound impact growing up in Utah had on his advocacy for public lands. We discuss Bernard’s journey into becoming a leading voice against the privatization of public lands during the 1940s and 1950s, including his pivotal role in exposing a major land grab plot orchestrated by powerful livestock interests and political figures like Senator Pat McCarran and Joseph McCarthy. Nate also discusses the enduring partnership between Bernard and his wife, Avis, highlighting her critical role in his work and her later collaboration with Julia Child. Nate underscores the ongoing relevance of the DeVoto’s fight for public lands in today’s political climate, drawing parallels between past and present challenges. The DeVoto Dry Martini 3.7 parts gin 1 part dry vermouth Mix in pitcher of ice or cocktail shakes Twist of lemon only (no olives! Bernard hated olives…) 01:29 Discussion on Bernard and Avis Devoto 04:05 Nate’s Background and Connection to the West 06:04 Early Memories and Love for Public Lands 10:52 Bernard Devoto’s Early Years and Activism 13:29 The 1946 Road Trip and Discovery of the Land Grab Plot 21:35 The Role of Livestock Industry and Pat McCarran 31:00 Modern Parallels and Ongoing Public Lands Issues 34:10 Public Lands and Privatization 34:55 Political Shifts in Public Lands 38:19 Bernard Devoto’s Activism 38:51 The Land Grab Plot Evolution 40:18 Devoto’s Fight Against Dams 43:41 Devoto’s Later Years and Legacy 54:15 The Devoto-Child Connection 01:02:53 Reflections on Public Lands Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 5m
  8. #58 - The Marbled Murrelet: An Old-Growth Forest Obligate Sea Bird

    6 JAN

    #58 - The Marbled Murrelet: An Old-Growth Forest Obligate Sea Bird

    In this episode, I share a presentation by avian ecologist Lindsay Adrian of the American Bird Conservancy from the 2025 Bird Alliance of Oregon Marbled Murrelet Survey event. Lindsay discusses the unique biology and conservation challenges of the marbled murrelet, a federally listed seabird that nests in old-growth forests along the Pacific Coast. The presentation highlights the impact of the Northwest Forest Plan on murrelet populations, ongoing threats to their habitat, and the effectiveness of survey methods. Lindsay also emphasizes the importance of public awareness and engagement, detailing the ‘Crumb Clean’ initiative designed to mitigate predator impacts on murrelet nests. Stay tuned for the 2026 Survey! 00:57 Presentation Overview: Marbled Murrelet 04:54 Life History and Habitat of Marbled Murrelet 14:37 Challenges and Conservation Efforts 35:06 Field Survey and Identification Tips. Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min
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About

A podcast about our beloved and treasured public lands where I interview subject matter experts and activists from across the country who are working to protect and advocate for our public lands and their wildlife, wilderness, and cultural values. ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Bronstein
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Our Public Lands Podcast
  • Show Website
    Our Public Lands

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