The Landscape

Center for Western Priorities
  • 4.8 (77)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

News, interviews, and history with newsmakers and environmental advocates, focused on parks and public lands across the American West. Produced by the Center for Western Priorities, formerly known as Go West, Young Podcast.

  1. 8H AGO

    What gutting the Council on Environmental Quality means for public lands

    In this episode, Kate and Aaron are joined by Professor John Ruple, a public lands law expert at the University of Utah and former attorney at the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), to discuss the Trump administration’s dismantling of the CEQ’s authority over NEPA regulations. He breaks down what the Trump administration means when it claims to have ended NEPA’s “regulatory reign of terror” and why removing uniform environmental review standards creates chaos for public lands. News For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump – New York Times Potential conflicts over celebrating America’s 250th anniversary spill out in congressional hearing – Associated Press Concessionaire Nominated To Run National Park Service – National Parks Traveler Resources Watch this episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger, edited by Lilly Bock-Brownstein Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: David Korzillus, BLM The post What gutting the Council on Environmental Quality means for public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    51 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Weaponizing the Congressional Review Act against America’s public lands

    In this episode, Kate and Aaron discuss how Congress is using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn public land management plans, creating chaos and uncertainty for federal lands. Steve Bloch from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance explains that the CRA, originally designed to review agency rules, is now being weaponized to repeal resource management plans and even national monument plans like the one in place for Grand Staircase-Escalante, despite these never being treated as “rules” before. News Trump admin’s approval of Northern Corridor sparks new lawsuit – Salt Lake Tribune NPS removes slavery exhibit in Trump admin crackdown on ‘negative’ history – E&E News Tri-State says no thanks to federal orders to keep Craig coal power plant open – Colorado Sun Resources Watch this episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Grand Staircase-Escalante, John Fowler The post Weaponizing the Congressional Review Act against America’s public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    43 min

  3. JAN 23

    Why a New Mexico gun rights leader opposes Trump’s pick to lead the BLM

    Aaron and Kate speak with Zachary Fort, president of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, about his opposition to Steve Pearce’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Fort, a former Republican and gun rights advocate, explains why hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts are concerned about Pearce’s track record on public lands. He discusses Pearce’s history of sponsoring legislation to sell off national public lands, his prioritization of oil and gas interests over public access, and his divisive leadership of the New Mexico Republican Party. Fort argues that Pearce’s support for transferring public lands to private ownership threatens hunting and shooting opportunities that generations of New Mexicans have relied on. News House Public Lands Caucus Fails Test With Boundary Waters Vote – Public Domain House Dems Demand Probe Into Top Interior Official, Citing Public Domain’s Reporting – Public Domain Congress passes environmental funding without Trump’s deep cuts – High Country News Resources Watch this episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Congressman Steve Pearce of New Mexico speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland; Source: Flickr/Gage Skidmore  The post Why a New Mexico gun rights leader opposes Trump’s pick to lead the BLM appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    31 min

  4. JAN 9

    Will Maduro’s capture lead to an American oil rift?

    Kate and Aaron talk to Kelly Mitchell, executive director of oil industry watchdog FieldNotes, about what Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s capture by the US means for oil and gas producers here in the West. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has also been making the rounds on Fox cheering on Trump’s actions in Venezuela and calling on US companies to start drilling there, which we also touch on. News The Trump Administration Approved a Big Lithium Mine. A Top Official’s Husband Profited. – New York Times Takeaways from Congress’ latest spending package – E&E News Resources Watch this episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Natural gas drilling equipment on the Pinedale Anticline, WY. Source: Richard Waite, World Resources Institute The post Will Maduro’s capture lead to an American oil rift? appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    23 min

  5. 12/26/2025

    Burnout and bravery: Fighting fire on America’s public lands

    In this episode of The Landscape, Aaron and Lauren ask veteran wildland firefighter Bobbie Scopa about the state of America’s wildfire response. Bobbie, who is a retired firefighter with the organization Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, shares insights from her five-decade career, exploring how recent federal layoffs and policy changes are impacting fire mitigation, hazardous fuels reduction, and the morale of those on the front lines. This episode delves into the complexities of forest management, the challenges of interagency coordination, and the dedication of those who protect our public lands. News Mike Lee reverses course on controversial national park proposal, but conservation groups say concerns still remain – Salt Lake Tribune USDA lost more than 20,000 employees this year, internal watchdog finds – E&E News Mexican wolves are rebounding, but are they ready for delisting? – High Country News Resources Watch this episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: NPS photo by Brady Richards The post Burnout and bravery: Fighting fire on America’s public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    43 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Common waters: Inside the fight for stream access in Colorado

    In this episode of The Landscape, Aaron and Sterling talk to Cody Perry, a filmmaker and founder of Rig to Flip, and Professor Mark Squillace, an expert in public lands and environmental law at the University of Colorado, about the ongoing battle to change Colorado’s restrictive stream access laws. The conversation centers around Perry’s documentary “Common Waters,” which follows Prof. Squillace’s efforts to change the law by attempting to get himself arrested. News Public Land Advocates Warn Senate Amendment Could Greenlight Sale of National Parks – Flathead Beacon Resources Watch “Common Waters” preview Salida screening Jan 29 Colorado Stream Access Coalition website Video episode on YouTube Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Screenshot from Common Waters preview; Source: Rig to Flip The post Common waters: Inside the fight for stream access in Colorado appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    37 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    The dirty truth about oil and gas drilling in New Mexico

    On this episode of the Landscape, Kate and Aaron are joined by filmmaker Annie Ersinghaus, rancher Don Schreiber, and Gail Evans, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, to talk about the impact poorly regulated oil and gas extraction has on New Mexico’s environment. Gail and Don appear in Annie’s new film, The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Extraction. News Hundreds of Joshua trees were scorched during the shutdown – Los Angeles Times Wealthy Ranchers Profit from Public Lands. Taxpayers Pick up the Tab  – High Country News/Propublica Sheep Creek mine public meeting draws comments, concerns in Hamilton – KPAX News Resources Watch The Land of Sacrifice: The Burden of New Mexico’s Oil and Gas Extraction Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Permian Basin oil and gas development; SkyTruth/Fickr The post The dirty truth about oil and gas drilling in New Mexico appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    40 min

  8. 11/21/2025

    Trump bonding rates could cost taxpayers billions

    In this episode of The Landscape, Aaron and Kate discuss the Trump administration’s plan to roll back oil and gas bonding rates designed to protect American taxpayers from the cleanup costs of abandoned wells. The episode features insights from David Jenkins, president of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship. His group recently released a report finding the Trump’s roll back could saddle taxpayers with over $750 billion in potential financial liabilities. News Conservation Leaders Unite to Oppose Steve Pearce BLM Nomination – Sierra Magazine Congress Broke Public Lands. It’s About To Create Legal Chaos – Wes Siler’s Newsletter Statement: Senate hearing on multiple use of America’s public lands – CWP Resources Unplugged: The High Cost of Bonding Reform Rollbacks – Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship Take action Watch the full video episode on YouTube  Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: podcast@westernpriorities.org Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Pumpjack located in the Carlsbad Field Office; Source: BLM New Mexico The post Trump bonding rates could cost taxpayers billions appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

    26 min
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4.8
out of 5
77 Ratings

About

News, interviews, and history with newsmakers and environmental advocates, focused on parks and public lands across the American West. Produced by the Center for Western Priorities, formerly known as Go West, Young Podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Center for Western Priorities
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Center for Western Priorities
  • Show Website
    The Landscape

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