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 (link to come) Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

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: [email protected] 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.

Join us on The Landscape as we dive into the resurgence of uranium mining in the American West. Hosts Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger speak with Land Desk author and public lands expert Jonathan Thompson about whether the current uranium hype signifies a boom or a bubble. We explore the history of uranium production, the complications of mining on public lands, and the environmental and economic implications of revival efforts. Additionally, we discuss recently fast-tracked mining permits under the Trump administration and the future of small modular reactors as potential power sources. News Conservation Groups Blast Trump’s Latest Choice to Head Up the Bureau of Land Management – Inside Climate News When the federal shutdown closed this national park, rangers took to the classroom – Los Angeles Times Resources The Land Desk newsletter  Watch the full video episode on YouTube  Credits Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss and Kate Groetzinger Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Abandoned uranium mine near Moab; Matt Affolter/Wikimedia Commons The post Uranium boom or bubble? Exploring the future of uranium mining in the West appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Aaron talks to Rep. Jared Huffman, ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, about the government shutdown, whether Adelita Grijalva will ever get sworn in, and what he tells people who ask what’s bringing him hope in this dark time.   Produced & hosted by Aaron Weiss (Kate’s back next week) Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Wikimedia Commons The post What the shutdown means for public lands w/ Rep. Jared Huffman appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

This Saturday is National Public Lands Day, and in honor of that, we’re bringing you a special behind the scenes episode about our Keep Parks Public tour featuring the team here at CWP.  As many listeners or Look West subscribers may know, the CWP team embarked on a 10-day journey that took us from Denver to Las Cruces, Tucson, Flagstaff, Moab, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, and Jackson Hole over the past month and a half. The main goal of the Keep Parks Public tour was to highlight the impacts President Trump’s staffing and funding cuts are having on public lands across the West. But we ended up covering a lot more than that. We talked to local political and business leaders, conservation advocates, former park rangers and superintendents, and public land lovers at every stop on our trip— and the message from everyone was clear: public lands are not ok. Nor are the people who care for them.  We’re going to share what we learned on the tour and play some of the best quotes from our live events. Then we’ll close out by reading you some of the 150+ comments folks have submitted through our Keep Parks Public website answering the question: Why do public lands matter to you? News After defeating plan to sell public land, coalition of Colorado advocates keeps up the fight – Colorado Sun “Keep Parks Public” tour stops in Tucson to push back against national park cuts – KGUN What Was Learned From the Latest Fight Over Public Lands? – Outside 109th anniversary of National Park Service comes amid big proposed cuts, uncertainty about the future of public lands – Rocky Mountain Community Radio ‘Keep Parks Public’ tour concludes in Grand Junction – KREX After national parks hearing, MAGA forces continue public land assault, greens say – WyoFile Resources Tell us: Why do public lands matter to YOU? Keep Parks Public Instagram Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: CWP photo at Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in Las Cruces, NM   The post How people across the West are fighting to protect public lands appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Kate and Aaron talk to former Montana gubernatorial candidate, public lands hunter, and Substack author Ryan Busse about how billionaires are cutting off access to the outdoors in Montana and a whole lot more. We also briefly touch on the news that the Trump administration is repealing the Public Lands Rule and give an update on the Roadless Rule repeal comment period. News Trump Moves to Scrap Biden Rule That Protected Public Lands – New York Times Billionaires To Gate 1700 Acres and Bulldoze Historic Orchard On Flathead Lake – Montana Dispatch Resources How to comment on the planned roadless rule rollback – High Country News The Outdoor Minimalist Podcast Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Custer Galllatin National Forest; Source: USFS   The post Ryan Busse on how billionaires are locking up land in Montana appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Kate hosts a live episode in Grand Junction on CWP’s Keep Parks Public tour! Guests discuss the importance of keeping our parks and monuments staffed and funded. Guests: Ken Mabery, former superintendent of Colorado National Monument, Cole Hanson, Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition board member and Gear Junction co-owner, Jessy Nuckolls, public lands advocate and Western Colorado Alliance member, and Tracy Coppola, with the National Parks Conservation Association. Resources Keep Parks Public: Tell us why you love public lands and want them protected Follow @keepparkspublic on Instagram Email us at [email protected] Episode transcript (to come) Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Keep Parks Public Grand Junction event on 8/22/2025; CWP photo The post LIVE in Grand Junction: Public land advocates take Trump attacks personally appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.

Kate hosts a live episode in Salt Lake City on CWP’s Keep Parks Public tour! Guests: Erika Pollard, National Parks Conservation Association; Davina Smith, Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition and Grand Staircase Escalante Partners; Scott Braden, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance; Doug Tolman, Save Our Canyons. Resources Keep Parks Public: Tell us why you love public lands and want them protected Follow @keepparkspublic on Instagram Email us at [email protected] Episode transcript Credits Hosts: Kate Groetzinger & Aaron Weiss  Feedback: [email protected] Music: Purple Planet Featured image: Keep Parks Public Salt Lake City event on 8/21/2025; Photo by Ken Kraus The post LIVE: Utah conservation all-stars on how to Keep Parks Public appeared first on Center for Western Priorities.