Kate and Aaron talk to Kelly Mitchell, executive director of oil industry watchdog FieldNotes, about 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.

• 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

• Watch this episode on YouTube

• 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.

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.

• 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

• Watch this episode on YouTube

• 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.

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.

• Public Land Advocates Warn Senate Amendment Could Greenlight Sale of National Parks – Flathead Beacon

• Watch “Common Waters” preview
• Salida screening Jan 29
• Colorado Stream Access Coalition website
• Video episode on YouTube

• 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.