About the Guest(s):

Chris Clarke is the host of the "90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast." He brings a wealth of knowledge about wildlife and conservation topics, particularly relating to the American Southwest's deserts.

Rick LoBello is the Education and Conservation Curator at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with previous experience as a park ranger at Big Bend National Park. A founding member of the Texas Lobo Coalition, Rick has decades of experience advocating for the conservation of the Mexican wolf.

Erin Hunt is an advocate with Lobos of the Southwest. She has over 16 years of experience working on Mexican wolf conservation, particularly in public education, outreach, and coexistence efforts with ranching communities.

Philip Sozanski is an AP U.S. History and AP Research teacher, and an independent historian focusing on environmental history. He is a board member of the Texas Lobo Coalition, with a strong interest in Texas's natural heritage and history of wildlife conservation.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into the crucial work of the Texas Lobo Coalition to restore the Mexican wolf to its former ranges in West Texas. Featuring insightful discussions with Rick LoBello, Erin Hunt, and Philip Sozanski, the episode captures the passion and urgency behind their conservation efforts. The group's goal is to foster coexistence between wolves and locals, creating a balanced ecosystem that benefits wildlife and people alike. Throughout the episode, listeners learn about the historical and ecological significance of the Mexican wolf, also known as the Lobo, in Texas. Rick LoBello shares his extensive experience with wolf conservation, while Erin Hunt discusses the importance of restoring ecosystems to ensure a future for diverse species, including the Mexican wolf. Philip Sozanski highlights the historical challenges and the cultural fears attached to wolves, which have persisted for centuries. Together, they make a compelling case for reintroducing this essential apex predator, emphasizing the potential positive impact on the Texas landscape.

Key Takeaways:

The Texas Lobo Coalition works tirelessly to create support among local landowners and the broader community for reintroducing the Mexican wolf to Texas.

Mexican wolves once roamed parts of Texas but were hunted to near extinction by the mid-20th century due to conflicts with livestock farming.

Current conservation efforts emphasize the ecological benefits of wolves, including maintaining healthy prey populations and ecosystems.

Myths and fears about wolves persist, but evidence shows they pose little threat to human safety; education is crucial to change outdated perceptions.

Restoring the Mexican wolf requires collaboration, empathy, and understanding that successful coexistence leads to healthier environments for all.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Our main aim is to find a way to give this animal a chance to return to its native landscape." – Rick LoBello 2. "We're not necessarily asking people to love wolves. We're asking people, what do you need from this land that you care about?" – Erin Hunt
2. "Texans are rabid about their history and about their heritage, and the natural history of Texas is incomplete without the presence of this iconic species." – Philip Sozanski
3. "Coexistence is absolutely possible. We know it works." – Erin Hunt

Resources:

Texas Lobo Coalition: [texaslobocoalition.org](https://www.texaslobocoalition.org)

Lobos of the Southwest: [https://mexicanwolves.org/](https://www. https://mexicanwolves.org/) *

Wolf Conservation Center: [nywolf.org](https://www.nywolf.org)

Join us as we explore fascinating topics about desert wildlife conservation and the intricate dynamics of ecosystems. Listen to the full episode to discover how you too can support efforts to bring back the majestic Mexican wolf to its rightful home.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest:

Ben Goldfarb is an award-winning environmental journalist and prolific author known for his focus on the intersection of human activity and wildlife. His works, including Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, explore groundbreaking ecological concepts and have been recognized by outlets such as the New York Times. Goldfarb's influential book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter has received critical acclaim for its insightful examination of the ecological significance of beavers. He currently resides in Colorado.

Episode Summary: In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles, host Chris Clarke engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb. The focus is on the nuanced field of road ecology and its implications on desert ecosystems. Clarke and Goldfarb delve into the effects of roads on wildlife, touching on staggering statistics like the million animals killed by cars daily in the U.S. alone. They explore how roadkill, highways, and infrastructures challenge species such as desert tortoises and pronghorns in arid regions, combining environmental insight with ground-level observations. As the conversation unfolds, Goldfarb expands on the transformative role of road ecology—a growing scientific discipline that examines the relationship between transportation infrastructures and ecological systems. He highlights pressing issues including hydrological impacts, wildlife mobility, and innovative solutions like wildlife crossings to promote ecological connectivity. Clarke and Goldfarb also explore technologies, policies, and community efforts aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of roads on the environment, weaving in discussions on living sustainability in desert habitats.

Key Takeaways

Road Ecology Definition: Road ecology is a dynamic scientific field focusing on how transportation infrastructure affects the environment, with extended applications from mitigating roadkill to supporting wildlife crossings. Impact on Desert Ecosystems: Roads in desert landscapes alter wildlife movement and hydrology, posing severe threats to species needing extensive ranges like the desert tortoise and pronghorn.

Wildlife Crossings: Successful wildlife crossings such as the Liberty Canyon project are vital in reducing road mortality and ensuring wildlife connectivity, especially in regions with high biodiversity.

Human Infrastructure Influence: The conversation highlights how human infrastructure can drive either positive ecological developments as in beaver habitats or embody detrimental impacts like excessive road development.

Beavers in Arid Lands: Goldfarb emphasizes that beavers once played a crucial role in maintaining riparian ecosystems in deserts, underlining the potential for ecosystem restoration.

Notable Quotes

"Road ecology is this relatively small but fast-growing field of science that looks at all of the different connections between roads and nature." – Ben Goldfarb "Beavers are sort of integral to those systems… the amount of lush flourishing in desert landscapes is incredible." – Ben Goldfarb

"Every ecological impact stems from a road to some extent. Roads are the root of all evil." – Ben Goldfarb

"We happen to do it in a way that is incredibly detrimental to biodiversity." – Ben Goldfarb

"In some ways, we and beavers are these weird mirror images of each other." – Ben Goldfarb

Resources

Ben Goldfarb's Book: Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet Ben Goldfarb's Book: Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter

Don’t miss out on this enlightening episode as Ben Goldfarb shares his invaluable insights into road ecology and its profound impact on desert ecosystems. Follow 90 Miles from Needles for more episodes that delve into pressing environmental issues and explore sustainable solutions.

Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfromneedles.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.