USDA Sets Roadless Rule Repeal in Motion ft. Trout Unlimited and National Park Staff Unionize - Public Lands News (August 25 - 29)
This week on Public Lands News, we’re covering staffing crises, forest protections, and union victories, including:National Park Service Staffing Crisis continues — closures, delayed responses, and what it means for visitorsUSDA Move to Rescind the Roadless Rule (21-day comment period) — with Corey Fisher, Trout UnlimitedYosemite & Sequoia-Kings Canyon Park Workers UnionizeCourt Orders Closure of “Alligator Alcatraz” ICE Detention Center in the EvergladesLink to Federal Register to Comment on the Roadless Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/29/2025-16581/special-areas-roadless-area-conservation-national-forest-system-landsSubscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel (@theoutdoorminimalist) so you don’t miss the launch of our new Ecocide series on September 8.Have tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9).Sources referenced in this episode:National Parks Conservation Association: https://www.npca.org/articles/10343-shuttered-visitor-centers-closed-campgrounds-slower-emergency-response USDA / Roadless Rule:USDA Secretary Rollins Opens Next Step in Roadless Rule Rescission: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/08/27/secretary-rollins-opens-next-step-roadless-rule-rescissionRoadless Rule Impact Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7308297f88484984a5ee5bcf2d5ae6b4/NFFE / National Park Unionization: https://nffe.org/press-release/workers-at-yosemite-sequoia-kings-canyon-national-parks-organize-a-union-under-nffe/‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Must Close, But the Fight Isn’t Over: https://grist.org/indigenous/alligator-alcatraz-must-close-but-the-fight-isnt-over/
29 Elo 16min
194. Is Your Morning Coffee Funding Deforestation? with Etelle Higonnet
While everyone starts their morning a little differently, one thing many people have in common is pouring a cup of coffee. But what if I told you that your daily ritual of coffee is more than likely funding mass deforestation, biodiversity loss, and slavery? One thing you know is that on this podcast, we vote with our dollar, and what we buy every single day, where we buy it, and who we buy it from, all make a difference in the impact we have not only on the environment, but on workers across the globe. That’s why in episode 194 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sit down to chat with Etelle Higonnet.Etelle is the Founder & Director of Coffee Watch. A graduate of Yale Law School, she's an attorney and environmental and human rights activist. She previously worked at Mighty Earth, National Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, as well as two war crimes courts. She was knighted in her home country of France for her pioneering efforts to curb deforestation in high-risk commodities with an emphasis on cocoa, rubber, palm oil, cattle, and soy industries. She has worked in over 30 countries, is widely published, speaks 9 languages, and is now dedicated to ending deforestation and slavery in the global coffee industry.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/Website: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalistListener Survey: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976-----------------Coffee WatchWebsite: https://coffeewatch.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coffeewatch/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeewatchorg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeewatchorgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeWatchOrg
25 Elo 42min
Trump's AI Action Plan + WOTUS ft. Barbra Calantas and a Small Victory for Oak Flat, Arizona ft. Access Fund - Public Lands News (August 18 - 22)
This week on Public Lands News, we’re tracking urgent comment deadlines and court victories, including:- Forest Service Reorganization (comment period closes August 26)- Artificial Intelligence & Environmental Permitting — with Barbra Calantas, Environmental Science Associates- Oak Flat Legal Battle — with Dr. Erik Murdock, Access Fund- Offshore Oil & Gas Leasing ScheduleSubscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel (@theoutdoorminimalist) so you don’t miss the Ecocide pilot episode release this SeptemberHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)USDA reorganization info & public comment: Email: reorganization@usda.govSources referenced in this episode:1. Environmental Science Associates:President Trump Targets Accelerating Artificial Intelligence Deployment (https://esassoc.com/news-and-ideas/2025/08/president-trump-targets-accelerating-artificial-intelligence-deployment-in-recent-executive-actions/)WOTUS, POTUS, and SCOTUS (https://esassoc.com/news-and-ideas/2025/04/wotus-potus-and-scotus-where-waters-of-the-u-s-stands-under-the-new-administration/)ESA Federal Policy Tracker (https://policytracker.esassoc.com/)2. Access Fund: Latest News on Oak Flat (https://www.accessfund.org/latest-news/tag/Oak+Flat)3. U.S. Department of the Interior:Interior Department Sets Offshore Energy Leasing Schedule Under One Big Beautiful Bill Act (https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-sets-offshore-energy-leasing-schedule-under-one-big-beautiful)
22 Elo 27min
193. Yes, Your Sunscreen Could Be Killing Coral Reefs with Katie Day
Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea.” They provide habitat for an incredible diversity of marine life, protect shorelines from storms, and support the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. But reefs are also among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. Rising ocean temperatures, pollution, and coastal development all play a role in their decline—and now, research shows that something as ordinary as the sunscreen we put on at the beach could be part of the problem.Certain chemical ingredients found commonly in sunscreens have been linked to coral bleaching, genetic damage in marine species, and even harm to the tiny phytoplankton that form the base of the ocean’s food chain. Some places, including Hawai‘i, have already banned these types of sunscreens in an effort to protect fragile reef ecosystems. But with labels like “reef-safe” popping up everywhere, it’s not always clear what’s marketing spin and what’s truly safe for our oceans.To help us untangle the science and policy behind sunscreen and reef health, we’re joined by Katie Day, Surfrider Foundation’s Senior Manager of Science and Policy. Katie grew up on a small island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where her love for the ocean first began. With a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Management, she brings expertise in climate policy, water quality, and habitat management. At Surfrider, she helps guide national campaigns with the latest science, leads federal advocacy efforts, and heads up the organization’s annual Coastal Recreation Hill Day in Washington, D.C. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/Website: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistBuy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalistListener Survey: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976-----------------Surfrider FoundationWebsite: https://www.surfrider.org/Reef-Safe Sunscreen Guide: https://www.surfrider.org/news/surfrider-foundations-2025-reef-friendly-sunscreen-guideInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/SurfriderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/surfrider/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/surfrider-foundation/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/SurfriderFoundation
18 Elo 34min
USDA Forest Service Reorganization, NEPA Rollbacks, and New Mexico’s Oil & Gas Battles - Public Lands News (August 4 - 15)
We’re back after a short break with an urgent update on threats to U.S. public lands, major environmental policy rollbacks, and ongoing oil and gas fights in New Mexico.Main Topics Covered:USDA’s plan to reorganize and consolidate Forest Service operations.The SPEED Act and its potential to roll back NEPA protections.Oil and gas accountability battles in New Mexico: abandoned wells and fracking wastewater.Sneak peek of the Ecocide pilot episode on the Boundary Waters mining threat.Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel (@theoutdoorminimalist) so you don’t miss the Ecocide pilot episode release this SeptemberHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)Resources & Links:USDA reorganization info & public comment: Email reorganization@usda.govOutdoor Alliance Action Alert: https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/8/7/the-forest-service-wants-to-hear-from-you-about-its-staffing-and-reorganization-plan NEPA Rollbacks & the SPEED Act: https://westernlaw.org/nepa-rollback-bill-speed-act-would-threaten-environment-communities-provide-legal-immunity-to-polluters/Abandoned wells in New Mexico: https://westernlaw.org/coalition-of-environmental-groups-tribal-leaders-experts-public-health-and-environmental-safety-public-funds-protection-central-to-preventing-abandoned-wells-in-nm/Fracking wastewater ban challenge: https://westernlaw.org/the-fix-is-in-clean-water-advocates-file-objection-in-big-oil-bid-to-reverse-state-ban-on-fracking-wastewater-discharge/Save the Boundary Waters update: https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/did-twin-metals-just-get-leases-mine-watershed-boundary-waters-nope
15 Elo 40min
We're Taking a Short Break - Back on August 15th
We're taking a short break from regular episodes while we film our new YouTube series: Ecocide.Ecocide: the destruction of large areas of the natural environment as a consequence of human activityEcocide is going to be an ongoing investigative video project that explores how extractive industries, like mining, impact wild spaces, clean water access, and outdoor recreation economies.Our first episode, launching early September, takes you into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where we’re partnering with Friends of the Boundary Waters to examine the growing threats of copper-nickel mining and climate change.This series will be exclusively available on YouTube, and this episode is a pilot — a test run to gauge interest and support. If it resonates, we’ll grow it into a recurring reporting series.To stay independent, we rarely accept brand sponsorships. That means we rely on support from listeners and viewers like you.Want to help us produce more stories like this?→ Donate directly: buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist→ Subscribe and share the video on YouTube once it launches.Thank you for supporting clean water, public lands, and responsible storytelling.We’ll be back with new podcast episodes on Friday, August 15.
8 Elo 2min
192. Is it Possible to Build a Brand Around Advocacy Instead of a Product? with Matt Moreau
We can’t shop our way out of climate change. And we definitely can’t rely on capitalism to save the planet. But what happens when a brand tries to flip that script?In the outdoor industry, we’ve seen a rising trend: companies weaving sustainability and advocacy into their marketing. But are those efforts genuine, or just another version of greenwashed consumerism? Can a brand really center advocacy over product—and still survive?To explore this topic from a brand’s perspective, in episode 192 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re talking with Matt Moreau.Matt is the founder and CEO of The Landmark Project, an outdoor lifestyle brand known for its art-forward designs, sustainable apparel, and advocacy for public lands. Under Matt’s leadership, The Landmark Project has grown from a small, garage-based print shop into a nationally recognized brand sold in retail stores and national parks across the U.S. Passionate about connecting people with the outdoors, Matt has shaped the company’s mission around celebrating and protecting natural places through thoughtful design, meaningful partnerships, and a commitment to conservation.INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/WEBSITE: https://www.theoutdoorminimalist.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@theoutdoorminimalistLISTENER SURVEY: https://forms.gle/jd8UCN2LL3AQst976-----------------Landmark ProjectWebsite: https://thelandmarkproject.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelandmarkprojectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-landmark-project/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelandmarkprojectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/landmarkproject
4 Elo 35min
Protecting the Western Arctic ft. Alaska Wilderness League and the Potential Repeal of the Roadless Rule ft. Outdoor Alliance - Public Lands News (July 28 - August 1)
In this episode, we cover two urgent and unfolding stories:The Trump administration’s rollback of safeguards in the Western Arctic with Andy Moderow from the Alaska Wilderness LeagueThe USDA’s plan to rescind the Roadless Rule with Jamie Ervin from Outdoor AllianceThese changes could open millions of acres of public lands to industrial development. But there’s still time to take action.Make a comment on development in the Western Arctic: https://alaskawild.org/Write to lawmakers about the Roadless Rule: https://www.outdooralliance.org/roadlessWant more updates?Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the full public lands news roundup delivered straight to your inbox:🔗 www.theoutdoorminimalist.comHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9)Other Resources:Alaska Wilderness League response (https://alaskawild.org/blog/interior-withdraws-special-area-safeguards-in-npr-a-advancing-oil-and-gas-agenda/)DOI press release on NPR-A (https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-withdraws-restrictive-special-area-policies-alaskas-national-petroleum)USDA Press Release (https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/06/23/secretary-rollins-rescinds-roadless-rule-eliminating-impediment-responsible-forest-management)Roadless Rule Timeline – Earthjustice (https://earthjustice.org/feature/timeline-of-the-roadless-rule)NRDC Press Release – Legal Action on Campbell Plant (https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/public-advocacy-groups-take-trump-administration-court-illegal-coal-plant-extension)
1 Elo 29min
