202. Road Salt Threatens Our Freshwater Future with Brendan Wiltse
Depending on where you live, if you’ve ever driven a snowy mountain road or parked your car after a winter storm, you’ve probably seen that familiar crust of salt left behind. It’s easy to think of road salt as just another part of winter, and a simple fix for icy conditions. But that same salt, once it washes off our roads, has a far-reaching impact on the water we drink and the lakes or streams that we love.Across the Northeast and beyond, road salt has become a threat to freshwater ecosystems. It seeps into wells and disrupts aquatic life. In New York State, scientists are warning that the overuse of salt could be creating “thousands of mini-Flints,” a public health crisis unfolding one winter at a time.Today, we’re joined by Dr. Brendan Wiltse, Executive Director of the Lake George Association, the nation’s first lake conservation organization, founded in 1885. The LGA has been leading efforts to protect Lake George, known as the “Queen of American Lakes,” through science and community collaboration. Dr. Wiltse’s decades of research in aquatic ecology and his leadership at the LGA shed light on how salt pollution, climate change, and infrastructure are interconnected, and what we can all do to protect our clean water.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------------------Lake George Association Website: https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakegeorgeassociation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakeGeorgeAssociationYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/LakeGeorgeAssoc
27 Okt 19min
The Systematic Dismantling of 245 Million Acres of Public Lands with the Conservation Lands Foundation - Public Lands News (Oct 20 - 24)
After a week off from our public lands news round-up, we are back with more updates as attacks on public lands continue despite the government shutdown. The government shutdown has many impacts on our public lands, ranging from our National Parks and Forest Service to the Bureau of Land Management. While we spend a lot of time talking about our parks, BLM lands don’t often get as much attention. In this episode, we focus on how BLM lands are changing in the short- and long-term amid the ongoing government shutdown. Featured Guests:- Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer, Conservation Lands Foundation- Melanie Stansbury, U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district - Todd Tucci, Senior Attorney, Advocates For The West- David Feinman, VP of Government Affairs, Conservation Lands Foundation- Tim Davis, Executive Director, Friends of the OwyheeThe Center for Western Priorities Oil & Gas Tracker: https://westernpriorities.org/2025/10/oil-gas-government-shutdown-tracker/Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9).Support Our Work at Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/outdoorminimalist
24 Okt 19min
201. What the Shutdown Really Means for our National Parks and Gateway Communities
In this episode, we visit Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Sequoia–Kings Canyon to understand how the 2025 government shutdown is affecting park staff, local economies, and conservation efforts across the National Park System.While some parks, like Joshua Tree, appear to be operating almost normally, others are showing the strain. Visitor centers are shuttered, maintenance is delayed, and some rangers are working without pay or support. Behind the scenes, nearly two-thirds of National Park Service employees — around 9,300 people — are furloughed or working without pay, and local communities are losing millions in visitor spending each day.We talked with local business owners and visitors about how the shutdown is shaping their experiences — including Seth Zaharias, co-owner of Cliffhanger Guides in Joshua Tree, and Juan, a visitor from Ecuador whose U.S. park tour now looks very different under these conditions.Featured Guests:Emily Douce, Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association (https://www.npca.org/people/emily-douce)Seth Zaharias, co-owner of Cliffhanger Guides, Joshua Tree (https://cliffhangerguides.com/)Juan Morales, visitor from Ecuador and founder of Biomas Adventures (https://www.biomasadventures.com/)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-----------------Episode Sourceshttps://www.foxbusiness.com/video/6382796929112https://www.doi.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-09/doi-nps-lapse-plan2025930508.pdfhttps://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/park-status-during-2025-lapse.htmhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/16/yosemite-government-shutdown-national-parkshttps://www.npca.org/articles/11003-parks-group-warns-shutdown-leaves-national-parks-open-and-unprotected-whilehttps://www.npr.org/2025/10/04/nx-s1-5562507/national-parks-government-shutdownhttps://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/yosemite-national-park-shutdown-illegal-activities-21093093.php
20 Okt 15min
Ski Expansion or Land Grab? ft. Steven Gnam, Land Management Plans Repealed ft. John Ruple, and Ambler Road Approval ft. Aaron Weiss - Public Lands News (Oct 6 - 10)
This week on our public lands news round up for October 6 - 10, we cover:- Government shutdown enters it's 10th day with no end in sight- Mission Ridge ski expansion outside of Wenatchee, WA faces local oppostion ft. Steven Gnam from Friends of Mission Ridge (https://www.friendsofmissionridge.org/ )- Land management plan repeals in Montana and North Dakota pass in the Senate using the Congressional Review Act ft. John Ruple, Law Professor at the University of Utah- Trump approves 211-mile Ambler Mining Road in Alaska ft. Aaron Weiss from the Center of Western Priorities- Good New: Kentucky wildlife management area expands to protect more habitat Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9).-----------------Sourceshttps://protectnps.org/2025/09/25/former-nps-superintendents-urge-secretary-burgum-to-close-national-parks-if-government-shuts-down/ https://www.keepparkspublic.org/ https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/10/unions-sue-block-threatened-shutdown-rifs/408578/ https://www.afge.org/globalassets/documents/generalreports/2025/shutdown-complaint-093025.pdf https://www.friendsofmissionridge.org/ https://westernpriorities.org/2025/10/congress-uses-cra-to-repeal-blm-resource-management-plans-inviting-chaos-on-public-lands/https://www.npca.org/articles/11004-trump-administration-announces-atrocious-plan-to-destroy-america-s-largest https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-approves-ambler-road-project-to-unlock-alaskas-mineral-potential/ https://trilogymetals.com/news-and-media/news/trilogy-metals-applauds-president-trumps-decision-to-grant-permits-for-the-ambler-access-project-to-enable-the-development-of/ https://fw.ky.gov/News/Pages/Veterans-Memorial-Wildlife-Management-Area-expands-by-500-acres.aspx
10 Okt 33min
200. Are Antimicrobials the New PFAS? with Arlene Blum
What if the same determination it takes to climb some of the world’s highest peaks was also the key to tackling some of the world’s biggest chemical threats?That’s the story of today’s guest, Arlene Blum. A pioneering mountaineer who co-led the first women’s ascent of Denali and led the first American ascent of Annapurna I, Arlene later turned her focus toward another steep climb: protecting public health from harmful chemicals. As the founder of the Green Science Policy Institute, she has helped phase out toxic flame retardants and raised global awareness of PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals.” You may remember her from our Forever Chemicals podcast series last year.Now, Arlene is sounding the alarm on what could be the next PFAS: antimicrobials. As we celebrate 200 episodes of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore the parallels between adventure and advocacy and how we can carry the lessons learned from the wilderness to creating change in our own communities. 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-----------------More Resources Green Science Policy Institute: https://greensciencepolicy.org/Arlene Blum: https://www.arleneblum.com/Six Classes: https://www.sixclasses.org/Breaking Trail Book: https://www.arleneblum.com/product/breaking-trail-a-climbing-life/Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/
7 Okt 30min
What to Expect During the Government Shutdown ft. Brittany Leffel, New Access Rules for the CDT, and More - Public Lands News (Sept 29 - Oct 3)
In this episode (Sept 29 – Oct 3, 2025):Coal Expansion on Federal Lands – The Department of the Interior announced a plan to open 13.1 million acres to coal leasingGovernment Shutdown Impacts – Congress’s failure to pass a spending deal triggered a shutdown on October 1. Includes an interview with Brittany Leffel of the Winter Wildlands Alliance.Continental Divide Trail Access Rules – Hikers finishing the CDT now face a new Army permit requirement at the southern terminus in New Mexico.Everglades Detention Center Funding – Florida secured $608 million in FEMA funds for immigration detention facilities in Big Cypress National Preserve.California’s Low-Impact Camping Law – Governor Newsom signed AB 518.Subscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9).-----------------Sources:Coal leasing announcement: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-unleashes-american-coal-power-bold-move-advance-trump-administrationAlabama coal lease sale: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-coal-lease-sale-alabama-generates-over-46-million-supports-us-steelEarthjustice: https://earthjustice.org/press/2025/earthjustice-responds-to-trump-administration-coal-industry-giveawaysOutdoor Alliance: https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/10/1/what-does-a-government-shutdown-mean-for-outdoor-recreationSurfrider Foundation: https://www.surfrider.org/news/looming-federal-shutdown-what-it-could-mean-for-our-coasts-oceanThe Trek: https://thetrek.co/continental-divide-trail/cdt-hikers-us-citizenship-army-permit-now-required-to-access-southern-terminus/Everglades detention funding: https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/florida-gets-us-funds-for-everglades-detention-center-hit-by-lawsuit-2025-10-02/WPLG Local 10 News (Miami): [Reporting on FEMA funds and contracts] (10/2/25)California Legislature: AB 518 (Low-Impact Camping Bill)
3 Okt 22min
199. Mighty Earth Uncovers the RV Industry's Destructive Secret with Amanda Hurowitz
When most people think about recreational vehicles– you know, RVs, campers, they picture freedom — the open road, family vacations, maybe even a way of life. What probably doesn’t come to mind is deforestation in Borneo. Yet half of all tropical plywood harvested globally ends up in RVs.In episode 199 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we dig into how the RV industry in the United States has become a major driver of rainforest destruction, threatening orangutan habitat, draining peatlands, and displacing Indigenous Dayak communities. Our guest, Amanda Hurowitz, Senior Director at Mighty Earth, walks us through her team’s investigation into how one specific type of plywood from Indonesia makes its way into American RVs and why it has been an industry secret for so long.Amanda Hurowitz leads Mighty Earth’s Forest Commodities team, overseeing campaigns to protect forests and communities across Asia and Africa. She’s helped drive transformative shifts in industries from cocoa to palm oil, and today she’s working to bring the same pressure and solutions to the RV industry.Mighty Earth is a global advocacy organization working to defend a living planet and secure a climate where life can flourish. You can learn more about their work at mightyearth.orgInstagram: 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-----------------Mighty Earth InvestigationWebsite: https://stories.mightyearth.org/mayawana-persada/New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/19/world/asia/indonesia-borneo-deforestation-rv.html Amanda Email: amanda@mightyearth.org
29 Sep 21min
More Layoffs Coming, New Threats to the Western Arctic ft. Andy Moderow, and Outside Magazine's Ongoing Censorship ft. Wes Siler - Public Lands News (Sept 22 - 26)
What we cover in this episode of the public lands news for the week of September 22 - 26:-Looming government shutdown and the risk of mass layoffs at the Interior Department and National Park Service-Congressional attacks on Western Arctic protections and what’s at stake for the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska with guest Andy Moderow, Senior Director of Policy for the Alaska Wilderness League-The rise of censorship in outdoor and conservation media, with insights from journalist Wes Siler on how editorial pressure shapes which stories get told (Read Wes's Substack here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-174127980)-Public response to the Trump administration’s plan to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule—with over 99% of comments in opposition-National Public Lands Day is on September 27 with volunteer opportunities across the countrySubscribe to our newsletter for in-depth coverage and extra stories we don’t have time for on the podcast: theoutdoorminimalist.comHave tips, testimonials, or insights on public land changes? Submit them through our Google Form (https://forms.gle/JwC73G8wLvU6kedc9).Sources & Further Reading:https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/09/interior-department-taking-steps-implement-layoffs/https://www.npca.org/articles/10839-ongoing-staffing-crisis-and-looming-government-shutdown-create-more-riskshttps://medium.com/westwise/if-the-government-shuts-down-will-the-trump-administration-repeat-a-dark-chapter-in-park-history-967d893b1b3dhttps://www.govexec.com/management/2025/09/agencies-should-prep-mass-layoffs-if-shutdown-occurs-white-house-says/408364/?oref=ge-home-top-storyhttps://alaskawild.org/blog/alaska-wilderness-league-opposes-congressional-attack-on-common-sense-protections-for-western-arctic/https://www.wilderness.org/articles/press-release/new-cra-attacks-western-arctic-plans-rejects-public-inputhttps://karenattiah.substack.com/p/the-washington-post-fired-me-buthttps://oregonwild.org/americans-push-back-on-trumps-plan-to-repeal-roadless-rule/https://westernpriorities.org/2025/09/comment-analysis-finds-over-99-opposition-to-repealing-2001-roadless-rule/
26 Sep 30min
