Planet People Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Join us for an in-depth conversation about Mojave desert tortoise conservation efforts, from the original endangered species designation to current threats and protection strategies. In this interview with Mary Lane Poe of the Desert Tortoise Council, we review the many threats facing the desert tortoise, as well as meaningful ways for people to take action and even start a career in desert tortoise conservation. 

RAY OF HOPE:

Here's something incredible: Desert tortoises are ancient ecosystem engineers that have survived ice ages, volcanic eruptions, and dramatic climate shifts over 15 million years. These slow-and-steady champions create burrows that become life-saving refuges for over 300 other desert species - from burrowing owls to kit foxes to countless invertebrates. They're living proof that resilience isn't about speed or aggression; it's about creating infrastructure that benefits entire communities.

The Desert Tortoise Council represents something beautiful: people so inspired by these remarkable creatures that they've dedicated their lives to protecting them. Every time you engage with their social media, you're amplifying science-based conservation efforts that are working. 

The silver lining? Desert tortoises remind us that survival isn't just about individual resilience - it's about building systems that help everyone thrive. When you advocate for the places you love, you're following the tortoise model: creating lasting change through steady, persistent action.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

You can turn your anxiety into action by volunteering with the Desert Tortoise Council, such as participating in the annual symposium event, serving on a committee, or becoming a board member. Additionally, it helps to interact with the Desert Tortoise Council Website social media, follow, like, comment, and share. It's also equally important to advocate for the places you love by writing official comment letters, calling your reps, and letting them know we need to keep these environmental policies in place.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Sign up for the Desert Tortoise Introductory course here 
• Annual symposium event information can be found here
• Health Assessment Training can be found here  
• Learn more about habitat conservation with the Mojave Desert Land Trust

FOLLOW MARY LANE POE AND THE DTC ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Follow Mary Lane Poe on Instagram 
• Follow the Desert Tortoise Council on Instagram

FOLLOW PLANET PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod
• Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

Join us as we explore the vibrant creative scene of Joshua Tree with Shari Elf, founder of Art Queen, whose innovative approach to upcycled fashion reveals the profound relationship between clothing, self-expression, and environmental consciousness. Shari shares what it means to transform discarded garments into wearable art, as well as the powerful story of how upcycling can serve as both a personal statement and a sustainable alternative to fast fashion's destructive cycle. In an era when the fashion industry is one of the world's largest polluters, this essential conversation challenges us to reassess our relationship with clothing and to recognize how reimagining and revitalizing garments can become a symbol of creativity, individuality, and environmental stewardship.

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when fast fashion prevails and clothing waste fills our landfills, Shari's dedication to transforming discarded garments into unique pieces of wearable art stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that creativity and sustainability can merge to create something both beautiful and meaningful.

This commitment to upcycling represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: artists and makers reclaiming materials that would otherwise be waste and transforming them into expressions of identity, growing recognition that our clothing choices can be both personal statements and environmental actions, and a new generation learning to value craftsmanship, individuality, and the stories embedded in reimagined garments—ensuring that fashion becomes a force for positive change rather than environmental harm.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era when the fashion industry contributes massively to pollution and waste, and when social media often pressures us toward constant consumption of new trends, understanding the power of upcycled fashion reminds us that every garment tells a story, and that choosing to reimagine and revitalize clothing is both a creative act and a form of resistance against throwaway culture.

Take Action:

• Learn basic clothing repair and alteration skills to extend the life of your garments.
• Support local artists and makers who create upcycled fashion.
• Shop secondhand and vintage before buying new.
• Organize clothing swaps in your community.
• Challenge fast fashion culture by embracing your personal style over fleeting trends.
• Share and celebrate creative upcycling projects to inspire others.

SHARI SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Follow Shari on Instagram: @shari.elf
• World Famous Crochet Museum: @worldfamouscrochetmuseum
• Art Queen: @artqueen_jt

PLANET PEOPLE SOCIAL MEDIA: 

• Follow Planet People on Instagram: @planet.people.pod
• Subscribe to us on YouTube: @PlanetPeoplePodcast

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Danielle Wall, recorded live at a studio in Joshua Tree, California! In this exclusive episode, Danielle shares wild stories from her years as a snake wrangler out West, fascinating fun facts about rattlesnake behavior, and essential rescue advice that could save both human and snake lives. The interview becomes even more exciting when Danielle brings out a baby rattlesnake, providing us with a rare up-close look at these remarkable desert predators. From dramatic rescue calls to the intricate world of snake biology, this episode will completely transform how you think about rattlesnakes and desert wildlife.

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when fear and misunderstanding drive humans to kill harmless and beneficial snakes, Danielle Wall's mission to "save one snake and save one life" stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that compassion and education can transform our relationship with wildlife. Through her volunteer efforts in Joshua Tree, California, Danielle rescues and relocates rattlesnakes throughout the Mojave Desert, proving that coexistence is possible when we choose understanding over fear.

Danielle's work represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: changing hearts and minds one rescue at a time, building bridges between human communities and wildlife, and creating safer outcomes for both people and snakes through professional relocation services that benefit generations to come.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era where wildlife-human conflicts are increasing, Danielle's snake rescue work reminds us that we have the power to be part of the solution, one rescued rattlesnake at a time.

Advocate for wildlife coexistence! Share educational content about snake safety and the important role snakes play in desert ecosystems.

Call professional snake relocators instead of killing snakes - every life matters.

RESOURCES:

• Follow Danielle Wall's snake rescue nonprofit: @high_desert_dani
• Snake safety and identification resources for the Mojave Desert: here 

PHOTO / VIDEO CREDIT:

• Northern Pacific | WildSafe B.C.  
• Burrowing Owl Video
• Mojave Desert Photography | Colin Barrows 

Dani Photographers:

• Richard Stow: @richardstow 
• Katie Shearer: @kateshearerstudio
• Shaughn and John: @shaughn_and_john

In this important episode, hosts Coral and Natalie discuss the history of Joshua tree conservation in Southern California and examine the groundbreaking Joshua Tree Conservation Act. They explore what it takes to protect these iconic desert trees under their own dedicated legislation, analyzing the current threats Joshua trees face from rapid solar development and the escalating impacts of climate change. This comprehensive conversation covers the legislative journey, conservation challenges, and the critical importance of specialized protection for one of the Mojave Desert's most beloved and vulnerable species.

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when Joshua trees face unprecedented threats from development and climate change, the Joshua Tree Conservation Act stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that targeted legislation can provide specialized protection for vulnerable species. This dedicated act recognizes Joshua trees as unique and irreplaceable elements of Southern California's desert heritage, creating a framework for their long-term survival despite mounting environmental pressures.

The Joshua Tree Conservation Act represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: species-specific conservation legislation that addresses real threats, communities and lawmakers working together to protect iconic landscapes, and proactive measures that will safeguard these ancient desert sentinels for generations to come.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era of rapid desert development and climate uncertainty, the Joshua Tree Conservation Act reminds us that we have the power to be part of the solution, one protected tree and preserved habitat at a time. The iconic act is one of its kind, providing one single species with strong protections, paving the way for future species to be protected in their own right.

• Support the Joshua Tree Conservation Act by contacting your representatives.
• Advocate for responsible solar development that avoids critical Joshua tree habitat.
• Participate in public comment periods for desert development projects.
• Educate others about the unique ecological importance of Joshua trees.

RESOURCES:

• Learn more about the Joshua Tree Conservation here
• Responsible renewable energy development guidelines here
• Climate change impacts on Joshua trees research here

PHOTO CREDITS:

• Yucca Moth 
• Yucca Moth | Ann Cooper 
• Yucca Moth | NPS  
• York Fire | David Swanson  
• Dome Fire | JT Sohr, NPS  
• Dome Fire | James Quigg   
• Native Territories | SAND TO STONE  
• Manirva  
• Eastern Joshua Tree | Jim Boone  
• Mojave Desert Photography | Colin Barrows 

Carissa Cabrera, CEO of FutureSwell and marine biologist, joins us to discuss her multifaceted approach to ocean conservation through media, education, and community building. Based in Hawaiʻi, Carissa integrates Indigenous management with modern conservation practices while serving as a National Geographic educator and content creator. We explore the challenges facing marine ecosystems, including the ongoing threat of deep-sea mining, where regulatory decisions continue to be delayed until 2025. As both a scientist and entrepreneur, Carissa shares insights on building a conservation media business and using storytelling to reconnect people with the ocean. Her work demonstrates how creators in the marine science space can amplify critical conservation messages while building sustainable careers.

RAY OF HOPE:

FutureSwell's mission to democratize access to ocean conservation knowledge is creating waves across digital platforms and real-world communities. Through innovative media strategies and authentic storytelling, marine science creators like Carissa are successfully bridging the gap between complex scientific research and public understanding. The delay in deep-sea mining regulations provides more time for advocates to build awareness and opposition to potentially destructive practices. Young professionals are finding new pathways to combine entrepreneurship with environmental impact, proving that conservation careers can be both meaningful and financially sustainable.

CONNECT:

• Follow our guest Carissa Cabrera on Instagram: @carissaandclimate
• Connect with FutureSwell: @futureswell
• Other ocean conservation accounts to follow:
• SeaLegacy: @sealegacy
• National Geographic Pristine Seas: @natgeopristineseas

RESOURCES:

• FutureSwell website: futureswell.org
• Carissa Cabrera's website: www.carissacabrera.com
• Deep Sea Conservation Coalition: deep-sea-conservation.org - Latest on deep sea mining issues
• Sustainability & The Sea Podcast: Carissa's ocean conservation podcast
• Kuleana Coral Restoration: kuleanacoralrestoration.com - Community-based coral restoration
• International Seabed Authority: www.isa.org.jm - Deep-sea mining regulations

CALL TO ACTION:

Oppose deep-sea mining! Contact your representatives to express opposition to deep-sea mining and support for stronger ocean protections. The International Seabed Authority continues to delay final regulations, giving us time to build momentum against this destructive practice.

Support Ocean Creators: Follow and share content from marine science communicators who are making ocean conservation accessible. Amplify the voices of Indigenous ocean stewards and community-based conservation efforts.

Find your representatives: 

• House: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
• Senate: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact

Sample message: "I urge you to oppose deep-sea mining and support policies that protect our ocean ecosystems. Please advocate for stronger marine conservation measures and Indigenous ocean management practices."

In this episode of Planet People, we are joined by Colin Barrows, a Coachella Valley naturalist, desert advocate, and Secretary of CactusToCloud Institute. Colin has extensive knowledge in desert ecology, particularly in reptiles and rare desert plants, and he shares many fascinating facts about lizard adaptations. We also uncover the secret life of lizards and what it takes for these creatures to survive in the rugged landscape of the low deserts of the Coachella Valley. 

CONNECT:

• Follow Colin Barrows on Instagram  
• Follow @planet.people.pod for all the updates!

RAY OF HOPE:

In a time when habitat loss and climate change threaten reptile populations worldwide, the incredible lizard biodiversity of the Coachella Valley stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating nature's remarkable resilience and adaptability. The newly designated Chuckwalla National Monument protects critical habitat for the iconic chuckwalla lizard and dozens of other reptile species, preserving 624,000 acres of irreplaceable desert ecosystem where these ancient creatures have thrived for millennia.

Chuckwalla National Monument represents hope because it shows us that protecting biodiversity hotspots can safeguard entire ecosystems: preserving critical lizard habitat, maintaining desert food webs that countless species depend on, and ensuring that future generations will witness the spectacular diversity of desert reptiles that call the Coachella Valley home.

ANXIETY TO ACTION:

In an era of biodiversity loss and habitat fragmentation, the Chuckwalla Valley reminds us that we have the power to protect the remarkable creatures that share our planet, one preserved habitat at a time.

Take Action:

• Interact with Cactus to Cloud social media - follow, like, comment, and share
• Advocate for the places and species you love! Write official comment letters, call your representatives, and let them know we need to keep these environmental protections in place
• Support local desert conservation efforts and reptile research initiatives

RESOURCES:

• Learn more about Chuckwalla National Monument here.  
• Acquire a California naturalist certification here. 

VOLUNTEER AND DONATE:

Interested in helping with these conservation efforts? Subscribe to updates from Cactus to Cloud to learn how you can get involved. 

Listen to our previous episode with Colin and Sendy Barrows here

PHOTO CREDITS: 

• Mojave Desert Photography | Colin Barrows: https://cwbarrows.com/ 

• Kangaroo Rat | Stan/stock.adobe.com: https://www.britannica.com/animal/kangaroo-rat

• Ironwood | Doris Evans:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/dorisevans/27025026847/in/photostream/

• Western Tanager | Bob Steventon: https://feederwatch.org/birdspotter-2019/western-tanager/

• Cape May Warbler | Curtis A. Marantz: https://www.aba.org/southern-california-spring-2021/# 

• Yucca Moth | NPS: https://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/jotr/Discovering-the-Desert/Diverse-Landscapes/Yucca-moth_NPS-detail.html

• Giant Ground Sloth | Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.: https://www.britannica.com/animal/Megatherium

Several conservation, veteran, and recreation organizations have filed motions to intervene in a lawsuit defending the Chuckwalla National Monument designation. The monument, established in January 2025 on desert lands in California's Riverside and Imperial Counties, is being challenged by an Idaho-based motorized recreation group and a Michigan miner. The intervening organizations, including CactusToCloud Institute, spent years collaborating with Tribes, veterans, and community members to identify the area's unique tribal resources and values worthy of protection. Chuckwalla National Monument protects lands significant to 13 Tribal Nations while ensuring equitable access for outdoor recreation including camping, OHV use, and hunting. The designation has broad support from local Tribes, governments, elected officials, veterans, 300+ businesses, and 370+ scientists.

Despite legal challenges, the coalition's intervention represents a unified front of diverse stakeholders committed to protecting Chuckwalla's irreplaceable desert landscapes, tribal heritage, and recreational opportunities. The broad-based support from local communities, Tribal Nations, veterans, scientists, and businesses demonstrates that conservation efforts built on genuine collaboration and community input create lasting, defendable protections. Organizations continue working to ensure equitable access while safeguarding the monument's ecological, cultural, and historical values for future generations.

Follow our guests CactusToCloud Institute on Instagram: @cactustocloud

Connect with other organizations defending the monument:

• Earthjustice: @earthjustice
• Sierra Club: @sierraclub
• Center for Biological Diversity: @centerforbiodiv

• Protect Chuckwalla website - Learn more about community support

• Earthjustice Press Release - Full legal filing details

• CactusToCloud Institute - Local advocacy and education

• Bureau of Land Management - Monument management information

Call Your Representatives! Contact your members of Congress to express support for Chuckwalla National Monument and the use of the Antiquities Act to protect important public lands. Let them know that monument designations have bipartisan support and benefit local economies, protect tribal heritage, and ensure recreational access for all Americans.

Find your representatives:

• House: house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
• Senate: senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Sample message: "I support Chuckwalla National Monument and urge you to defend the president's authority under the Antiquities Act to protect our public lands for current and future generations."

In this episode of Planet People, co-hosts Natalie Jane Cibel and Coral Beth Carson sat down with Sendy Barrows, co-founder of the CactusToCloud Institute, to discuss the successful campaign that led to the designation of the Chuckwalla National Monument in January 2025. Barrows shares the behind-the-scenes story of how this conservation victory required years of dedicated advocacy work, bringing together diverse stakeholders in a comprehensive coalition-building effort. 

The new designation near Joshua Tree National Park protects wildlife and preserves Indigenous spiritual and cultural values tied to the land. Listeners will gain insight into the complex process of environmental advocacy and the persistence required to achieve lasting conservation outcomes. 

CONNECT:

• Follow Sendy Barrows on Instagram  
• Follow @planet.people.pod for all the updates!

In a time when climate change can feel overwhelming, the designation of Chuckwalla National Monument stands as a powerful ray of hope, demonstrating that grassroots community action can create meaningful climate solutions. By protecting these 624,000 acres of irreplaceable desert ecosystem, we're actively fighting climate change through land conservation. 

Chuckwalla National Monument represents hope because it shows us a pathway forward: local action creating lasting change, communities taking climate action into their own hands, and conservation efforts that will benefit generations to come. 

In an era of climate anxiety, Chuckwalla reminds us that we have the power to be part of the solution, one protected landscape at a time. Interact with the Cactus to Cloud social media, follow, like, comment, and share. Follow them here. 

Advocate for the places you love! Write official comment letters, call your reps, and let them know we need to keep these environmental policies in place.

• Learn more about Chuckwalla National Monument here.  
• Acquire a California naturalist certification here. 

VOLUNTEER AND DONATE:

Interested in helping with these conservation efforts? Subscribe to updates from Cactus to Cloud to learn how you can get involved. You can also support them by donating to this cause!

Listen to our previous episode with All Creatures Podcast here 

Join us as Planet People co-hosts Natalie Jane Cibel and Coral Beth Carson jump into an engaging roundtable discussion with Chris and Angie from All Creatures Podcast. In this dynamic conversation, we dive deep into what conservation truly means to each of us, explore our thoughts on the future of our climate, and discuss the powerful impact of David Attenborough's latest documentary on oceans.

This collaborative episode brings together passionate voices from both podcasts to share perspectives on environmental stewardship, marine conservation, and the urgent climate challenges facing our planet. From personal conservation philosophies to the breathtaking cinematography that makes us fall in love with nature all over again, this conversation covers it all.

RAY OF HOPE:

• Learn from each host what conservation philosophy means to you and how it shapes our daily lives and relationships with nature. 
• Remain calm about the future of the climate. We share our honest thoughts and hopes for the planet's climate trajectory 
• David Attenborough's Ocean Documentary: Breaking down the stunning visuals, important messages, and emotional impact
• Collaborative Conservation: How different voices and approaches can work together for environmental change
• And much more!

• Interact with the All Creatures social media, follow, like, comment, and share.
• Advocate for the places you love! – Write official comment letters, call your reps, and let them know we need to keep these environmental policies in place.
• Watch Oceans by David Attenborough to take inspired action for Planet Blue! 

• All Creatures Podcast - click here for website 
• Oceans Trailer

DONATION: 

• Donate to All Creatures Patreon

• Season 2 Planet People Teaser

Join us for a casual and fun discussion with Natalie Jane Cibel, a conservation biologist and founder of Planet People, who has dedicated her career to studying and protecting one of the Mojave Desert's most iconic species: the desert tortoise. In this episode, Natalie takes us behind the scenes to see what it's really like to be a wildlife biologist working in the harsh but beautiful California desert, and shares incredible insights about the remarkable adaptations of these ancient reptiles.

Natalie Jane is also the founder of Cibel Consulting and Communication Services. Her work focuses on understanding and protecting desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert of California, where she conducts field research and conservation efforts to ensure the survival of this threatened species. Through her field research, she also shares her journey as a conservationist and provides science communication through stories through Planet People.

• Find a mentor in the climate community to help guide your career in conservation. 
• Go for a walk in the desert and embrace the solitude and find perspective on your connection the planet.

• Merlin Bird ID 
• Tortoise of the World Textbook

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