Urban forests are a key climate change adaptation strategy. The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico has a strong and successful urban forestry program. What lessons can be learned from the Albuquerque program that are applicable across the rapidly warming American Southwest? Jim O'Donnell talks with Dave Simon from the City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department and Sarah Hurteau of the Nature Conservancy about the Albuquerque urban forestry program, and how trees can help us adapt to climate change. This podcast was recorded in May 2021 at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://www.nature.org/en-us/newsroom/new-mexico-climate-ready-tree-list/ https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/new-mexico/stories-in-new-mexico/creative-conservation-in-albuquerque/ https://www.cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/news/city-tree-planting-alliance-to-boost-albuquerque-urban-forest Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form

Journalist Julia Daye hosts KNCE's informational special in response to community concern and recent protests over the Abeyta Water Rights Settlement and the future of the Taos, New Mexico valley watershed. This special was recorded in early June 2021.

New Mexico is in a battle to escape the powerful grip of the oil and gas industry. For nearly a century, the oil and gas industry’s influence on New Mexico has ranged from the education system to elected officials to issues of water and air quality. New Mexico has long been an oil and gas colony - and oil and gas is one of the top polluters in the world. New Mexico's oil and gas industry has promised good-paying jobs and economic growth while leaving behind broken and polluted communities and massive environmental damage. New Mexico taxpayers will have to pay the bill for all of this. How can New Mexico escape the grasp of the oil and gas industry and move forward to an equitable, clean and prosperous energy future? Jim O'Donnell talks with Megan Milliken Biven, an energy policy expert and the founder of True Transition, an organization devoted to employing oil and gas workers to address the country's mounting abandoned oil and gas well crisis. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on March 3, 2021. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://www.truetransition.org/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form

Dr. Amy Brady is the Executive Director of Orion magazine and the author of Ice: An American Obsession, a cultural history of ice forthcoming from Putnam in 2023. Her writing about culture, environmentalism, and climate change has appeared in O, the Oprah magazine, Slate, The Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, The Village Voice, the Dallas Morning News, Pacific Standard, McSweeney’s, Literary Hub, and other places. She is also the co-editor of the anthology, House on Fire: Dispatches from a Climate-Changed World, forthcoming 2022 from Catapult. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on February 9, 2021. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: Burning Worlds: https://chireviewofbooks.com/category/burning-worlds/ The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Futures: https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/ McSWEENEY’S ISSUE 58: 2040 A.D.: https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/mcsweeney-s-issue-58-2040-ad-climate-fiction?taxon_id=5 Amy Brady Writes: https://amybradywrites.com/ Gun Island: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42436500-gun-island Bangkok Wakes to Rain: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/40308310-bangkok-wakes-to-rain Watercolors: http://www.hoppermag.org/watercolors Hanging, Just Outside the World: https://www.modernliterature.org/hanging-just-outside-world-jim-odonnell/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form

In season three of the Taos Land Trust podcast, we will explore climate change in New Mexico. What can we expect? What impacts do we see right now? Most importantly, how can we adapt to the changes that are coming, like it or not? Jim O’Donnell talks with environmental reporter Laura Paskus, the producer of the series “Our Land: New Mexico’s Environmental Past, Present and Future” featured on New Mexico in Focus. Laura’s new book is At the Precipice: New Mexico’s Changing Climate (UNM Press), essential reading for anyone interested in the coming climate catastrophe. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on February 9, 2021. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://unmpress.com/books/precipice/9780826359117 https://twitter.com/LauraPaskus Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

Since early 2019, the Taos Land Trust has been engaged in a long-term iterative process known as the Working Lands Resiliency Initiative. The goal of this work is to reconnect traditional farming families to their lands and their farming heritage. The land trust is asking: How can conservation easements, tax breaks, planning and zoning work together to keep farm lands from development while at the same time giving those lands economic, community and conservation values? How can this help a rural community achieve climate resilience? In this episode, Jim O’Donnell talks with Chyna Dixon, the Working Lands Resiliency Coordinator and Ben Wright, the Education and Lands Projects Coordinator for the Taos Land Trust. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on September 29, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Listen to the November 2019 podcast introducing the Working Lands Resiliency Initiative here: https://soundcloud.com/taos-land-trust/working_lands Links in this episode: https://taoslandtrust.org/working-lands/ https://taoslandtrust.org/nm-healthy-soils-program/ Please support this podcast with a donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

The Taos Land Trust and Vista Grande High School (VGHS) have joined forces to provide fresh weekly produce to Taos families, school food delivery programs, and local food pantries while offering paid technical training to Vista Grande students. The project is funded by Vista Grande High School’s Career Technical Education and Community Schools grants. The program takes place at Taos Land Trust’s Rio Fernando Park, the 20-acre public space created by the Taos Land Trust in the center of Taos. Jim O'Donnell talks with Corbett Wicks, the Vista Grande High School Sustainable Agriculture & Leadership Teacher and Mentorship Coordinator, and Amanda Flores, the Vista Grande High School Community Schools Coordinator about the program at Rio Fernando Park, the changes to education brought on by the COVID19 pandemic and about the future of education. This episode was recorded at the Taos Land Trust office in Taos, New Mexico on September 8, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://www.vistagrande.org/ https://taoslandtrust.org/2020/07/06/land-trust-innovative-feed/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

We have mismanaged our forests over the last century—and we are now paying the costs. Climate change is making forests drier, beetles and other pests (driven by warming temperatures) are making kindling of vast stretches of woodland, and “booming development…[has] filled forests with human-produced sparks and heat,” and far too many houses. What is a megafire? How is climate change influencing wildfires throughout the Western United States of America? How are towns and communities pushing development into fire prone areas, thereby creating a deadly situation. Should American taxpayers bear the costs of poorly planned development or utilities that spark fires? Jim O’Donnell talks with Michael Kodas, Senior Editor at InsideClimate News, author of “Megafire” & “High Crimes” and former deputy director at the Center for Environmental Journalism This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on May 7, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: http://www.michaelkodas.com/ https://twitter.com/MichaelKodas https://insideclimatenews.org/news/22082020/california-colorado-wildfires-climate-change-global-transformation Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

Host Jim O'Donnell talks with John Fleck, Director of the University of New Mexico Water Resources Program and Eric Kuhn, self-described "Colorado River nerd" about their new book "Science be Dammed: How Ignoring Inconvenient Science Drained the Colorado River" and how the realities of water in the American West run up against the hopes and dreams of developers and land managers. "Science Be Dammed" is an alarming reminder of the high stakes in the management—and perils in the mismanagement—of water in the western United States. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on May 7, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/science-be-dammed http://www.inkstain.net/fleck/ https://twitter.com/R_EricKuhn https://twitter.com/jfleck Please support this podcast with a small donation: taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

We are at a critical time for agriculture and the environment. The realities of extreme weather events, conflicts over water, the blight of rural communities, and diminishing natural resources are bearing down on all New Mexicans, with farmers and ranchers at the forefront of these serious problems. At the same time, awareness that soil stewardship can be part of the solution to the climate crisis has been rising and new approaches, mutually beneficial for agriculture and the environment, are gaining traction. Agriculturalists are looking for ways to improve their soil, but they require know-how, sustained technical assistance, help in over- coming institutional barriers, financial incentives, and risk mitigation. Host Jim O'Donnell talks with Isabelle Jenniches of the NM Healthy Soils Initiative and rancher Tommy Casados of Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on April 1, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) CLARIFICATION: The Healthy Soil Program is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), not by the Healthy Soil Working Group which is the advocacy organization behind the bill. NMDA developed the program and is administering the funds. Links in this episode: http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/nmda-homepage/divisions/apr/healthy-soil-program/ https://www.nmhealthysoil.org/about-2/ https://www.instagram.com/c4farms/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: http://taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

What is solutions-oriented environmental journalism and how do journalists make complex science accessible to the public? Host Jim O'Donnell talks with Todd Reubold publisher and co-founder of Ensia Media about journalism, climate change, story-telling and COVID19. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on April 1, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://ensia.com/ https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: http://taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

Jonathan P. Thompson is the author of RIVER OF LOST SOULS which the gripping story behind the 2015 Gold King Mine disaster that turned the Animas River in southwestern Colorado orange with sludge and toxic metals for over 100 miles downstream, wreaking havoc on cities, farms, and the Navajo Nation along the way. Host Jim O'Donnell talks with Thompson about the tragic legacy of gold mining in the American West and how the oil and gas industry is repeating this same pattern of exploitation and pollution. This episode was recorded at the studios of KNCE 93.5FM in Taos New Mexico on March 5, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/) Links in this episode: https://riveroflostsouls.com/river-of-lost-souls/ https://riveroflostsouls.com/about/ https://www.hcn.org/ https://twitter.com/jonnypeace https://www.aroundtheworldineightyyears.com/polluting-the-river/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: http://taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

What are our nation's bedrock environmental laws? How do the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and others work and how effective are they? Host Jim O'Donnell speaks with John Horning, Executive Director of Wild Earth Guardians. Recorded at the studios of KNCE 93.5FM True Taos Radio on February 20, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/). Links in this episode: https://wildearthguardians.org/ https://wildearthguardians.org/wildlife-conservation/endangered-species-act-defense/ https://westernlaw.org/ https://www.nmwild.org/ Please support this podcast with a small donation: www.taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

What is an urban forest? Forests are dynamic ecosystems providing critical benefits to people and wildlife. Forests within towns and cities are called urban forests. These systems help filter air and water, they control storm water, protect infrastructure, conserve energy, increase economic activity and provide animal habitat and shade. They also add beauty, form, and structure to urban design and they are vital for climate change adaptation. The Taos Tree Board is working to increase and improve the urban forest in this northern New Mexico town. Host Jim O'Donnell speaks with arborist Paul Bryan Jones of the Taos Tree Board about urban forests. Recorded at the studios of KNCE 93.5FM True Taos Radio on February 6, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/). PLANT A TREE! Links in this episode: https://www.taosgov.com/450/Town-of-Taos-Tree-Board https://www.facebook.com/taostreeboard/ https://www.taosnews.com/stories/tree-board-meets-to-consider-draft-community-tree-care-plan,55110 Please support this podcast with a small donation: www.taoslandtrust.org/donate-form/

The age of big dams is over. Communities throughout the country are looking for new ways to slow down, clean and store water. How does nature take on these needs? This podcast from the Rio Fernando Collaborative speaker series looks at nature-based ways to hold and clean water and how to take care of our rivers. Jim O’Donnell speaks with Dr. Malia Volke of the Washington Department of Natural Resources (formerly of the New Mexico Department). This episode was recorded at the studios of KNCE 95.3FM True Taos Radio on January 23, 2020. Produced by Jim O’Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com).

What is a noxious weed? What is an invasive species? What kind of impacts do they have on the health of our ecosystems? How and when do we best manage them? This podcast from the Rio Fernando Collaborative speaker series looks at noxious and invasive species, what they are and how to deal with them. Jim O’Donnell speaks with Jim Wanstall of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and Kineo Memmer of the Taos Land Trust. This episode was recorded at the studios of KNCE 95.3FM True Taos Radio on January 9, 2020. Produced by Jim O’Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossounds.com).

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. Landowners retain many of their rights, including the right to own and use the land, sell it and pass it on to their heirs. Helping landowners decide if a conservation easement is right for them and then helping them through that process is the core mission of the Taos Land Trust. What is a conservation easement? is it right for you? Host Jim O'Donnell spoke with TLT Executive director Kristina Ortez and Stewardship Coordinator Maya Anthony on the ins and outs of conservation easements. Recorded at the studios of KNCE 93.5FM True Taos Radio on December 12, 2019. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (https://www.taossound.com/).

Taos Land Trust is home base to an innovative and experimental project to reconnect traditional farming families to their lands and their farming heritage. How can conservation easements, tax breaks, planning and zoning work together to keep farm lands from development while at the same time giving those lands economic, community and conservation values? How can this help a rural community achieve climate resilience? Jim O'Donnell talks with Taos Land Trust's Chyna Dixon about the Working Lands project. This podcast was recorded at the studios of KNCE 93.5FM True Taos Radio in Taos, New Mexico on November 14, 2019. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Music (https://www.taossound.com/).

The Taos Land Trust has been monitoring the bat population at Rio Fernando Park in Taos, New Mexico for over a year. How do we do it? Bat expert Mike Balistreri explains the scientific process of monitoring bats, the status of bat populations in northern New Mexico and dives into the importance of bats for our ecosystems. Recorded at the studios of 93.5FM True Taos Radio on October 3, 2019. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media.

New Mexico has a very rough history. Violence, colonialism, racism and displacement all contribute in no small way to the poverty, low-educational attainment and other problems facing the state. This history often makes it difficult for people to talk to each even over shared goals such as natural resource protection. The Taos Healing and Reconciliation Project is a 4-year pilot project which aims to heal racial divides in Taos, New Mexico building upon the strong cultural heritage by offering traditional Indigenous healing and reconciliation techniques through Community Health Fairs and gatherings. Recorded at the studios of 93.5FM True Taos Radio on September 5, 2019. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media.