Outdoor Minimalist

In episode 190 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re discussing urgent threats facing wildlife protections in the United States: the ongoing dismantling of the Endangered Species Act under the Trump Administration. 

The ESA has long been considered the backbone of wildlife conservation in this country, credited with saving iconic species like the bald eagle and the gray wolf. 

But legislative and administrative changes are eroding the very foundation of this landmark law and pushing for changes that could reshape how, or even if, we protect threatened and endangered species in the years to come.

Joining me to break this all down is Ramona McGee, Senior Attorney and Wildlife Program Leader at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Based in North Carolina, Ramona has been on the legal front lines for nearly a decade, defending the rich and often overlooked biodiversity of the South.

In this conversation, we explore what’s at stake if the legal definition of “harm” disappears from federal wildlife protections, how these changes could affect ecosystems and communities across the South, and the industries poised to benefit from deregulation.

From staffing crises in national parks to energy dominance expansion across millions of acres of public land, here’s what you need to know:

FY26 Budget Breakdown: The House released its draft Interior-EPA spending bill, proposing deep cuts to conservation, environmental protection, and public lands. Including:

• $213M cut to the National Park Service, amid a 24% staffing loss

• 23% EPA budget cut, gutting water, air, and environmental justice programs

Public Lands Open for Drilling: ConocoPhillips wants to expand its Willow Project with new test wells in the Western Arctic. Meanwhile, Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” opens over 200 million acres of federal land to oil and gas drilling.

• 81% of BLM lands in the West now open to leasing

• Quarterly lease sales mandated, even without industry interest

• Drilling proposed in San Luis Obispo County, CA

DOE’s Dirty Grid Report: The Department of Energy is propping up coal plants under a new Trump executive order, claiming fossil fuels are needed for grid reliability.

Burgum's Alcatraz Visit Sparks Backlash: Interior Secretary Doug Burgum visited Alcatraz to assess reopening it as a prison for “dangerous criminals,” per Trump’s May directive. But the site draws over 1 million visitors annually and generates $60M/year.

Public Broadcasting Cuts Approved: The House approved a rescission package eliminating $1.1 billion in CPB funding, gutting local public media nationwide.

👉 Follow us on Instagram (@outdoor.minimalist.book) for quick news breakdowns and action alerts.

Remember when Mike Lee’s 3.3 million-acre land sales were making headlines, what felt like every few seconds? 

It was all over social media; every conservation organization was talking about it, and even friends of mine who had never been very civically involved gathered the gumption to call their senators. 

Well, despite the fact that as a collective, we rallied together to defeat all three of Mike Lee’s most recent attempts to sell public lands, Trump’s Big “Ugly” Bill passed in the Senate, and within the hundreds of pages of legislation, many public lands attacks remained. 

While I do my best to cover most public lands news every Friday on this podcast, hearing from others in the outdoor advocacy community can shed light on things we may not have considered and help foster conversations needed to continue this fight. 

That’s why I am excited to introduce Land Tawney to episode 189 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast. 

Land is co-chair of American Hunters & Anglers, an energetic, media-based organization built on holding policy makers accountable through fast-paced grassroots advocacy. 

Tawney is a nationally renowned advocate of public land and wildlife. For a decade, he was president and CEO of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, where under his leadership, BHA grew exponentially, expanding to 48 states and into Canada, garnering 40,000 members, and building an army of public land defenders. 

Land has testified before Congress on behalf of the Boundary Waters and has served on numerous federal advisory councils in support of hunting, fishing and conservation. 

He has held roles with the National Wildlife Federation, where he launched their Vanishing Paradise campaign in support of the Gulf Coast, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. 

His 25 years of experience as an advocate, leader and sportsman make him just as comfortable in the duck blind and trout stream as he is on Capitol Hill.

In this week’s episode, we cover sweeping public lands news from June 30 to July 11, including:

For today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation Meg recorded with Nick Mucha, one of the editors of Patagonia’s new book: Tools to Save Our Home Planet: A Changemaker’s Guidebook and Patagonia's Senior Director of Environmental Issues and Strategy.

This collection brings together wisdom, stories, and strategies from over 50 environmental and justice-focused activists working on the front lines of climate action around the world.

The book was created to serve as both a call to action and a practical guide helping activists, organizers, and everyday people build skills in communications, fundraising, legal tools, mobilization, and collective action, especially during this turbulent political moment. 

It’s an inspiring and honest conversation about balancing hope with realism, finding your place in this work, and how each of us can turn concern for the planet into meaningful action.

This week, we’re breaking down one of the biggest public land threats in U.S. history.

I sat down with Joshua Axelrod, Senior Policy Advocate at NRDC, to unpack the ongoing federal budget reconciliation process and how it’s being used to mandate the largest public land sell-offs ever proposed.

We cover:

• The latest updates on the proposal to sell 1.2 million acres of BLM-managed land

• How the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling reshaped — but didn’t stop — the land sale proposal

• The massive oil, gas, and coal leasing mandates hidden in the bill, both onshore and offshore

👉 Call your senators before July 4th and demand they oppose public land sell-offs and environmental rollbacks in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.

From greenwashed marketing campaigns to the real, tangible challenges of sourcing natural materials and overhauling entrenched supply chains, creating truly sustainable clothing is no small feat. 

And no one knows this better than today’s guests: Meli and Rensso Hinostroza, the sibling co-founders behind Arms of Andes.

Born in California and raised between the U.S. and Peru, Meli and Rensso have built a brand rooted in their heritage and a mission to reconnect people with nature through minimalist, purpose-driven design. 

Specializing in alpaca wool apparel, they’re confronting the realities of working within a global manufacturing system that wasn’t built for sustainability.

In this conversation, we explore what it actually takes to make garments from 100% natural fibers, how to navigate trade-offs between durability, performance, and environmental impact, and how brands can (and should) communicate sustainability claims with honesty. 

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into making that "eco-friendly" base layer you bought for your last backpacking trip, or how to spot genuine sustainability from greenwashed marketing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This week we cover:

• The Senate budget bill provision to sell 2–3.3 million acres of public land in 11 western states.

• The broad implications of bypassing environmental review, public comment, and Tribal consultation.

• New BLM oil and gas lease sales in Colorado, Wyoming, and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

• A timber sale in southern Oregon raising questions about cumulative extraction impacts.

• A new USGS report revealing enormous oil and gas potential under public lands — and what that means for future battles over public land use.

• Trump’s revocation of the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement and withdrawal from federal salmon recovery commitments in the Northwest.

• A conservation win led by the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida as they expand collaborative stewardship over 18 million acres of critical habitat.

The most urgent issue this week is the proposed 3.3 million-acre public land sale in the Senate budget bill.

👉 Call your senators before July 4th and demand they oppose public land sell-offs and environmental rollbacks in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.

👉 Follow us on Instagram (@outdoor.minimalist.book) for quick news breakdowns and action alerts.

We've discussed the many issues with travel on this show before, and while travel is never really that "good" for the environment, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't ever do it. 

Instead, I believe that we as travelers can and should find better, more environmentally friendly ways to travel, and the travel industry should lead the way. 

That's why in episode 186 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we're looking at one of the biggest challenges that face the adventure travel industry: climate change.

If you've spent time on the trail, paddling rivers, or exploring wild places lately, you've probably noticed things are changing quickly. From record-breaking heat waves to trail closures due to wildfires and floods, the landscapes we love are under much pressure.

But while it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the challenges, there's also a growing movement within the travel industry to do better — to adapt, give back, and rethink what it means to adventure responsibly in a changing climate.

To help unpack this, I'm joined by Leigh Barnes.

Leigh serves as President of the Americas for Intrepid Travel, a world leader in responsible travel for 35 years. The company's mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips, all designed to truly experience local culture. 

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Leigh oversees Intrepid's fastest-growing region globally. Over the past decade, he's held several leadership roles at Intrepid, including Chief Purpose Officer and Chief Customer Officer. 

Leigh has been instrumental in embedding purpose into the company's product, storytelling, and brand—from launching First Nations experiences in Australia and the U.S. to pioneering industry-first Ethical Marketing Guidelines.

This week, we take a deep dive into one of the most aggressive and coordinated efforts to undermine public lands protections, clean air rules, and historical integrity at our national parks in years.

Key Stories Covered:

🔹 Senate Budget Reconciliation Bill Proposes Sale of 3.3 Million Acres of Public Lands Across 11 Western States

By now, we’ve all heard the term greenwashing. 

But have you ever heard of green hushing? 

Greenhushing seems to be a growing trend where businesses, afraid of backlash or political controversy, choose to stay silent about their sustainability efforts or climate positive approaches. 

And while it might seem like a safer, quieter path in a polarized world, green hushing can actually hurt your business more than it helps.

Today on the show, I’m talking with Jason Parkin.

Jason is a passionate advocate for using business as a force for good, with a focus on sustainability and climate action. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Outdoor Industry Association and contributes to several sustainability-focused committees, including the Sustainability Working Group of People for Bikes. 

With over 25 years of experience in creative strategy, user-centered design, and digital media, Jason has led award-winning projects and co-founded Motionbox, a personal video platform later acquired by HP Snapfish.

This week, we cover a relentless wave of threats to America’s public lands and environmental protections.

But it’s not all bad news, because we wrap up with some powerful land-back victories, state park expansions, and global actions to #BeatPlasticPollution.

Key Topics This Week:

1. Senate Budget Bill Public Land Sales

• Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) moves to reinstate a provision to sell 500,000+ acres of public land in Nevada and 11,000+ acres in Utah.

• Parcels affected include land near Zion National Park, desert tortoise habitat, and lands adjacent to Las Vegas.

• No restrictions on resale — paving the way for luxury developments, mines, and strip malls.

2. What Else Is in the Budget Bill?

• Fast-tracks oil, gas, and mining projects by weakening environmental reviews.

• Opens new offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska.

• Increases national forest logging quotas and 20-year timber contracts.

• Cuts climate adaptation and restoration funding.

3. Department of the Interior (DOI) Deregulatory Blitz

• Rescinds 2024 rule protecting 13 million acres in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve.

• Appoints Kevin Pendergast as BLM Alaska State Director.

• Rolls back 18 federal energy regulations nationwide.

• Green-lights new timber, oil, gas, and mineral leases across Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Alaska.

4. Supreme Court’s NEPA Decision (May 29)

• An 8-0 ruling limits NEPA’s scope so agencies no longer required to analyze cumulative and downstream environmental impacts.

• Case involved a proposed Utah crude oil railway; ruling sets precedent for pipelines, highways, and fossil fuel infrastructure.

👉 Call your senators before July 4th and demand they oppose public land sell-offs and environmental rollbacks in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.

👉 Follow us on Instagram (@outdoor.minimalist.book) for quick news breakdowns and action alerts.

Correction: In this episode, the guest mentioned that the EPA was formed in the 1990s. To clarify, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was actually established in December 1970 under President Richard Nixon, in response to growing public concern about environmental pollution.

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Water is something that intersects with every aspect of our lives, both at home and in the backcountry.

Whether you're filtering water from a stream, swimming in a local lake, or filling up a glass of water at home, the quality of that water matters.

But knowing if your home water quality is up to important health standards can be confusing to understand, which is why we wanted to tackle the question of how exactly we can know if our water is safe to drink and what to do about if it isn’t. 

Joining me is Cydian Kauffman, the founder of Pure Water Northwest. He helps homeowners, families, and communities take control of their water quality using science-backed, practical solutions.

With years of hands-on experience in water treatment and a passion for public education, Cydian has guided clients across the Pacific Northwest through challenges like industrial runoff, high iron levels, bacterial contamination, arsenic, iron bacteria, and even mysterious health issues tied to hidden toxins in household water.

This week, we break down the biggest public lands headlines you might have missed.

We’cover:

• How public pressure killed a plan to sell off over 500,000 acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah

• Why the House bill still poses serious threats to national parks, the Arctic Refuge, and Boundary Waters

• How Trump’s administration is gutting environmental protections while ramping up reckless oil, gas, and mining leases

• The administration’s push to rewrite American history at national parks and historic sites

• A quiet but damaging rollback of single-use plastics bans in our national parks

• Ongoing legal challenges and grassroots victories proving that public action still makes a difference

👉 Call your senators before July 4th and demand they oppose public land sell-offs and environmental rollbacks in the Senate’s version of the budget bill.

👉 Follow us on Instagram (@outdoor.minimalist.book) for quick news breakdowns and action alerts.

In this episode, we're doing something a little different: a group breakdown of the new Netflix documentary Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy.

This unsettling (and sometimes oddly playful) film looks into the hidden forces behind our consumer culture and how companies manipulate us to buy more, waste more, and stay distracted.

We discuss our key takeaways, critiques of the documentary's production choices, and how it ties into themes of sustainability, minimalism, and conscious consumption. From dystopian AI narrators to clickbait capitalism, we’re unpacking it all.

This week, we’re breaking down a sweeping federal budget package passed by the House on May 22 and what it means for America’s public lands, waters, and environmental protections.

In this episode:

• The public lands sell-offs we stopped — and how grassroots action made it happen.

• How deep staffing cuts at the National Park Service and Forest Service are hollowing out essential public lands operations just ahead of peak season.

• The quiet but relentless expansion of fossil fuel development on public lands, with new oil and gas lease sales announced in North Dakota, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and New Mexico.

• Changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and old-growth forest protections that fast-track extraction projects and sideline public oversight.

• A dangerous new directive threatening free, honest historical interpretation within the National Park Service.

Plus:

• A small but important win at Mount Rainier National Park with the rollout of a limited timed-entry system.

• Alarming impacts of agency consolidation in Alaska, where the National Park Service regional office has lost a third of its workforce.

In episode 182 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we have a conversation about something that every outdoor lover eventually has to reckon with: how do we keep doing the activities we love for as long as possible? 

To do that, I’m joined by Linden Loren.

Linden is a conservation advocate, co-founder of Camo & Wind, and author of Your Hunting Healthspan: 73 Ways Hunters Can Age Better & Prevent Disease. He is the Marketing Director for Kudupoint Broadheads, a board member of the American Bear Foundation, and a member of the Northwest Outdoor Writers Association. Linden enjoys hunting in the Pacific Northwest, where he can spend time outdoors and provide his family with food.

We talk about the fear of aging out of your favorite activities, why simple, consistent habits matter more than extreme trends, and how reshaping your mental framework can open the door to years of adventure ahead. 

This week, we break down the whirlwind of public lands policy battles happening in Congress and at the Department of the Interior.

But it’s not all grim. We also share a couple glimmers of good news, including a federal court decision slowing mass staff layoffs in national parks and a creative billboard campaign calling out those responsible for the growing park service crisis.

What's covered:

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it means for public lands, clean energy, and climate policy

• Their plan to sell 500,000 acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada

• Fast-tracking oil, gas, and uranium projects under the guise of a “national energy emergency”

• Rollbacks on solar and wind development rules on BLM-managed lands

What does it really mean to restore the land, and where do you even begin when faced with the complexity of ecological repair?

In episode 181 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I’m joined by Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist, to explore what happens when one person takes on the challenge of rewilding a landscape and the lessons learned along the way. 

She is also the author of the award-winning short story collection You May See a Stranger. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The American Scholar, and more. 

In her new book and this conversation, Paula shares the real-world realities of restoring damaged ecosystems — complete with unexpected surprises, setbacks, and personal growth.

But this isn’t just a story about managing hundreds of acres. It’s about recognizing that anyone can reconnect with nature and make a difference, no matter where they live. Whether it’s a backyard garden, a city balcony, or a patch of lawn, restoration and rewilding can begin wherever you are.

And I think this conversation lands at just the right time. 

In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by bad news, it’s easy to feel powerless, when my anxiety spikes, my therapist likes to remind me to focus on what I can control. 

Paula’s story is a reminder of that, too — of the simple, tangible things we can tend to our own lives and communities. It’s a hopeful, inspiring conversation to carry with you into spring and summer as we all look for ways to reconnect with the natural world and spark a little joy close to home.

In this week’s episode, we cover the details of the budget reconciliation package, the agencies and communities affected, and what you can do to help stop these devastating moves before Memorial Day.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how sweeping new tariffs are already hitting the outdoor industry and reshaping the landscape for small, sustainable brands, including those that manufacture right here in the U.S.

Small outdoor businesses are being forced to make difficult choices: raise prices, delay product launches, or compromise on the sustainability promises they were founded on.

I spoke with four small business owners about how these behind-the-scenes policy changes are impacting their work, and what they wish conscious consumers like you better understood about the true cost of ethical, sustainable gear.

Featured Voices:

• Gilad Nachmani — CNOC Outdoors / Minimal Gear
• Rudy Glocker — Burgeon Outdoor
• Deanne Buck — BRANWYN Innerwear
• Nicole Wilson - Hudson Houndstooth

Key Takeaways:

• The outdoor industry generates $1.2 trillion in consumer spending and supports 5 million U.S. jobs

• 84% of outdoor brands surveyed by the Outdoor Industry Association report being directly impacted by new tariffs

• Some brands are seeing up to 40% increases in costs on essential materials and components

• The expiration of the de minimis exemption means higher taxes on small international shipments under $800

We’ve officially passed the 100-day mark of Trump’s second administration.

In this episode, I break down the sweeping environmental and public lands-related moves made so far, including threats to protections, deregulation, and extractive industry prioritization.

I also recap a leaked Department of Interior draft plan, recent BLM energy project approvals, and a new bipartisan effort in the Senate aimed at extending critical maintenance funding for national parks.

What is Covered:

As attacks on public lands continue, we are likely still wanting to visit wild spaces and get outside.

But now more than ever, we need to be mindful of how we recreate and be sure we are following Leave No Trace no matter how far we roam.

This week, we cover moves inside the Department of the Interior (DOI) alongside new polling that shows the public isn’t on board with these drastic changes.

Colorado College’s 2025 Conservation in the West Poll reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for clean water, wildlife, and public lands protections, including 51% of MAGA voters siding with conservation over expanded energy development.

Yet while public support rises, the Trump administration is accelerating environmental rollbacks. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum handed sweeping authority over all DOI operations to DOGE operative Tyler Hassen, consolidating decision-making for 500 million acres of public lands under a single corporate-aligned figure.

Meanwhile:

• Protections for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument revoked, opening endangered marine habitats to commercial fishing.

• New offshore oil and gas leasing program launched, targeting protected coastal waters.

• Fast-tracked mining projects and slashed permit timelines under a fabricated “National Energy Emergency.”

• Yosemite National Park closed backpacker campgrounds due to severe staffing shortages.

• Minnesota’s BWCAW halted permit issuance at ranger stations amid federal hiring freezes.

It’s a coordinated, high-speed dismantling of decades of conservation protections with direct consequences for ecosystems, communities, and the climate.

In this special Earth Day episode of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss the 2025 theme: Our Power, Our Planet.

While this year's campaign focuses on accelerating renewable energy, it also shines a light on the power of people.

Because the transition to a cleaner, more just world depends on all of us.

From grassroots organizing to transformative climate policy, we explore how individuals and communities are stepping up to meet the moment.

Change doesn’t just come from institutions. It’s sparked by collective action.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

In this episode, we outline the timeline for action as Congress prepares to finalize its budget, one that could include the largest public land sell-off in recent history.

With Congress currently in recess (April 14–27), now is the time to raise your voice and make it heard.

You’ll also hear about:

• A new national survey showing overwhelming bipartisan opposition to selling or closing public lands.

• A landmark bill introduced to permanently ban copper-nickel mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters.
• The transfer of over 109,000 acres of protected federal land in New Mexico to the U.S. Army, sparking concerns about conservation and border militarization.

• Leaked information outlining additional layoffs coming for park service workers
• The outdoor industry's push to stop Congress from selling off public lands as a part of their budget planning

In episode 177 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss what it takes to design high-quality outdoor gear using post-consumer recycled materials—everything from how they differ from virgin fibers to the limitations and challenges of working with them in technical products. 

We’ll dig into how a commitment to sustainability shapes product development, where circularity fits into the broader picture, and whether today’s recycling systems are truly scalable for the textile industry.

We also discuss how consumers can better evaluate sustainability claims and what’s next in eco-innovation from brands like Rumpl.

Rumpl’s story began in the back of a van (literally) when its founders found themselves stranded in the cold during a ski and surf trip in California. Wrapped in sleeping bags and sipping whiskey, they realized the performance materials used in technical gear could be reimagined for everyday comfort.

This week’s public lands update covers developments from April 3 through April 11, with a quick rewind to catch a few major stories we missed last week (because hey, I'm just a girl, and the news cycle waits for no one)

Topics Covered This Week:

• On April 3rd, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a memo that designates 112 million acres of National Forest lands as part of an “emergency”
• Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum quietly issued Order No. 3426, requiring all national park closures or service changes to be approved by political leadership in D.C. (even those made for urgent safety reasons.)
• One day after the order, National Park Service employees received another “Fork in the Road” buyout offer, asking staff to resign by midnight on April 9.
• During the Senate’s budget reconciliation vote-a-rama on April 6, a proposed amendment to ban the sale of public lands failed, 48 to 51. On April 10, the House passed the reconciliation in a 216 - 214 vote.
• On April 8th, the Department of the Interior announced that the Colosseum Mine in California can resume mining operations under its existing Bureau of Land Management-approved plan.
• On April 8, 2025, the Interior Department also revealed a set of actions to revitalize the coal industry, emphasizing coal as a cornerstone of American energy dominance.
• The next day on April 9th, the Department of the Interior announced more than $13 million in grants aimed at revitalizing coal country by reclaiming abandoned mine lands in North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
• On April 9th, over 60 outdoor industry companies have come together under a new coalition, Brands for Public Lands, to fight the increasing threats facing America’s wild landscapes.
• Two major announcements dropped on April 10th from the Department of the Interior that together mark a sharp acceleration in fossil fuel development.
• Phase 2 of the Agency Reorganization and Reduction Plan is due April 14, and more federal layoffs and budget cuts could follow.

When it comes to protecting our rivers and waterways, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges. 

But what if one of the most powerful solutions started in your backyard? 

In episode 176 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we explore one simple yet incredibly impactful way to protect local watersheds: preventing stormwater runoff.

I’m joined by Renee Fortner, the Director of Programs for RiverLink, a nonprofit working to protect and restore the French Broad River in Western North Carolina. 

Growing up along the New River in North Carolina, she developed a deep love for the outdoors that led her to pursue a biology degree at UNC-Asheville and a master’s in biology from East Carolina University. 

With professional certifications in stormwater management and rain garden design, Renee has dedicated her career to protecting the rivers and waterways of Western North Carolina. 

Through our conversation today, Renee explains how unchecked runoff—from rooftops, parking lots, and roads—can pollute local waterways, worsen flooding, and harm both wildlife and recreation opportunities. You’ll hear how climate change intensifies these issues and get actionable steps individuals, homeowners, and businesses can take to make a difference in their communities.

Welcome to the first edition of our weekly public lands update, where we break down the most important news and policy changes affecting public lands.

Topics Covered This Week:

• Public Land Sales Back on the Table? – Some Republican lawmakers are considering selling off public lands to fund tax cuts and housing near national parks.

• DOI Moves on Executive Order: "Make DC Safe and Beautiful" – Trump’s order includes graffiti removal but raises concerns about criminalizing homelessness.

• BLM’s Proposed Emergency Coal Lease – 1,350 acres in North Dakota under review, with public comments open through May 2.

• Montana Rejects Utah’s Public Land Lawsuit – A win for public lands as Montana lawmakers vote against supporting state control over federal lands.

• New Congressional Bill & Conservation Funding – Potential changes to the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 could affect funding for youth and conservation corps projects.

Links & Resources:

Since the time of this interview, Youer, and other small businesses like them, have gone under major changes due to rising costs
Some of these changes for Youer include:
1. They stopped making things in Missoula due to increased costs and
2. 40%+ tariff on fabric has climbed to 60%

When we talk about sustainability in the outdoor industry, conversations often revolve around materials, emissions, or packaging—but what about where and how our gear is made?

In episode 175 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast, we’re learning about the importance of domestic manufacturing and why Made in the USA still matters—especially when it comes to building a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable apparel industry.

I’m joined by the founder of Youer, a colorful and creative outdoor apparel brand that proudly manufactures 100% of its products in the U.S.—right out of their own factory in Missoula, Montana.

We’ll explore how Youer got started, what it really takes to keep production local, and why slow fashion and small-batch design are so powerful in pushing back against fast fashion culture—even in the outdoor world. 

Founded by Mallory Ottariano, Youer is the result of a decade-long journey that started with sewing colorful, one-of-a-kind clothes in her parents’ basement and selling them on Etsy. 

What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a full-time business fueled by road trips, pop-up events, and a deep love of bold design and independent style. After years of challenges working with external factories, Mallory made a bold move to open her own manufacturing space—The Youniverse—in Missoula, Montana, thanks to support from her community. 

Today, Youer is a thriving brand known for its vibrant prints, ethical values, and commitment to making 100% of its products in the USA, all while reimagining what sustainable and people-centered fashion can look like.

If you remember, in one of our earliest episodes, episode 23, I spoke with Austin Whitman, to unpack the meaning behind carbon-neutral certifications and what they really mean for consumers, companies, and the planet.

Since then, a lot has changed, including the name of the Climate Neutral certification. 

Climate Neutral has officially rebranded as Change Climate, and in today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome Austin back to talk about what that shift represents and what’s next for their mission.

Austin Whitman is co-founder and CEO of The Change Climate Project, a nonprofit with a mission to eliminate carbon emissions by accelerating corporate investments in climate solutions. The organization manages The Climate Label certification, a mark of climate leadership for consumer brands. Austin has spent more than two decades advocating and building solutions for the climate transition across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

In episode 174 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, you’ll get an inside look into how the nonprofit is evolving, what their vision looks like for the next five years, and how the outdoor industry has responded to growing calls for sustainability and climate action. 

Whether you’re a conscious consumer, a sustainability-minded brand, or just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes in outdoor gear manufacturing, this episode is full of insights on how we can better align our choices with climate action.

In this episode, we discuss the ongoing threats to our public lands and the attacks on US environmental protections under the current administration.

From the push for fossil fuel extraction to rollbacks of key policies like the Antiquities Act and NEPA, the Trump administration's agenda is having devastating impacts on public lands and the environment.

We hear from:

Jocelyn Torres, Chief Conservation Officer for the Conservation Lands Foundation

Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Outdoor Alliance

Tania Lown-Hecht, the Vice President of Communications and Strategy at Outdoor Alliance

Do you have questions or potential guests for future episodes covering public lands policy? Submit any information to our Google Form: https://forms.gle/VQW5ZoVcr6nDEd9t8

or reach out via email on our website (theoutdoorminimalist.com)

Key Topics:

• The ongoing dismantling of protections for public lands, including national monuments and the Antiquities Act.
• The shift towards corporate-friendly policies under the Trump administration and the rise of fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
• The environmental consequences of rapid resource extraction and the increasing threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and local communities.
• The impact of staffing cuts within federal land management agencies, weakening both recreational management and wildfire response.
• How public advocacy is making a difference: Over 100,000 letters sent to Congress and restored positions within land management agencies.
• What you can do to make your voice heard and protect public lands through organizations like Outdoor Alliance and the Conservation Lands Foundation.

Resources:

Sustainability in the outdoor industry has come a long way, but the challenges of waste, microplastic pollution, and textile biodegradability remain an issue many brands struggle to address. 

That’s where 37.5 Technology comes in. Known for creating high-performance fabrics that enhance comfort and moisture management, 37.5 has also been pushing the boundaries of sustainable textile innovation. One of their latest advancements, the Enhanced Biodegradation Additive (+EB) technology, is designed to accelerate the breakdown of synthetic fibers—helping to combat plastic waste and reduce environmental impact.

In episode 172 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I sat down with Blair Kanis from 37.5 Technology to discuss their journey in sustainability, the development of their biodegradation technology, and the challenges of integrating this innovation into the broader textile industry. 

Blair Kanis is the president and general counsel at Cocona Labs, the creator of 37.5® Technology, and a global leader in sustainable thermoregulation material science. She joined Cocona Labs in 2020 as General Counsel and Director of Sustainability after a decade as an attorney at Kutak Rock LLP, specializing in intellectual property and Corporate Social Responsibility compliance. Active in the sustainability field since 2012, Blair has also taught business and human rights at the University of Denver Law School.

If you’re into outdoor adventure, photography, or just well-designed gear, chances are you’ve heard of Peak Design. 

In episode 171 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg is joined by Peter Dering, CEO and founder of Peak Design, to talk about something that sets them apart: employee ownership. 

They discuss what that actually means in practice, how it influences everything from product development to sustainability initiatives, and why Peak Design believes this model is the future of ethical business.

Peter Dering is the founder and CEO of Peak Design, a San Francisco-based company he started in 2010 making photography, outdoor, and lifestyle carry gear.

Since launching Peak Design, Dering has overseen 13 Kickstarter campaigns, raising $40M and proving the validity of crowdfunding as a method to maintain financial and operational independence from outside investors.

Growing acutely aware of his company’s increasing carbon footprint, Dering co-founded Climate Neutral (now the Change Climate Project): an independent non-profit organization that enlists private businesses to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through a simplified, four-step process.

In the outdoor and environmental space, conservation is at the heart of so many discussions, but how those stories are told can make a difference. Whether it’s connecting policy to personal experiences or framing climate change through the lens of recreation, good storytelling has the power to inspire action.

Joining me today is journalist and poet Sage Marshall. Sage has built a career covering outdoor recreation and conservation, with a focus on hunting and fishing media. In this episode, we’ll explore what makes a conservation story compelling, how to find and develop relatable figures, and the role that place and personal experience play in shaping narratives. Plus, we’ll discuss how storytelling in outdoor media is evolving and what the future might hold for conservation journalism.

Sage Marshall is a poet, essayist, and outdoors journalist from southwest Colorado. He has lived across the U.S. and currently resides in Western Montana, where he explores the rivers and mountains around Missoula with his partner Bela and their adopted bird dog Gunney. 

He’s a student of many outdoor pursuits, from skiing and backpacking to fly fishing and duck hunting. Marshall is a contributing writer and former editor of Field & Stream. His creative work has been featured in publications such as The Missouri Review, Sport Literate, swamp pink, and elsewhere. Echolocation (Middle Creek Publishing), which weaves the landscapes and ecologies of the American West against themes of violence, adolescence, and beauty, is his debut poetry collection.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for outdoor gear skyrocketed, leading brands to ramp up production. But as the dust settled, it became clear that the industry had overestimated long-term consumer demand. 

Now, we’re left with an oversaturated market, constant sales cycles, and a looming question: 

What do we do with all this extra gear?

To help unpack this issue, I’m joined by Megan Davin, the founder of Adventurous Threads. 

We’ll explore what led to this oversupply, how it’s affecting retailers and consumers, and what steps companies and individuals can take to shift the industry toward a more sustainable future.

Megan Davin is a passionate outdoor enthusiast with over 18 years in the outdoor industry. Based in Vermont, Megan has dedicated her career to blending the worlds of customer service, sales, and marketing to help brands tell meaningful stories that drive connection and sales. 

Megan is the Founder and Owner of Adventurous Threads, a Vermont-based mobile and online outdoor consignment business that provides affordable, high-quality gear to outdoor lovers. By keeping quality equipment in circulation, Adventurous Threads aims to make outdoor adventures accessible while reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices. 

Together, Megan and Adventurous Threads are dedicated to inspiring responsible, sustainable outdoor practices and connecting people to the outdoors in a way that fosters appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of nature.

In this bonus episode, I break down the controversy surrounding REI’s support for Doug Burgum as the new Secretary of the Interior under the Trump administration.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s endorsement of Burgum has sparked backlash, with calls for a boycott of REI.

But what’s really happening?

We explore Burgum’s background as a pro-fossil fuel businessman, his legal battles against the Department of the Interior, and his priorities for public lands.

We also analyze REI’s role in the conversation, the industry’s response, and what this means for conservation efforts moving forward.

Finally, we discuss REI’s official statement on the issue and share actionable ways to support public lands.

Episode Resources:

When it comes to skincare, we all want products that are safe, effective, and good for the planet. 

But the reality is that many skincare brands, even those marketed as "natural" or "eco-friendly," hide some dirty secrets. From greenwashing tactics to hidden microplastics and PFAS, the industry is full of misleading claims that can make it hard for consumers to know what they’re really putting on their skin.

In episode 168, I sit down withMercedes Pepper from Nation Botanics to uncover the truth behind skincare marketing and explore how different ingredients shape effective skincare formulations. We’ll talk about how to spot greenwashing, why microplastics and PFAS are a growing concern, and what choosing sustainable, plant-based ingredients really means.

Mercedes helps people who get outdoors - particularly surfers, skiers, and snowboarders - get healthy skin without the fuss. She is an international development and social impact director turned skincare founder and formulator of Nation Botanics. The brand’s flagship product, Surf+Slope, provides easy, high-performance skincare designed to combat the elements while supporting North American small businesses, farmers, and our environment.

I haven’t had much of a skincare routine until the last two years. During that time, first of all, I struggled to find anything I could use because I am allergic to aloe, but I also wanted to avoid products that not only harmed the planet but likely contained toxins. When I learned about Nation Botanics, I was excited to try their products because of the brand's mission and clean ingredients. 

That said, I’ve been using their Surf+Slope moisturizer for the last few weeks, and I've appreciated it, especially after a day of cross-country skiing with my dogs when my face is dry and my cheeks might be a little wind-burned. 

If you listen to this episode and want to check out Nation Bonanic’s Surf+Slope, go to nationbotanics.com and use the code minimalist to get 15% off.

Sustainability is a buzzword in the outdoor and apparel industries, but how do we know if a brand’s claims are actually legitimate? With greenwashing becoming more common, it's harder than ever to separate real impact from clever marketing.

In this episode, I sit down with the co-founders of Ombraz Sunglasses to explore what it takes for a company to back up their sustainability claims with real data. We’ll learn Ombraz’s origin story, their approach to designing with sustainability in mind, and the process of securing third-party verification. From partnering with organizations like Greenticket to tackling supply chain transparency, this conversation sheds light on how brands can maintain accountability and communicate their efforts honestly.

Jensen Brehm - Ombraz Cofounder - Hails from Bellevue, WA. Big creator and problem solver. Graduated in 2014 with a BA in Environmental Business that focused on ecological design, entrepreneurship, and vegetated roof systems. Designing products, brand direction, writing, ideating, and executing creative media are a few things Jensen does nicely. 

Nikolai Paloni - Ombraz Cofounder - Hails from Moscow, Russia. Impressively efficient and quick to tackle the most critical task. Graduated in 2014 with a BA in German and International Business. Nikolai is currently focused on building out Ombraz’s wholesale program & in-person experience. Implementing scalable processes, thinking critically with data, seeing tasks through to completion, solving problems, and creating are Nikolai's sweet sweet forte.

In episode 166 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re discussing outdoor equity and climate justice. We’ll learn how we can push for policies that help everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, have access to the benefits of outdoor spaces.

Our guests also shed light on the barriers communities face in accessing the outdoors, the policy gaps we need to bridge, and the ways local governments, schools, and nonprofits can collaborate to create lasting change.

This is also the first time I’ve had the pleasure of hosting three guest speakers! Today, you’ll hear from Taishya Adams, Ángel Peña, and Gabaccia Moreno. 

Taishya (she/her) is a servant leader focused on collective liberation and stewardship through community building, personal transformation, and systems change. After 30+ years at the intersections of education, health, workforce, science, and environment, Taishya founded the Mukuyu Collective, LLC to transform systems through policy, programs, and play.

Taishya is also an elected official serving as a council member for Boulder City Council. Taishya also serves on the board of Black in Marine Science. Previously, Taishya served as a commissioner to Colorado Parks and Wildlife; the NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Business Advisory Council; and on the Colorado Natural Areas Council.

Ángel Peña was born and raised in the Río Bravo valley, he is a first generation Mexican, American and father of three. Àngel has had the opportunity to support and lead strong effective teams that ultimately secured protections totaling millions of acres across the American Southwest. A founding member of the Next 100 Coalition, and Now the Executive Director of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project he is in the business of people empowerment. Working to empower the people that have true, authentic and deep-rooted ties to the land.

Today’s bonus episode is one worth sharing with everyone in your community: What to Do If ICE Agents Approach You. Whether you’re directly impacted, a concerned family member, or an ally, understanding these rights and sharing them with others is a step toward protecting vulnerable members of our communities.

In this episode, we will cover your rights when interacting with ICE or law enforcement, practical steps you can take if approached, where to find those small but powerful red “know your rights” cards, and what bystanders can do to help. 

Este episodio también estará disponible en español.

El episodio  de hoy es uno que vale la pena compartir con todos en tu comunidad: Qué hacer si agentes de ICE se acercan a ti.

Ya sea que te impacte directamente, seas un familiar preocupado o un amigo, comprender estos derechos y compartirlos con otros es un paso hacia la protección de los miembros afectados de nuestras comunidades.

En este episodio, cubriremos tus derechos al interactuar con ICE o con las fuerzas del orden, pasos prácticos que puedes tomar si se acercan a ti, dónde encontrar esas pequeñas pero poderosas tarjetas rojas de "conoce tus derechos", y lo que los testigos pueden hacer para ayudar.

Este episodio también estara en ingles.

In episode 165 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss conservation, how the movement needs to change, and how to reframe conservation as a human right. 

We cover the historical inequities in conservation, how social justice and environmental protection intersect, and what a rights-based approach to conservation could look like in practice. We’ll also discuss ways you can influence policymakers and advocate for a more inclusive conservation movement.

This conversation is packed with insights and actionable steps to help us reimagine conservation as a right for everyone, not just a privilege for a few. To help guide our conversation, I had the pleasure of chatting with Bray Beltran. 

Bray was born and raised in Colombia. He moved to the United States when he was 21 and has been living here for 24 years. Bray is a recent transplant to the mid-Atlantic, but he spent nine years living in the deep South and 13 years in the Intermountain West.

Bray earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the US academic system, studying ecology, climate change, and conservation. After school, Bray started his career in conservation and worked on private land protection in the Northern Rockies for 10 years. During this time, Bray started to understand conservation not only within the historical context of American culture but also within the cultural context of 15,000+ years of Indigenous tenure and 500 years of Afro-descendant history in the Americas. Since then, Bray has strived to practice conservation considering the full historical and cultural context of the Americas to make sure our conservation actions and outcomes benefit the whole of society and include the perspectives, histories, and knowledge of historically marginalized communities.

Bray is a father, a husband, an only child to his mother, a brother, a cousin, and an uncle to his very large family. He can often be found tending to his garden or enjoying his surroundings near and far.

First, let me start by saying that the devastation from the wildfires in the LA area is horrific. Our hearts go out to everyone who has had to experience a climate disaster. Unfortunately, these events will likely become more frequent and widespread. We plan to discuss climate disasters more and how to prepare for them in the future, but for now, we will focus on some policies that no doubt influence and fuel climate change. 

In episode 164 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we discuss offshore drilling. More specifically, we will learn about the intersection between outdoor recreation economies and how activities like offshore drilling impact them. 

To help explain the scope of this issue, I had the pleasure of sitting down to chat with Chad Nelsen. 

Dr. Chad Nelsen is the CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, the world’s largest grassroots coastal and ocean conservation organization dedicated to protecting and enjoying the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. Chad has over 25 years of experience in ocean and coastal conservation and works at the intersection of advocacy, ocean recreation, and grassroots organizing to confront some of our most pressing challenges, including climate change, plastic pollution, and poor water quality. 

With a geology degree from Brown University, a Masters in Coastal Environmental Management from Duke University, and an Environmental Science and Engineering doctorate from UCLA, Chad has a strong foundation in science, policy, and management. Through his research at UCLA, Chad became a founder in the field of “surfonomics,” the study of the economic values of surfing and ocean recreation. 

Chad lives in Laguna Beach with his family and enjoys surfing, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and snowboarding with his family. 

After this interview was recorded, President Biden announced the withdrawal of the entire US East Coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and additional portions of the northern Bering Sea in Alaska from future oil and gas leasing. Taken under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, this permanently protects more than 625 million acres of US Waters from any future oil and gas development in 5-year offshore drilling plans developed by the federal government. 

Surfrider and Chad Nelsen released a statement about this on January 6th: 

"The Surfrider Foundation applauds the Biden administration for withdrawing these waters from future oil and gas leasing. Offshore drilling is a dirty and damaging practice that harms our ocean as well as communities and businesses while worsening climate change. The President's historic action is a key step toward ending oil and gas drilling in US waters. We call on our federal leaders to take further steps to ensure that all US coasts are protected from this harmful industry,"

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! 

I’m stoked to dive into another exciting year of podcast content with all of you, and we have some exciting things planned for the year. So, if you aren’t already, make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly newsletter. Every Monday, with the release of a new episode, I send out an email newsletter with the latest content you can hear and watch and any additional information relevant to our listeners. 

Last October, we had our first theme month: Climate Month. I enjoyed focusing on one broad topic area and tailoring it to the outdoor industry through a series of expert interviews. So, we are doing that again in January, but this time, our focus is on policy and politics. 

There’s a lot of stress going into 2025 and many unknowns regarding human rights, land access, the economy, and so much more as we transition into a new administration. We will be talking about most of these topics throughout the month and how they relate to outdoor communities, but we are starting with outdoor policy predictions and how we, as individuals and businesses, can use our voices to take action to protect the people and lands we love. 

To help guide this conversation, I had the privilege of sitting down and chatting with Adam Cramer. 

​​Adam Cramer is the founding Executive Director and present CEO of Outdoor Alliance, a national coalition of outdoor recreation advocacy groups that has breathed new life into the conservation movement by harnessing the outdoor community’s passion for place and combining it with a modern approach to organizing and digital engagement. 

During his time as CEO, Adam has brought new sensibilities to conservation work that have resulted in hundreds of thousands more acres of protected landscapes, improved management for outdoor recreation, and thousands of outdoor enthusiasts awakened to conservation and advocacy work. 

He is an avid whitewater kayaker and mountain biker, but is always on the lookout for a good skatepark. Adam lives in Maryland with his wife and two kids.

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Outdoor Alliance

It’s the final Monday of 2024, and what a year it’s been for the Outdoor Minimalist podcast! 

In this special round-up episode, we’re celebrating the year’s highlights, including the top five most downloaded episodes. Whether you’re a first-time listener or a dedicated fan who tunes in every Monday, this episode is the perfect way to reflect on our journey together.

We’re also taking a moment to celebrate the success of Forever Chemicals, our new investigative podcast series. From becoming the #1 Chemistry podcast in the U.S. to earning a homepage feature on Apple Podcasts during Earth Month, this project has been a labor of love that sparked critical conversations in the outdoor community. 

Forever Chemicals has been nominated for the Best Sports Documentary Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards! Voting is open until January 13th. Please cast your vote (link below) and help us take home the win.

Happy Holidays outdoor minimalist listeners. I can’t believe this is the third holiday season I get to spend with all of you! To give the team a bit of a break over the next two weeks, we decided to repost one of our most popular and well-loved episodes –The Christmas Tree Display. 

If you haven’t heard this, you’re in for a treat! 

Before we get to the special though, I have a few announcements. 

First, the Forever Chemicals podcast was recently nominated for the Sports Podcast Awards! While we like to think of ourselves as a science podcast, it is an honor to be a finalist in the sports documentary category. We were nominated because we cover the use of hazardous chemicals in sporting equipment and outdoor gear. 

That said, it would mean the world to us if you took a minute to cast a vote for the Forever Chemicals podcast. The link is in the show notes as well as in all of our social media bios. Voting is open until January 13th and winners will be announced on January 30th. 

The second announcement I have is that I’ve also included a link to our listener survey in the show notes and will be sending these out in the next few email newsletters. Last year was the first year we tried a listener survey, and it helped us a lot to hear directly from you about the show. Your input helps us create a more impactful show and cover topics and interview guests that interest you most. 

I’ve made some updates to the listener survey since last year, including the option to have a sit down chat with me, your host so I can hear from you directly and get to know you better. If you’re interested in sharing your thoughts directly with me and scheduling a video call, please fill out the survey in the show notes! 

With that, thank you again for making this our best year yet, and happy holidays.

This Holiday Special: The Christmas Tree Display was written and produced by Meg Carney and edited by Alex Carney.

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The holiday season is here, and with it comes a surge in waste and consumption.

In this rare solo episode of Outdoor Minimalist, we explore how to reduce environmental impact during one of the most high-waste times of the year.

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, waste in the U.S. increases by 25%, with millions of tons of trash generated from gift wrap, decorations, food waste, and shipping materials.

This episode gives you actionable strategies for conscious gift-giving and sustainable shopping, including:

• Embracing experiences over possessions to create lasting traditions
• Thoughtful gift ideas like practical items, subscriptions, or goal-oriented presents
• Supporting local artisans and ethical brands
• Crafting DIY or secondhand treasures for unique and personal presents
• Rethinking wrapping paper with reusable or recyclable materials

The holidays are an opportunity to spark conversations about sustainability and inspire new traditions that align with eco-conscious values.

Listen for practical tips and resources to celebrate joyfully without creating unnecessary waste.

Links Mentioned:

In the spirit of gift-giving, I want to highlight a book that I believe many listeners would love and cherish with their friends and family. Books are a timeless gift, and supporting small bookstores is something near and dear to my heart– after all, I grew up in one. 

That’s why I decided to feature Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones: Games to Play in Nature by Jen Ball in episode 160 of the Outdoor Minimalist Podcast. 

Jen Ball is lead faculty for the Sustainability Stream, a program that guides students into green sector careers, at Canada’s Humber College. Ball has also been a producer for CBC Radio One, coordinator for the Montreal Fringe Festival, and administrator for the Caravan Tall Ship Theatre Company. A member of the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario, Ball roams the outdoors often with friends and family.

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Jen Ball