CalWild

One of CalWild’s fantastic founders still doing amazing work.

This week on the Econews Report, we’re joined by Marc Hoshovsky and Bob Schneider, two of the authors of the new book Exploring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which will be published early next year by Backcountry Press.

Never heard of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument? It’s an incredibly strange stretch of land, with absolutely unique geologic and botanical features, that stretches down from Lake County to Napa County. The land is part of a subduction zone that was thrown up from the deep ocean to the mountains, and as such it’s made mostly of minerals and rock types that you’re not likely to find many other places.

On top of that, the region has a rich and unique history that encompassed some 31 different Native American groups … and terrible acts of genocide at the hands of European settlers.

Check out this conversation, then check out the book, and you’ll almost certainly want to check out the Berryessa/Snow Mountain area on your next hiking trip.

📻You can listen to the EcoNews Report LIVE on Saturdays at 10am on KHUM (104.7), any time on Lost Coast Outpost, or anywhere on your podcast app. Click here to listen to this episode: https://eelriver.org/2025/12/06/econews-report-299/

PROTECT ROADLESS AREAS! This is scenic Lakes Basin in the Lakes Basin Inventoried Roadless Areas on the Plumas and Tahoe National Forests in Plumas and Sierra Counties. This area is known for many sub-alpine lakes, waterfalls, extensive trail system, and adjacent vacation resorts. It’s a great example of the Forest Service administratively protecting an area instead of seeking legislation to protect it as wilderness. Thousands of people visit this area every year to hike its trails, swim in its lakes, camp, fish, hunt, stay at nearby resorts, and enjoy the outdoors.

The Lakes Basin roadless area is currently administratively protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which the Trump Administration is proposing to repeal. Keeping this area roadless lowers the risk of destructive wildfires (far more fires start in roaded areas), supports healthy watersheds that produce clean water, offers outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, and provides refuge and habitat for at-risk fish and wildlife species. Our National Forests already have more roads than the Forest Service has resources to maintain. Please act today to oppose President Trump’s proposal to repeal this simple protection for the last remnants of America’s once vast wild heritage. The public comment deadline is Sep. 19.

Click here to learn more about areas throughout the state threatened by the Roadless Rule Repeal: https://www.calwild.org/critical-roadless-areas-across-california/.

To email a comment supporting protection of the Lakes Basin roadless area and opposing the repeal of the Roadless Conservation Rule, click here: https://www.calwild.org/roadlesscommentshere/.

PROTECT ROADLESS AREAS! This is Pyramid Creek and Horsetail Falls in the Pyramid Inventoried Roadless Area on the Eldorado National Forest in El Dorado County. Thousands of people drive by this scenic wild place every week on their way to and from Lake Tahoe. A short scenic loop trail features a series of cascades along Pyramid Creek and great views up canyon of mighty Horsetail Falls. Pyramid Creek was found eligible by the Forest Service for National Wild and Scenic River protection due to its outstanding scenery, recreation, and geology (geologists teach about Sierra glaciation in this area). The Pyramid roadless area surrounds the Desolation Wilderness, one of the most heavily visited wild places in California, providing outstanding opportunities for hiking, backpacking, angling, hunting, snowshoeing, and skiing.

The Pyramid roadless area is currently administratively protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which the Trump Administration is proposing to repeal. Keeping this area roadless lowers the risk of destructive wildfires (far more fires start in roaded areas), supports healthy watersheds that produce clean water, offers outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation, and provides refuge and habitat for at-risk fish and wildlife species. Our National Forests already have more roads than the Forest Service has resources to maintain. Please act today to oppose President Trump’s proposal to repeal this simple protection for the last remnants of America’s once vast wild heritage. The public comment deadline is Sep. 19.

Click here to learn more about areas throughout the state threatened by the Roadless Rule Repeal: https://www.calwild.org/critical-roadless-areas-across-california/.

To email a comment supporting protection of the Pyramid roadless area and opposing the repeal of the Roadless Conservation Rule, click here: https://www.calwild.org/roadlesscommentshere/.