Episode 21

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Published on:

12th May 2026

The Environmental Fight to Save Public and Sacred Lands with Chris Riccardo

We are at a critical time when many of our public and sacred lands across the U.S. are being threatened.

Political decisions, like the recent, totally disgusting vote passed to undo protections that block copper mining in the Boundary Water’s watershed, are at risk of setting precedents for other wilderness areas, like Utah's Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument. We need to stand together, across state lines for wilderness protection.

Today’s Guest is Chris Riccardo, the Midwest organizer with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Hear about what's happening with the Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument, how congress is seeking to roll back protections, and what you can do (that's easy) to help.

After listening, I hope you’ll take action and go to SUWA.org or make a quick call to your members of congress to vote NO on resolutions to undo the Grand Staircase-Escalante management plan. We gotta keep the pressure on together.

For more info, Chris shared these resources:

chris@suwa.org

DC’s Switchboard: 202.224.3121

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/W1FceOMx_XQ

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/fbdd127c2bfb421a8fe56f579f252892

https://gsenm.org/april-2026-newsletter/

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About the Podcast

The Global Grit Experience
Stories of inspiring people with grit protecting nature, wildlife and the outdoor places we love.
The Global Grit Experience is about caring for nature, wildlife and each other by sharing stories of people making a difference in small and big ways. Real people, doing the work, who we can learn from, find some inspiration, and gather our grit to step up for the protection of our natural world. Erika Gilsdorf is an international, award-winning video producer and uses this podcast to be able to dive a bit deeper into a variety of environmental topics that are relevant, authentic and inspiring in today's challenging times. It's a podcast built on stories of hope, connection and action.

About your host

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Erika Gilsdorf

Hi! Thanks for being here! I’m Erika, the Global Grit Experience podcast creator and host. Though the podcast format is fairly new to me, I’ve been sharing stories close to 20 years in Minnesota, the U.S. and around the world. Some of those I’ve worked with include The Minnesota Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, General Mills, United Airlines, and National Geographic. I’m an outdoor enthusiast, adventurer, and climate and nature activist. I chose ‘grit’ because everything worth pursuing takes grit - passion, perseverance, courage, curiosity, hope and an unwavering determination to protect. Nature deserves a bit of our grit. Thanks for giving some of your grit for the love of nature.