Patrick Donnelly
@bitterwaterblue.bsky.social
Coming to you from a remote outpost on the edge of Death Valley. Great Basin director, Center for Biological Diversity & CBD Action Fund. Groundwater and endemic species. "Reviled for Refusal to Stick to Decorum."
http://linktr.ee/bitterwaterblue
http://linktr.ee/bitterwaterblue
Great Basin National Park:
The sublime beauty of an aspen stand in autumn; the horror of widespread conifer die-off.
The forests are telling us something. Will we listen?
The sublime beauty of an aspen stand in autumn; the horror of widespread conifer die-off.
The forests are telling us something. Will we listen?
September 27, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Great Basin National Park:
The sublime beauty of an aspen stand in autumn; the horror of widespread conifer die-off.
The forests are telling us something. Will we listen?
The sublime beauty of an aspen stand in autumn; the horror of widespread conifer die-off.
The forests are telling us something. Will we listen?
Climate folks who trivialize or disregard the threat of lithium battery fires look both foolish and hopelessly out of touch with the realities and perceptions of normal people.
September 26, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Climate folks who trivialize or disregard the threat of lithium battery fires look both foolish and hopelessly out of touch with the realities and perceptions of normal people.
Riley taught me about perseverance, about fortitude, and about when to say, I've had enough. He was a desert warrior, but a gentle soul.
Riley will forever be a desert dog.
Riley Donnelly-Fraga, c. 2010-2025. RIP.
Riley will forever be a desert dog.
Riley Donnelly-Fraga, c. 2010-2025. RIP.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Riley taught me about perseverance, about fortitude, and about when to say, I've had enough. He was a desert warrior, but a gentle soul.
Riley will forever be a desert dog.
Riley Donnelly-Fraga, c. 2010-2025. RIP.
Riley will forever be a desert dog.
Riley Donnelly-Fraga, c. 2010-2025. RIP.
One time Riley ate an entire pumpkin pie while we were out hiking, no shit. He laid on the floor with a distended stomach like a cartoon mouse who just ate all the cheese.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
One time Riley ate an entire pumpkin pie while we were out hiking, no shit. He laid on the floor with a distended stomach like a cartoon mouse who just ate all the cheese.
Oh yeah, he and Kelso were best buds. They spent several years together, then several years apart, then during Riley's last couple of years they were reunited.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Oh yeah, he and Kelso were best buds. They spent several years together, then several years apart, then during Riley's last couple of years they were reunited.
He also knew how to relax, whether kicking back in the hammock at home; busking on the banks of the San Rafael River (Emory County, UT); chilling on la playa in San Carlos (Sonora, Mex.); or hanging out in the grass with his best bud Kelso.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
He also knew how to relax, whether kicking back in the hammock at home; busking on the banks of the San Rafael River (Emory County, UT); chilling on la playa in San Carlos (Sonora, Mex.); or hanging out in the grass with his best bud Kelso.
He also did love a good wildflower bloom, and he saw a good many of them. 2016, 2019, and 2023 were all notably good flower years that he spent exploring our home here on the edge of Death Valley.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
He also did love a good wildflower bloom, and he saw a good many of them. 2016, 2019, and 2023 were all notably good flower years that he spent exploring our home here on the edge of Death Valley.
And like any true desert rat, he sure did love a good swim. You've never seen a happier dog than when he'd jump in the Owens River (Mono County, CA); or Washoe Lake (Washoe County, NV); or the Paria River (Kane County, UT); or of course our beloved Amargosa River in our home Shoshone, CA.
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
And like any true desert rat, he sure did love a good swim. You've never seen a happier dog than when he'd jump in the Owens River (Mono County, CA); or Washoe Lake (Washoe County, NV); or the Paria River (Kane County, UT); or of course our beloved Amargosa River in our home Shoshone, CA.
Riley loved sand dunes - it was maybe his favorite place to visit in the desert, especially with Naomi. Pictured here at Ibex Dunes (Death Valley NP, CA); Clayton Valley Dunes (Esmeralda County, NV); Sand Mountain (Churchill County, NV); and Desert Valley Dunes (Lincoln County, NV).
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Riley loved sand dunes - it was maybe his favorite place to visit in the desert, especially with Naomi. Pictured here at Ibex Dunes (Death Valley NP, CA); Clayton Valley Dunes (Esmeralda County, NV); Sand Mountain (Churchill County, NV); and Desert Valley Dunes (Lincoln County, NV).
He was a dynamic presence and the media loved him. He had appearances in Politico Magazine, E&E News, NPR Mountain West News Bureau, and even ABC's Good Morning America with @gingerzee.bsky.social!
www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/n...
www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/n...
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
He was a dynamic presence and the media loved him. He had appearances in Politico Magazine, E&E News, NPR Mountain West News Bureau, and even ABC's Good Morning America with @gingerzee.bsky.social!
www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/n...
www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/n...
He also was instrumental on conservation campaigns, including the designation of Mojave Trails National Monument (Bonanza Spring, CA); stopping oil leasing in the Ruby Mountains (NV); stopping the Air Force takeover of Desert NWR (NV); and initiation of a mineral withdrawal at Ash Meadows (NV).
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
He also was instrumental on conservation campaigns, including the designation of Mojave Trails National Monument (Bonanza Spring, CA); stopping oil leasing in the Ruby Mountains (NV); stopping the Air Force takeover of Desert NWR (NV); and initiation of a mineral withdrawal at Ash Meadows (NV).
Also the Mount Charleston blue butterfly (Lee Canyon, NV); the Amargosa niterwort (Carson Slough, CA, with @naomibot.bsky.social who would eventually become his mother); the Fish Slough milkvetch (Bishop, CA); and the Tecopa bird's beak (Fish Lake Valley, NV).
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Also the Mount Charleston blue butterfly (Lee Canyon, NV); the Amargosa niterwort (Carson Slough, CA, with @naomibot.bsky.social who would eventually become his mother); the Fish Slough milkvetch (Bishop, CA); and the Tecopa bird's beak (Fish Lake Valley, NV).
Riley helped monitor the habitats of many imperiled species, including the Moorman White River springfish (Sunnyside, NV); the Las Vegas bearpoppy (Rainbow Gardens, NV); Wilson's phalarope (Mono Lake, CA); and the Death Valley monkeyflower (Echo Canyon, CA)...
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Riley helped monitor the habitats of many imperiled species, including the Moorman White River springfish (Sunnyside, NV); the Las Vegas bearpoppy (Rainbow Gardens, NV); Wilson's phalarope (Mono Lake, CA); and the Death Valley monkeyflower (Echo Canyon, CA)...
Riley passed away a few months ago. He had a long, wild ride on this Earth and devoted his time to conservation of the desert. From humble beginnings at the Devore animal shelter to desert wild man to his final resting place along the Amargosa River, join me on his journeys...
September 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Riley passed away a few months ago. He had a long, wild ride on this Earth and devoted his time to conservation of the desert. From humble beginnings at the Devore animal shelter to desert wild man to his final resting place along the Amargosa River, join me on his journeys...
The drought of 1924 sounds like the drought of 2021-2022, when all the desert holly defoliated. It still hasn't really recovered from the recent drought.
From Ken Lengner's brilliant new book, Death Valley Region, a Chronological & Pictorial History, Book 2 (1904-1925).
From Ken Lengner's brilliant new book, Death Valley Region, a Chronological & Pictorial History, Book 2 (1904-1925).
September 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The drought of 1924 sounds like the drought of 2021-2022, when all the desert holly defoliated. It still hasn't really recovered from the recent drought.
From Ken Lengner's brilliant new book, Death Valley Region, a Chronological & Pictorial History, Book 2 (1904-1925).
From Ken Lengner's brilliant new book, Death Valley Region, a Chronological & Pictorial History, Book 2 (1904-1925).
The changing climate is a threat to this fragile ecosystem and all life on Earth. But what do we do? Two roads diverged...
September 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The changing climate is a threat to this fragile ecosystem and all life on Earth. But what do we do? Two roads diverged...
Well, that's a wrap on August here on the edge of Death Valley. The Tecopa weather station recorded 0.02" of rain. Average daily high 110.3°, low 73.3°, hottest day 119°, coolest day 101°. Monthly average temp of 93°, about 1.3° above 20-year average. Yes, it's getting hotter.
September 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Well, that's a wrap on August here on the edge of Death Valley. The Tecopa weather station recorded 0.02" of rain. Average daily high 110.3°, low 73.3°, hottest day 119°, coolest day 101°. Monthly average temp of 93°, about 1.3° above 20-year average. Yes, it's getting hotter.
The White River spinedace is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and lives in a nearby spring at Kirch Wildlife Mgmt Area. There are only a couple hundred of these fish left. There are four other endemic fishes which live in the area, including the Moorman White River springfish.
August 31, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The White River spinedace is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and lives in a nearby spring at Kirch Wildlife Mgmt Area. There are only a couple hundred of these fish left. There are four other endemic fishes which live in the area, including the Moorman White River springfish.
We're working on scoping comments on an oil & gas lease sale in the beautiful White River Valley of eastern Nevada. Trump wants to give 20,000 acres to oil companies for fracking in a sensitive groundwater system. Obama-era FWS recommended withdrawing the area from leasing.
August 31, 2025 at 8:55 PM
We're working on scoping comments on an oil & gas lease sale in the beautiful White River Valley of eastern Nevada. Trump wants to give 20,000 acres to oil companies for fracking in a sensitive groundwater system. Obama-era FWS recommended withdrawing the area from leasing.
I fired up the old newsletter machine for the first time in a while. In it, I take a lay of the land of the Western public lands extraction boom. TLDR: it's chaos.
Read more: sageandsand.substack.com/p/sage-and-s...
Read more: sageandsand.substack.com/p/sage-and-s...
August 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I fired up the old newsletter machine for the first time in a while. In it, I take a lay of the land of the Western public lands extraction boom. TLDR: it's chaos.
Read more: sageandsand.substack.com/p/sage-and-s...
Read more: sageandsand.substack.com/p/sage-and-s...
Oh we are so back!
I took a break from the public eye for a while- it was heavenly. But social media is our public square. And I was born to be the town crier. Or Chicken Little, depending on your perspective. So I'm back in the saddle, charging into battle, not going gentle into that good night.
I took a break from the public eye for a while- it was heavenly. But social media is our public square. And I was born to be the town crier. Or Chicken Little, depending on your perspective. So I'm back in the saddle, charging into battle, not going gentle into that good night.
August 27, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Oh we are so back!
I took a break from the public eye for a while- it was heavenly. But social media is our public square. And I was born to be the town crier. Or Chicken Little, depending on your perspective. So I'm back in the saddle, charging into battle, not going gentle into that good night.
I took a break from the public eye for a while- it was heavenly. But social media is our public square. And I was born to be the town crier. Or Chicken Little, depending on your perspective. So I'm back in the saddle, charging into battle, not going gentle into that good night.
The @amargosaconserv.bsky.social Amargosa Conservancy is hiring a new Executive Director! The ED will work closely with a very active Board of Directors to secure a future for the Amargosa River and the communities that depend on her. Join us! bit.ly/AmargosaED1
July 22, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The @amargosaconserv.bsky.social Amargosa Conservancy is hiring a new Executive Director! The ED will work closely with a very active Board of Directors to secure a future for the Amargosa River and the communities that depend on her. Join us! bit.ly/AmargosaED1
People have this idea that I'm a big jerk because I like to talk shit but I'm told that I'm actually a nice and friendly guy, as long as you're not a mining company executive on Christmas Eve.
February 1, 2025 at 1:06 AM
People have this idea that I'm a big jerk because I like to talk shit but I'm told that I'm actually a nice and friendly guy, as long as you're not a mining company executive on Christmas Eve.
The Amargosa River cuts a deep canyon below Tecopa, CA. It carves through strata, exposing our deep carbonate aquifer which transmits groundwater from far away. The water emerges at seeps and springs in the canyon walls, which feed what is the nation's only exclusively groundwater-fed River. 💙
January 29, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The Amargosa River cuts a deep canyon below Tecopa, CA. It carves through strata, exposing our deep carbonate aquifer which transmits groundwater from far away. The water emerges at seeps and springs in the canyon walls, which feed what is the nation's only exclusively groundwater-fed River. 💙