Randy Watkins
@bluetortoise3.bsky.social
Lead Field Biologist on large water and power projects in the Eastern Mojave, from 1999-2010 for the Southern Nevada Water Authority. Link: https://www.snwa.com/infrastructure-improvements/intake3-pumping-station/index.html
Pinned
The Endangered Species Act has protected species and their habitats for over 50 years. A single word change could significantly alter the way the law is implemented. The only beneficiaries of this plan are extractive industries. 🌎 by @morgansjogren.bsky.social
This One Word Change Could Gut Our Strongest Conservation Law
The bipartisan Endangered Species Act is on the line as the federal government proposes a new change
www.sierraclub.org
The ESA protects wildlife and its habitat by preventing illegal “Take“, a legal word meaning “harass, harm, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct“ except by federal permit. Removing HARM protection will increase their greatest threat: habitat loss.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
This is a very thoughtful analysis of the hydrological, institutional, political, and social "sticking points" in Colorado River discussions by Shannon Mullane for the @coloradosun.com ⬇️
coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
What’s holding up the Colorado River negotiations? Experts break down the sticking points.
As the clock ticks down, onlookers have been increasingly frustrated and critical of the lack of progress in the closed-door negotiations.
coloradosun.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:04 PM
This is a very thoughtful analysis of the hydrological, institutional, political, and social "sticking points" in Colorado River discussions by Shannon Mullane for the @coloradosun.com ⬇️
coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
coloradosun.com/2025/10/30/c...
"The Voyage to Resist the End of the World was arranged by Amazon news Sumaúma and Santarem-based Health and Happiness. It's one of the fluvial civil society activities that aim to make the color, flavor and sound of Cop30 unlike anything seen at climate summits." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘A meeting of voices’: flotillas head into Belém ahead of Cop30 climate summit
Indigenous leaders, environmental activists and forest defenders are determined to make this a summit like no other
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"The Voyage to Resist the End of the World was arranged by Amazon news Sumaúma and Santarem-based Health and Happiness. It's one of the fluvial civil society activities that aim to make the color, flavor and sound of Cop30 unlike anything seen at climate summits." www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“This has the potential to be one of the most consequential climate COPs of the last decade,” said Ruth Do Coutto, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Division of the United Nations Environment Programme. “But there is no doubt: we are facing some serious headwinds.”
www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
Six issues that will dominate COP30
From cutting emissions to protecting forests, and strengthening adaptation finance and early warning systems, here are six issues delegates are expected to grapple with at COP30.
www.unep.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
“This has the potential to be one of the most consequential climate COPs of the last decade,” said Ruth Do Coutto, Deputy Director of the Climate Change Division of the United Nations Environment Programme. “But there is no doubt: we are facing some serious headwinds.”
www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
www.unep.org/news-and-sto...
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Joe Rogan has one of the world's most popular podcasts. Unfortunately, like nearly all of the most popular online shows, his tends to spread climate misinformation. For @climateconnections.bsky.social I scrutinize his recent episode with octogenarian climate contrarians Lindzen & Happer 🧵 (1/11)
Five ways Joe Rogan misleads listeners about climate change » Yale Climate Connections
Rogan exposes millions to climate denial. Let’s break down his tactics.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Joe Rogan has one of the world's most popular podcasts. Unfortunately, like nearly all of the most popular online shows, his tends to spread climate misinformation. For @climateconnections.bsky.social I scrutinize his recent episode with octogenarian climate contrarians Lindzen & Happer 🧵 (1/11)
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Scientists have a message for world leaders gathering at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil: Cut fossil fuel emissions fast or face a climate breakdown that will be catastrophic for millions of people around the world.
‘Hurtling Toward Climate Chaos’ as COP30 Nears - Inside Climate News
Negotiators gathering for the global climate talks must acknowledge their failures and seek alternatives to spur action, scientists say.
insideclimatenews.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Scientists have a message for world leaders gathering at the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil: Cut fossil fuel emissions fast or face a climate breakdown that will be catastrophic for millions of people around the world.
The Trump administration has refused to send a high-level delegation to the COP30 climate summit next week. California Gov. Newsom will travel to Brazil to participate in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, his office said.
The COP30 event will take place in Belém from Nov. 10-21.
The COP30 event will take place in Belém from Nov. 10-21.
The COP30 Leaders' Summit starts today featuring 143 delegations — but not, of course, the U.S. The conference formally kicks off Monday, so watch this space for more updates.
Read more in this morning's AM newsletter by @alexckaufman.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/am/geoengine...
Read more in this morning's AM newsletter by @alexckaufman.bsky.social:
heatmap.news/am/geoengine...
The COP30 Climate Summit Kicks Off
On geoengineering consent, Taiwan’s nuclear hopes, and a spider ‘megacity’
heatmap.news
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Trump administration has refused to send a high-level delegation to the COP30 climate summit next week. California Gov. Newsom will travel to Brazil to participate in the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, his office said.
The COP30 event will take place in Belém from Nov. 10-21.
The COP30 event will take place in Belém from Nov. 10-21.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Joe Rogan spent a whole podcast episode spouting climate misinformation. @dananuccitelli.bsky.social broke down the tactics Rogan and other climate deniers use so you can call them out when you hear them.
Five ways Joe Rogan misleads listeners about climate change » Yale Climate Connections
Rogan exposes millions to climate denial. Let’s break down his tactics.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Joe Rogan spent a whole podcast episode spouting climate misinformation. @dananuccitelli.bsky.social broke down the tactics Rogan and other climate deniers use so you can call them out when you hear them.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
🦬🇺🇸 Sweeping wins for democracy tonight. Thank you to everyone who exercised their right to vote, and thank you to all the amazing campaign volunteers.
You fucking did this!
You fucking did this!
November 5, 2025 at 3:43 AM
🦬🇺🇸 Sweeping wins for democracy tonight. Thank you to everyone who exercised their right to vote, and thank you to all the amazing campaign volunteers.
You fucking did this!
You fucking did this!
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Interested in learning more about ebird, both creating useful records, and being able to use ebird data to answer questions of your own? Join us, as Lauren Harter shares how we can make the most of ebird in our birding! Wednesday, November 19, 6pm.
GBBO webinar: Birding to the Max: Tips for Creating and Using eBird Data — Great Basin Bird Observatory
Join GBBO staff member, eBird reviewer, and avid birder Lauren Harter to learn tips for generating eBird data that can be optimally useful to reviewers, scientists, and other eBird users. We’ll discuss how to document flagged sightings, do’s and don’ts in the field, how to use various data fields, a
www.gbbo.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Interested in learning more about ebird, both creating useful records, and being able to use ebird data to answer questions of your own? Join us, as Lauren Harter shares how we can make the most of ebird in our birding! Wednesday, November 19, 6pm.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.
🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown
🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown
November 1, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Join us for Curiosity Lab: The Possible Unknown as we delve into the mysteries of exploring what once seemed unreachable with stories about innovation & determination that open doors to new frontiers.
🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown
🎟️ Tuesday, Nov. 5 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Vegas Theatre Company
👉 Tickets: bit.ly/clthepossibleunknown
Reposted by Randy Watkins
DRI archaeologists work to uncover and preserve the pieces of our past that help us understand who we are today.
This #NevadaDay, support science that protects Nevada’s history for generations to come. 🌎
👉 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday
#Archaeology #NevadaHistory #DiscoverDRI
This #NevadaDay, support science that protects Nevada’s history for generations to come. 🌎
👉 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday
#Archaeology #NevadaHistory #DiscoverDRI
October 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
DRI archaeologists work to uncover and preserve the pieces of our past that help us understand who we are today.
This #NevadaDay, support science that protects Nevada’s history for generations to come. 🌎
👉 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday
#Archaeology #NevadaHistory #DiscoverDRI
This #NevadaDay, support science that protects Nevada’s history for generations to come. 🌎
👉 Give today: www.dri.edu/nevadaday
#Archaeology #NevadaHistory #DiscoverDRI
Reposted by Randy Watkins
For 15 years, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has reported climate pollution data from the US’s largest sources. The Trump EPA wants to get rid of the program, so we simply don't know who is polluting, what toxins are going into our communities, and the vital information needed to act...
October 30, 2025 at 5:05 AM
For 15 years, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has reported climate pollution data from the US’s largest sources. The Trump EPA wants to get rid of the program, so we simply don't know who is polluting, what toxins are going into our communities, and the vital information needed to act...
Reposted by Randy Watkins
This will be my first talk based on a Bluesky thread, as opposed to the other way around:
For those interested, I’ll giving a departmental colloquium on “Nine months in the federal assault on climate science” on 10/29 at 11:30am EDT
Register here:
Register here:
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: EPS Colloquium 11:30am Oct 29 Robert Kopp Speaking. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Title: Nine months in the federal assault on climate science
Abstract: 2025 has witnessed rapid democratic backsliding in the United States, characterized by efforts by the federal executive to consol...
rutgers.zoom.us
October 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
This will be my first talk based on a Bluesky thread, as opposed to the other way around:
Reposted by Randy Watkins
In 2024, plans to bulldoze a four-lane highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area — protected for the northernmost Mojave desert tortoises — were rejected.
Now the Trump admin. is trying to bring this destructive highway-development plan back to life.
Take action ➡️ bit.ly/47oG0Pk
Now the Trump admin. is trying to bring this destructive highway-development plan back to life.
Take action ➡️ bit.ly/47oG0Pk
October 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
In 2024, plans to bulldoze a four-lane highway through Red Cliffs National Conservation Area — protected for the northernmost Mojave desert tortoises — were rejected.
Now the Trump admin. is trying to bring this destructive highway-development plan back to life.
Take action ➡️ bit.ly/47oG0Pk
Now the Trump admin. is trying to bring this destructive highway-development plan back to life.
Take action ➡️ bit.ly/47oG0Pk
Nevada is home to many rare and endemic species that rely on sensitive, groundwater-fed habitats, and would be threatened if habitat destruction stopped being regulated as a form of "Harm”. Draining the last body of water a species depends on wouldn’t be illegal, and would risk entire ecosystems.
“We don’t have a lot of surface water compared to other states, but we have a lot of these groundwater systems, and most of our surface waters are dependent on groundwater. If a stream is flowing year round, it is most likely groundwater dependent."
Almost 40% of Nevada groundwater wells are in decline, study says • Nevada Current
Nevada’s growing reliance on groundwater for irrigation and drinking water has led to significant declines in thousands of wells across the state, according to a recent study. The study, published in ...
nevadacurrent.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Nevada is home to many rare and endemic species that rely on sensitive, groundwater-fed habitats, and would be threatened if habitat destruction stopped being regulated as a form of "Harm”. Draining the last body of water a species depends on wouldn’t be illegal, and would risk entire ecosystems.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
tonight’s view of the Milky Way over the American southwest
October 26, 2025 at 5:04 AM
tonight’s view of the Milky Way over the American southwest
Reposted by Randy Watkins
In #ScienceUnderSiege, we discuss how belief in weather modification & chemtrails are actually gateway beliefs to climate denial and antiscience conspiratorial ideation. There's a reason that fossil fuel shill Lee Zeldin is encouraging these conspiracy theories.
EPA Commissioner Lee Zeldin announces his agency is launching a major investigation into the right-wing conspiracies about chemtrails and weather manipulation to get to the bottom of it.
October 23, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In #ScienceUnderSiege, we discuss how belief in weather modification & chemtrails are actually gateway beliefs to climate denial and antiscience conspiratorial ideation. There's a reason that fossil fuel shill Lee Zeldin is encouraging these conspiracy theories.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
We’re not going to sci-comm our way out of federal attacks on science, but it’s also never been more important for the public to understand the value of our science and the threats that face it.
The media offers scientists a megaphone for doing this. Come learn how to use it effectively.👇🏼
The media offers scientists a megaphone for doing this. Come learn how to use it effectively.👇🏼
✨ Join us for an upcoming webinar with @allisonagsten.bsky.social to learn how to effectively share your stories with the public as an engaged scientist!
🎤 Sharing Your Science with the Media to Highlight its Value to the Public
🗓️ Wed 11/5 @ 2 pm PT
🔗 Register bit.ly/4oro4KM
🎤 Sharing Your Science with the Media to Highlight its Value to the Public
🗓️ Wed 11/5 @ 2 pm PT
🔗 Register bit.ly/4oro4KM
October 22, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We’re not going to sci-comm our way out of federal attacks on science, but it’s also never been more important for the public to understand the value of our science and the threats that face it.
The media offers scientists a megaphone for doing this. Come learn how to use it effectively.👇🏼
The media offers scientists a megaphone for doing this. Come learn how to use it effectively.👇🏼
Reposted by Randy Watkins
From the snow-capped peaks of the Sierras to the sandstone of Southern Nevada, DRI’s impact is as expansive as the silver state itself. This #NevadaDay, join us in celebrating our home & our work.
Every gift helps make a sustainable future a reality. Give today at www.dri.edu/nevadaday
Every gift helps make a sustainable future a reality. Give today at www.dri.edu/nevadaday
October 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
From the snow-capped peaks of the Sierras to the sandstone of Southern Nevada, DRI’s impact is as expansive as the silver state itself. This #NevadaDay, join us in celebrating our home & our work.
Every gift helps make a sustainable future a reality. Give today at www.dri.edu/nevadaday
Every gift helps make a sustainable future a reality. Give today at www.dri.edu/nevadaday
The U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database has a new home at Climate Central. The database shows that the first six months of 2025 have been the most expensive first six months of any year since 1980.
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
October 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database has a new home at Climate Central. The database shows that the first six months of 2025 have been the most expensive first six months of any year since 1980.
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt...
Nevada AG Aaron Ford has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for eliminating the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, which was awarded $156 million through Solar for All to finance community projects. Trump removed the EPA’s authority and funding for the program.
lasvegassun.com/news/2025/oc...
lasvegassun.com/news/2025/oc...
Advocates push to revive federal funding for Nevada Solar for All program
More than 300 Nevada homeowners, 5,000 renters, and over 25 community solar installations were already registered or in progress before the program’s suspension ...
lasvegassun.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Nevada AG Aaron Ford has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for eliminating the Nevada Clean Energy Fund, which was awarded $156 million through Solar for All to finance community projects. Trump removed the EPA’s authority and funding for the program.
lasvegassun.com/news/2025/oc...
lasvegassun.com/news/2025/oc...
Reposted by Randy Watkins
DOI Layoffs Via court docket (see the appendix by bureau and function.
For FWS:
Hardest hit is those who were consolidated to the Department (Office of Sec).
RIF summary for current FWS:
Migratory Birds, 35
Off Cons Investment 14
Fisheries 48
Eco Serv 13
RD Offices 8
Refuges 24
Off Law Enf 1
For FWS:
Hardest hit is those who were consolidated to the Department (Office of Sec).
RIF summary for current FWS:
Migratory Birds, 35
Off Cons Investment 14
Fisheries 48
Eco Serv 13
RD Offices 8
Refuges 24
Off Law Enf 1
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
DOI Layoffs Via court docket (see the appendix by bureau and function.
For FWS:
Hardest hit is those who were consolidated to the Department (Office of Sec).
RIF summary for current FWS:
Migratory Birds, 35
Off Cons Investment 14
Fisheries 48
Eco Serv 13
RD Offices 8
Refuges 24
Off Law Enf 1
For FWS:
Hardest hit is those who were consolidated to the Department (Office of Sec).
RIF summary for current FWS:
Migratory Birds, 35
Off Cons Investment 14
Fisheries 48
Eco Serv 13
RD Offices 8
Refuges 24
Off Law Enf 1
Reposted by Randy Watkins
i love when people from other countries are like “does the US know how bad things are???” and it’s like YEA WE’RE AWARE
Tonight the president of the United States posted a video of himself wearing a crown and flying a jet that dumps diarrhea all over the United States.
Seriously. He actually did this.
Seriously. He actually did this.
October 19, 2025 at 6:01 AM
i love when people from other countries are like “does the US know how bad things are???” and it’s like YEA WE’RE AWARE
Reposted by Randy Watkins
And so, it was that the Frog, champion of the People ascended in the hearts and minds of everyday folk, a true American amphibian apotheosis, thousands of years they will find a statue and think this must be an old god, a hero of myth and legend, and it will not be far from the truth.
October 19, 2025 at 4:15 AM
And so, it was that the Frog, champion of the People ascended in the hearts and minds of everyday folk, a true American amphibian apotheosis, thousands of years they will find a statue and think this must be an old god, a hero of myth and legend, and it will not be far from the truth.
Reposted by Randy Watkins
Thousands of Nevadans took to streets and sidewalks Saturday to peacefully protest President Donald Trump and air myriad grievances against his administration...
'There's so much.' Nevadans exercise First Amendment rights at multiple No Kings events • Nevada Current
Thousands of Nevadans took to streets and sidewalks Saturday to peacefully protest President Donald Trump and air myriad grievances against his administration, including but not limited to the ramping...
nevadacurrent.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Thousands of Nevadans took to streets and sidewalks Saturday to peacefully protest President Donald Trump and air myriad grievances against his administration...