In this episode, I sit down with Brock Evans, a legend in the conservation movement. Brock is now 88 years old and lives in La Grande, Oregon with his wife Linda. He discusses his decades-long journey of conservation efforts ranging from protecting the North Cascades National Park, to the Hells Canyon and the French Pete drainage in Oregon. He recounts his encounters with logging and mining threats, his involvement with the Sierra Club, his friendships with key figures like David Brower, and his experience lobbying in Washington, D.C. Brock emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism, drawing boundaries around lands you want to see protected, and adapting new strategies for the contemporary conservation movement. He also shares personal stories of organizing local communities to protect wild places on public lands highlighting the roles of passion and unity in successful conservation efforts.
https://www.wakerobinpress.com/endless.html#/
https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Win-Evanss-Strategies-Eco-warrior/dp/0578132958
https://www.hellscanyon.org/single-post/preremembering-brock-evans-oregon-conservationist
04:10 Brock Evans' Early Conservation Efforts
05:10 Discovering the Wilderness and Activism
09:57 The Fight for the North Cascades
11:37 Battles Against Logging and Mining
15:55 Organizing for Conservation
20:24 Hells Canyon and Legislative Battles
44:49 National and International Conservation Efforts
46:48 David Brower and the Sierra Club
51:16 Early Days and Financial Struggles
52:06 Campaign to Protect French Pete Creek
55:29 Grassroots Activism and Love Battles
58:56 Challenges in Modern Conservation
01:07:34 The Importance of Naming and Boundaries
01:15:27 Advice for Future Generations
01:17:13 Reflections on a Life of Advocacy
01:33:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell
