Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks: SEC ‘financializing Mother Nature’ with Natural Asset Company rule

“A natural asset company is a new kind of company. And it’s not based on economic activity. It’s based on natural processes. So, I think of it as financializing Mother Nature. In order to be able to do that — because it’s not based on traditional economic activity.” — Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks

In Episode 409 of District of Conservation, Gabriella interviews Utah Treasurer Marlo Oaks. Treasurer Oaks was first appointed to the position in July 2021 and then elected in November 2022. He and 21 other state financial officers forced the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reopen its proposed rule to list Natural Asset Companies – envisioned as a new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment – on the New York Stock Exchange. Treasurer Oaks discusses why he jumped into the fight against ESG, why ESG isn’t market-oriented, how natural asset companies pose a threat to financial markets, property rights, and land access, and much more.

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EP 563: ICAST 2026 – Jeff Angers, Center for Sportfishing Policy – District of Conservation

In Episode 563 of District of Conservation, Gabriella publishes the first of three ICAST 2026 interviews with Jeff Angers from Center for Sportfishing Policy. Jeff discusses the mood at ICAST, how Senator Lindsay Graham's death impacts recreational boating and fishing, what to make of the Trump administration's Make America Beautiful Again Commission's new report, vessel speed rule update, and sharks. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESCenter for Sportfishing PolicyICAST