<p>In Episode 533 of District of Conservation, Gabriella discusses some breaking energy and conservation news: the untimely death of Congressional Western Caucus Chair and Congressman Doug LaMalfa, the future of energy production and conservation efforts in Venezuela, and America250 celebrations on public lands -- including the recent Illumination of America display on the Washington Monument. Tune in to learn more!</p><p><br></p><p><strong>SHOW NOTES</strong></p><p><a href="https://mikejohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2809" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Speaker Johnson Statement on Life and Legacy of Rep. Doug LaMalfa</a></p><p><a href="https://lummispress.enews.senate.gov/mail/util.cfm?gpiv=2100171227.1280.460&gen=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Lummis&#39; Statement on the Sudden Death of Congressional Western Caucus Chair Doug LaMalfa</a></p><p><a href="https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lamalfa-supports-measure-to-protect-hunting-and-fishing-on-public" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Rep. LaMalfa Supports Measure to Protect Hunting and Fishing on Public Lands</a></p><p><a href="https://www.foxbusiness.com/energy/venezuelas-fall-echoes-berlin-wall-collapse-says-expert-whose-parents-fled-soviet-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Venezuela&#39;s fall echoes Berlin Wall collapse, says expert whose parents fled Soviet Union</a></p><p><a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-maduros-ouster-will-have-limited-impact-on-gas-prices-as-they-sink-to-near-5-year-low-181123545.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Why Maduro&#39;s ouster will have &#39;limited&#39; impact on gas prices as they sink to near 5-year low</a></p><p><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/05/trump-venezuela-oil-fields-00710893?nid=00000150-1596-d4ac-a1d4-179e288b0000&nname=illinois-playbook&nrid=c605b42b-b4b5-4d2e-992b-d4b1e5db5674" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Trump administration launches new bid to pressure US oil companies on Venezuela<br></a></p><p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-sets-new-lng-export-records-banner-year-marked-by-new-capacity-2026-01-02/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">US sets new LNG export records in banner year marked by new capacity</a></p><p><a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2018/05/venezuelas-hungry-hunt-wildlife-zoo-animals-as-economic-crisis-grows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Venezuela’s hungry hunt wildlife, zoo animals, as economic crisis grows</a></p><p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/venezuela-crisis-zoo-animals-stolen-eaten-food-shortages-nicolas-maduro-a7898006.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Venezuela crisis: Zoo animals stolen and eaten amid food shortages</a></p><p><a href="https://eowilsonfoundation.org/national-report-card/venezuela/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Venezuela Biodiversity</a></p><p><a href="https://news.mongabay.com/2024/11/as-venezuelas-crisis-rolls-on-its-wildlife-is-increasingly-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">As Venezuela’s crisis rolls on, its wildlife is increasingly at risk</a></p><p><a href="https://freedom250.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Freedom250</a> &amp; <a href="https://freedom250.org/events-calendar" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">National Events</a></p><p><a href="https://america250.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">America250</a></p><p><a href="https://wtop.com/dc/2026/01/thousands-show-up-for-light-show-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday-at-washington-monument/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Thousands show up for light show to commemorate America’s 250th birthday at Washington Monument</a></p>