Florida Uncut

On this episode of Florida Uncut, we sit down with Gene Lollis, Ranch Manager for the past 30 years at Buck Island Ranch, one of Florida’s most unique places where cattle ranching meets conservation science. Raised in St. Cloud, Florida, Gene’s journey began hoeing orange trees as a kid and working cattle, carrying forward a philosophy summed up in the phrase: “Open gates, open minds.” His deep roots in land and cattle shaped not only his career but also the way he approaches leadership and stewardship today.At Buck Island Ranch, Gene oversees nearly 10,500 acres that operate as both a working cattle ranch and a living laboratory run by Archbold Biological Station. In our conversation, he shares how he balances production with conservation, the lessons he’s learned managing both ranch hands and scientists, and the role ranchlands play in protecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor.We dive into:Gene’s personal story and the mentors who shaped his philosophy of land managementHow Buck Island Ranch integrates day-to-day cattle operations with groundbreaking conservation researchThe vital but often overlooked role of ranchlands in Florida’s conservation futureLeadership lessons learned from bridging the ranching and scientific communitiesWhat Florida would lose if working lands like Buck Island disappearedGene also reflects on moments that capture the magic of the land, the legacy he hopes to leave, and his advice for future generations of landowners and conservationists.This episode offers a rare, inside look at one of Florida’s most important working landscapes and the people dedicated to keeping it thriving for cattle, for wildlife, and for all of us.Gene is a graduate of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Animal Sciences and has served as the Florida Cattlemen’s Association President.Learn more about Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch here: archbold-station.org/buck-island-ranch

Since 1995, Dr. Hilary Swain has served as the Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida, leading one of the nation’s premier field stations dedicated to science, conservation, and education. In her role she oversees two flagship properties: the 8,800-acre Archbold Biological Station on the ancient Lake Wales Ridge, and the 10,500-acre Buck Island Ranch, a fully working cattle ranch and living laboratory within the headwaters of the Everglades.Over the past 30 years she has played a pivotal role in advancing land conservation and the understanding of prescribed fire, as well as the role of agricultural lands on the environment across Florida. Through those decades of leadership at Archbold, she has championed science as a foundation for conservation action, ensuring that Florida’s life, lands, and waters remain connected for generations to come. Evidence of her impact can be seen through the fact that under her leadership and regional impact, Archbold’s network of contiguous acres of conservation grow from 8,000 acres to 157,000 acres.As Hilary prepares for her upcoming retirement, this conversation was a special opportunity to reflect on a remarkable career and lasting legacy in Florida conservation.In this episode we discuss:How long-term science at Archbold informs the survival of threatened species, ecosystem resilience, and the protection of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.Why balancing working lands, water, and fire management is vital to large landscape conservation.Hilary’s role in building collaborations across agencies, nonprofits, and landowners—and why these partnerships matter for Florida’s future.What it takes to lead a team of more than 60 staff, students, and visiting scientists in one of the most ecologically important—and rapidly changing—states in the country.How early career roadblocks led to open doors elsewhere. How she’s reflecting on her 30 years of leadership and what she hopes for the future of Archbold.You can learn more about Archbold and all their fantastic work at archbold-station.org. This episode is part one of a four part series on the work of Archbold Biological Station and Buck Island Ranch. More to come! Thank you to Zach Franco and Tahlia Warrick for making these happen. Don’t forget to join us at Tampa Theater on September 18th! Buy tickets here: https://tampatheatre.org/movie/voices-of-the-corridor/The best shirts for folks who love Florida: Okihasi - Florida's Coastal Shirt

Trails are one of the most powerful tools we have for connecting people to nature and fostering a lasting sense of place. By providing direct, immersive access to the outdoors, trails invite us to build personal relationships with the landscapes around us. Whether it’s a shaded stretch of pine flatwood on a rail trail, a sandy path along a coastal estuary or a boardwalk hovering above a cypress swamp, these experiences deepen appreciation and often plant the seed for stewardship. When people fall in love with the places they explore, they’re far more likely to protect them. Trails don’t just lead us through nature, they anchor us to it, transforming passive admiration into active care.This week we’re joined by Charles Hines, who knows a thing or two about trails. He’s the Florida Gulf Coast Trail Program Director for Trust for Public Land and former Sarasota County Commissioner. Charles shares the bold vision behind the 420-mile trail spanning seven counties across Southwest Florida, and how projects like this are reshaping how Floridians connect with nature, recreation, and each other. We’ll dive into the progress of the Gulf Coast Trail vision, how it will connect with other trail networks, and the vast community benefits of such infrastructure investments. A native of Florida, Hines has a background in law and has played an active role with many community nonprofits and civic organizations, including the Bay Park Conservancy, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Charlotte Harbor Estuary Program, Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, West Coast Inland Navigation District, and Florida Association of Counties. Resources:https://www.tpl.org/our-work/florida-gulf-coast-trailhttps://www.yourobserver.com/news/2025/jul/03/bikers-new-legacy-trail-bridge/Subscribe to Florida Uncut to hear from more voices shaping wild Florida.

In this special episode of Florida Uncut, we’re bringing you our first-ever live recording, captured this past weekend at the Wild Space Gallery in St. Pete.The conversation centers around the behind-the-scenes efforts that brought the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation’s 2024 expedition film to life. Every two years, the Foundation leads a week-long journey, on foot, bike, and water, through a region of the Corridor that needs greater public awareness and protection.This year’s expedition took place in Southwest Florida, tracing a route from the Western Everglades to the Caloosahatchee River, an infamously challenging crossing point for the endangered Florida Panther.Our panel features several team members (Ethan Coyle, Alex Freeze, and Joe Whalen) who helped make the expedition possible. You'll hear untold stories from the trail, hilarious moments of gear failure, and candid reflections on the logistics, challenges, and triumphs that didn’t make it into the final film.If you're near St. Pete, be sure to check out the companion gallery exhibit, “Blazing the Trail: From Strand to Slough,” on display at the Wild Space Gallery through August 30. The exhibit dives deeper into the people, process, and wild beauty behind the making of this year’s expedition film. I want to give an enormous thank you to Ethan, Alex, and Joe for the amazing conversation. I love working with them. I want to also especially thank Leslie Elsasser, Noel Smith, Kat Duval, and Tony Palms for opening up the Wild Space Gallery to tell these stories and for the opportunity to host our first live podcast. I am so thankful and still buzzing from the experience! Wild Space Gallery on Google Maps. Don't miss it! Be sure to come check out the exhibit by August 30th. The gallery is open Wed-Sat 2-6pm. Also, mark you calendars for the film premiere of our expedition on September 18th at the Tampa Theater.

Would you like to attend a live recording of Florida Uncut? Be sure to save the date of July 12, 5–9 PM for a new exhibition "Blazing the Trail: From Strand to Slough" and a live recording of "Wild Takes: Florida Uncut Podcast Live" from 5-8pm at the Wild Space Gallery in St. Pete! I’ll be there interviewing the folks behind the scenes of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation’s last expedition, and upcoming film. In this episode, we catch up with Joe Howard, one of the original trekkers on the O2O: Path to Connection expedition. Joe reflects on his journey across the Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, an ambitious, 57-mile boots-on-the-ground adventure aimed at raising awareness for one of the most critical wildlife linkages in Florida.We’re speaking with Joe, a career Florida state parks manager, nearly two years after the trek because the story didn’t end on the trail. Just last week, the Florida Cabinet approved a major land acquisition in the O2O region, securing nearly 78,000 acres of high-priority conservation land. It’s a huge victory for Florida’s Wildlife Corridor, and for the vision Joe and the O2O team helped bring to life.Tune in as we talk with Joe about the power of storytelling, what it meant to be part of the expedition, and how it feels to see real policy action happen in a place he walked to protect.Watch O2O: Path to Connection hereRead more about the approved funding for the 77,877 acres of land here. 

Alex Freeze has been part of the movement to connect and protect wild Florida for well over a decade and now works as the Corridor Connect Director at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Alex brings a wealth of experience as a conservation photographer, environmental educator, and advocate for Florida's natural landscapes. Did I mention she was a field producer for the Emmy award-winning film, Path of the Panther?In this conversation, Alex shares her journey from being a 6th-generation Floridian to a leading voice in conservation, highlighting her work in visual storytelling and her role in coordinating collaborative conservation efforts across the state. We explore the challenges and triumphs of preserving Florida's unique ecosystems, the importance of community engagement, and the innovative collaborative strategies Alex employs to advance the Corridor an acre at a time. Alex is also the driving force behind the upcoming Corridor Connect summit, Florida’s premiere statewide gathering of conservation professionals happening June 3-5, 2025. It’s a powerful convening of storytellers, scientists, landowners, and policymakers to collaborate on one of the most urgent conservation efforts in the country. Be sure to follow the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation on socials to hear and see what goes on!Resources mentioned in the episode: Alex’s master’s thesis on students’ impression of conservation photography: https://www.montreat.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/exploring-student-impressions-of-conservation-photographs-a-potential-strategy-for-classroom-environmental-education.pdfDear Tampa Film: https://www.nwf.org/Our-Work/Waters/Gulf-Restoration/Dear-Tampa10 things you can do to help the Florida Wildlife Corridor: https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/10-things.pdfConnect with Alex Freeze:Website: alexfreeze.comInstagram: @alexofthewildLearn More About the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation:Website: floridawildlifecorridor.orgInstagram: @floridawildlifecorridorFacebook: Florida Wildlife Corridor FoundationLearn more about the summit: corridorconnect.org/page/summit-2025

In this episode of Florida Uncut, we sit down with Brent Setchell, Drainage Design Engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 1, to talk about something most drivers rarely see—but Florida’s wildlife depends on: wildlife crossings.Brent grew up immersed in the outdoors, and now he’s helping ensure Florida’s wild places remain connected. From panthers and bears to otters and deer, these crossings save lives—animal and human alike. But what goes into building one? When and where is the right time to act? And how many crossings do we actually need?We dig into the data, the planning, and the unexpected benefits that come with making Florida’s highways a little more humane and its wild spaces more connected. Brent also shares the story behind one of the state’s standout crossings near the Hilochee Wildlife Management Area, as well as the first overpass wildlife crossing currently under construction on I-4. Resources/links from episode:Watch FDOT and fStop’s film, Building Wild Spaces, Connectivity on I-4 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3TPkSaQ4e8&t=51sMap of current and upcoming Florida wildlife crossings: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a105b26615f64b19b543eb9ab61fe197&extent=-9237486.6341%2C2933269.2122%2C-8868754.4097%2C3305670.414%2C102100Learn more about the Lakeland Mural Unveiling with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation on 4/18 at 3pm. I’ll be there! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lakeland-mural-unveiling-tickets-1308877881979Request an invitation to the Corridor Connect Summit, happening June 3-5! https://corridorconnect.org/page/summit-2025Support Florida Uncut on Patreon. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Damon is a restoration ecologist and practitioner with 20 years of experience designing and implementing habitat restoration projects in southwest Florida. He played an instrumental role in local large-scale habitat restoration projects including the restoration of Perico and Robinson Preserve, among many other habitat improvement projects across Manatee County.In late 2022 Damon founded the nonprofit Oyster River Ecology to scale up local habitat restoration projects including large scale oyster restoration in the Tampa Bay & Sarasota Bay watersheds. Damon has led an effort to conduct a massive oyster restoration project in the Manatee River, once called the "Oyster River" with a goal of restoring 132 acres of oyster reefs in the river.Damon will provide a deep dive into the local history of oysters in the Manatee River and share details about work already in progress to bring oysters back to their historical abundance in the Manatee River.You can find out more about Damon and opportunities to get involved at oysterriverecology.org. You can also follow along: https://www.instagram.com/oyster_river_ecology_inc/https://www.facebook.com/OysterRiverEcologyInchttps://www.youtube.com/@oysterriverecologySupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

For this episode I'm sitting down with Mike Elfenbein, an incredibly dedicated advocate for wild Florida. You might find Mike hunting pythons barefoot in the Everglades, or dressed in a suit and tie (shoes optional) on Capitol Hill pushing for further focus and protection for Florida's wildlands.Mike now resides on Florida's southwest coast where he serves as the executive director for the Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. of America.Mike’s conservation journey started in the fishing industry and evolved after a pivotal invitation to go hunt in Big Cypress as a kid. His passion for wildlife conservation is now highlighted by his desire to show people the places and provide similar opportunities and invitations he was given. From airboats to fishing trips, Mike has learned that getting more folks to see wild Florida is the best way to protect it.“My mission is to protect the Big Cypress National Preserve and everything connected to her."Mike’s previous leadership positions include serving on the board and as executive director of the Fishing and Conservation Trust and as a delegate for the Everglades Coordinating Council. Whether you're a newcomer to Florida or have roots that run deep, Mike is sure to fire you up for protecting our precious state.Learn more about and follow Mike’s work: Mike’s Instagram: instagram.com/mike_2lf/Cypress Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America: cypressiwla.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

In this episode, we hear the inspiring story of a Lake Wales native, Blair Updike, who turned a childhood passion into a professional art career—and is now working to put Florida art back on the map. With no artistic background in her family—her father invented the Grove Goat, and her mother was an accountant—her journey began after an inspiring demo by Highwaymen artist Robert Butler.After years working in marketing and sales at her family’s manufacturing business, art resurfaced when she painted her youngest child. That moment sparked a full-time career and, most recently, the launch of The FL Gallery online in June with the support of AllFla.Florida art, she believes, is neglected, and its stories are vital to the state’s identity. By combining artist promotion with engaging art history, The Florida Gallery has struck a chord with Floridians, reaching over 2 million people and gaining 20k+ followers. Participating artists are seeing huge growth in awareness, and future collaborations with museums and organizations are in the works.Join us as we explore how art can tell Florida’s story and why working together is key to supporting its artists and the protection of wild Florida. All Blair’s links:Find Blair’s prints here: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/blair-updikePersonal website www.bupdikeart.comPersonal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bupdikeart/Florida Gallery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefloridagallery/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

I don’t know about you, but I am not land rich. My quarter-acre yard won’t be doing much for the conservation of wild Florida. I don’t have the opportunity or burden of the decision to put my land in conservation. I don’t know what it’s like to weight the pros and cons, go through the application process, talk with my family, etc. That’s why I was thrilled to sit down with the fifth-generation citrus grower and landowner, Ned Hancock, to hear about his family’s decision to apply to put their 2,600-acre parcel in conservation. I wanted to know the motivations behind their efforts to apply for a Rural and Family Lands Protection Program easement, the difficulty of the process and getting all stakeholders onboard, and how other nearby landowners feel about the future of Florida. Ned is passionate about his land, his county, and his state with roots going back generations. Their land is situated in the Peace River Valley, a critical economic and environmental region, as well as an important piece of the Florida Wildlife Corridor but not as well protected as other parts of the state. Read more about Ned’s story at Florida Conservation Group’s blog: https://floridaconserve.org/2024/08/20/ned-hancock-peace-river-valley/Learn more about Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program: https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Protect-Our-Environment/Rural-and-Family-Lands-Protection-ProgramReach out to Travis Thompson or Mike Elfenbein about Amendment 2: Mike: https://www.instagram.com/mike_2lf/?hl=enTravis: https://www.instagram.com/travisthompsonSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Travis Thompson is a 5th generation Floridian from Winter Haven, Florida. He’s the Executive Director of the conservation non-profit All Florida, as well as a co-owner of Duck Ranchin’ the state’s largest waterfowl hunting operation. Through his work, he advocates for the things that make Florida special - our woods, water, wildlife, and the way of life that connects us to those things. From spraying to snook fishing, cattle to citrus, Travis and his team are in rooms every day around the state of Florida working on authentic conservation solutions.Travis has been a huge part of Amendment 2, the Right to Fish and Hunt. I had a lot of questions about this amendment that Travis was gracious enough to answer. If you have more questions after our conversation, Travis makes the invitation to reach out directly to him. You can learn more about Travis and his work below:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travisthompsonAll Florida: https://allfla.org/Don’t forget to vote!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Kaylyn, a proud 10th generation Floridian, is deeply connected to the unique landscape of Southwest Florida, near the Western Everglades. Raised barefoot among oak hammocks and cypress tree domes, she inherited a legacy of pioneering ancestors who settled in this region, fueling her passion for protecting this remarkable place.Overcoming the challenges of teen single motherhood and poverty, Kaylyn has gained invaluable experiences that have shaped her commitment to safeguarding Florida’s natural treasures. With over a decade of hands-on experience in agriculture, land management across the Southern United States, and invasive species removal, she has become a proactive advocate and spokesperson for the state’s environmental challenges.Outside of her professional life, Kaylyn enjoys backpacking, exploring new destinations, embarking on historical adventures with her son and family across Florida, and relishing trail rides and hikes with her beloved hound dogs.Thank you for joining and supporting her on this journey. Together, let’s work to protect Learn more about Kaylyn and the works she does:https://www.instagram.com/kaylynglenn/https://www.kaylyngladeswomanglenn.com/https://conservationfla.org/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

There have been a ton of updates since the last episode about the proposed plan to develop nine Florida state parks. Namely, part of the project proposal has been withdrawn. Great news but the story isn’t over…Places to follow for most up-to-date news and additional info:Max Chesnes - Environmental Reporter, Tampa Bay TimesFlorida Wildlife Federation, who broke the storyRyan Worthington, the Florida ExcursionistFlorida Madcaps Podcast - Crisis in the State ParksSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Hey folks! This is a unique call to action to let your voice be heard about the new proposed developments (golf courses, resorts, etc.) inside of our state parks. Listen to the episode and read the article below to learn more about what is being proposed, as well as how to make your voice heard and be involved. Tampa Bay Times article: https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2024/08/20/are-changes-coming-floridas-state-park-system/Numbers to call:Governor's office: 850 717 9337All meetings are Tuesday, August 27th from 3-4pm ET. Locations and emails are listed below:Hillsborough River State ParkJimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa, Community Room DHillsboroughRiverSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.govHoneymoon Island State ParkThe District, 11141 U.S. 19 N., Suite 204, ClearwaterHoneymoonIslandSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.govOleta River State ParkFlorida International University, Biscayne Bay campus, Kovens Conference Center, Room 114, 3000 NE 151 Street North, Miami.OletaRiverSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.govJonathan Dickinson State ParkThe Flagler of Stuart, 201 SW Flagler Ave., River Room, StuartJonathanDickinsonSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.govDr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State ParkDowntown Event Center, 416 NE First St., Fort Lauderdale, Lecture Hall, Building C, second floor (Enter at Main Entrance B — clearly marked on the outside of the building.)Dr.VonD.MizellEulaJohnsonSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.govAnastasia State Park, First Coast Technical CollegeThe Character Counts Conference Center, Building C, 2980 Collins Ave., St. AugustineAnastasiaSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov Camp Helen State ParkLyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City BeachCampHelenSPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State ParkWatercolor Inn & Resort, Watercolor LakeHouse, 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa BeachWaltonCountySPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov Florida Wildlife Federation info sheet and email template here To email the governor: https://www.flgov.com/email-the-governor/Example email: Subject: Concern Regarding Development of Golf Courses and Resorts on Environmentally Sensitive LandBodyDear Governor DeSantis,I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed development of golf courses and resorts on environmentally sensitive land within our state parks. Florida's state parks are home to some of the most unique and delicate ecosystems in the world, providing critical habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal species. These hard fought areas are not only essential for biodiversity but also serve as natural buffers against our harsh climate and hurricanes and attract millions of tourists seeking natural settings away from Florida’s bustling roadways and entertainment opportunities. Developing these lands for commercial purposes threatens to not only disrupt these ecosystems, potentially leading to the loss of endangered species, degradation of water quality, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters, but also the economics that will continue Moreover, preserving these natural areas is vital for maintaining the ecological balance that supports our state's tourism industry, which relies heavily on the beauty and accessibility of our natural landscapes. While golf courses and resorts may attract short-term economic gains, the long-term environmental costs could far outweigh these benefits. I urge you to consider the lasting impact that such development would have on our state's natural heritage and to seek alternative locations for these projects that do not compromise the integrity of our state parks. Protecting our environment should be a top priority, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit from Florida's natural beauty. In Florida, the environment is the economy. Sincerely,[Your Name][Your Address][City, State, ZIP][Email Address]Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

There are not many folks more central to the idea of a “connected and protected” Florida than Dr. Tom Hoctor. He’s the director of the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning at the University of Florida and is the co-founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, considered one of the most ambitious landscape conservation plans in the country. As we’ll learn, the concept of a statewide ecological corridor is not new. Decades of scientific research has led to the understanding that connected landscape-scale conservation is imperative to the survival of many species and among the best methods of preventing habitat loss and fragmentation. Before it was called the Florida Wildlife Corridor, this idea of a connected greenspace in the Sunshine state was known as the Florida Ecological Greenways Network, More info about Dr. Hoctor and links to topics discussed:Faculty page, University of FloridaFlorida Wildlife Corridor HistoryUniversity of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation PlanningUniversity of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR)Do you have an idea for a guest for the show? Submit guest suggestions here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

I have missed posting an episode for the last couple of months, but the good news is I’m catching up today with three guests at once!Joining us for a talk about conservation, recreation, and education are the Florida Madcaps, made up of Chelsey and Chris Stevens and Ryan Worthington. They’re three friends who love to volunteer, guide, and educate Floridians on our best natural resources. Although they all do their own form of volunteering and advocacy, they join forces weekly to produce the Florida Madcaps podcast to talk about these topics. I figured I’d start sharing other podcasts to listen to as they’re more consistent and do a great job sharing new places to explore in wild Florida. Episode resources:Listen to the Florida Madcaps anywhere you get podcasts. Website: https://thefloridamadcaps.buzzsprout.com/Social: https://www.instagram.com/florida_madcaps_podcast/You can follow Chelsey and Chris, aka the Sunshine State Seekers here: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/You can follow Ryan, aka the Florida Excursionist here: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/Their episode about the 2024 Legislative Session and Environmentally Harmful Bills with Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council can be found here. Bradenton Herald’s recent feature of Florida Uncut can be read here: https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article289855064.htmlIf you have an idea for a future FU guest, please submit that to our guest suggestion form here.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Hey folks!The show was recently featured in the Bradenton Herald and we have a lot of new listeners. You can read that article here: ‘Saved or paved.’ Palmetto-based podcast host explores Florida conservation storiesIf you have an idea for a future Florida Uncut guest, please fill out this form. Looking forward to bringing you more stories very soon!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

How does the Florida Wildlife Corridor help provide resilience to climate change?Florida is ground-zero for climate change impacts as our natural and human communities grapple with increasing heat, flooding, sea level rise, and wildfire risk. In today's episode, we talk with Joshua Daskin, the Director of Conservation at Archbold Biological Station, about a recent assessment with Florida Atlantic University that identified the overlaps between land conservation in the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the resilience of the state's nature and people to advancing climate change. Archbold's conservation program uses the report's results to credibly motivate the Corridor's protection.At Archbold, Josh works to expand the use of science in conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. He leads Archbold's conservation strategy, connecting researchers with agencies, landowners, NGOs, and science collaborators to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of conservation actions from Archbold's own 20,000 acres to the statewide Florida Wildlife Corridor and beyond. Since 2021, he has been a leader of the scientific arm of the campaign to conserve the Corridor.Josh earned a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Brandeis University, a M.Sc. in Zoology while a Fulbright Scholar at James Cook University in Australia, and a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. Previously, Josh researched the impacts of war on African wildlife and helped reestablish scientific capacity in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique following the country's civil conflict. He was also a Donnelley Postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, a biologist in the US Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters office, and a research assistant at Archbold.Articles and links mentioned in the episode:Climate and Wildlife Corridors overview page: https://www.archbold-station.org/projects/climate-and-wildlife-corridors/The Florida Wildlife Corridor and Climate Change Full Report: https://archbold-cms.payloadcms.app/media/ClimateReport_FINAL_04152024-1.pdfPlanning Future Landscapes report: https://www.archbold-station.org/projects/cfrpc/Florida Wildlife Corridor Planning and Development Data (database of current building permit requests): https://archbold-cms.payloadcms.app/media/FLWC%20Statewide%20Study%20-%20Summary%20Report%20(2023-10-23).pdfThe full interactive ‘Bear Necessities’ Story Map of M34, the Black Bear that inspired the FWC: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0cdea7371c874357a9307ac8ea701568FWC and Climate Change Water Report Executive Summary: https://archbold-cms.payloadcms.app/media/Climate%20Report%20-%20Executive%20Summary%20FINAL-2.pdfSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Craig is a native Floridian and spent over 30 years as a journalist for the Tampa Bay Times. He has authored a half-dozen award-winning books about the wild ideas and quirkiness of our state. Among his publications are Oh Florida!, Cat Tale, The State You're In, and Manatee Insanity. In 2022, Craig was given the Rachel Carson Award by the Sierra Club, which honors sustained achievement by professional journalists or authors and was also awarded a Florida Literary Legend by the Florida Heritage Book Festival.Craig is now a columnist for the Florida Phoenix and co-hosts the weekly Welcome to Florida podcast. https://www.instagram.com/craigpittman78/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/welcome-to-floridaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations