Florida Uncut

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

Andrew loves exploring the mangroves down in Key Biscayne where he calls home. However, he got sick and tired of seeing trash each time he went out to enjoy wild Florida. Like many of our guests, Andrew is action-oriented and decided to do something about it. His big plan? Start picking up all the trash. It was that simple. His impact has grown into dozens of others doing similar work to him, making it their passion to clean south Florida. Andrew drives awareness in other ways too. He carried a 35-pound bag of mangrove trash (currently in History Miami’s permanent collection) the length of the 2019 Miami Marathon and led a team that hauled a 130-pound trash cart throughout the 2020 Miami Marathon. These efforts raised over $30,500 to protect Miami’s coastal habitats. Andrew has a recurring guest lecture series at the University of Miami, Cornell, Clemson, and local middle and high schools about his adventures in litter. Andrew has also worked as a research associate at the Harvard Business School, where his 17 academic publications sold over 10,000 copies. He implemented U.S. foreign policy at the State Department. As Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s assistant, he facilitated the decision-making process of one of the world’s highest-level policymakers.Follow Andrew:https://www.instagram.com/andrewotazo/?hl=enRead his book, Miami Creation Myth here: https://miamicreationmyth.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Traci of Conservation Florida and Chad of Crawford Entertainment teamed up to produce the 6-part documentary, Protect Our Paradise, a riveting series that follows Chad around the state of Florida as he discovers some of Florida’s most pressing environmental issues. Every episode showcases a distinctive facet of Florida's environment and highlights individuals dedicated to safeguarding its wildlife, untamed landscapes, and pristine waters.As a 6th generation Floridian born in Homestead, Florida, Traci is passionate aboutprotecting Florida’s wild and working lands for the generations of Floridians tocome. She leads the Conservation Florida team as CEO, a statewide accredited land trust working to protect Florida's natural & agricultural landscapes for future generations.As a 3rd generation Floridian, Chad Crawford has always loved his home state, and he's made it his mission to share it with the world. He’s a four-time Emmy award-winning producer and director for shows like How to Do Florida and Flip My Florida Yard.Watch the six part Protect Our Paradise at DiscoverFloridaChannel.comBe sure to check out the four part webinar about the Florida Wildlife Corridor from 1000 Friends of Florida here: 1000fof.org/upcoming-webinarsConservationfla.orgCrawfordentertainment.tvSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Karlos’ passion for off-road bike route building came out of the necessity to learn the skills needed to complete the Tour Divide. Filled with the desire to create training routes in his local area of Florida, he discovered a talent for connecting green spaces and reviving old pathways and started inviting folks to join his crazy adventures…and they came willingly.Over 15 years later, Karlos is known as the best bikepacking route builder in Florida and is responsible for getting hundreds of people per year to experience the Florida Wildlife Corridor, many for the first time. You can learn more about Karlos and his Florida-focused routes and guided trips at singletracksamurai.com, on Facebook, and on Instagram @singletracksamurai.This interview was originally featured on Adventure Sports Podcast. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Julie Morris has over 25 years of experience in Florida conservation—from working as a research wildlife biologist and land manager to implementing land protection and developing conservation policy at regional, state, and federal levels.Julie founded Florida Conservation Group (FCG) in 2015 with fellow ranchers and scientists. Through FCG, she has represented private landowners in the conservation of over tens of thousands of acres of land and has represented government entities in the conservation of many thousands of additional acres.She held leadership roles in the Southwest Florida Conservation Blueprint pilot project for FWC, the protection of the USFWS Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and Conservation Area, the development of the Southwest Florida Landscape Conservation Design for the USFWS and the establishment of the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area.She runs her own cow-calf operation in the Myakka Valley.Learn more about Julie and the Florida Conservation Group: https://floridaconserve.org/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Hey y’all! Today’s episode is a recap of a recent adventure I took on to raise awareness for Florida conservation. This conversation is originally from my other show, Adventure Sports Podcast, where I talk to guests about the various adventures they undertake. However, because I did this adventure to shed light on the topics we discuss on this show, I wanted to also share it here. Also, the Lake Okeechobee discharges were just announced and it doesn’t look good. Hopefully we can continue to push more water south to the Everglades in the near future. We’ll be back with a brand new episode in two weeks!Some of the press:Florida men paddleboard across alligator-infested lake to raise awareness for conservation effortsFrostproof Native Crosses Lake Okeechobee on PaddleboardCrossing Lake O: Duo With Polk County Ties Celebrate Paddle Across State’s Largest LakeThank you to Bluefin SUP for helping sponsor the trip! Check out their very high-quality paddlebaords at a great price at: https://bluefinsupboards.us/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Watch a presentation by Clay Henderson at the Corridor Connect here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABBTl8KOq5Q&t=3sClay Henderson has had a long career as an environmental lawyer, educator, and writer. He has served as president of Florida Audubon Society and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as two terms as Volusia county commissioner. Until his retirement in 2019, he served as Executive Director of the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience at Stetson University.As a writer, he has been published in both law reviews and scientific journals extensively. His new book Forces of Nature (University Press of Florida 2022) is an environmental history of Florida. One thing I noticed when reading Forces of Nature is that the story of Florida’s conservation isn’t beginning, it has been happening for over 100 years. In fact, my perspective has shifted enough that I would say we are approaching the end of the story of Florida’s conservation, in the sense of the future of our land, versus the beginning. Clay has been involved in the negotiation to acquire over 300,000 acres through Learn more about Forces of Nature here https://www.clayhendersonauthor.com/booksSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Rick Smith (Patrick Jr.) is the son of acclaimed author, Patrick D. Smith, who helped propel the focus of “old” Florida into the minds and hearts of an entire generation with the book, A Land Remembered, released in 1984. It is historical fiction set mostly in pioneer or "cracker" Florida that follows the fictional MacIvey family through three generations, covering over a century of Florida history from 1858 to 1968.Although it’s historical fiction, the scenarios and settings within the book were common situations and struggles that early pioneers into Florida would have faced. Rick has done over 300 presentations about his father and his masterpiece work. Rick also maintains the websites and social media pages related to his father's novels. All of Patrick Smith’s works are available in both hardcover and trade paperback editions. There is also a two-volume edition of A Land Remembered for children, which is used in many Florida schools.Whether you’re a Florida native, a recent transplant to the state, a history enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable literary experience, A Land Remembered awaits.Find out more about Rick, and buying Patrick’s books:https://alandremembered.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

William started out life in El Salvador, where he was inspired by his parent's dedication to restoring Lake Ilopango. They weren't trained environmentalists, just folks who understood that something needed to be done to protect the place they loved. After moving to Florida, William carried these lessons and influence with him. One day, while hiking in a remote Florida wilderness, he looked down and saw a panther track between his feet and knew he needed to do something to bring attention to this disappearing animal. fStop Foundation was born. Williams's idea was to capture the "hidden world" of Florida's wild through photography to influence change and protect these unique places. The fStop Foundation is now a small, determined team mainly comprised of volunteers who believe in the power of photography and that the content we create can help save this wonderful planet we call home. They believe in the power of photography, creating powerful content and telling a powerful story.Learn more about William and fStop:www.fstopfoundation.orgInstagram: @fstopfoundationYouTube: www.youtube.com/c/fStopFoundationFacebook: www.facebook.com/fstopfoundation.orgSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Mallory is a seventh-generation Floridian who grew up exploring the lands and waters of Florida. Those experiences shaped her love of the outdoors and appreciation of the environment from a young age, as well as her career choice in natural resource conservation and policy. She is now the CEO of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, which is largely the driver of the idea of the Florida Wildlife Corridor movement. However, the idea of a connected wild Florida was built on the foundation of other ideas and research but came together through the 100-day, 1000-mile human-powered Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition trek from the Everglades to the Georgia border in the Spring of 2012, of which Mallory was a participant. The goal was to see if traveling the length of the state on foot (as an animal would) was still possible. Long story short, it was absolutely possible, which brought credibility to the idea of a protected Corridor running the entire length of Florida. That expedition and the attention it brought laid the groundwork for the movement we see today for a protected and connecting wild Florida. Learn more about Mallory and the work of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation here:https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/Watch the documentary of their expedition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-jv208rdlM&ab_channel=WUSF.Watch their other documentaries here: https://www.youtube.com/@FloridaWildlifeCorridor/videosSupport Florida Uncut on Patreon for $5/month:https://patreon.com/user?u=11828064&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

It's always exciting when more land is acquired for conservation in Florida, but have you ever asked what happens with the land? What if it's an active farm, grove, or ranch land? How does it return to a more natural condition? How is it managed from here on out? Who managed it? Etc. Mike Elswick is Manatee County's division manager of the Natural Resources Division in the county's Parks and Natural Resources Department. I live in Manatee County and often hear Mike speak at our Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee meetings (which I serve on). Every time he speaks, I learn something new. I figured Mike would be a great guest to learn more about how much goes into managing land that we acquire here in Florida. Although he's speaking from a county management perspective, you'll hear it takes working with state, federal, nonprofit, and public entities to achieve our common goals on the land. It takes a village. Mike clearly loves the land and wants you to as well. There's a lot more to learn from him.Resources Mike mentioned about how he keeps him and his team educated:Ifas Extension ResourcesFlorida Forest Service - Fire Management ResourcesSupport Florida Uncut on Patreon for $5/month:https://patreon.com/user?u=11828064&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations