Few names are as synonymous with wild Florida as Clyde Butcher. Known for his striking black and white large-format photography, Clyde has spent decades capturing the soul of Florida’s landscapes, from the ghostly cypress swamps of Big Cypress National Preserve to the vast wetlands of the Everglades. In this episode, I sit down with Clyde in Venice to talk about his story, beginning to end, and what it truly means to see Florida, not just look at it. 

We spend quite a bit of time reflecting on his early years, his shift from architectural focus and sailing to Florida’s swamps, and how personal tragedy and rediscovery changed his relationship with the land and lens.

This conversation also explores how Clyde’s photography became a tool for conservation and education, the quiet stillness of the swamp, the changing face of Florida’s wild places, and the role of art in helping people reconnect with nature. 

Whether you’ve stood in front of one of Clyde’s mural-sized prints or are just discovering his work, this episode is not only inspiration, but a reminder of why wild Florida is worth protecting and what we stand to lose if we don’t. 

Links:

• Clyde Butcher Official Website
• Big Cypress Gallery
• Clyde Butcher’s Florida Gallery in Venice
• Follow Clyde Butcher on Instagram
• Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

Join Us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest

If you’d like to learn more about prescribed fire and the experts that make them happen, join us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest on November 8th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida. We’ll be hosting a live podcast recording and expert panel featuring Elysia and other leaders in fire ecology.

Learn more here: https://www.archbold-station.org/events/fire-fest-2025/