The Florida Madcaps

Send us a text This week's guests are the folks at Picnic and Paddle who organize clean-up efforts around Florida's waterways. Yet the clean-up is only part of the experience, it is also about experiencing Florida's natural wonders as refreshments and a recreational aspect is a part of the event. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text In this week's episode, the Madcaps discuss some of the different myths, tales, and beliefs that we have encountered and question them. From zig-zagging to save yourself from charging gators to why everything around St Augustine is named Matanzas we delve into what is abnormal about the normal. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Florida Madcaps discuss parks in the southwest corner of Florida focusing on Fakahatchee Strand State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park. There are some unique hiking experiences as well as opportunities to enjoy some iconic Florida flora and fauna to enjoy in this area from Ghost Orchids to the Florida Panther. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss various aspects of recreating in Florida and encounters with venomous snakes. Our special guest, Bree, shares important information about our valuable snake population. Bree can be found at @hiberniahistory and @using.my.outside.voice on Instagram. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text With the withdrawal of the development plans for the nine state parks in the very recent rearview, the Madcaps discuss the parks that were threatened around 30A, mainly Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach and what makes them special. Our guest this week is Celest Cobena with Beach to Bay Inc., who talks about the history and natural majesty of the parks! Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text Just a few days ago plans to develop a few Florida State Parks were uncovered and made public. The plans where uncharacteristic of the Florida State Park mission of resource based recreation. Massive hotels, golf courses, pickleball courts, and more were planned and in some circumstances would drastically alter some of the park's habitats. In this episode, the Madcaps are joined by Casey Darling Kniffinn the Conservation Policy Director for the Florida Wildlife Federation discuss the concept plans for nine Florida State Parks and the consequences of completing such developments as well as offer some suggestions for those who want to oppose the development plans. The Florida Wildlife Federation has a blog about the development plans for the parks which can be found here: https://floridawildlifefederation.org/florida-state-parks-threatened-by-development/ Casey is the Conservation Policy Director for the Florida Wildlife Federation and previously served as the Advocacy Coordinator for Florida Oceanographic Society. She earned a B.S. degree in Biology from Florida State University and a M.S. degree in Marine Biology at the College of Charleston. Casey serves on the Friends of the Everglades Science and Policy committee as well as the Young Friends committee. She is the co-lead of the River Kidz, a youth advocacy group focused on clean water in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon and is a Rivers Coalition board member. She is passionate about environmental policy, advocacy, and science along with a commitment to protecting Florida’s diverse ecosystems. Born and raised in Florida, she enjoys snorkeling, paddling, and hiking with her family in Hobe Sound. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss the various carnivorous plants in our state and some of the environments they thrive in. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text If you want beautiful views of the rapids of the Hillsborough River and CCC construction or amazing hiking near the Green Swamp you can find plenty to do at both of these state parks and they are less than half an hour from each other. This week the Madcaps discuss their experiences at these Central Florida state parks. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps have a special guest, Imani to discuss whether gatekeeping benefits Florida's natural areas. With Florida surpassing a population of 23 million and the boost in post-pandemic popularity of springs, beaches, and trails many are upset with the condition that they are in and place social media as the culprit. This week we discuss our individual views on gatekeeping. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Florida Madcaps discuss what can be expected when visiting Myakka River State Park. This park has it all: CCC history, gators, birding, trails, and wetlands. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss the importance of clean-ups and the events that they have participated in. There are a variety of organizations that host clean-up events, or you can do it solo while you you spend time in nature. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss some of the state forests in Northeast Florida and some of the recreation opportunities in each one. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps have Fletcher Jacob, the president of the Florida Speleological Society (FSS) discuss the basics of caving in Florida. More info on the FSS can be found at, https://www.floridacaving.com/ Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss Cedar Key. This episode covers the history, food, and unparalleled beauty that make Cedar Key one of the amazing destinations of Florida. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This is our first reposted episode! Almost a year ago we published this summer hiking & recreating safety episode and decided to republish it due to the relevance that it has this month with the multiple heat warnings that have been issued so far. It has been slightly modified for your listening pleasure. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss some of the public lands that make up Indian River Lagoon as well as the recreational opportunities that exist there. No episode would be complete without the discussion of the environmental challenges that exist from the past to the present. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss the various aspects of how hurricanes can impact recreation in Florida from trail closures to coastal geographic changes. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps discuss the roadside oddities that they have discovered, often quite by accident, as they have road-tripped around Florida. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text While summer brings some fantastic recreating weather, it also brings crowds to our outdoor spaces. This week the Madcaps discuss how they navigate recreating in Florida's natural areas during the peak season. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us a text This week the Madcaps were treated to a hike through Split Oak Forest with the President of the Friends of Split Oak Forest, Valerie Anderson. Afterwards, we recorded an episode right at Split Oak and Valerie outlined the current struggle to protect a conservation property that was originally set aside for Gopher Tortoise Habitat to mitigate the almost 100,000 killed during development with Florida's "Pay to Pave" program as well as to offset the effects of development that were occurring in that area in the 80s and early 90s. Valerie outlines the importance of the habitat at Split Oak Forest and forewarns about the feeble legal protections that conservation lands in Florida have. Please subscribe! Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at thefloridamadcaps@gmail.com Ryan can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en