The Florida Madcaps

Send us a text Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership Learn about Springs Water Quality Plans - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/springsbmaps Learn about Springs Harm Rule Lawsuit - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/springsharmrule Senate Bill 552 - https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2016/552 Florida Springs by Dr. Chris Meindl - https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813079158 Find your Legislative Delegation Meetings - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/legislativesession 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 Downriver Project Who is Opposing the Apalachicola River Drilling https://www.downriverproject.org/ The Apalachicola River Keeper who is suing to stop the exploratory drilling: https://apalachicolariverkeeper.org/ 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 afternoon SB 80 The “State Park Protection Act” has been dropped today. In this very short episode Ryan Smart and Ryan Worthington weigh in with their initial thoughts on the bill as filed. SB 80 State Park Protection Act Bill Text chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/80/BillText/Filed/PDF 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 Bills discussed during the episode: Senate Bill 50 - Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resiliency - https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/50 Senate Bill 56 - Weather Modification Activities - https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/56 Find your Legislative Delegation Meetings - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/legislativesession Resource for seeing which Florida elected official is receiving contributions from industries associated with pollution: Vote Water Dirty Money Project - https://votewater.org/dirty-money/ Releases of the speeches that we mentioned during the episode: Senate President Ben Albritton Prepared Remarks - https://flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Offices/2024-2026/President/Documents/11_19_24_President_Ben_Albritton__x2019;s_Organization_Session_Remarks_as_Prepared_for_Delivery.pdf House Speaker Daniel Perez Prepared Remarks - https://myfloridahouse.gov/api/document/house?listName=Press%20Releases&itemId=898 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 Where to find your delegation meetings: 1000 Friends of Florida's Legislative Delegation Meeting Page - https://1000fof.org/upcoming-events/ FDACS Commissioner discussing his plan to sell off Florida Wildlife Corridor conservation lands: Wilton Simpson Talking about Selling off Conservation Lands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEGCm7UiEjM&t=1455s The bill that was filed to allow conservation lands to be sold and removing any public involvement from the process: Senate Bill 1620 "Surplus Lands" - https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1620 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 episode, the Madcaps joined by Ryan Smart, a Florida politics insider discuss the upcoming strategy to inform and organize environmental advocates for the upcoming 2025 legislative session and to oppose further attempts to develop our conservation lands. This means along side the usual Madcaps episodes we will be rolling out weekly legislative-focused episodes as well. These episodes will be titled “As Bad As It is” and will feature discussions about the legislative process in Florida, how it affects our environment, and what we can do about it. 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 are joined by Florida Trail Association (FTA) Advancement Committee Chair Tiffany Bright to discuss the upcoming FTA Brews for Views event where anyone can support the Florida Trail Association by grabbing a beer and scanning the barcode on a provided cocktail napkin at the following locations: Nov. 16 – Deviant Wolfe, Sanford (Central Florida Chapter) https://www.facebook.com/share/14AFQuKyiU/ Nov. 17 – Infinite Ale Works, Ocala (Sandhill Chapter) https://www.facebook.com/share/1DcVG4aVSQ/ Nov. 19 – Wicked Barley, Jacksonville (NFTB Chapter) https://www.facebook.com/share/1DQMN7KroF/ Nov. 22 – Calusa Brewing, Sarasota (Suncoast Chapter) https://www.facebook.com/share/1GEmY3sa5J/ Nov. 23 – Azalea City Brewing, Palatka (Black Bear Chapter) https://www.facebook.com/share/1EPrGavaNu/ Also we cover opportunities to get involved with the FTA (which all the Madcaps support). For inquiries simply email chelseys@floridatrail.org for more information. 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 Our fellow (and humble) Madcap Chris Stevens talks about his latest book he co-authored with Sandra Friend, the 5th edition Florida Trail Guide. 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 Reflect on the trails that we have individually or collectively found challenging either due to weather, location, or trail conditions. Tune in to hear some great hiking stories and spots! 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 a continuation of a previous episode that we did, the Florida Madcaps and guest Imani discuss the interesting things they have seen along the roadside during our combined hundreds of thousands of miles of road-tripping throughout 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 Florida may not be known for the leaves of its forests changing color in the fall, what can widely be seen is the amazing fall wildflowers in Florida. This week the Madcaps with guest Bree @hiberniahistory on Instagram discuss the various wildflowers and where they can be seen in 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 week the Madcaps interview Captain Karl R. Deigert who is spearheading the grassroots initiative to get a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that will give legal standing to protect waterways from pollution or over pumping. Karl stated during the podcast that volunteers are needed. If you would like to sign a petition or get involved go to: https://www.floridarighttocleanwater.org 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'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