Florida Uncut

I'm a firm believer in Miri's favorite quote from David Attenborough, "No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced". 

So many folks never see the real Florida, and for Miri, it took birds on the beach to draw her inland to see a side of Florida not often featured in the brochures. 

Miri is unique in that she had the curiosity and gumption to push herself to understand the complex and beautiful ecosystems deeper into the lesser-known Florida interior.

After experiencing the magic wild Florida had to offer she wanted others to see its beauty too. That interest and desire to get involved led her to be the first executive director of Friends of Myakka River. 

Come visit Miri and myself at the REI Sarasota grand opening this weekend. Learn more below:

• Nov 9 REI Story Preview Party registration: https://sarasotareiparty.splashthat.com/
• I’ll be there Nov 11th 1-5. More info here: https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-co-op-to-hold-grand-opening-celebration-in-sarasota-florida-on-november-10-12

Learn more about Miri and Friends of Myakka River below:

https://www.friendsofmyakkariver.org/

Insta/FB @FriendsofMyakkaRiver

Insta @BikeMyakka

George McKenzie Jr. is a National Geographic Society award-winning visual storyteller from Brooklyn, NY, who specializes in wildlife, natural history, and conservation. How did George go from being born and raised in Brooklyn to a career focused on some of the deepest wildernesses in Florida? It started with seeing a job opening for the Northern Everglades Camera Trap Technician. 

Most recently, George’s journey took him to learn the skills of “camera trapping” during the filming of Path of the Panther. We had Erick Bendick, the director of that film, on our last episode. 

Today we’ll hear about George’s unique path, a growing passion for a place he now calls home, and how even a newcomer to Florida can make a big impact on the protection of our amazing wild spaces. 

Learn more about George by following his work:

https://www.instagram.com/georgemckenziejr/

https://www.georgemckenziejr.com/

More information about visiting Archbold Biological Station: 

https://archbold-station.org/visit/

Watch Path of the Panther

https://pathofthepanther.com/watch/

Eric is an Emmy-winning director, producer, and writer whose films explore connectivity, conflict, and ingenuity at the intersection of human and wild spaces. He’s led storytelling expeditions to the heart of many of the last intact and untamed landscapes on Earth as well as to the front lines of habitat destruction and fragmentation. His films for National Geographic, PBS, Smithsonian, History Channel, among others have garnered numerous awards from major film festivals around the world.

Today we’re talking specifically about his most recent film project, Path of the Panther, a story about the Florida Panther and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

About the film:

Drawn in by the haunting specter of the Florida panther, a wildlife photographer, veterinarians, ranchers, conservationists, and indigenous people find themselves on the front lines of an accelerating battle between forces of renewal and destruction that have pushed the Florida Everglades to the brink of ecological collapse.

In a struggle resonating across the globe, the panther’s habitat has become an island. Its lush territory transformed into subdivisions. A paradise vanishing into thin air.

Perched on the edge of extinction, the panther is an emblem of our once connected world. A vision of what could be again. Or else, a harbinger of what could befall our planet, if the ‘Path of the Panther’ becomes a dead end.

Learn more about Eric:

• https://www.instagram.com/bendicci
• https://grizzlycreekfilms.com

Learn more and watch Path of the Panther:

• https://pathofthepanther.com
• https://www.instagram.com/pathofthepanther
• Find it on Disney+ and Hulu

On the inaugural episode of Florida Uncut, we sit down with the legendary Florida cowboy, Jim Strickland, to talk about the intersection of ranching and conservation. The talk, which took place in a cabin on Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka City, FL, which Jim manages, is a mix of personal history and education on conservation topics.

Jim claims to be a simple sixth-generation Florida cowboy, but his sharp communication skills and ability to get things done has been instrumental in the thousands of acres of land he’s helped protect with the Florida Conservation Group, which he is the vice-chair of, as well as the army of folks he’s been able to mobilize and motivate through the years to help join his cause of protecting what’s left of wild Florida.

Support Jim and his work:

https://blackbeardsranch.com/

https://floridaconserve.org/

https://www.instagram.com/black_beards_ranch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/florida-uncut/donations

Get ready for an immersive journey into the heart of Florida's vibrant conservation movement with ‘Florida Uncut’. Whether you're a seasoned environmentalist or just dipping your toes into the cause, our podcast is here to inspire you with captivating stories and firsthand experiences from the unsung heroes dedicated to safeguarding Florida's breathtaking wilderness.

Join us as we delve deep into the battle to protect endangered species, unravel the intricate web of efforts, and shed light on the most pressing issues confronting Florida's preservation efforts. Each episode is a gateway to the remarkable tales and triumphant achievements of our incredible guests to keep wild Florida connected and protected.

Together, we'll unite in our mission to safeguard Florida's untamed landscapes for future generations, ensuring the true essence of Florida remains forever 'uncut'.

Our first episode launches September 26th. New episodes every other Tuesday.