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In this episode, Ryan and Ryan discuss the possible sale of the Chassowitzka River Campground and the role that the Southwest Florida Water Management District has taken in the process.

Also our special guest is Hunter from Old Florida Vibes, who describes his conservation journey and the Old Florida Vibes brand.

Show notes:

Check out Old Florida Vibes and Join the OFV Sticker Club

Why could Florida sell the Chassahowitzka River Campground? by Max Chesnes (Tampa Bay Times)

Fighting to keep the Chass campground open by Michael D. Bates (Citrus County Chronicle)

Enhance your social media advocacy by joining FAFO - https://www.fafoutdoors.com/

Watch Florida Springs Council's BMAPs 101 Webinar starting at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, 8/27

Check out 1000 Friends of Florida's list of upcoming Legislative Delegation Meetings

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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In the first segment, Ryan and Ryan discuss grassroots advocacy and social media to defend Florida's natural areas, including the advocacy Group Floridian's Advancing Florida's Outdoors .

In the second segment, the Ryans discuss the "Big Ass Pipe" a proposed project that would provide much-needed water to the Santa Fe River and Springs IF completed.   The water management district wants to approve consumptive use permits as if the project was already completed, even though it is just an unfunded concept at this point. 

Crystal River Fishing & Scalloping Charter - https://www.highoctanefishing.com/crystal-river-fishing-charters

Florida Springs Council Comment Letter on Santa Fe & Ichetucknee MFL Recovery Strategy 

Enhance your social media advocacy by joining FAFO - https://www.fafoutdoors.com/

Watch Florida Springs Council's Springs 101 webinar: "Players and Policies"

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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This week Ryan and Ryan discuss an article by the legendary Craig Pittman about the price hikes to some of the springs' entry fees in Ocala National Forest.  The second segment brings a detailed discussion of DEP's near-complete abandonment of its responsibility to ensure water quality around the state and the coalition of groups attempting to hold them accountable.

Weekly Action Items - 

• Attend the Florida Springs Council's Springs 101: Policy & Players Webinar
•  Host a local environmental event with Ryan & Ryan
• Send us an email - Talk about what’s to come with podcast [email protected]

Show notes:
Private Company Controls Access to Public Land at Florida National Park

2025 Florida Basin Management Action Plans (Water Quality Restoration Plans)

Despite Threats, Orange County to Keep Rural Boundary

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

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In this episode, Ryan & Ryan discuss the state budget to see if our elected officials put their money where their mouth is as far as water quality and conservation funding.  SPOILER ALERT, they don't.  Between vetos, defunding conservation land buying programs, and questionable land purchases, serious questions are being raised regarding the future of land conservation in Florida.

Weekly Action Items - 

• Contact Governor DeSantis to oppose Alligator Alcatraz.
• Sign Vote Water’s Petition to “Rescue the River of Grass.”
• Send us an email - Talk about what’s to come with podcast [email protected]

Show notes:

Governor DeSantis 2025 Line-Item Vetoes: https://flgov.com/eog/sites/default/files/shared/2025/06/2025%20Final%20Veto%20List.pdf

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the details of the budget before it gets sent to the governor for signature.  Cuts to conservation funding and a perversion of the implementation bill to deal a blow to the regulation of water withdrawals for agriculture.  Also, special guest Michael McGrath discusses urban fertilizer ordinances and how they help protect our water quality.  

Action Items

• Call Gov. DeSantis at 850-488-7146 and ask him to stand with the local citizens of Apalachicola by allowing HB 1143 (Oil Drilling Ban) to become law.
• Use Waterkeepers Florida Action Alert to ask Gov. DeSantis to veto SB 492, wetlands mitigation banking.
• Tell a friend us, leave a review, or send Ryan and Ryan an email at [email protected]om

2025 Florida Budget and Implementing bill (as they will be voted on by the House and Senate on 6/16)

Want more information on urban fertilizer impacts and ordinances? Check out SlimeStoppers.org and If you are interested in advocating for a strong urban fertilizer ordinance contact Sierra Club Lead Organizer Michael McGrath at [email protected]

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

Action Items

• Sign Vote Water’s Petition to “Rescue the River of Grass.”
• Use Waterkeepers Florida Action Alert to ask Gov. DeSantis to veto SB 492, wetlands mitigation banking.
• Send us an email at [email protected]

EAA Rock Mine Reading

Good overview from Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation:

https://sccf.org/blog/2025/04/23/southland-rock-mine-unanswered-questions/

VoteWater concerns:

https://votewater.org/deep-dive-could-the-eaa-rock-mine-trigger-toxic-trouble/

Everglades Law Center letter to Palm Beach County:

https://www.everglades.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FoE-to-PBC-re-Southland.pdf 

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

Ryan, Ryan, and special guest Sam record onsite at Spinster Abbot's Bodega in St Augustine, Florida.  In this episode we give updates on rapidly developing issues such as the Guana Land Swap, State Park Protection Act, and FWC Bear Hunt

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

This week the Ryans have two special guests discussing two urgent issues.  First is Katrina Shaddix from Bear Warriors United to discuss the bear hunt and then Sarah discussing the Guana River WMA land swap!

Action Items

Email ARC board members asking them to Stop the Guana Land Swap and Governor DeSantis (850-717-9337;[email protected]) and Senator Tom Leek ((386) 446-7610,[email protected])

Email FWC and tell them No Bear Hunt in Florida and email Katrina Shaddix with Bear Warriors United at [email protected].

Send us an email with ideas for show topics or comments on the pod - A[email protected]

Check out the Welcome to Florida podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

After listening to hours of committee meetings, spending days in Tallahassee, and reviewing dozens of bills, the Ryans discuss the bills and legislators that either inspired or dismayed them during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session 

Action Items

Tell legislators Thank You for protecting State Parks, Apalachicola River, and local trash ordinances - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/legislativesession

Check out the Florida Springs Council's Legislative Recap Webinar on 5/13 - https://www.youtube.com/@floridaspringscouncil

Send us an email with ideas for show topics or comments on the pod - A[email protected]


Bills Discussed
HB 81: Designation of the State Birds
HB 209: State Land Management   
SB 354: Public Service Commission (Gaetz) 
HB 565: Regulation of Auxiliary Containers (Blanco)
SB 1118: Land Use and Development Regulations
HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources
HB 1175: Mitigation Banks (Duggan)
HB 1205 - Constitutional amendments
SB 1228: Spring Restoration 
SB 1388: Vessels (Trumbull)
SB 50: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience (Garcia) 
SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia)
HB 81 - Designation of State Birds (Worthington)
SB 108: Administrative Procedures (Grall)
SB 110: Rural Communities (Simon)
HB 209: State Land Management (Snyder)   
SB 492: Mitigation Banking (McClain)   
SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess)
SB 1080: Local Government Land Regulation (McClain)

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/

Send us a text

This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the dramatic close of the final week of the legislative session (as far as bills are concerned) and give in overview of the fate of all the bills we tracked in addition to the heroes and heroines of the 2025 Legislative Session!

Action Items

Thank Rep. Jason Shoaf (850) 717-5007 for banning oil drilling near the Apalachicola River
Thank Rep. Meg Weinburger (561) 576-0340 for stopping the single-use container preemption bill0
Thank Sen. Jennifer Bradley (904) 278-2085 for her support passing strong state park protections and resisting the single-use container preemption bill

Bills Discussed

SB 50: Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience (Garcia) 
SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities (Garcia)
HB 81 - Designation of State Birds (Worthington)
SB 108: Administrative Procedures (Grall)
SB 110: Rural Communities (Simon)
HB 209: State Land Management (Snyder)   
SB 492: Mitigation Banking (McClain)   
SB 832: Former Phosphate Mining Lands (Burgess)

SB 1080: Local Government Land Regulation (McClain)

HB 1175: Mitigation Banks (Duggan)
HB 1205 - Constitutional amendments (Persons-Mulicka)
SB 1228: Spring Restoration (McClain)
HB 1133: Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Shoaf)
HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources (Shoaf) 
SB 1388: Vessels (Trumbull)
HB 1445: Public Officers and Employees (Mayfield)
HB 1609: Waste Incineration (Weinberger)

SB 1622: Beaches (Trumbull) (customary use of beaches)
SB 1228: Spring Restoration (McClain)
HB 1445: Public Officers and Employees (Mayfield)

Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: [email protected]

Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membership

Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative Session

Ryan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/