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This week the Madcaps discuss the various state and national forests in Florida and some of the rules and policies that govern them.  

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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 [email protected]

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

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This weekend (April 5th-6th) is the Florida State Park love fest occurring in multiple state parks around the state.  Activities include various activities from sign waving, hiking, potluck picnics, and more, depending on the event location.  To find out what is going on in a park near you, go to:  

https://savefloridaparks.com/.

Many remember the surprise attempts to develop our Florida State Parks last August.  Some lawmakers have put forth bills that prevent that from happening again, yet there are loopholes that could have us defending our state parks all over again in the future.  That is why during this love fest, we are supporting our parks and letting our legislators know we want the bill that prevents this development from ever happening again!  

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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 [email protected]

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

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After traveling hundreds of thousands of miles and visiting Florida's natural areas, the Madcaps discuss which parts of Florida bring them joy.  This episode covers:

Topsail Hill

Rock Springs Run

Magniloa Lake

The Everglades

Emerald Coast

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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 [email protected]

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

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This week the Madcaps Discuss their hiking adventures in St Johns Water Management District Properties and we mention those that we have yet to explore.  To see the full list check out this link:

https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/list/

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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 [email protected]

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

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This week the Madcaps discuss paddling on the Rainbow River and Ichetuknee River!  Both offer some great views of clear spring runs.  Unfortunately, there is a bill that is going through the legislature that is going to remove rules that prohibit single-use plastics and containers on these rivers.  Follow the Florida Excursionist and The Florida Springs Council on social media to see how you can make a difference!

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 [email protected]

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

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This week Ryan, Jessica (IG walkandpaddle), and TJ a manatee biologist from the Save the Manatee Club discuss responsible behaviors when encountering manatees in the various waterways of Florida.

As the Manatee Biologist for Save the Manatee Club, Tiare 'TJ' Fridrich works to protect manatees and their aquatic habitats by collaborating with stakeholders statewide, advocating for stronger protections at all government levels, leveraging the best available science to guide conservation efforts and improve management strategies, and by addressing gaps in data collection efforts and public education. TJ leads the Guardian Guides Program, a voluntary training program for manatee ecotourism operators that promotes manatee stewardship and aims to minimize disturbances from commercial manatee-viewing activities while encouraging education and conservation. TJ holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Professional Science in Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management from the University of Miami.

Learn more about Jessica's adventures at https://walkandpaddle.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 [email protected]

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

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This week the Madcaps discuss some of their paddling adventures on Florida waterways.  There are some recommended and not-so-recommended paddle spots between us.

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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 [email protected]

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

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This week the Madcaps discuss the trails within some of the properties of the St Johns Water Management District.  These are rarely used by comparison to some of the major trails in Florida and offer glimpses into lesser known natural areas.

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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 [email protected]

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 Ryan and Cathy of the Florida Spectacular Podcast (check them out!) interview Federico Acevedo and Max Chesnes both who played a role of providing information to the public during the Florida State Park Development fiasco and discuss the events during this podcast.

Some info about our guests:

Federico Acevedo is a passionate wildlife photographer and birder, using the power of visual storytelling to connect Florida’s community with our region’s unique fauna and flora. He enjoys adventuring in the outdoors, and visiting our state and national parks.

Max Chesnes is the climate and environment reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, where he writes about state lands, environmental justice, pollution, wildlife, intensifying hurricanes and more. Before joining the Times in 2023, Chesnes covered environmental issues for Treasure Coast Newspapers and the USA Today network, reporting on Lake Okeechobee, the Indian River Lagoon and Florida’s Everglades. He’s a 2023 journalism fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and a recipient of several environmental writing awards. He studied both journalism and sustainability at the University of Florida and is licensed to fly drones.

You can listen to the Florida Spectacular Podcast here:  https://floridaspectacular.buzzsprout.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 [email protected]

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 is the first half of the live recording of a collaboration podcast between Ryan of The Florida Madcaps and Cathy Salustri of The Florida Spectacular Podcast.  Recorded in front of an audience.  TJ of the Save The Manatee Club discussed all things manatees.  

Some info our our guest TJ:

As the Manatee Biologist for Save the Manatee Club, Tiare 'TJ' Fridrich works to protect manatees and their aquatic habitats by collaborating with stakeholders statewide, advocating for stronger protections at all government levels, leveraging the best available science to guide conservation efforts and improve management strategies, and by addressing gaps in data collection efforts and public education. TJ leads the Guardian Guides Program, a voluntary training program for manatee ecotourism operators that promotes manatee stewardship and aims to minimize disturbances from commercial manatee-viewing activities while encouraging education and conservation. TJ holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Professional Science in Tropical Marine Ecosystem Management from the University of Miami.

The Florida Spectacular Podcast

https://floridaspectacular.buzzsprout.com/

Save the Manatee Club

https://savethemanatee.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 [email protected]

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