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Recently, there have been three instances of gator bites around waterways here in Florida.  Unfortunately, one of them was fatal.  Today, we have gator expert Chris Gillette on to discuss gator safety and mannerisms.  

Info on Chris's wildlife sanctuary, Bellowing Acres, can be found at: https://bellowingacres.org/

Social media and online store can be found at:

https://www.instagram.com/gatorchris

https://bellowing-acres.myspreadshop.com/bellowing+acres+jurassicpark?idea=672e2142e1948830e297ab53&page=2&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASzQcVwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp3WzUHHhz5PNm4cNBWG2XOtVoxNY51KT7pnSvYYHTfZQIVwIRidag5anVtce_aem_ZR0EzOPQgV036Y6Lds6n4A

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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 we have two special guests and discuss the facets gatekeeping on social media here in Florida.  Gatekeeping is often posting images or video of an area without disclosing the location. Our guests are:

Tessa Skiles, who is a conservationist, underwater photographer/cinematographer, and impact producer known for her evocative, immersive storytelling that reveals the beauty and vulnerability of one of our planet’s most elusive and misunderstood natural resources: groundwater.

Josh, aka FloridaGuideJosh, is a wildlife photographer and content creator sharing authentic stories from the natural world. While Florida’s springs and waterways are home base, the work extends wherever wild places and meaningful stories exist.

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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, we interview our very own Chris Stevens new book that we authored with Sandra Friend.  An atlas a nd breakdown of over 1000 trails in Florida.  We talk with Chris about the book, the process, and some of the features that make it great!

To get the book, go to:

https://floridapress.org/9780813081588/hikers-guide-to-the-sunshine-state-second-edition/

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 share some of their preferred alternatives to traveling the interstates around Florida.  Backroads often can take a path through Old Florida and some interesting roadside attractions.

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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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Parks discussed during this video:

Shoal River Headwaters State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/shoalriverheadwaters

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fred-gannon-rocky-bayou-state-park

Torrey State Park

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park

Defuniak Springs

https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/blog/defuniak-springs-guide-for-first-timers/

Wilderness Landing Park

https://www.myokaloosa.com/parks/wilderness-landing

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 their favorite visitor centers and small museums. Here are the links for the ones that were discussed.

Guy Bradley Visitors Center on Flamigo Key

https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/gbvc.htm

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

https://pennekamppark.com/environmental-education/

Boyd Hill

https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/parks___facilities/boyd_hill.php

Crystal River NWR

https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/directory/crystal-river-national-wildlife-refuge-complex-and-visitor-center/

Merritt Island NWR

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island

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 the best visitor centers, small museums, and interpretive displays that can be found in the natural areas of Florida!

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

https://www.ahtahthiki.com

Gumbo Limbo

https://www.myboca.us/2485/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-Center

Stephen Foster

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/stephen-foster-folk-culture-center-state-park

Orlando Wetlands Park

https://www.orlando.gov/Our-Government/Departments-Offices/Public-Works/Water-Reclamation-Division/Orlando-Wetlands

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary 

https://www.audubon.org/corkscrew

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's guest is Matt Caldwell, President of the Florida State Parks Foundation.   We discuss what the  Foundation does to improve our state parks.

To become a member of the Florida State Park Foundation:

https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/membership/individual-and-family-membership/

To learn more about the Florida State Parks Foundation:

https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/

https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/explore-our-state-parks-specialty-license-plate/

https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/pages/HOME

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, our guest is Kristin Anderson, the Programs & Community Engagement Lead with Conservation Florida.  We discuss Conservation Florida's mission to conserve natural areas here in Florida and some of their upcoming events.  To learn more, go to:

https://conservationfla.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

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This week the Madcaps were joined by Bri, the Community Engagement Manager for the Florida Trail Association as we discuss the details of the 2nd annual Florida Trail Fest.  This year, the FTA staff has been hard at work making the trail fest significantly larger and more engaging than last year.  

For the Florida Trail Fest schedule and details, click here

Vendors scheduled to attend the Trailfest are:

ZPacks 

Florida State Parks Foundation 

Pinhoti Outdoor Center 

Hangcon/Hammock Hangers Podcast

Cover Yer Assets 

REI Co-op

Dottie Foods 

University of Florida REC Lab

WildBatch 

Authentica Travel 

ALDHA

Patchoulize 

Monster Krunch

Trekalla

American Red Cross

Bend There Done That

Cracker Trail Co.

Terpstra Glass

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Bead by Bead Adventures

OgZ DeZigns

Sponsors of Trail Fest are:

ZPacks

Florida Hikes

Florida Wildlife Corridor

CS Instant Coffee

In The Hedges Hiker Ministry

FT Thru Hikes

Suwannee Hardware Store

Sandhill Chapter FTA

FarOut

NoNormal

Food Trucks attending:

Wild Man Foods

Hibachi Hotspot

Radha’s Kitchen

Raffle Donations are:

Inkkas

Zenbivy

Kula Cloth

SWOOP

In The Hedges Hiker Ministry

FarOut

Outdoor Adventure Training

REI Co-op

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