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This week, the Madcaps discuss threats and calls to action regarding sea turtles in Florida.  We are joined by Dr Katherine Sayler, the Southeastern Representative of Defenders of Wildlife!  Katherine explains the challenges that sea turtles face while nesting in Florida's beaches as well as some things that we can all do to help!

Check out Defenders of Wildlife here:  https://defenders.org/

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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 is a colorful journey where the Sunshine State Seekers and the Florida Excursionist discussed how they got started in their natural Florida passion projects.

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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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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

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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 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