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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

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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

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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

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This week the Madcaps take turns discussing their favorite paddle destinations in Florida.  There are too many for this episode so expect more!

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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 Bree from @hiberniahistory (filling in for the ever adventuring Sunshine State Seekers) and Ryan discuss their favorite destinations along Florida's First Coast from the little-known area of Hibernia to the plantation ruins around Ormond Beach.

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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 micro hiking.  Which is often what naturalists do by paying attention to the details to the wildlife, vegetation, tracks, and signs of wildlife on the trail.  It can take a short hike and turn it into an adventure.  There are  various apps and resources to help!

https://www.inaturalist.org/ (plant and animal identification app/website)

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ (bird ID, uses your smartphone microphone to listen and identify birds)

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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Our guest this week can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/hiberniahistory/

The Nike Missle Site Festival details can be found at:
https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/nike-site-festival.htm

This week the Madcaps discuss the rest of their Everglades experiences such as hiking the pine rocklands, the Nike Missle Site, and Shark Valley.

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

On this week's episode the Madcaps camp at Everglades National Park and discuss their experiences hiking and enjoying the fascinating Everglades Ecosystem.  

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 the Madcaps continue the discussion of their encounters with wildlife while enjoying the outdoors in Florida.

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