The Florida Madcaps

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With miles of trails, a variety of recreation opportunities, endangered species, and Trapper Nelson history, Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a fantastic place to visit.


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

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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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Leave No Trace is an outdoor ethics organization that focuses on seven principles to observe when recreating outdoors to have a better experience and preserve natural areas.  This week, the Madcaps discuss their experience using the Leave No Trace principles while spending time outdoors in Florida.

Check out the Leave No Trace website for more information and how-to videos.


https://lnt.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 cover the parks and natural areas around Seminole County and how it has prioritized conservation while being close to Orlando.



https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/leisure-services/parks-trails-and-natural-lands/

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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From the Gulf of Mexico to the St Johns River is the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway., which was once planned to be the Cross Florida Barge Canal.  The park is named after the famed environmental activist who opposed the canal and was instrumental in getting it deauthorized.  The barge canal was about thirty percent complete when construction ceased.  Now it is a 110-mile linear state park.  

This week we discuss a few of the notable places along the greenway along with some of the challenges that it still faces.


The official website for the Cross Florida Greenway.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/Cross-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

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This week we discuss maintenance teams along the Florida National Scenic Trail.   Maintenance teams ensure the trail is marked and traversable.  Also volunteers can enjoy some of the best of Florida's outdoors during multiday trail maintenance opportunities.  


Florida National Scenic Trail Volunteer Resources:

https://floridatrail.org/volunteer-resources/

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 we cover the various aspects of Ichetuknee Springs State Park with former ranger Steve Earl.  We also discussed Steve's book about Ichetuknee called "Sacred Waters."


To order Steve's Book "Sacred Waters"

https://upf.com/authorbooks.asp?lname=EARL&fname=STEVEN

The Ichetunknee State Park Website

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

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 Fan Mail

This week on Madcaps, join us for an in-depth exploration of the Florida National Scenic Trail. From the southern terminus to the northern terminus and every scenic point in between, we not only cover the trail's geography but also dive into its rich history, providing a comprehensive perspective on this captivating outdoor adventure.

Please note that this episode was recorded a few months ago to prepare for Chelsey’s maternity leave.  Trail conditions and closures may change from what is stated here. 

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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Charles Bronson State Forest is located near Christmas, Florida has trails and camping.  it also borders a number of other important conservation areas such as Orlando Wetlands Park and Little Big Econ State Forest.  One of the more notable trails is the Joshua Creek Trail Loop which is a bit longer than nine miles, it also traverses a number of different habitats.

Charles Bronson State Forest Website:

https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Charles-H.-Bronson-State-Forest

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 Fan Mail

This week we discuss how we can help protect Florida's fragile environment when it is under assault from special interests, apathetic regulators, and political greenwashing.   This week we have our first repeat guest.  Ryan Smart is the executive director of the Florida Springs Council which not only engages in legal battles to protect the springs but also directs advocacy efforts.  

This week we discuss how we can all get involved to protect the environment in Florida when the upcoming legislative session appears to have some bills that may cause further environmental harm.  

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 Fan Mail

In the 1950s the Florida Park Service opened a number of Florida State Parks that were segregated.  Some were turned over to other land managers to continue to be recreation areas, and others are still Florida State Parks today.  One segregated park faded into history as it was on borrowed land and was returned to its original land manager a military base called Camp Blanding.  There it was unknown  to all but a few as the infrastructure of the park started to decay.  A local historian, Robert Dews stumbled across some information and led an effort to get the area a historical marker recognizing the park.  

In this episode we discuss a hike we took with Robert to the remains of Magnolia Lake State Park and we discuss a new reroute of the Florida National Scenic Trail as well.  

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