We start this week's episode exposing a developer with close ties to Ron DeSantis - uncomfortably close - wanting to use his political connections to force new roads and houses in Volusia Country, right over top of a protected wetland.

Our guest this week is Michael Phillips, Keeper of the House at the House of Refuge in Stuart, the last House of Refuge still standing in Florida.

This week's episode is presented by Visit Sarasota where a surprising diversity of wildlife experiences await visitors, including one with elephants! Start planning your next weekend getaway or week's vacation at VisitSarasota.com.

"Welcome to Florida" is additionally presented by the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg which presents two exhibitions of landscape photography by Ansel Adams and Florida's own Clyde Butcher now through July 31, 2022. Learn more about this remarkable presentation.

When developers in northeast Florida couldn't buy their candidate onto a conservation board, they conspired to do away with the boards all together, statewide. Another remarkable example of democracy rolling back in Florida.

Our guest this week is University of North Florida in Jacksonville archaeologist Keith Ashley who is leading an effort to "rediscover" the Timucua/Mocama community of Sarabay on Big Talbot Island halfway between Jacksonville and Amelia Island on the Atlantic Coast.

This week's episode of "Welcome to Florida" is presented by VisitSarasota.com which boasts the first authentic Neapolitan pizza restaurant in the state and The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg which is debuting a new photography exhibition featuring Ansel Adams and Florida's Clyde Butcher. 

This week's episode begins with Craig discussing a failure on behalf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to do its job and protect our springs.

Our guest is Florida author Tyler Gillespie who's 2021 book, "The Thing About Florida," attempts to answer that unanswerable question: "What's with Florida?" Gillespie is gay and grew up in the Southern Baptist Church in Pinellas County; we discuss his writing, "don't say gay," and growing up gay in Florida.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Visit Sarasota. Begin planning your next weekend getaway for outdoor recreation, shopping, dining or relaxing on the most beautiful beaches in the world at VisitSarasota.com. 

Our episode begins with a takedown by Craig Pittman of the Governor and state legislature for their inaction on protecting manatee.

Our guest is recently retired Florida Supreme Court Director of Communications Craig Waters. Waters was the public spokesperson for the Court during its most high profile cases including the recount of 2000 presidential election.

Follow the Florida Supreme Court on Facebook and Twitter.

This week's show is presented by Visit Sarasota. Soak up the sun along Sarasota's white sand beaches. Treat yourself to diverse dining, enriching arts and culture, shopping districts of all sorts and natural Florida fun. Begin your exploration at VisitSarasota.com. 

This week's episode begins with a look at the political forces manipulating the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and how Trump Administration minions nearly cost the Key Deer its protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Our guest this week is Mary Powell, former president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, a national organization, and currently an official with General Federation of Women's Clubs - Florida Federation of Women's Clubs. Mary will tell us all about May Mann Jennings, a key figure in Florida's early conservation movement who was responsible for Everglades protection by the way of Royal Palm State Park which eventually became Everglades National Park.

This week's episode begins with a success in the battle of conservation vs. development in Florida and a blueprint for how to do the same in your area.

Our guest this week is Raquel V. Reyes, author of the Miami-based cozy mystery "Mango, Mambo and Murder (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery)." We talk to Raquel about the popularity of the "cozy" genre, how her writing is shaking up the genre, and what she loves most about Miami.

This week's episode of "Welcome to Florida" is presented by Visit Sarasota. Begin planning for your next weekend getaway or family vacation at www.visitsarasota.com and remember to include Sarasota Jungle Gardens and the Celery Fields in your activities.

The most dangerous time of the year in Florida is whenever the state legislature is meeting. More proof of this came recently with a bomb tossed into years of careful planning for Everglades restoration by the Senate president who is bought and paid for by Big Sugar. Craig Pittman explains. 

Our guest this week is Jack Davis who joined the show about a year ago to discuss his Pulitzer Prize winning book about the Gulf of Mexico. Look through the archives for that one which is a favorite. His new book discusses the successful efforts to restore the bald eagle population to North America and the critical role Florida played in this project. "The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird" is available everywhere for purchase.

This week's episode begins with the disturbing news that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has marked a Florida panther for death or capture after the complaint of one rancher.

Our guest is Sam Carr, president of the Bartram Society of Florida. William Bartram was a British naturalist who explored northeast Florida, and much of what became the southeastern United States, in the late 1700s. The Bartram Society of Florida is working to establish "Bartram Trails" throughout the state and region to interpret and protect sites Bartram visited. Much of the group's work has been focused in Putnam County around Palatka.

This week's episode is sponsored by Visit Sarasota. Start planning your next weekend getaway or family vacation by checking out all the wonderful things to do at VisitSarasota.com.

The humanitarians in the Florida legislature are again providing more relief to the state's struggling and needy developers - sarcasm intended - now seeking to make it easier for developers to displace gopher tortoises. That's where we begin this week's show. Search the "Welcome to Florida" for an entire episode devoted to gopher tortoise.

Our guest is Peggy Bulger, author of "Stetson Kennedy: Applied Folklore and Cultural Advocacy," a biography of one of Florida's most interesting, if little known, characters. His obituary shares stories of a life fully lived.

Mentioned in the show: Billy Bragg and Wilco's cover of the Woody Guthrie song about Stetson Kennedy.

Beluthahatchee Park.

Braver Angels.

This week's episode begins with threats to Florida's most famous and mysterious flower, the ghost orchid. 

Our guest is Berlynna Heres, statewide coordinator for the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch. We learn all about this prehistoric creature and its essential role to human health during this conversation. If you'd like to volunteer with the Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch, click here.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Visit Sarasota and on this episode we discuss just a couple of the more popular beaches you can visit throughout Sarasota County. Check them out online and start making plans to visit at VisitSarasota.com.