Welcome to Florida

This episode's subject is Trapper Nelson, the Wildman of the Loxahatchee, the Tarzan of Florida. Our guest is historian and author James Snyder who lives on the Loxahatchee River not far from where Trapper Nelson did.  Snyder wrote a book about Nelson, "Life and Death on the Loxahatchee," which he describes as "part biography, part murder mystery."

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products and no matter where you live in Florida, you are susceptible to damage caused by hurricanes. That's where windstormproducts.com comes in, the world's largest online supplier of hurricane hardware with shipping, of course, available anywhere in the state. Whatever you might need to secure your home or business from hurricane wind damage, chances are, windstormproducts.com offers it and can additionally provide the know-how to help you install it.

What environmental problems would Craig Pittman like to see Ron DeSantis address in his second term as governor? These ones. Craig's not holding his breath.

Our guest this week is Clay Henderson. His new book, "Forces of Nature: A History of Florida Land Conservation" details the century-plus effort to conserve land in Florida for nature, recreation and human health.

Another hurricane just hit Florida and if you managed to elude damage from both Ian and Nicole, chances are, you're next. Preparing for the unknowable, but inevitable is a major pain in the neck, but you know it has to be done. Windstormproducts.com has the hardware and know-how to help you secure your property from hurricane wind and flood damage. Check them out online and give them a call if you have questions about how to protect your home or business from hurricane damage.

This week's episode publishes on election day so if it takes you a while to get around to listening, we understand.

Founded in 1947, Everglades National Park celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Our guest this episode, James Kushlan, is a former Everglades researcher and author of the book, "Everglades National Park." He's also written books about birdwatching in South Florida, Key Biscayne, the Dry Tortugas and other titles of interest to anyone who loves Florida.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products, a Florida company which started small and grew into the largest online retailer of hurricane hardware in the world. Windstormproducts.com has the hardware and knowhow to help you secure your home or business from hurricane wind damage.

You can't see it, but you can smell it, and the problem is becoming worse with each successive storm in Florida: wastewater and sewage discharges.

Our guest this week was born in Russia and currently lives in Miami Beach. Anastasia Samoylova is a photographer who traveled the state recording what she saw and has shared those images in a new book titled: Floridas: Anastasia Samoylova & Walker Evans.

Ana will be participating in this year's Miami Book Fair (as will Craig). An exhibition of prints from her book can be seen at Dot Fifty One Gallery in Miami.

Much of today's episode focused on flooding and if water inundation is a problem you're facing with your home or business, check out the amazing Quick Dam water barriers which do the work of dozens of sandbags without the mess, strain or hassle. Learn more about Quick Dam water barriers from our friends at windstormproducts.com. 

Craig Pittman was recently invited by the New York Times to write an opinion column regarding Ron DeSantis' approach to combating climate change. It's a topic he has covered regularly at the Florida Phoenix.

While better known for their connections to Macon, Georgia, the Allman Brothers were a Florida band, with brothers Duane and Gregg growing up in Daytona Beach and the band forming in Jacksonville. Bob Beatty is the author of a newly published book highlighting a critical moment in the band's rise to popularity, the recording of its live album in 1971. The book is titled, "Play All Night: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East."

Find Bob on Twitter at @LongLiveTheABB

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products. Visit windstormproducts.com to make sure your home or business is secured from the next hurricane.

When it comes to homeowners in Florida and hurricane damage, it's buyer beware.

Our guest is Ralph Krugler, historian at the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse and Florida barefoot mailman historian. The Barefoot Mailmen operated in the late 19th century walking the mail to residents along the Florida frontier on the east and west coasts of the state.

Here's a great Sunshine State "did you know:" the official seal of the city of Hypoluxo in Palm Beach County features an image of a barefoot mailman.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products, a family business in Florida which has grown to become the largest online retailer of hurricane hardware. When the next hurricane comes, and it will, have your home protected from wind and flood damage by using the products and expertise available at windstormproducts.com. 

A vote for Ron DeSantis is a vote for more Hurricane Ian's. Craig explains.

This episode's guest is Samantha Chapman, a professor of biology at Villanova University and a researcher of mangroves around the world, but particularly in Florida. Craig relied on her expertise in a previous story he wrote about how climate change is increasingly allowing mangroves to migrate into areas they haven't traditionally been seen.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products. Hurricane Ian has come and gone, but if you put off your hurricane preparedness, windstormproducts.com is still there for you as the world's largest retailer of hurricane hardware to secure your home or business from hurricane wind damage. You can also purchase the amazing and convenient Quick Dam water activated flood barriers from the. This product will save you hours of dirty, sweaty, backbreaking work filling sandbags to secure your home from hurricane flooding, and it's also a great solution to water intrusion from storms if you're in low lying areas and constantly worried about water getting into your basement or garage. 

Developers and road builders want to plow through a state forest in the Panhandle to bring more people to the Gulf Coast.

Patrick Smith wrote "A Land Remembered" in 1984. The historical fiction novel followed a Florida cracker family as it entered the state in the 1850s and successive generations went on to build a fortune here through ranching, citrus and land development. Countless people consider it the greatest piece of Florida fiction ever written.

Patrick Smith's son Rick joins us on this episode of the podcast to discuss his father and the timeless book. Rick mentioned a video of Patrick Smith speaking, you can find that video here.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented, as always, by Visit Sarasota. Discover Sarasota's rich literary history and community and be sure to visit Bookstore 1 in downtown Sarasota for readings, signings - including Craig Pittman - and a full selection of Florida titles.

Windstorm Products also supports the show. This small, family-owned Florida company has grown into the largest online retailer of hurricane hardware in the world. From bolts and screws to wingnuts, drill bits and whatever else you may need to protect your home from hurricane wind damage, Windstorm Products has it - including expertise. If you run into a question, give them a call, toll free, at the number right on the website, windstormproducts.com. 

How do land developers almost always get what they want in Florida even if state law or local residents don't support them? Bribes.

Our guest this episode is David Sloan, Key Lime pie researcher, author, baker and founder of the Key Lime festival in Key West. David's newest Key Lime book, "Key Lime Pie: An Intriguing History of Key West's Native Desert," was released this summer. We discuss the pie's origins, it's controversies - meringue or whipped cream - and where to find the best Key Lime pie in Key West.

This week's episode is sponsored by Windstorm Products. Homeowners, business owners, contractors, municipalities – if you are responsible for protecting a structure from hurricane wind damage, you’re going to want to visit windstormproducts.com and see what they have to offer. Windstorm Products is a family-owned Florida company that has grown to become the world's largest online retailer of hurricane hardware.

Fall in Florida is BEACH SEASON for the locals with crowds and temperatures down. Find your favorite among the many wonderful beaches in Sarasota. Thanks to Visit Sarasota for its continued support of "Welcome to Florida."

County officials in Sarasota have amended their COMP plan to allow for greater development into rural areas.

Our guest is historian and Miami native and resident Paul S. George. George wrote the definitive account of the wild environment of land speculation which took place in Miami during the early 1920s, resulting in the first of many Florida land "busts."

George leads a variety of bus, boat and walking tours around Miami, sharing the city's history via HistoryMiami.org.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Visit Sarasota. Good news from Sarasota thanks to a variety of local conservation groups, Crowley Museum and Nature Center is now permanently protected! Part of a farmstead originally established in 1878, this 191-acre slice of Old Florida has served the community as a natural and cultural museum for more than 40 years. Crowley Museum invites people of all ages to discover Southwest Florida’s nature and history.

"Welcome to Florida" is further supported by windstormproducts.com. Homeowners, business owners, contractors, municipalities – if you are responsible for protecting a structure from hurricane wind damage, you’re going to want to visit windstormproducts.com and see what they have to offer. Windstormproducts.com is a family-owned Florida company that has grown to become the world's largest online retailer of hurricane hardware.