There are not many folks more central to the idea of a “connected and protected” Florida than Dr. Tom Hoctor. He’s the director of the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning at the University of Florida and is the co-founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, considered one of the most ambitious landscape conservation plans in the country.

As we’ll learn, the concept of a statewide ecological corridor is not new. Decades of scientific research has led to the understanding that connected landscape-scale conservation is imperative to the survival of many species and among the best methods of preventing habitat loss and fragmentation.

Before it was called the Florida Wildlife Corridor, this idea of a connected greenspace in the Sunshine state was known as the Florida Ecological Greenways Network,

More info about Dr. Hoctor and links to topics discussed:

• Faculty page, University of Florida
• Florida Wildlife Corridor History
• University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning
• University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR)

I have missed posting an episode for the last couple of months, but the good news is I’m catching up today with three guests at once!

Joining us for a talk about conservation, recreation, and education are the Florida Madcaps, made up of Chelsey and Chris Stevens and Ryan Worthington. They’re three friends who love to volunteer, guide, and educate Floridians on our best natural resources. Although they all do their own form of volunteering and advocacy, they join forces weekly to produce the Florida Madcaps podcast to talk about these topics.

I figured I’d start sharing other podcasts to listen to as they’re more consistent and do a great job sharing new places to explore in wild Florida.

Episode resources:

• Listen to the Florida Madcaps anywhere you get podcasts.
• Website: https://thefloridamadcaps.buzzsprout.com/
• Social: https://www.instagram.com/florida_madcaps_podcast/
• You can follow Chelsey and Chris, aka the Sunshine State Seekers here: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/
• You can follow Ryan, aka the Florida Excursionist here: https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/
• Their episode about the 2024 Legislative Session and Environmentally Harmful Bills with Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council can be found here.
• Bradenton Herald’s recent feature of Florida Uncut can be read here: https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article289855064.html

If you have an idea for a future FU guest, please submit that to our guest suggestion form here.

Hey folks!

The show was recently featured in the Bradenton Herald and we have a lot of new listeners. You can read that article here: ‘Saved or paved.’ Palmetto-based podcast host explores Florida conservation stories

If you have an idea for a future Florida Uncut guest, please fill out this form.

Looking forward to bringing you more stories very soon!