The Florida Madcaps
A podcast about Florida’s natural areas around the state that offer fantastic recreation opportunities. There is much more to Florida than theme parks and overcrowded beaches. Three veteran Florida enthusiasts Chris, Chelsey, and Ryan share their travel experiences and perspective for exploring the Sunshine State. Each episode will delve into the natural and fascinating aspects of Florida, including the trails, beaches, springs, history, ecological issues, and recreational opportunities.
Episodes
87 episodes since 2023
Southwest Florida Gems Fakahatchee Strand & Collier Seminole State Parks
This week the Florida Madcaps discuss parks in the southwest corner of Florida focusing on Fakahatchee Strand State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park. There are some unique hiking experiences as well as opportunities to enjoy some icon...
September 18, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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33:57
Venomous Snakes in Florida: What you need to know when enjoying the outdoors!
This week the Madcaps discuss various aspects of recreating in Florida and encounters with venomous snakes. Our special guest, Bree, shares important information about our valuable snake population. Bree can be found at @hiberniahis...
September 11, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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41:28
Near Miss! The Almost Developed Florida State Parks along 30A.
With the withdrawal of the development plans for the nine state parks in the very recent rearview, the Madcaps discuss the parks that were threatened around 30A, mainly Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach and what makes them special. Our guest...
September 04, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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29:00
Crisis in Florida State Parks
Just a few days ago plans to develop a few Florida State Parks were uncovered and made public. The plans where uncharacteristic of the Florida State Park mission of resource based recreation. Massive hotels, golf courses, pickleball...
August 24, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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43:23
Florida's Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats
This week the Madcaps discuss the various carnivorous plants in our state and some of the environments they thrive in.
August 21, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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27:44
Central Florida State Parks: Hillsborough River & Colt Creek!
If you want beautiful views of the rapids of the Hillsborough River and CCC construction or amazing hiking near the Green Swamp you can find plenty to do at both of these state parks and they are less than half an hour from each other. Th...
August 14, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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28:42
Gatekeeping Florida's Natural Areas: Helping or Hurting?
This week the Madcaps have a special guest, Imani to discuss whether gatekeeping benefits Florida's natural areas. With Florida surpassing a population of 23 million and the boost in post-pandemic popularity of springs, beaches, and trail...
August 07, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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41:20
Myakka River State Park: History, Wildlife, and Miles of Trails
This week the Florida Madcaps discuss what can be expected when visiting Myakka River State Park. This park has it all: CCC history, gators, birding, trails, and wetlands.
July 31, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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32:03
Clean ups, how you can make a difference in Florida's natural areas!
This week the Madcaps discuss the importance of clean-ups and the events that they have participated in. There are a variety of organizations that host clean-up events, or you can do it solo while you you spend time in nature.
July 24, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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34:20
Northeast Florida State Forest Adventures
This week the Madcaps discuss some of the state forests in Northeast Florida and some of the recreation opportunities in each one.
July 17, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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31:00
An Introduction to Exploring Caves In Florida with the Florida Speleological Society
This week the Madcaps have Fletcher Jacob, the president of the Florida Speleological Society (FSS) discuss the basics of caving in Florida. More info on the FSS can be found at, https://www.floridacaving.com/
July 10, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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30:13
Cedar Key: Recreation, History, and Food
This week the Madcaps discuss Cedar Key. This episode covers the history, food, and unparalleled beauty that make Cedar Key one of the amazing destinations of Florida.
July 03, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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25:13
Summer Hiking & Outdoor Safety 2024 Update
This is our first reposted episode! Almost a year ago we published this summer hiking & recreating safety episode and decided to republish it due to the relevance that it has this month with the multiple heat warnings that have been i...
June 26, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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30:42
Indian River Lagoon, History, Recreation, and Environmental Challenges
This week the Madcaps discuss some of the public lands that make up Indian River Lagoon as well as the recreational opportunities that exist there. No episode would be complete without the discussion of the environmental challenges that e...
June 19, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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38:20
How Hurricanes Can Impact Your Recreation Plans
This week the Madcaps discuss the various aspects of how hurricanes can impact recreation in Florida from trail closures to coastal geographic changes.
June 12, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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27:52
The Madcaps Favorite Florida Roadside Oddities
This week the Madcaps discuss the roadside oddities that they have discovered, often quite by accident, as they have road-tripped around Florida.
June 05, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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30:09
The Madcaps Outdoor Summer Recreating Tips
While summer brings some fantastic recreating weather, it also brings crowds to our outdoor spaces. This week the Madcaps discuss how they navigate recreating in Florida's natural areas during the peak season.
May 29, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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33:25
Split Oak: Florida Conservation Land Under Seige
This week the Madcaps were treated to a hike through Split Oak Forest with the President of the Friends of Split Oak Forest, Valerie Anderson. Afterwards, we recorded an episode right at Split Oak and Valerie outlined the current struggle...
May 22, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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32:40
West Central Florida State Parks
This week the Madcaps discuss their favorite parks and hiking destinations that are in West Central Florida from scrub to Native American mounds, the Madcaps discuss a few parks in this area.
May 15, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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31:42
Endless Variety: Exploring Florida's Habitats
This week the Madcaps discuss some of Florida's amazing habitats, from the limestone trails of the Florida Keys, to the ancient dunes of Lake Wales Ridge, we talk about many different habitats of Florida and what makes them special.
May 08, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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31:26
Paddle Guides Kim and Ashley discuss the Wild and Scenic waterways of Central Florida
This week we were fortunate enough to have Kim and Ashley join us who do tours on one of the two designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida the Wekiva River (including Rock Springs Run and The Emerald Cut). This week we listen to some o...
May 01, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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34:15
Wakulla Springs State Park
This week the Madcaps discuss the fascinating state park. Wakulla Springs! The spring, trails, boat tours, and elegant lodge were all discussed. Check out the park website:https://www.floridastateparks.org/WakullaSprin...
April 24, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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30:23
Natural areas to visit around Tallahassee
In this episode, the Madcaps share their favorite natural areas that they have visited around Tallahassee. Here are a few points that we discussed:Lake Talquin State Parkhttps://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-tr...
April 17, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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28:41
Recreating around Osceola National Forest
This week the Madcaps talk about the Florida National Scenic Trail through Osceola National Forest as well as state and county recreation areas. We discuss history, natural features such as waterfalls, and hiking along the St Mary's River...
April 10, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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29:06
Florida Legislative Session Wrap up and Budget Review
This week the Madcaps welcome back Ryan Smart, executive director of the Florida Springs Council. We discuss the various bills that we covered in previous podcasts and what their fate was during this session. Ryan Smart also guides ...
April 03, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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43:00