Welcome to Florida

Episode 295: Wakulla Springs

Fifteen miles south of Tallahassee, one of Florida's most magnificent springs can be found: Wakulla Springs. Kellie Keys is a professor in the Communications Department at Florida State University working with FSU researchers at Wakulla Springs to help tell the story about what they're learning.

Episode 294: Lakeland's Swanfather

Big Sugar is leaning on the legislature to make it so people can't badmouth their product.Big ag is leaning on the legislature to make it ok to graze cows on state land including state parks.An unscrupulous business owner and lax Department of Environmental "Protection" contributed to a catastrophic fire in Dunnellon. If you've ever been to Lakeland, perhaps you've seen the Lake Morton swans. Steve Platt works for the City of Lakeland and it's his job to take care of the swans as "swanfather.""Welcome to Florida" patrons receive exclusive access to our weekly "Florida Conservation Newsletter" for only $5 per month.

Episode 293: Spring Training

Spring Training has marked the end of winter in Florida for more than 100 years. Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Mike Schmidt, Greg Maddux, and today's stars have begun their legendary seasons and careers in places like Sarasota, Dunedin, Vero Beach, and Clearwater.On this episode, longtime southwest Florida newspaperman Glenn Miller, who's attended spring training games since the 1960s and covered the games since the 1980s, joins us to discuss Spring Training's history and characters in Florida. Pinch hitting for regular co-host Chadd Scott is his wife, sports reporter, podcaster, author, baseball fan, and annual spring training in Florida attendee, Kristi Dosh.

Episode 292: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Florida continues to promote unfettered growth without paying attention to the water demands of all those new people and businesses. Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Vero Beach was the first site in a program that now features nearly 600 locations. Paul Tritiak was the former refuge manager at Pelican Island and tells us how the refuge came to be."Welcome to Florida" patrons receive our weekly Florida Conservation Newsletter for only $5 per month.

Episode 291: The Swamp Doctor

The Florida State Legislature continues its rich tradition of doing the bidding of powerful corporate interests, this time - not for the first time - Mosaic mining company.Carrie Sue Ayvar is a professional storyteller who embodies Dr. Anna Darrow, the 2nd ever female doctor in Florida, in programs around the state. Darrow was referred to as the Swamp Doctor for her work with residents in the Everglades in early 20th century Florida.Ayvar is one of dozens of speakers available through the Florida Humanities that are happy to speak to your local community group if you have one.Thanks again to our "Welcome to Florida" patrons who support the show for $5 per month and receive exclusive access to our Florida Conservation Newsletter.