The As Bad As It Is In Florida Podcast
Environmental Lobbyist Ryan Smart and Florida Master Naturalist Ryan Worthington discuss the legislative process, bills, and policy that affect the environment in the state of Florida.
Episodes
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss some of the bills that have been filed so far:
SB 240 Aux Containers
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/240/?Tab=BillText
SB 208 Land Use and Development Regulations
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/240/?Tab=BillText
SB 354 Blue Ribbon Projects
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/354
HB 479 Land and Water Management
https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/479
Craig Pittman's Ar...
This week, the DEP and SWFWMD gave presentations to committees in both the House and the Senate to discuss Florida Forever, Conservation Land Swaps, The Everglades, Forever Chemicals, and much more.
This episode is a new format for a shorter, more nimble podcast that can get information out before it becomes outdated in the fast-paced legislative environment.
Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the presentations by FWC, DEP, SWFWMD, and other agencies of the health of areas that they are monitoring. Also discussed are two pro development bills and one bill that would help control Florida's trash problem.
HB 105: Local Government Enforcement Actions (Brackett)
SB 208: Land Use and Development Regulations (McClain)SB 240: Auxiliary Containers (Garcia)
This week, Ryan and Ryan discuss the Florida Black Bear hunt and the number of applicants for the bear tag lottery, many purchased by those who do not want to hunt bears in an effort to limit the bears killed during the season.
In Destin, a 4-acre sand dune is up for sale for 83.3 million dollars (when it was purchased in 2017 for 8 million), and can be bought with Florida Wildlife Corridor Funds, despite not being i...
This week Ryan & Ryan discuss the proposed Springs National Park, developers using SB 180 to avoid regulations, and how you can share the issues that you care about with your state elected officials.
For a list of upcoming delegation meetings:
https://1000fof.org/upcoming-events/
Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: asbadasitisflorida@gmail.com
In this episode, Ryan and Ryan discuss the possible sale of the Chassowitzka River Campground and the role that the Southwest Florida Water Management District has taken in the process.
Also our special guest is Hunter from Old Florida Vibes, who describes his conservation journey and the Old Florida Vibes brand.
Show notes:
Check out Old Florida Vibes and Join the OFV Sticker Club
Why could Florida sell th...
In the first segment, Ryan and Ryan discuss grassroots advocacy and social media to defend Florida's natural areas, including the advocacy Group Floridian's Advancing Florida's Outdoors .
In the second segment, the Ryans discuss the "Big Ass Pipe" a proposed project that would provide much-needed water to the Santa Fe River and Springs IF completed. The water management district wants to appr...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss an article by the legendary Craig Pittman about the price hikes to some of the springs' entry fees in Ocala National Forest. The second segment brings a detailed discussion of DEP's near-complete abandonment of its responsibility to ensure water quality around the state and the coalition of groups attempting to hold them accountable.
Weekly Action Items -
In this episode, Ryan & Ryan discuss the state budget to see if our elected officials put their money where their mouth is as far as water quality and conservation funding. SPOILER ALERT, they don't. Between vetos, defunding conservation land buying programs, and questionable land purchases, serious questions are being raised regarding the future of land conservation in Florida.
Weekly Action Items -
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the details of the budget before it gets sent to the governor for signature. Cuts to conservation funding and a perversion of the implementation bill to deal a blow to the regulation of water withdrawals for agriculture. Also, special guest Michael McGrath discusses urban fertilizer ordinances and how they help protect our water quality.
Action Items
- Call Gov. DeSantis at 850...
Action Items
- Sign Vote Water’s Petition to “Rescue the River of Grass.”
- Use Waterkeepers Florida Action Alert to ask Gov. DeSantis to veto SB 492, wetlands mitigation banking.
- Send us an email at asbadasitisflorida@gmail.com
EAA Rock Mine Reading
Good overview from Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation:
https://sccf.org/blog/2025/04/23/southland-rock-mine-unanswered-questions/
VoteWater concerns:
Ryan, Ryan, and special guest Sam record onsite at Spinster Abbot's Bodega in St Augustine, Florida. In this episode we give updates on rapidly developing issues such as the Guana Land Swap, State Park Protection Act, and FWC Bear Hunt
Email us on the show with questions, suggestions, and comments at: asbadasitisflorida@gmail.com
Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringsc...
This week the Ryans have two special guests discussing two urgent issues. First is Katrina Shaddix from Bear Warriors United to discuss the bear hunt and then Sarah discussing the Guana River WMA land swap!
Action Items
Email ARC board members asking them to Stop the Guana Land Swap and Governor DeSantis (850-717-9337;GovernorRon.DeSantis@eog.myflorida.com) and Senator Tom Leek ((386) 446-7610,leek.tom.web@flsenat...
After listening to hours of committee meetings, spending days in Tallahassee, and reviewing dozens of bills, the Ryans discuss the bills and legislators that either inspired or dismayed them during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session
Action Items
Tell legislators Thank You for protecting State Parks, Apalachicola River, and local trash ordinances - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/legislativesession
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the dramatic close of the final week of the legislative session (as far as bills are concerned) and give in overview of the fate of all the bills we tracked in addition to the heroes and heroines of the 2025 Legislative Session!
Action Items
Thank Rep. Jason Shoaf (850) 717-5007 for banning oil drilling near the Apalachicola River
Thank Rep. Meg Weinburger (561) 576-0340 for stopping ...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the dynamic and unpredictable legislative session from a surprise attack on the State Parks Protection Act to the unexpected ressurection of defeated bill SB 1080.
Action Items
Audubon Florida Action Alert on HB 1175 (Wetlands Mitigation)
Florida Springs Council Action Alerts on SB 1822 (Waste Management/Plastic Preemption Bill) and SB 80 (State Parks Preservation Act)
<...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the bills being considered by committees including some that drastically are changed by amendments that are filed.
Action Items
Call Senators Harrell (850) 487-5031 & Bradley (850) 487-5006 and ask them to amend SB 80, the State Park Preservation Act, to match HB 209, the stronger house companion bill.
Save Springs Protection Zones - Call Senator Trumbull at (850) 487-5002 and ask the ...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the weekly update to the legislative session including efforts to make it easier for developers to develop rural lands and wetlands, why shifting from fee simple to conservation easements is not the answer to conserving land, and the bills that will be heard in committee this upcoming week.
Calls To Action:
Call House Budget Chair Representative Lawrence McClure at (850) 717-5068 and Hous...
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the various bills that are impacting our environment here in Florida. Most notably the State Park Protection Act, Permits for oil drilling, and the attempt of the house to defund programs that purchase conservation land.
Call Senator Harrell (850-487-5031) and Representative Snyder (850-717-5086) and ask them to strengthen the State Parks Preservation Act to eliminate loophole...
This week we discuss bills that want to force a small Florida town to have an ethanol plant built near its downtown, remove single use plastics protections of some of our springs, and much more!
Take Action: Stop the Plastic Preemption Bills (SB 1822 & HB 565)
Take Action: Call House Budget Subcommittee Chair Esposito at 850-717-5077 and Budget Chair McClure at 850-717-5068 and ask them to restore Florida Forev...
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