Welcome to Florida

This episode begins by paying our respects to Jimmy Buffett and his conservation work in Florida.

Our guest is Florida Keys historian Brad Bertelli who tells us all about conch, the gastropod, conchs, the people, and the Conch Republic, better known as the Florida Keys. His Florida Keys history Facebook group is a wonderful resource and community for lovers of the Keys.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented ...

Jacksonville used to stink. Literally. Bad. That was a result of paper mills. What turned Jacksonville around serves as a model for how the state can solve its toxic algae bloom crisis.

The Castillo de San Marcos is one of the top tourist attractions in St. Augustine. The Spanish fort at one time served an important military purpose for Spain's colonial ambitions in North America. Our guest for this episode is a histo...

We begin this episode with county commissioners in Manatee County favoring sprawl over wetlands.

Our guest is University of Florida professor of insect systematics and taxonomy and firefly researcher Marc Branham who tells us all about these fascinating insects.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products the leading online retailer of hurricane hardware at www.windstormproducts.com. Protect ...

While the world burns and Florida scorches as a result of global warming driven by carbon emissions, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is working to prevent fossil fuel power plants from having to clean up their act.

Former "Welcome to Florida" guest Diane Roberts wrote a wonderful column for the Florida Phoenix recently titled, "GOP Death Cult is holding Earth hostage to White Privilege.&qu...

This week's episode begins with Florida's connection to the Endangered Species Act.

Our guest is Josh Liller, historian and collections manager at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Josh edited the Florida Lighthouse Trail book and is a member of the Florida Lighthouse Association, which you can join as well.

We discuss the history of lighthouses and lighthouse keepers in Florida.

Thanks for Windsto...

We begin our episode with a Florida location we've not discussed previously: Alva.

Our guest is JB Miller, a Mennonite who grew up in Pinecraft next to Sarasota in the 60s and 70s. A community of Mennonite and Amish farmers started coming to the area to farm in the 1930s and has persisted ever since. No longer farming, tourism is now the top draw.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by WindstormProdu...

We begin with a follow-up to last week's episode in which we talked to legendary Florida conservationist Jack Rudloe.

Our guest this episode is author and historian Robert Bucellatto whose book "Rumrunners and Moonshiners of Old Florida" recalls the Prohibition era in Florida.

If you'd like to personally support the production of "Welcome to Florida," you can do so by visiting patreon...

What is "environmental racism?" It goes on all over Florida (BIG SUGAR). Craig Pittman explains.

Jack Rudloe has been observing marine life on the Gulf of Mexico around Panacea, FL since the 1950s. He's an author. An environmental activist. And founder of the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory.

We mention Jack's abuse at the hands of law enforcement; here's more information regarding local e...

Not only is climate change adversely impacting those of us on land, it's warming waters around Florida taking a toll on marine life.

Our guest this episode is Kevin Sheilley, president and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership. Ocala is "the Horse Capitol of the World." Kevin explains how the city earned that moniker, when Florida became a horse destination, and we discuss the jewel in Ocal...

This week's episode begins with a look at the series of disastrous bills signed into law by Ron DeSantis that will imperil Florida's environment for decades to come, if not forever.

Our guest this week is author Michael Tougias whose book "Above & Beyond: John F. Kennedy and America's Most Dangerous Cold War Spy Mission" centers around the Cuban Missile Crisis. His most recent book, "Extre...

We begin today's show with some shady developer dealings in Captiva.

Florida is as well-known as a haven for retirees as anything. Helping people make that transition is the American Association of Retired Persons - AARP. Jeff Johnson is the state director for AARP Florida and he joins us to discuss AARP's work in Florida.

Thanks again to Windstorm Products for supporting the podcast. Windstorm Products ...

We have hit the 3rd anniversary of the "Welcome to Florida" podcast and we want to thank you for listening. If you'd like to take your support of the show further, you can do so by becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/welcometoflorida.

For as little as $5 a month you'll help us continue producing the show and have access to exclusive bonus episodes.

Our guest this week is Laura Goodhue, execut...

What's weird? A Florida city council suing its citizens over the topic of clean water.

Eliot Kleinberg is the father of "weird Florida." In 1998, he published "Weird Florida," a compilation of Florida oddities which would eventually spawn the weird Florida and Florida man genres.

Eliot joins us this week, his second appearance on the show.

Thank you "Welcome to Florida"...

"What the f*uck happened here!?!"

If you're a nature lover in Florida, chances are you've said - or screamed - these words upon discovering a beloved tree or beach or meadow destroyed without warning by your city or county, a developer or a resident. We begin the episode exploring "what the f*uck happened here" in Port St. Lucie.

Our guest is writer John Birdsall who joins us to disc...

You can't tell the story of Florida without the story of Hurricane Andrew. That's what we're doing on this episode with the help of longtime University of Miami professor, Hurricane Andrew survivor, and author of "In the Eye of Hurricane Andrew," Eugene Provenzo.

"Welcome to Florida" is presented by Windstorm Products, a Florida small business and the world's No. 1 online retailer of...

We start the episode discussing the "Path of the Panther" documentary which you can see now on Disney+.

Our guests are authors Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal whose book "A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save our Vanishing Birds" takes special interest in the Florida Seaside Sparrow. Follow the Gyllenhaal's on their blog, flyinglessons.us.

On this episode, we mentioned White Oak Conservatio...

At "Welcome to Florida" we love celebrating Florida's ecology and wild animals as well as educating and introducing people to the same. That is much the same mission as the Florida Master Naturalist program. If you love this podcast, chances are, you'd be interested in taking one or more of their courses.

Jeanne Murphy from Sensing Nature ecotours in Pinellas County is a long time Florida Master Natura...

Lawn "care" giant TruGreen used its bought and paid for Florida legislators to sneak through a provision in the state budget forbidding cities and counties from regulating the use of fertilizer in summer months, fertilizer often spread by TruGreen, fertilizer which contains phosphorous and leads to blue-green algae blooms and the poisoning of Florida's water.

Our guest this week is Roben Farzad, Miami native...

Another episode, another example of trouble with the water in Florida.

Our guest is Florida native, author, historian and professor Sara McNamara whose recently published book, "Ybor City: Crucible of the Latina South," details how the enclave of Cuban migrants evolved through the years and how it is distinguished from Cuban communities in Miami.

If this subject interests you, previous episodes on early...