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Florida Uncut: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Mason Gravley
Get ready to explore Florida's vibrant conservation community with Florida Uncut. Each episode is a conversation with the individuals doing the work to protect and connect wild Florida. Whether you're a seasoned conservationist or you simply want to learn more about Florida's wild side, this podcast is here to inspire you with captivating stories and firsthand experiences from the often unsung heroes dedicated to safeguarding Florida's breathtaking natural areas and species, ensuring the real Florida remains forever 'uncut'.
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- 2 weeks ago1h 36m
Tessa Skiles: Grounded in Water
Conservationist, underwater cinematographer, and impact producer Tessa Skiles has been immersed in conservation since childhood, first appearing in her father Wes Skiles' films before building her own career at the intersection of storytelling and environmental advocacy. In this conversation, Tessa shares her journey from growing up in Florida's springs to producing iconic films that inspire love and action around groundwater, land conservation, and our deep connection to wild Florida.The conversation goes beyond filmmaking as Tessa opens up about transforming a deeply personal story into an impact documentary, one rooted in loss, legacy, healing, and the interconnectedness of land and water. She also offers insight of the feature documentary currently in development and discusses the importance of building partnerships and bringing diverse perspectives together to scale the message of land-to-water connectivity far beyond Florida.Listeners will also hear about Tessa's involvement in the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation's upcoming expedition film as a guide and her role in a forthcoming documentary series exploring the Southeastern United States. More to come on those films this fall!This is one of our most personal conversations to date. We're grateful to Tessa for her openness and willingness to share experiences that are both deeply vulnerable and profoundly hopeful. About TessaTessa Skiles is a conservationist, underwater photographer, cinematographer, and impact producer whose work reveals the beauty and vulnerability of groundwater and freshwater ecosystems. Her film credits include American Amazon (PBS Nature), The Fellowship of the Springs, Protect Our Paradise, and Day Zero. Beyond filmmaking, she develops educational programs and impact campaigns that connect communities to conservation through compelling, science-based storytelling.Tessa is also the daughter of the late Wes Skiles, a legendary cave diver, filmmaker, and conservation pioneer whose work helped protect Florida's springs and whose legacy continues through the conservation movement today.Learn more about Tessa, her films, and Karst Productions in the links below:See 8-year-old Tessa advocating for Florida springs protection: herewww.karstproductions.comFB: facebook.com/tessa.skilesInstagram:.instagram.com/tessa.skiles
- Jun 25, 20262h 0m
Tom Hoctor & Reed Noss: The History of the Florida Wildlife Corridor
Long before the Florida Wildlife Corridor became a statewide movement, it began as a scientific question: How do we conserve wildlife in one of the fastest-growing states in America?In this episode, Mason and Zach sit down with two of the most influential conservation scientists in Florida history, Dr. Thomas Hoctor and Dr. Reed Noss, to explore the origins, evolution, and future of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Together, they trace the roots of corridor science from the emerging fields of conservation biology and landscape ecology in the 1970s and 1980s to the development of the Florida Ecological Greenways Network (FEGN), the scientific foundation of today's Florida Wildlife Corridor. The conversation examines how ideas from island biogeography, regional planning, road ecology, and wildlife connectivity shaped a vision that ultimately influenced conservation efforts far beyond Florida.Tom and Reed discuss the mentors, thinkers, and movements that inspired their work, including Larry Harris, and the emergence of conservation biology as a discipline. They also reflect on how Florida's approach to large landscape conservation helped inspire connectivity initiatives around the world, from Yellowstone to Yukon to wildlife corridor efforts in Bhutan and beyond.The episode also celebrates the release of their new book, Regional Landscape Conservation Planning: Wildlife, Connectivity, and the Florida Model, which chronicles decades of science, planning, policy, and partnerships that helped shape one of North America's most ambitious conservation networks. The book explores how Florida combined scientific research, land acquisition programs, growth planning, and public engagement to create a model for regional conservation in the 21st century.Whether you're a conservation professional, student, landowner, or simply someone who cares about the future of wild Florida, this episode offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from two of the architects behind the science that continues to guide conservation across the state.Dr. Thomas HoctorDirector of the Center for Landscape Conservation Planning at the University of Florida, architect of the Florida Ecological Greenways Network, and co-founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Tom has spent decades developing spatial conservation planning tools that guide land protection efforts throughout Florida.Dr. Reed NossOne of the world's leading conservation biologists and a pioneer in landscape-scale conservation. Reed's research on habitat fragmentation, biodiversity conservation, and ecological connectivity helped establish many of the scientific principles that underpin modern wildlife corridor planning.Buy their new book!Regional Landscape Conservation Planning: Wildlife, Connectivity, and the Florida ModelResources mentioned in the episode:The History of Florida Wildlife Corridor Science and Planning EffortsThe Fragmented Forest by Larry HarrisBenton MacKaye's 1921 proposal for the Appalachian TrailRichard Forman's foundational work in landscape ecologyMichael Soulé and the emergence of conservation biologyOrlando Sentinel story about wildlife Corridors - 19841000 Friends of Florida Greenways ProgramYellowstone to Yukon Conservation InitiativeEPA’s National Ecological Framework<a href="https://waconnected.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/NEF_broch
- Jun 4, 20261h 47m
Kailyn Lawson: Monthly Update
Today Zach and Mason are joined by Kailyn Lawson, the Community Conservation Manager at the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, to discuss co-managing the recent Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition. We dive into Kailyn’s background and focus before hearing more about the expedition and what’s next with the documentary film. Resources mentioned during the episode: https://floridapress.org/9781683406549/regional-landscape-conservation-planning/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0cdea7371c874357a9307ac8ea701568https://www.usf.edu/pcgs/academics/global-sustainability/climate-mitigation-and-adaptation.aspxhttps://floridawildlifecorridor.org/films/
- May 29, 20261h 6m
Thomas Eason: Faith, Science, and Wild Florida
Thomas is a passionate wildlife conservation professional with more than 30 years of research, management, and leadership experience. He spent his childhood playing soccer and exploring the outdoors around the suburbs of Northern Virginia before earning his B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife at Virginia Tech. He later completed both his M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and his Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Tennessee.After completing his thesis and dissertation work focused on black bear population dynamics in the Southeastern United States, Thomas came to Florida in 1999 to serve as the Statewide Bear Biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Over nearly 25 years with the agency, he advanced through leadership roles, ultimately serving as Director of the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation and later as Assistant Executive Director.Following his retirement from state government, Thomas continued his conservation work through new ventures, most recently serving as the Senior Director of Conservation for the Live Wildly Foundation. Throughout his career, he has taken a strategic approach to conservation centered on long-term outcomes. He helped envision and lead the development of Florida’s Wildlife Action Plan, played an instrumental role in creating Landscape Conservation Cooperatives in Florida, and helped establish the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS), where he served on the Executive Steering Committee for many years, among numerous other initiatives, committees, and boards, including currently serving on the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation Board. Thomas also serves as Board President for Unity Eastside Church in Tallahassee, where we recorded this conversation, and more importantly, where he met and married his wife, Angel.Together, Thomas and Angel enjoy tinkering in the yard at their certified monarch butterfly waystation, hiking, camping, kayaking, and raising their daughter, Lakshmi, to love the outdoors.
- May 13, 202656 min
Melissa Hill: Trust for Public Land
Melissa Hill is a Senior Project Manager for Trust for Public Land (TPL) focused on expanding the Florida Wildlife Corridor, connecting vital acreage of the Florida National Scenic Trail and protecting the special spaces that connect Floridians to the outdoors. Her work is centered on conserving land for public access by working directly with landowners and partner agencies to secure necessary funding and close complex real estate transactions. Prior to joining TPL, Melissa spent three years at the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Gulf Program addressing resilience issues, habitat protection, and water quality needs along Florida’s Gulf Coast. She received her master’s degree in Ecology from the University of Florida while researching opportunities for nature-based solutions at the intersection of private property rights and nesting sea turtles. Based in Tallahassee with her husband, she is a mediocre birder, enthusiastically bad at drumming, and deeply smitten with her favorite state. Learn more about the projects and work of Melissa and TPL below:Shoal River Headwaters State Park - Our Work in FLFlorida - Our Work in Florida: Trust for Public LandHome | Florida National Scenic Trail | Forest ServiceLand Conservation and Open Space Referenda Map - North Florida Land TrustThis episode was hosted and edited by Zach Franco.
- May 6, 20261h 14m
Mason & Zach: Show Update
Today Mason is joined by Zach Franco to talk about some of the upcoming changes to Florida Uncut and discuss how they keep a positive and hopeful outlook while working in conservation.Also, if you want to hear Zach and Mason’s adventure paddling the Suwannee River, go listen to that episode from October here.
- May 1, 20261h 17m
KT Bryden: Wildpath
KT Bryden is an Emmy-winning cinematographer, conservationist, and storyteller dedicated to creating compelling narratives about the natural world. Her work, featured on platforms such as Disney+, PBS, and National Geographic, bridges the gap between science and storytelling. As the Executive Producer and Film Director at Wildpath, KT partners with scientists, conservationists, and storytellers to craft powerful, purpose-driven films. Whether capturing rare wildlife moments or delving into the emotional stakes of conservation, she is deeply committed to inspiring audiences to protect the planet. KT is the director of films such as The Little Brown Bird, Florida Bear Tracks, and Dear Tampa Bay.Resources:Wildpath’s new website can be found here: https://wildpath.comA powerful new collaboration between Wildpath and National Geographic Society, Connected Planet uses storytelling to inspire the protection of wildlife corridors and reconnect ecosystems worldwide. Learn more here: https://wildpath.com/connected-planet/KT’s socials: https://www.instagram.com/ktbryden/
- Apr 9, 202659 min
Matt Caldwell: Florida State Parks Foundation President
In this episode we sit down with Matt Caldwell, a 7th-generation Floridian whose life and career are deeply rooted in the state’s land, history, and future. From his early days as a real estate appraiser to serving in the Florida House of Representatives and now as Lee County Property Appraiser, Caldwell brings a unique perspective on growth, property rights, and conservation. He also serves as President of the Florida State Parks Foundation Board of Directors, where he helps lead efforts to preserve, protect, and expand Florida’s award-winning and record-holding state park system.Caldwell reflects on his time in public office, including his work on natural resources, extensive travel through the state's backroads and small towns, involvement in the 2015 Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition, as well as his run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. The conversation dives into the real-world tension between growth and conservation in Florida and how land is valued, what gets protected, and what’s at stake for future generations. Grounded in both professional and personal experience, this episode offers an inside look at the decisions shaping Florida’s landscape and the role institutions like the Florida State Parks Foundation play in safeguarding it.If you’re interested in learning more about Matt and the Florida State Parks Foundation please visit https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/Join the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation at the launch of our next Expedition on April 21st in Thomasville, GA here: Longleaf to Lighthouse Expedition Launch & Community Cycle Tickets, Tuesday, Apr 21 from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and follow the journey on Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation's socials!
About Florida Uncut
Get ready to explore Florida's vibrant conservation community with Florida Uncut. Each episode is a conversation with the individuals doing the work to protect and connect wild Florida. Whether you're a seasoned conservationist or you simply want to learn more about Florida's wild side, this podcast is here to inspire you with captivating stories and firsthand experiences from the often unsung heroes dedicated to safeguarding Florida's breathtaking natural areas and species, ensuring the real Florida remains forever 'uncut'.
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