Meredith is the Deputy Director of the Live Wildly Foundation, where she applies an entrepreneurial approach to conservation while seeking to balance smart growth, a robust economy, and connected, resilient landscapes. As the organization’s senior strategist, Meredith engages with federal, state, and local governments, institutions, and the nonprofit and private sectors to build and maintain strategic relationships and identify opportunities to deepen Live Wildly's impact.

Her passion for environmental conservation grew from a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. From the lush landscapes of Central and South America to the island nations of the South Pacific, Meredith spent nearly five years after college exploring natural wonders around the world. Upon moving back to Florida in 2012, she dedicated her career to protecting wildlife and the lands they call home. She has more than a decade of experience in the environmental field and brings expertise in imperiled species policy, habitat conservation planning, and wildlife conflict resolution.

Meredith also serves as Board President of the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge and Audubon Western Everglades. Prior to joining Live Wildly, she worked as the Regional Policy Director with the Florida Wildlife Federation and as an Environmental Policy Specialist with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. She enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Miss Luci and Mr. Pickles.

In this episode, we cover a lot of topics:

• The value of travel
• Human wildlife coexistence
• Working with a diverse group of stakeholders in conservation
• Local land conservation efforts
• Current statewide policy issues affecting conservation and local communities
• What an ‘entrepreneurial approach to conservation’ means
• The relationship between a robust economy and resilient landscapes
• The role that voters, local and state elected officials, and private investors play in Florida conservation

Resources mentioned:

• Live Wildly: Balancing Economy and Ecology in Florida 
• Water and wildlife corridors | Archbold Biological Station 
• Climate and wildlife corridors | Archbold Biological Station 
• Community Conservation ~ Greenprinting - North Florida Land Trust 
• Land Conservation and Open Space Referenda Map - North Florida Land Trust 
• Nancy Payton Preserve – Florida Hikes 

This episode was hosted and edited by Zach Franco.

For nearly 40 years, David Price dedicated his career to one of Florida's most treasured places. On his final day as president of Bok Tower Gardens, Mason and David walked the grounds and sat for an in-depth conversion of a reflection on a lifetime of conservation, leadership, and stewardship.

From the globally significant Lake Wales Ridge to the iconic Singing Tower, this conversation explores the legacy of a place, the evolution of conservation in Florida, and the enduring value of beauty in an increasingly busy world.

David joined Bok Tower Gardens in 1986 as Director of Horticulture for 20 years, and went on to serve nearly 20 years as president. During his tenure, the gardens expanded from 125 acres to more than 760 acres, doubled attendance, and strengthened their role as both a cultural destination and a conservation leader in Florida.

David shares the stories behind the growth of Bok Tower, the challenges of leading a beloved institution, and the lessons he's learned from spending four decades caring for one extraordinary landscape. We also discuss why the Lake Wales Ridge is one of North America's most important ecosystems, how conservation has changed over the past 40 years, and what gives him hope for the future of wild Florida.

This episode is a conversation about legacy, long-term stewardship, including being a founding member of Green Horizon Land Trust which has conserved over 7,000 acres. If you haven’t, please plan to visit the beautiful gardens and iconic singing Bok Tower soon.

boktowergardens.org

greenhorizon.org

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 Tessa

Tessa 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: here
• www.karstproductions.com
• FB: facebook.com/tessa.skiles
• Instagram:.instagram.com/tessa.skiles

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 Hoctor

Director 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 Noss

One 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 Model

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• The History of Florida Wildlife Corridor Science and Planning Efforts
• The Fragmented Forest by Larry Harris
• Benton MacKaye's 1921 proposal for the Appalachian Trail
• Richard Forman's foundational work in landscape ecology
• Michael Soulé and the emergence of conservation biology
• Orlando Sentinel story about wildlife Corridors - 1984
• 1000 Friends of Florida Greenways Program
• Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
• EPA’s National Ecological Framework
• Bhutan Biological Corridors Program
• California Essential Habitat Connectivity Project
• Forgotten Grasslands of the South: Natural History and Conservation by Reed Noss & E.O. Wilson

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/0cdea7371c874357a9307ac8ea701568
• https://www.usf.edu/pcgs/academics/global-sustainability/climate-mitigation-and-adaptation.aspx
• https://floridawildlifecorridor.org/films/

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.

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 FL
• Florida - Our Work in Florida: Trust for Public Land
• Home | Florida National Scenic Trail | Forest Service
• Land Conservation and Open Space Referenda Map - North Florida Land Trust

This episode was hosted and edited by Zach Franco.

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.

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.com
• A 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/

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!

Senior Ranger Jerry Miller has spent most of his life in the landscapes he now helps protect. Growing up just outside what is now Duette Preserve in Manatee County, Jerry developed an early connection to Florida’s ranchlands, forests, and wildlife. Today, he serves as a Senior Ranger with Manatee County Natural Resources, helping manage the county’s largest preserve while sharing the wonders of wild Florida with the public.

Many people know Jerry through Jerry’s Wild Life page on Instagram, where he regularly shares photos and videos of animals encountered during his work in the field, from deer, bobcats to the occasional rare sightings of panthers and bears, which reminds us just how wild Florida can still be. His posts, often captured during routine patrols across Duette Preserve, have connected millions of people to the wildlife that lives right here in Manatee County.

In this episode of Florida Uncut, Jerry talks about what it was like growing up near Duette, how those early experiences with his dad shaped his love for the land, and what it means to now help manage and protect the same connected landscape. He also shares stories from years of working outdoors, documenting wildlife, and helping visitors experience Florida’s natural areas.

Beyond his work as a ranger, Jerry also volunteers with turtle watch programs along the Gulf Coast, helping monitor and protect nesting sea turtles. It’s another way he stays connected to the wildlife and ecosystems that make Florida unique.

This conversation is full of classic Florida stories, wildlife encounters, land stewardship, and the perspective of someone who has watched this landscape change over a lifetime.

Learn more about Jerry and other resources discussed:

• Jerry’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrys_wild_life/
• Turtle Watch: https://islandturtlewatch.com/
• Duette Preserve: https://www.mymanatee.org/connect/locations/location-details/duette-preserve

Since its release in 1984, A Land Remembered has been described as a lightning bolt on Florida’s culture, becoming required reading in Florida classrooms for years, not just as historical fiction, but as an inheritance of a way of life that once was. The story of the MacIvey family’s rise from poverty to prominence spans 150 years of Florida history, tracing the tension between survival, ambition, stewardship, and loss. 

It has captured the hearts and minds of those who identify with “old Florida”, and in no small part has inspired countless individuals, even a generation, to protect the land in which these stories take place. In fact, go look on the bookshelf of anyone remotely associated with old Florida and you’re guaranteed to find a copy of the iconic book. 

In this episode, I sit down with Todd Wiseman Jr. and Christa Boarini, the director and producer spearheading the television adaptation of A Land Remembered. This isn’t just a conversation about the mechanics of filmmaking. It’s about why this story, right now, matters for how Floridians see their land, their heritage, and the wild places still worth protecting.

The conversation moves beyond filmmaking and storytelling to conservation itself. If policy protects land on paper, storytelling protects it in our hearts and identity. And storytelling, as we discuss, is one of our most powerful conservation tools.

Filming for this series is slated to start this spring. Follow along with all the updates at https://www.alandremembered.org

Support Florida Uncut on Patreon

In this episode of Florida Uncut, we’re joined by avian ecologist Mary Marine, who is part of a team leading recovery efforts for one of North America’s most endangered birds, the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, in the Everglades Headwaters. 

Mary shares how she codified her passion for this “little brown bird” and went from seasonal technician to an instrumental part of the recovery efforts with Archbold Biological Station. We’ll also discuss what endangered species recovery actually looks like on the ground, and why working lands and ranchers are essential partners in conservation (and why you should buy Florida beef!). We talk about translocation work, collaboration across divides, and why the Everglades Headwaters is one of the most important landscapes in Florida’s future.

Despite the challenges the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow faces, Mary’s hope for the future is relentlessly grounded in science, people, and the long game of conservation.

And just to keep things interesting, when Mary isn’t matchmaking between endangered birds, she’s doing it for humans too as a certified wedding planner.

Topics include:

• Florida Grasshopper Sparrow recovery and fieldwork realities
• Translocation and reintroduction of endangered birds
• Ranching, working lands, and conservation collaboration
• Storytelling as a tool for long-term conservation success

Follow Mary on Instagram @_marymarine_

You can watch the award-winning documentary of the FGS The Little Brown Bird for free here: http://thelittlebrownbird.film/

Check out Jeff Corwin’s episode of Wildlife Nation featuring Mary and the FGS here.

Last month I had the incredible pleasure of not only attending the inaugural Lake Wales Ridge Fire Festival, but sitting down on stage with three leaders in local, state, and regional fire management efforts to learn more about what they do and why the role of fire is important to the story of protecting and connecting wild Florida.

It was a great day of learning, engaging, great food, and being with the conservation community in central Florida. I ended up bringing my whole family, who all had a wonderful time. 

The panel included:

• Adam Peterson - Florida's Fire Manager for The Nature Conservancy
• Elysia Dytrych - Headwaters Ecosystem Management Team for Archbold Biological Station
• Joe Bruner - Wildland Fire Program Manager, Avon Park Air Force Range

I hope you enjoy this conversation! The audio quality will sound different as we recorded outside and in front of a live audience. 

Thanks again, Zach Franco, and the Archbold Biological Station crew for the opportunity!

Check out the new film from Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, Patchwork Wild.

In this episode of Florida Uncut, Mason sits down with Ryan Young, founder and Lead Explorer of Rising Tide Explorers, an ecotourism company based in Naples, FL.

Back in 2016 Ryan and his group of biologist friends (including his future wife, Jeannine) realized that there were no certification, education, training, or experience requirements needed to conduct ecotours in the entire state of Florida. This left eager travelers with no way of knowing if the guide they were following into the wilderness had any training, safety certifications, or real knowledge of this unique and complex ecosystem. Having dedicated their lives to exploring the outdoors and studying the ecology of the area, the group decided to leverage their unique backgrounds, connection to the local science community, and passion for science to raise the bar of the ecotourism industry in Southwest Florida. 

In 2019, Friends of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve partnered with Rising Tide Explorers to continue providing memorable and educational adventures in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Proceeds support education, research and conservation.

In this chat we dig into the magic of where they guide tours in Rookery Bay, the importance of science-led tourism, and how RTE’s partnership with Friends of Rookery Bay helps fund real conservation research. It’s a conversation about curiosity, stewardship, and why getting people on the water might be one of the most powerful ways to protect the places we love.

In addition to founding RTE, and now owning Naples Outfitters, Ryan also served as the trekker guide for the 2024 Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation expedition and is the narration voice of the upcoming documentary Patchwork Wild, which will be screened at Rookery Bay Learning Center on December 2nd. Registration is limited!

Register for the December 2nd screening here.

Learn more about Ryan and team:

• Go on a Rising Tide adventure here: https://risingtidefl.com
• Learn more about Naples Outfitters: https://naplesoutfitters.com

Few names are as synonymous with wild Florida as Clyde Butcher. Known for his striking black and white large-format photography, Clyde has spent decades capturing the soul of Florida’s landscapes, from the ghostly cypress swamps of Big Cypress National Preserve to the vast wetlands of the Everglades. In this episode, I sit down with Clyde in Venice to talk about his story, beginning to end, and what it truly means to see Florida, not just look at it. 

We spend quite a bit of time reflecting on his early years, his shift from architectural focus and sailing to Florida’s swamps, and how personal tragedy and rediscovery changed his relationship with the land and lens.

This conversation also explores how Clyde’s photography became a tool for conservation and education, the quiet stillness of the swamp, the changing face of Florida’s wild places, and the role of art in helping people reconnect with nature. 

Whether you’ve stood in front of one of Clyde’s mural-sized prints or are just discovering his work, this episode is not only inspiration, but a reminder of why wild Florida is worth protecting and what we stand to lose if we don’t. 

Links:

• Clyde Butcher Official Website
• Big Cypress Gallery
• Clyde Butcher’s Florida Gallery in Venice
• Follow Clyde Butcher on Instagram
• Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation

Join Us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest

If you’d like to learn more about prescribed fire and the experts that make them happen, join us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest on November 8th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida. We’ll be hosting a live podcast recording and expert panel featuring Elysia and other leaders in fire ecology.

Learn more here: https://www.archbold-station.org/events/fire-fest-2025/

Elysia wears many hats, but in short she’s an all-around badass. She recently stepped into the role of Team Leader for the Headwaters Ecosystem Management Team, Archbold Biological Station’s in-house prescribed fire strike team. In this position, she leads regional fire management efforts to restore and maintain critical ecosystems while reducing wildfire risk across the Everglades Headwaters and the Lake Wales Ridge.

Before joining Archbold, Elysia served as the Area Biologist for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Lake Wales Ridge sites, where she worked to conserve large habitat corridors and restore some of Florida’s most endangered plant communities.

As you might expect, Elysia has incredible fire stories and she brought that same energy, passion, and deep knowledge to our conversation on the show.

Join Us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest

Also, if you’d like to hear more from Elysia and other fire experts, join us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire Fest on November 8th, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, Florida. We’ll be hosting a live podcast recording and expert panel featuring Elysia and other leaders in fire ecology.

About Fire Fest

Explore the essential role of fire in Florida’s ecosystems at a day-long festival filled with learning, demonstrations, and community engagement. Admission is free with the park’s $6 entrance fee.

10:00 AM — Gates Open

Grab a map, visit interactive exhibits, and explore booths and food trucks. See fire equipment up close, from helicopters to fire trucks, and chat with crews protecting Florida’s landscapes.

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Presentations

Hear from fire scientists, land managers, and conservation experts during a morning of talks and discussions.

1:00 PM — Main Stage: Live Panel & Podcast Recording

Join our panel of experts as they share real-world fire stories and insights, including a special live podcast taping.

1:00 PM — Burn Crew Gears Up

Watch the team prepare for ignition and learn what goes into a safe prescribed burn.

2:00 PM — Public Briefing & Walk to Burn Site

Get an overview of the upcoming demonstration and its ecological benefits.

2:30 PM — Prescribed Burn Demonstration

See fire in action! Live commentary and Q&A will accompany the burn.

~5:00 PM — Mop-Up & Wrap-Up

Watch how the crew ensures the site is safe before closing out the day.

Learn more here: https://www.archbold-station.org/events/fire-fest-2025/

Today we’re sitting down with Zach Franco, Conservation Partnership Coordinator at Archbold Biological Station, to talk about the recent 242-mile canoe trip of the Suwannee River, from source to sea, without stopping.

A lot of folks have asked for more details and the “why” of this adventure. I’m not sure if we actually answered that question, but here’s a great conversation to enjoy!

If you’re looking for more of the “how” to do your own adventures in Florida, or repeat this one, please reach out.

Follow Zach and read more about the adventure here: https://www.instagram.com/zpfranco123/

Mark your calendars for November 8th at Highlands Hammock State Park for Fire Fest, a day celebrating the role of fire in our environment.

In part three of our deep dive into Archbold Biological Station and its 10,500-acre working cattle operation, Buck Island Ranch, we sit down with assistant ranch manager, Mary Margaret Hardee, a lifelong Floridian whose path winds through ranching, conservation, and the cultural fabric of wild Florida.

Growing up on a family ranch in Chiefland, Mary is no stranger to early morning saddling horses. Her favorite way to start the day is greeting the sunrise as she helps gather cattle. In Lake Placid at Buck Island Ranch, she bridges the worlds of production and preservation, working alongside scientists, ranchers, and land managers to show that cattle country and conservation thrive together. Off the saddle, she’s the co-host of Herding Her Story with Gina Tran, a podcast spotlighting women shaping the future of ranching and land stewardship.

In our conversation Mary Margaret shares her family’s story, how her upbringing informs her role today, and the balancing act of protecting both natural resources and a way of life that has endured for generations. We also talk about the future of ranching in Florida, the pressures landowners face, and how storytelling can shape the next chapter and generation for conservation-minded agriculture.

If you’ve ever wondered how science and tradition meet on the open range, or what it means to love and fight for a place you call home, this episode will resonate.

Follow Mary Margaret’s work at the links below:

• https://www.instagram.com/mary_hardee/
• https://herding-her-story.blubrry.net/
• https://www.archbold-station.org/buck-island-ranch/

Thank you to Tahlia Warrick and Zach Franco for setting this series up.

On this episode of Florida Uncut, we sit down with Gene Lollis, Ranch Manager for the past 30 years at Buck Island Ranch, one of Florida’s most unique places where cattle ranching meets conservation science. 

Raised in St. Cloud, Florida, Gene’s journey began hoeing orange trees as a kid and working cattle, carrying forward a philosophy summed up in the phrase: “Open gates, open minds.” His deep roots in land and cattle shaped not only his career but also the way he approaches leadership and stewardship today.

At Buck Island Ranch, Gene oversees nearly 10,500 acres that operate as both a working cattle ranch and a living laboratory run by Archbold Biological Station. In our conversation, he shares how he balances production with conservation, the lessons he’s learned managing both ranch hands and scientists, and the role ranchlands play in protecting the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

We dive into:

• Gene’s personal story and the mentors who shaped his philosophy of land management
• How Buck Island Ranch integrates day-to-day cattle operations with groundbreaking conservation research
• The vital but often overlooked role of ranchlands in Florida’s conservation future
• Leadership lessons learned from bridging the ranching and scientific communities
• What Florida would lose if working lands like Buck Island disappeared

Gene also reflects on moments that capture the magic of the land, the legacy he hopes to leave, and his advice for future generations of landowners and conservationists.

This episode offers a rare, inside look at one of Florida’s most important working landscapes and the people dedicated to keeping it thriving for cattle, for wildlife, and for all of us.

Gene is a graduate of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Animal Sciences and has served as the Florida Cattlemen’s Association President.

Learn more about Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch here: archbold-station.org/buck-island-ranch