Florida Uncut

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 recorded 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