Florida Uncut

• Clyde Butcher: The Art of Seeing Wild Florida

  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 WebsiteBig Cypress GalleryClyde Butcher’s Florida Gallery in VeniceFollow Clyde Butcher on InstagramFlorida Wildlife Corridor FoundationJoin Us at the Lake Wales Ridge Fire FestIf 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/

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• Elysia Dytrych: Archbold’s Headwaters Ecosystem Management Team Lead

  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 FestAlso, 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 FestExplore 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 OpenGrab 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 — PresentationsHear from fire scientists, land managers, and conservation experts during a morning of talks and discussions.1:00 PM — Main Stage: Live Panel & Podcast RecordingJoin 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 UpWatch the team prepare for ignition and learn what goes into a safe prescribed burn.2:00 PM — Public Briefing & Walk to Burn SiteGet an overview of the upcoming demonstration and its ecological benefits.2:30 PM — Prescribed Burn DemonstrationSee fire in action! Live commentary and Q&A will accompany the burn.~5:00 PM — Mop-Up & Wrap-UpWatch 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/

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• Bonus Episode: Suwannee River 242-Mile Thru-Paddle with Zach Franco

  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.

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• Mary Margaret Hardee: Herding Her Story

  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.

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• Gene Lollis: Buck Island Ranch

  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 managementHow Buck Island Ranch integrates day-to-day cattle operations with groundbreaking conservation researchThe vital but often overlooked role of ranchlands in Florida’s conservation futureLeadership lessons learned from bridging the ranching and scientific communitiesWhat Florida would lose if working lands like Buck Island disappearedGene 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

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