
The As Bad As It Is In Florida Podcast
Environmental Lobbyist Ryan Smart and Florida Master Naturalist Ryan Worthington discuss the legislative process, bills, and policy that affect the environment in the state of Florida.
Episodes
30 episodes
More Conservation Land at Risk and a Conversation with Old Florida Vibes
In this episode, Ryan and Ryan discuss the possible sale of the Chassowitzka River Campground and the role that the Southwest Florida Water Management District has taken in the process.Also our special guest is Hunter from Old Florida Vi...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:07:25

Discussing Social Media and Advocacy and The Big Ass Pipe Dream, Pump the Springs Now and Maybe Fix Later
In the first segment, Ryan and Ryan discuss grassroots advocacy and social media to defend Florida's natural areas, including the advocacy Group Floridian's Advancing Florida's Outdoors .In the second segment, the Ryans discuss the "Big ...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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1:08:01

Florida Springs Sticker Shock and BMAPS: DEP's Water Quality Fiasco
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss an article by the legendary Craig Pittman about the price hikes to some of the springs' entry fees in Ocala National Forest. The second segment brings a detailed discussion of DEP's near-complete abandonmen...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:08:18

Florida's Budget: A drastic loss for conservation lands.
In this episode, Ryan & Ryan discuss the state budget to see if our elected officials put their money where their mouth is as far as water quality and conservation funding. SPOILER ALERT, they don't. Between vetos, defunding con...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:00:24

How to limit polluting our water with urban fertilizers and the legislature's about face on conservation funding.
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the details of the budget before it gets sent to the governor for signature. Cuts to conservation funding and a perversion of the implementation bill to deal a blow to the regulation of water withdrawals fo...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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1:23:47

Trojan Horse: The Southland Rockmine with Gil Smart
Action ItemsSign Vote Water’s Petition to “Rescue the River of Gra...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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57:55

Midweek Update: Guana Saved, Bears in Peril, and State Parks Protected.
Ryan, Ryan, and special guest Sam record onsite at Spinster Abbot's Bodega in St Augustine, Florida. In this episode we give updates on rapidly developing issues such as the Guana Land Swap, State Park Protection Act, and FWC Bear Hunt
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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16:33

Bad News For Florida Black Bears and an Unchecked Conservation Land Grab
This week the Ryans have two special guests discussing two urgent issues. First is Katrina Shaddix from Bear Warriors United to discuss the bear hunt and then Sarah discussing the Guana River WMA land swap!Action Items
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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56:17

The Lists: The Best and Worst Bills and Legislators of the 2025 Session.
After listening to hours of committee meetings, spending days in Tallahassee, and reviewing dozens of bills, the Ryans discuss the bills and legislators that either inspired or dismayed them during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:00:34

Big Wins For Florida State Parks, Coastal Areas, and more in our Legislative Session Wrap UP!
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the dramatic close of the final week of the legislative session (as far as bills are concerned) and give in overview of the fate of all the bills we tracked in addition to the heroes and heroines of the 2025 Legi...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:34:32

Surprise Threat to the State Park Protection Act, Pandemonium in the Senate, and Longer Legislative Session
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the dynamic and unpredictable legislative session from a surprise attack on the State Parks Protection Act to the unexpected ressurection of defeated bill SB 1080.Action ItemsAudubon Flor...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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48:07

The Uncertain Future of The State Park Protection Act, Developers Getting What They Want, and Will The Auxiliary Containers Bill Die on the Floor?
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the bills being considered by committees including some that drastically are changed by amendments that are filed.Action ItemsCall Senators Harrell (850) 487-5031 & Bradley (850) 487-5006 and as...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:10:27

An Attack on Springs Protection Zones, Making Developing Wetlands & Rural Lands Easier, and a Legislative Session Update
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the weekly update to the legislative session including efforts to make it easier for developers to develop rural lands and wetlands, why shifting from fee simple to conservation easements is not the answer to con...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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56:41

The uncertain future of Florida Wildlife Corridor Funding, Maybe Protecting the State Parks, and Liberating our Beaches
This week Ryan and Ryan discuss the various bills that are impacting our environment here in Florida. Most notably the State Park Protection Act, Permits for oil drilling, and the attempt of the house to defund programs that purchase cons...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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53:08

A New State Bird, Defunding Conservation Land Purchases, and Following the Money
This week we discuss bills that want to force a small Florida town to have an ethanol plant built near its downtown, remove single use plastics protections of some of our springs, and much more!Take Action:
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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51:31

Small Florida Town at Risk, Free Beaches, and Relief for the Apalachicoa River
Take Action: Support increased funding for springs restoration projectsTake Action:
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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54:24

More Trash, More Development, and Maybe More Water For Our Springs
FSC Action Alert on SB 1822 (Plastic Preemption Bill): https://floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislativesession/Stop-SB-1822/1000 Fri...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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40:59

The Legislative Session Starts! Preemptions Galore, Keys Restoration Woes, and Which Companies Support a Trashy Bill.
This week Ryan & Ryan do a recap on week one where phosphate lands and farm product bills advanced in committee. They also look ahead to the disastrous HB 565 which removes single use container protections for the Rainbow, Weeki...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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48:49

Development, Urban Sprawl, and getting involved with Kim Dinkins of 1000 Friends of Florida
With Ryan Smart out of state this weekend, we were fortunate enough to have Kim Dinkins, the Policy & Planning Director of 1000 Friends of Florida on the podcast to talk about development, conservation lands, and how to get involved....
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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31:56

Fight Over Springs Use, Water Management Overhaul, and Radiation Liability Shields
Email your legislators and ask them to strengthen the State Park Preservation Act: floridaspringscouncil.good.do/2025legislativesession/Amend-SB-80-HB-209...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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54:38

State Park Protections, Strange Things in the Sky, and Newly Filed Bills
Text ‘FSC’ to 844-722-3080 to sign up for FSC Action Alerts for the 2025 Legislative SessionContact Gov. DeSantis and ask him to support the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:18:43

Brouhaha In Tallahassee, Questionable Water at the Beach, and Regulating Utilities
Check out Danielle @ the Florida Springs Passporthttps://www.instagram.com/flspringspassport/?hl=enFlorida Springs Institute
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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41:44

Bad Water Projects, Unwanted Special Sessions, and Restricting Our Rights
Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membershipRyan Worthington can be found exploring Florida at: ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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37:53

Legislative Session Preseason: Presentations, Denial, and Dirty Water.
Become a Florida Springs Council Informed Member - https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/informed-membershipAdd your Instagram/Social Media HereFind your Legisla...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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43:32

Interview with Florida District 42 Representative Anna V. Eskamani, Interim Committee Meetings, and Attending Local Delegation Meetings.
This week we discuss the upcoming interim committee meetings and how they are important to conservation and water quality. Here is the list to pay attention to this week. If you can’t watch them, don’t worry we will discuss the high...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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55:34
