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

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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.