Max Chesnes–the award-winning environment reporter for the Tampa Bay Times—a
lifelong Floridian, recalls growing up in Jupiter, where he developed an almost religious fervor for nature, spending endless days in (and on) the water, hiking across the terrific parks, and otherwise unwittingly building the foundation of becoming a masterly environment-minded writer. Indeed, in this conversation—I’m a Chesnes admirer; I invited him on the show to discuss some major stories he covered in 2025, and stories he anticipates will be significant in 2026—he noted that when a proposal was unveiled to build golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, sparking huge outrage, he was uniquely conversant with the Park and key sources, placing his reporting at the forefront of that story. In addition to addressing recent notable articles he’s written, I wove in some Chesnes biographical questions, wondering, for example, how he gravitated toward journalism. Though he’s clearly been long drawn to communicating—he wrote for his high school newspaper, worked for the high school TV station, and so on—but the most succinct explanation for why he pursued journalism? Cynthia Barnett. Chesnes’s longtime role model and inspiration, Barnett is a Senior Lecturer in the University of Florida’s Department of Journalism…and an award-winning environmental journalist (sound familiar?). Chesnes is effusive in recounting how Barnett’s class, her pieces in National Geographic—her career, really—collectively constituted a lightbulb moment: “I want to 
do what Cynthia does!” And he did. And, does. One of his 2025 pieces we discussed told
the inspiring tale of a retired woman, Maggie Serus who, upon hearing about a significant surge in gopher tortoise road kills on Honeymoon Island, decided to take matters into her own hands—literally—holding a handmade sign for days on end, urging visitors to slow down and alerting them to the presence of the tortoises. The tortoise-saving results were dramatic, underscoring a theme we also discussed: that one dedicated person can make a significant difference to people and/or animals. That theme certainly animated another notable Chesnes story we discussed: about a pod of dolphins who learned to hunt alongside a Florida bow fisherman, Justin Dymond—it was a striking narrative on multiple levels, including that Captain Dymond is someone who’s uncovered an animal phenomenon, wanted to see it be recognized—and may merit becoming the focus of a research study. There’s plenty more where those Max Chesnes stories came from, easily located online. Likewise, story ideas, tips, and other info can be sent to him via [email protected]
ALSO: I spoke with Jessica Salmond, Communications & Marketing Director at Friends of Strays, St. Petersburg’s oldest no-kill animal shelter. She provided an overview of Friends of Strays, including the shelter’s history, mission, and impressive recent adoption figures. Salmond also gave us the lowdown on some upcoming FOS events, including the next edition of their regularly-offered “Cats & Mats Yoga”—slated for this Saturday, Jan 24, at the shelter’s Cat Box Community Room. Salmond highlights Wags & Whiskers Cheshire Cat Ball, the 2026 edition of Friends of Strays’ big, annual fundraising gala. The Ball is set to take place March 14, from 7-11pm, at Lealman Exchange Community Center. The gala theme is based on the colorful, classic book, Alice in Wonderland, and attendees are invited to dress for the theme—either way, folks can avail themselves of activities and fun aplenty, including the silent auction, drinks, dancing, and more, she explained (https://www.friendsofstrays.org/)
COMEDY CORNER: Drew Lynch’s “Touchin’ Turtles” (DS edit) (https://drewlynch.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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