From the Directors: Gopher Games

On this episode of CheloniaCast we are joined by both Brent Fannin and Chase Pirtle, the producers behind the documentary Gopher Games: a short documentary focusing on the potential grim fate of the Gopher Tortoises in Florida. Chase is the Director of the 100-acre Ashton Preserve and has diverse experience in wildlife conservation and study across various states in the U.S. Brent is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, drone pilot, educator, and founder of Golden Hawk Drones. The conversation dives into the process of producing the Gopher Games film, and details some of the major takeaways for both Brent and Chase. A prominent theme of the conversation is the fact that the majority of the commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are developers, and why this is not a fair situation for the Gopher Tortoise. The value of the Gopher Tortoise both intrinsically, and instrumentally, is discussed at length as well as the imminent threats they are facing.   To learn more about how you can help the Gopher Tortoise, and the entirety of Florida’s immensely biodiverse ecosystem by extension, visit the Gopher Games website here: https://gophergamesfilm.com/   Do you think it is not fair that the majority of the leadership of Florida’s state wildlife agency have immense incentive to develop the state further? Join 9,290 people that have signed the FWC reform petition here: https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission   View the Gopher Games Documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURwdKwLoB8 Follow the Gopher Games social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gophergamesfilm   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gophergamesfilm   Spread the word about the beauty, and plight, of the Gopher Tortoise. Use your voice to make a difference.   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/   Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/   Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e