Hunting Invasives: The Women Protecting Florida’s Wild Places

Florida is home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the country and some of its most destructive invasive species.In this episode of the Ascend Podcast, host Adrienne sits down with conservation professionals Elizabeth Guthrie and Kaylyn Glenn to unpack the growing threat of invasive species in Florida and what it really takes to protect an ecosystem.From invasive plants and prescribed fire to iguanas, tegus, and the infamous Burmese python, Elizabeth and Kaylyn explain how non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, threaten native wildlife, and change landscapes that have existed for generations.Kaylyn, a 10th-generation Floridian and professional Burmese python hunter, takes listeners inside the world of python hunting in the Everglades including how hunters find these incredibly well-camouflaged predators, why breeding season is critical, and what happens when you come face-to-face with an 18-foot python sitting on a nest of 80 eggs.But this conversation goes beyond pythons.Elizabeth and Kaylyn explain why hunting can be conservation, how prescribed fire helps maintain healthy ecosystems, why there is no single solution to invasive species, and what everyday people can do at home to support native wildlife.In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between native, non-native, and invasive species Why Florida is particularly vulnerable to invasive species How invasive plants can destroy critical wildlife habitat Why prescribed fire is an important part of ecosystem management Why Burmese pythons are such a serious threat to Florida's native wildlife How professional python hunters find these highly camouflaged snakes Why python breeding season is one of the most important times to find them What an 18-foot python with approximately 80 eggs tells us about the scale of the problem How hunting invasive species can contribute to conservation Why healthy markets can encourage better stewardship What everyday people can do to support conservation through native landscapingFollow @duascend or visit Ducks Unlimited Ascend for more stories, outdoor education, and resources for women in the outdoors.Ascend by Ducks Unlimited is brought to you by:DRY POCKET — @drypocketofficialDry Pocket Use promo code ASCEND for 25% off your order.OKLAHOMA JOE'S — @OklahomaJoesSmokersOklahoma Joe's Use promo code DUCKS10 for 10% off your order.WESTERN SPIRITS / BIRD DOG WHISKEYBird Dog WhiskeyFollow along for more real conversations, outdoor stories, and insights from women shaping the future of hunting and conservation.Join the Ascend Instagram community at @duascend and http://www.ducks.org/ascend. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.