Florida Frontlines: Defending South Florida’s natural world (includes audio story)

To view the accompanying photo essay, click here. To watch the accompanying documentary, click here.

Florida Frontlines takes listeners deep into the landscapes, problems, and untold stories that make up the state’s wildest places. The series breaks down the science, struggles, and human dedication that go into defending Florida’s natural world through first-hand interviews with experts and frontline fighters. Each episode shows the dangers facing Florida’s landscapes and the people who are working hard to protect them.

Episode 1: Florida Frontlines x Cara Giordano

In this episode of Florida Frontlines, we sat down with FIU PhD student Cara Giordano to dive into the wild world of invasive species. Cara breaks down exactly what defines an invasive species and why Florida’s unique environment makes it the perfect hotspot for them. She also clears up the biggest misconceptions about caecilians, the mysterious, snake-like creatures that recently caught national attention. Tune in for a smart, accessible breakdown of science, ecology, and the strange animals shaping Florida’s ecosystem.

Episode 2: Florida Frontlines x Amy Siewe

Find out what the real threats are to Florida’s Everglades with ThePythonHuntress, Amy Siewe In this episode. Amy explains how Burmese pythons are killing off local animals, messing up the ecosystem, and risking the future of our wetlands. In this talk, she talks about what it’s like to track these huge snakes, how hard it is to keep their numbers in check, and why this fight is so important for saving Florida’s natural heritage. Come with us as we talk about how important it is, how dangerous it is, and how dedicated people are to saving one of the state’s most famous settings.

For the accompanying photo gallery, click here. 

I’m Daniel Rossi-Montero, a second-year student at Florida International University (FIU) with a deep passion for media and storytelling. Straight out of high school, I was fortunate enough to be hired by Channel 7, where I spent a year working as a sports producer on weekends and a journalist during the week. That experience gave me invaluable insights into the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism and solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in media.

At 18, I took a leap of faith and co-founded a media company with my partner. Building something from the ground up was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Within just a year, we achieved significant growth, which has motivated me to continue exploring innovative ways to create, share, and inspire through media.

Balancing my academic studies, professional work, and entrepreneurial endeavors has taught me the importance of perseverance, time management, and vision. These experiences have shaped who I am today, and I’m excited to see where this journey will take me next.

Milana Stryhun is a junior at Florida International University who hopes to work in the entertainment industry. Stryhun is originally from Ukraine and has traveled to 36 countries. She hopes to start her own travel blog to are her love for exploring new cultures and places. She has experience in movie production and hopes to become a movie producer in Los Angeles. Milana will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication and media in 2026.