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In the Arena: Franklin Adams
TRCP’s “In the Arena” series highlights the individual voices of hunters and anglers who, as Theodore Roosevelt so famously said, strive valiantly in the worthy cause of conservation.
Capt. Franklin Adams
Hometown: Born in Miami, Florida
Occupation: Retired; former occupations include warden-naturalist for the National Audubon Society, Florida Master Naturalist, land surveyor (with projects in Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys), surveyor/mapper for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Merchant Marine officer, and eco-tour operator/ fishing guide with a USCG 100-ton Master’s license
Conservation credentials: As a true Gladesman, conservationist, and historian, Adams has spent more than six decades championing Everglades restoration efforts while working for and with conservation nonprofits, government agencies, and private businesses, as well as chartering inshore fishing adventures. He’s also the former chair of the Florida Wildlife Federation and a 31-year board member, as well as past president of the Florida Division of the Izaak Walton League of America and Collier County chairman of the Friends of the Everglades.
While thousands of people and scores of organizations are involved in the conservation of America’s Everglades, few, if any, have the breadth and depth of experience and understanding as Capt. Franklin Adams. This is a man who was fortunate to experience South Florida in a relatively unspoiled, natural condition, and was on the front lines of early protection efforts. Who else was personally mentored by Marjory Stoneman Douglas – the author, women’s suffrage advocate, and conservationist credited with launching the Everglades conservation movement – and once hunted waterfowl in the wetlands that later became Everglades National Park? Adams has been officially recognized as a “Guardian of the Everglades,” largely for his advocacy for Big Cypress National Preserve and successful effort to help protect what became the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, now the largest state park in Florida and a refuge for Florida panthers and the rare Everglades mink, as well as the largest number of rare native orchids and bromeliads in North America.
Here is his story.
I was introduced at a young age to fishing, hunting, and enjoyment of the great outdoors by my father, G.B. Adams. I actually accompanied my dad duck hunting on West Lake prior to it becoming part of Everglades National Park in 1947. I was taught gun safety and to respect wildlife and wild places.
One of my most memorable outdoor experiences was a couple years before that when I was taken to the woods by my daddy for my seventh birthday. (We referred to the Everglades and Big Cypress as “going to the woods.”) We had to walk into the campsite at night as he and his friends had gotten off work late. It was so new and exciting for a young boy that I have never forgotten that first family experience. A cold front was approaching as we came into deer camp, so dad had me collect some “boot jacks” off a cabbage palm tree in the upland hammock and he used them to start a lightered pine fire.
“I began to see objects in the smoke and mist – deer, Indian chickees, and turkey gobblers floated through my imagination that night as I went into a deep sleep.“
Dad had brought venison chili, which was heated up on the fire grid and biscuits were baked in a Dutch oven. Smelled good, and tasted even better. After supper dad and his friends sat around the fire and sipped some “brown swamp water” and told stories of past trips and experiences. I leaned up against an old live oak and listened as the cold front moved in and enjoyed the odor of the burning, smoking pine. As the front moved in, a ground fog began to mist slowly through the hardwood hammock and I was fighting to stay awake. I began to see objects in the smoke and mist – deer, Indian chickees (traditional shelters used by the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes), and turkey gobblers floated through my imagination that night as I went into a deep sleep. In the morning, I awoke to the smell of lighter knot coffee, pancakes, and sausage on the fire. That was my first trip to the Everglades’ Big Cypress region and I was captured by that wonderful experience. I have been going back ever since. So, add 80 more years to that 7-year-old’s birthday. Thanks, Dad.
If I could hunt or fish anywhere, where would it be, and why? That’s a difficult one. There are so many places known for their fishing and hunting and I have never been to them. I want to take my grandson, Michael, with me, so probably the Ten Thousand Islands of the southwest Florida area. Up Lostmans River, Broad River, or Shark River to fish for snook. Why, it’s an area I know and love and not too distant from home.
Conservation absolutely enhances my outdoor life. This is how my career came about. As I accompanied my father in his surveying business around South Florida, I witnessed the destruction and continual loss of wetlands and woods that we had enjoyed. I began to become concerned and to inquire as to causes for the loss of these treasured natural areas. Why was it necessary to destroy that hardwood hammock, that prairie, or fill in that duck hunting lake? Mom and Dad began to encourage my conservation concerns and provided me with nature books, stressing the importance of outdoor ethics and the value of natural areas if left alone and protected.
“If we are to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what our interests are, then we have an obligation to defend and speak out on behalf of nature and wildlife.“
The more I learned, the more I became frustrated, and somewhat angry. When I was in high school, I discovered Marjory Stoneman Douglas’s book, The Everglades: River of Grass, published in 1947. From her book I learned so much, including that one could speak out in defense of natural areas. Later she would become a mentor and a family friend. In 1970, she established Friends of the Everglades to fight the Big Cypress jetport project and asked me to be the Collier County chairman. As I added on some age and experience, I headed up several conservation organizations as an unpaid volunteer over the years, including serving as chair of the Florida Wildlife Federation and a board member for 31 years.
If we are to enjoy the outdoors, no matter what our interests are, then we have an obligation to defend and speak out on behalf of nature and wildlife. If you are not already doing so, start by becoming a member and supporter of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
The biggest outdoor challenge we face in Florida, and there are many, is protecting wetlands and the water quality that they provide, cost-free if we protect them. We continue to lose critical habitat to unwise development and, yes, greed, and not respecting nature.
It is vitally important to mentor and educate your children, grandchildren, and families as to the importance of conservation; why it is imperative for them to be involved in learning about and becoming knowledgeable defenders of the outdoors they enjoy and love. Otherwise, we will continue to lose habitat. Nature and the outdoors not only are important to wildlife, but they are also vitally important to us as an escape from stress, and provide restorative experiences that we can share with family and friends for a lifetime of memories.
Banner image: Franklin at a Fakahatchee Strand Preserve campfire talk, credit Dino Barone
Field Notes from the Deschutes: A Day with California Bighorn Sheep
TRCP’s Oregon and Nevada field representatives volunteered at a recent California bighorn relocation operation
A train of headlights and dusty-red taillights cut the pre-dawn dark as they rolled north from Maupin and downstream along the Deschutes River Access road. Our convoy, comprised of state-badged vehicles from both Oregon and Nevada and private rigs, rumbled to a halt at the Beavertail access site and quickly set about deploying various trailers, tables, and tools. Tangible excitement was suspended in the cold morning air, surrounded by the focused silence of folks preparing to work. Within moments, the crew had transformed the graveled boat ramp into a field veterinary station that rivaled any backwoods veterinary clinic. No sooner had the sun begun to crest the canyon wall when the helicopter’s blades split the calm to briefly touch down.
The reason for the early rendezvous was to capture and relocate California bighorn sheep from Oregon to Nevada. I, along with my TRCP colleague, Nevada field representative, Carl Erquiaga, joined the Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited volunteers to assist biologists and wildlife managers from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
In the Lower Deschutes, some 900 California bighorns call the canyon home—a remarkable conservation success story, embodying resilience and the power of collaborative wildlife management. Once widespread across the state, bighorn sheep populations were driven to near extinction in the 19th and early 20th centuries due to habitat loss, overhunting, and diseases introduced by domestic sheep. By the early 1900s, bighorn sheep had vanished entirely from Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada. In the 1950s, efforts to reintroduce the species began, with state agencies and partners working tirelessly to restore these iconic animals to their native range. Transplants from neighboring states and Canada re-established herds, and through ongoing management, Oregon’s bighorn numbers are now strong enough to pay it forward.
Numerous sporting organizations whose missions revolve around bighorn sheep have risen to the challenge across the western United States and Canada to help bolster wild sheep conservation. National organizations like the Wild Sheep Foundation and many state-based groups like the Oregon Wild Sheep Foundation and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited hold fundraising events every year and contribute millions of dollars to wildlife agencies which have expanded their bighorn efforts. Many of these groups also provide much-needed volunteer labor for projects such as sheep relocations. In many cases those dollars and volunteer hours can be matched with federal funding through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. Without these groups, projects like this would be nearly impossible to carry out.
The helicopter roared up the canyon while the crew scanned rimrock bands for the unmistakable white rumps of bighorns. When groups were spotted, the pilots charged the sheep over steep terrain and the obvious pop from the net gun signaled a success. Not long thereafter, a daisy chain of blindfolded ewes descended from the sky where they were met with stretchers and gloved hands.
Whispers replaced conversation as each ewe was carefully carried to the processing area where they were handled reverently and deliberately. Vitals were recorded. Weight, temperature, and other measurements of body and reproductive condition were jotted in field notes. Blood and fecal samples were collected for analysis. Each sheep was fitted with a GPS collar and given a mild sedative to keep them calm in the trailer, as well as select vitamins and minerals to fortify them on their journey. Don Whitaker, ODFW’s chief ungulate biologist, moved through the scene with the quiet confidence of a man who’d spent decades working with wild animals and understood the dedication required to conserve them. Watching him work was like seeing a musician with their instrument, his passion and skill apparent with every gesture.
By noon, twenty sheep had been processed and loaded into trailers bound for Nevada’s Calico Mountains. This herd would bolster a struggling population in the high desert north of the Black Rock. Relocation is no easy task. It requires coordination, funding, and a level of commitment that transcends state lines and agency borders. This event is also a testament to the principles enshrined in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. This system, which ensures wildlife is managed in the public trust with sound science, also includes the belief that access to nature should be available to all.
As the last trailer pulled away and the canyon settled back into its winter stillness, I was struck by what I had witnessed. The relocation done here was indeed wildlife management, but also a declaration of work beyond the status quo. This work is the legacy of conservation in North America: a system where hunters and anglers fund and passionately work for the future of species like the California bighorn.
Photo credit: Tristan Henry
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Chronic Wasting Disease: A Call to Action for Hunters and Conservationists
TRCP’s senior scientist delves into the recent detection of CWD in Georgia and how we all have roles to play in safeguarding wildlife and the traditions we cherish.
I often find myself reflecting on the crucial role hunters play in conservation. With the recent confirmation of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Georgia, now is a pivotal moment to discuss what this means for hunters and the broader scientific community.
Understanding CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease affecting cervids like deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. It is caused by prions, infectious proteins that target normal brain proteins and make them fold abnormally. Infected animals shed CWD prions in body fluids, potentially exposing other cervids during social encounters. CWD prions are highly resilient, persisting in soil and plants for years, and they spread through bodily fluids such as saliva and urine. Since its discovery in Colorado in 1967, CWD has spread to 36 U.S. states, parts of Canada, and even Europe.
CWD poses no documented risk to humans, but its parallels with other prion diseases, like Mad Cow Disease, have raised concerns about potential cross-species transmission. Current scientific priorities include understanding the different types of the disease, improving testing methods, and expanding efforts to monitor its spread
Why Georgia Matters
The detection of CWD in Georgia marks a significant turning point. This state has a robust hunting tradition and is home to diverse ecosystems that sustain both game species and non-hunting wildlife enthusiasts. The arrival of CWD could alter this balance, affecting hunting culture and wildlife management practices. For hunters, this confirmation should inspire a renewed commitment to vigilance. Testing wild-caught cervids for CWD isn’t just a precaution, it’s an act of stewardship. Hunters are on the front lines, acting as both participants in and protectors of healthy ecosystems
Testing and Vigilance
Hunters in CWD-affected areas should consider testing their harvested animals, especially when planning to consume the meat. Testing turnaround times vary by state, but they generally range from one to three weeks. This wait time might seem inconvenient, but it’s a small price to pay for safety and sustainability.
Here are some steps to make the testing process easier:
- Plan Ahead – Check your state’s testing requirements and find the nearest testing location before hunting.
- Field Dress with Care – Use gloves and avoid cutting into the spine or brain, where prions are concentrated.
- Utilize Resources – Many state wildlife agencies offer drop-off locations and guidance on sample submission.
By adopting these practices, hunters not only protect their families but also contribute vital data for monitoring CWD’s spread.
The Broader Impact
From a scientific perspective, Georgia’s confirmation of CWD underscores the need for continued research and collaboration. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy recently emphasized gaps in our understanding of prions and their long-lasting presence in the environment. Working together across different agencies and scientific fields is key to improving testing, monitoring, and decontamination methods.
The fight against CWD requires a united front. Hunters, researchers, and policymakers all have roles to play in safeguarding wildlife and the traditions we cherish. Together, we can ensure that hunting remains a cornerstone of conservation for generations to come.
Learn more about CWD by clicking HERE
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
Do Not Disturb: All Winter Recreationists Can Help Conserve Wildlife
The Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative asks Coloradans and visitors to avoid disturbing wildlife during the winter season
At the January 2025 Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting, a new Colorado-grown initiative was recognized with the 2024 Starburst Award by the Colorado Lottery. The TRCP joins in praising and supporting the Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative, which empowers recreationists to enjoy time on wintry public lands while taking simple actions to minimize impacts on wildlife during Colorado’s coldest months.
The WWCI encourages all winter recreationists—from casual dog walkers to backcountry skiers and snowmobilers—to give wildlife space, be aware of seasonal habitat closures, and be prepared to alter plans if they encounter wildlife or wildlife sign when recreating. WWCI’s focus on winter recreation is due to the fact that wildlife are particularly vulnerable to human disturbance while on winter ranges, which are often at lower elevations where they encounter more people, vehicle traffic, rail lines, and human development.
Colorado big game species, including elk, pronghorn, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, become stressed during winter months due to reduced access to forage and refuge. When tough winter conditions and other disturbances push their body reserves too far, their ability to survive into the following season is reduced, and the chances that females successfully raise their offspring plummet. Human disturbance on winter ranges can also push wildlife onto private lands or into transportation corridors, increasing roadkill and game damage on private lands. Minimizing impacts to big game herds through the winter better prepares them for their seasonal migration to spring and summer grounds.
“TRCP members and the vast majority of Coloradans care deeply about wildlife all year-round, but research in Colorado continues to show how sensitive wildlife are in winter and early spring,” said Liz Rose, Colorado program manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “It takes all of us to ensure that Colorado’s wildlife can survive and thrive. By being cognizant of sensitive habitats; a little more patient and careful when we encounter wildlife; and a little more prepared with a Plan B and C when we encounter wildlife, we can collectively reduce our impacts and still enjoy the best that our snowy months have to offer.”
For more information about the WWCI and how you, your business, or your organization can become involved, please visit winteringwildlife.org or contact info@winteringwildlife.com. A social posting toolkit for individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in spreading awareness on reducing wildlife disruption in the sensitive winter months is available on the website.
Photo credit: Larry Lamsa
The TRCP is your resource for all things conservation. In our weekly Roosevelt Report, you’ll receive the latest news on emerging habitat threats, legislation and proposals on the move, public land access solutions we’re spearheading, and opportunities for hunters and anglers to take action. Sign up now.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
TRCP has partnered with Afuera Coffee Co. to further our commitment to conservation. $4 from each bag is donated to the TRCP, to help continue our efforts of safeguarding critical habitats, productive hunting grounds, and favorite fishing holes for future generations.
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