Georgia Public Broadcasting

season-14

Reptiles and Amphibians

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GAOD_1402
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Though they have many differences, biologists call both reptiles and amphibians "herpetofauna" or "herptiles". The southeastern United States is rich in herptile biological diversity. But, to protect this wealth, we need to better understand and to appreciate these creatures.

Description: 
Warning: This program contains graphic images of an alligator hunt.

Though they have many differences, biologists call both reptiles and amphibians "herpetofauna" or "herptiles". The southeastern United States is rich in herptile biological diversity. But, to protect this wealth, we need to better understand and to appreciate these creatures.

Are all frogs toads? We'll have the answer and we'll learn about the tremendous diversity of Georgia's amphibians. We'll also meet the eastern hellbender, one of the United States' largest aquatic salamanders. Never seen one? They can reach two-and-a-half feet in length. You may have never seen a bog turtle, either. Why? They are both rare and secretive, but with radio telemetry and our guides, we just might find one.

Next we'll meet the amazing alligator, from a safe distance, of course, and we'll go along for Georgia's first annual alligator hunt. These guys get pretty close to a really big gator. Don't try this at home without both a permit and a training class!

Join us as we explore all this and more!


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, February 7, 2004 - 2:30pm

Lookout Mountain from Top to Bottom

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brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1403
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ruby falls
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100 miles long and 25 hundred feet high, Lookout Mountain spans three states as it stretches from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon it's length one will find waterfalls, canyons, scenic vistas, unique towns, state and national parks and preserves and many more natural wonders.

Description: 

100 miles long and 25 hundred feet high, Lookout Mountain spans three states as it stretches from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Upon it's length one will find waterfalls, canyons, scenic vistas, unique towns, state and national parks and preserves and many more natural wonders.

We'll start in Chattanooga at the northern tip of Lookout Mountain. Underground, Ruby Falls plummets into a crystal clear pool. Above Ruby Falls lies Point Park and the Lookout Mountain Battlefield, part of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Just south from Point Park, and just inside the Georgia state line, is Rock City Gardens famous for its barn-top signs declaring, "See Rock City".


South of the Chattanooga area is Cloudland Canyon State Park, one of Georgia's most scenic parks, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. Nearby is the Lookout Mountain Flight Park offering hang-gliding lessons and flights. And just south of there is the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, one of the most diversely utilized WMA in Georgia offering caving, rock-climbing, horseback-riding, camping, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, not to mention hunting and fishing. Also, within its boundaries is the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, an 800-foot boardwalk meandering through a patch of uncommon wildflowers.

Lookout Mountain continues another 60 miles into Alabama. Here lies Little River Canyon National Preserve and the Desoto State Park. Lookout Mountain finally comes to an end at the Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, Alabama.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 3:30pm

Georgia's Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species

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brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1404
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What do the gray bat, the eastern hellbender, the amber darter, the eastern indigo snake, and the pitcher plant have in common? They are all protected species in Georgia. On this episode, we'll explore the lives of these animals and plants and find out what is being done to preserve them for the future.

Description: 

What do the gray bat, the eastern hellbender, the amber darter, the eastern indigo snake, and the pitcher plant have in common? They are all protected species in Georgia. On this episode, we'll explore the lives of these animals and plants and find out what is being done to preserve them for the future.

In the past hundred years we have lost numerous species to extinction. The ivory-billed woodpecker, the Carolina parakeet, and the American Chestnut are just a few of the species lost to habitat destruction, over-hunting, and introduced species. Fortunately, programs like Georgia's Natural Heritage Program and the Georgia Endangered Plants Stewardship Network are working to study and preserve the over 100 animal and plant species listed as protected in Georgia.

We'll track eastern indigo snakes using radio telemetry, visit a cave where the reclusive gray bats live, look for hellbenders in a clear mountain streams, and visit some school children as they learn how to care for their very own pitcher plant bog!


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episode_airdate: 
Monday, July 26, 2004 - 3:30pm

Eco – Tourism

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GAOD_1406
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Eco-tourism unites travel with ecology, and often with local history. Most people associate eco-tourism with exotic locales far and wide – but eco-tourism is available right here in your own home state.

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Eco-tourism unites travel with ecology, and often with local history. Most people associate eco-tourism with exotic locales far and wide – but eco-tourism is available right here in your own home state.

First we'll visit Sapelo Island with a group from the Georgia Conservancy. Naturalist Fred Hay will lead the way around Georgia's fourth largest barrier island and enlighten us with tales of the island's natural history.

Then we'll dive into some volunteer eco-tourism with REEF, the Reef Environment Education Foundation. REEF was established in 1990 to gather data to be used by the scientific and management communities. This data is collected by thousands of volunteers who take time out of their busy lifestyles to, well, count fish! On this program we'll dive on Gray's Reef, one of only 13 marine sanctuaries in the US and located only 17 miles from Savannah.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, February 14, 2004 - 2:30pm

Hunting For The Holidays

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brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1407
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For many hunters, the hunt is a means to an end. A successful hunt yields meat to be cooked in a variety of ways. On this episode, we'll learn of some great hunting opportunities and some great recipes to try with your family.

Description: 

For many hunters, the hunt is a means to an end. A successful hunt yields meat to be cooked in a variety of ways. On this episode, we'll learn of some great hunting opportunities and some great recipes to try with your family.

Chef Joel Antunes grew up in rural France and learned to cook wild game on his grandmother's wood-burning stove. He still loves to prepare wild game and wild-game-inspired dishes in his new Atlanta restaurant, Joel. Chef Joel will prepare a quail dish, which is just perfect for your next holiday gathering.

Next, we'll visit Watershed Restaurant in Decatur, Georgia, where Chef Scott Peacock is famous for his fried chicken and great southern side dishes. He'll show us how to safely prepare a Thanksgiving feast outdoors by frying a turkey.

And lastly, for thousands of years hunters have fed their own families, now the Hunters For the Hungry Program gives deer hunters a way to help feed folks they don't even know! The Atlanta Community Food Bank will be on hand to show us how this program works for many less fortunate Georgians.


Related Links

Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Before you head out to hunt some game be sure to check out the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for hunter safety information and hunting regulations.


Atlanta Community Food Bank
The mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering our community.


JOËL
Atlanta's most acclaimed restaurant featuring French cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences. Chef Joël's menu reflects his extensive culinary experience in Paris, the South of France, Asia, London and, most recently, as executive chef at the Dining Room at the Ritz- Carlton, Buckhead.


Watershed Restaurant
In Decatur; known for great southern cuisine.

episode_airdate: 
Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 3:30pm

Insects!

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brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1408
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A preying mantis
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No group within the animal kingdom is as pervasive as the insect. From the beautiful, to the not so beautiful, these six-legged creatures inhabit nearly every square foot of our landscape. Though we often don't notice them until they invade our homes or gardens, they are constantly at work: eating, laboring, and yes, multiplying.

Description: 

No group within the animal kingdom is as pervasive as the insect. From the beautiful, to the not so beautiful, these six-legged creatures inhabit nearly every square foot of our landscape. Though we often don't notice them until they invade our homes or gardens, they are constantly at work: eating, laboring, and yes, multiplying.

Each year, the University of Georgia and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia host an unusual event to honor these arthropods. At the Insectival you can get an up-close look at some of these invertebrates, catch a bug race, and for those with an adventurous palette, maybe even have a taste of one!


The art of fly fishing relies heavily on knowing how aquatic insects live. Georgia is home to some of the best fly fishing in the south. But before you get out on the river, you have to know how to tie a good fly. We joined Don Pzfitzer, Joshua Barnett and Chris Scalley for a fly-tying lesson and some fly-fishing on the Chattahoochee River in metro Atlanta.


Related Links

bugwood.org
Learn about bugs in the forests.


State Botanical Garden of Georgia


Trout Unlimited
Find your nearest chapter


www.riverthroughatlanta.com
Book a guide for your next fly-fishing trip.


Georgia Women Flyfishers
Mission is to introduce and educate women in the sport of flyfishing.


"Hiking Georgia" and "Scenic Driving Georgia"
Books witten by Don Pfitzer


members.tripod.com
Joshua Barnett maintains a website about flyfishing.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, May 8, 2004 - 3:30pm

Lesser-Known Islands

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brightcove_ref_id: 
GAOD_1409
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Georgia's Coast is a magnificent stretch of seventeen barrier islands. Several of them are well known, but how much do you know about Little Tybee Island or Little Wassaw Island? We'll visit them both as well as the rest of the Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Description: 

Georgia's Coast is a magnificent stretch of seventeen barrier islands. Several of them are well known, but how much do you know about Little Tybee Island or Little Wassaw Island? We'll visit them both as well as the rest of the Wassaw Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Next, we'll visit Little St. Simon's Island, a privately owned resort with lots of opportunities for outdoor recreation. You can hike, ride, sea kayak, go birding, fish, or just walk along the miles of beaches. We'll also learn why Georgia has the most protected coast on the Eastern Seaboard.


Related Links

Sea Kayak Georgia
Can help you explore Georgia's coast.


The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Manages the Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge and other NWRs on Georgia's coast.


Little St. Simons Island
Virtually untouched for centuries, Little St. Simons Island is a privately owned 10,000-acre barrier island along the Georgia coast. A rich and varied natural world, its pristine beaches, maritime forests, shimmering marshes and tidal creeks await your exploration. Visit for the day or for the weekend.


georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us
You can buy your Georgia fishing license by phone, by mail or online.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 3:30pm

Georgia's Springs: Warm and Cold

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GAOD_1410
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Below the surface of the earth is a tremendous resource that many of us take advantage of – spring water. We'll explore springs around the state for their beauty, their importance in the environment and we'll even visit some ole-fashioned cold-water swimming holes.

Description: 

Below the surface of the earth is a tremendous resource that many of us take advantage of – spring water. We'll explore springs around the state for their beauty, their importance in the environment and we'll even visit some ole-fashioned cold-water swimming holes.


Ground water is not only an essential resource for humans, many species of fish, reptile, and even insect make their homes in springs. We'll learn more about the striped bass of the Flint River "blue holes", the wood storks of Magnolia Springs and the fish redds of Mock Springs.


We'll also visit a spring for pure recreational reasons. Jay Bird Springs was built in 1903 and was the first public swimming pool in Georgia. The current family ownership of Jay Bird Springs tries to keep the atmosphere family friendly.


And finally, we'll visit Warm Springs. A place where two forces of nature, the warm springs water and a future four-time president Franklin Roosevelt, met and changed world history.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, May 22, 2004 - 3:30pm

Man's Best Friend III

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GAOD_1411
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DreamWorkers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping owners of dogs and cats use their pets for Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities. Through activities like the Doggie Days Festival, they also help to promote the human animal bond through community education activities. And, they provide community dog obedience classes.

Description: 

DreamWorkers, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping owners of dogs and cats use their pets for Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activities. Through activities like the Doggie Days Festival, they also help to promote the human animal bond through community education activities. And, they provide community dog obedience classes.

We'll meet one of these dogs, Sasha, as teaches kids about dogbite prevention and joins other therapy dogs in visiting the patients of nursing care facilities. These dogs got their starts in a Good Canine Citizenship class, which is a great idea for any human-K9 partnership!


We'll also explore some places to go play with your dog.


Related Links

The American Veterinary Medical Association
Can give you tips for traveling safely with your pet.


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episode_airdate: 
Saturday, July 10, 2004 - 3:30pm

Fishing For Striper

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GAOD_303
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Tim Barrett and Gabe Gaddis with a striped bass on the Savannah River
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From the mixing bowl to the serving plate, we'll explore the life cycle of the striped bass. Come with us to Richmond Hill Hatchery near Savannah, Georgia and learn more about how these fish spawn and how they are distributed throughout the state.

Description: 

From the mixing bowl to the serving plate, we'll explore the life cycle of the striped bass. Come with us to Richmond Hill Hatchery near Savannah, Georgia and learn more about how these fish spawn and how they are distributed throughout the state.


The Savannah River striped bass population was once the largest in Georgia. Their population drastically declined in the 1980s due to habitat alterations in flow patterns and salinity levels. Tim Barrett and Gabe Gaddis are two biologists ready to get their hands wet and check it out for themselves on the Savannah River.


Striper fishing is popular on the some of reservoirs of Georgia. We'll troll Lake Lanier with Randy Edwards, a veteran striper fishing guide, and Ken Duke an editor for Game and Fish Magazine and an avid bass fisherman.

episode_airdate: 
Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 3:30pm