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First meet world-class wildwater canoeist Michael Beavers. He'll take a run down the internationally recognized Ocoee River, a premiere white water spot and home of the Olympic debut of the whitewater slalom. Then meet some Olympic hopefuls at the Junior National Kayaking Championships held on Lake Lanier.

Think you might have what is takes to be a whitewater Olympic hopeful? Join us for novice whitewater class with the Nantahala Outdoor Center's Wayne Dickert, a former Olympian.

Lastly, join Michael Skinner for a rafting trip down the Wild and Scenic Chattanooga River.

Related Links

Nantahala Outdoors Center
Learn to Kayak!

Boat Safe Kids and Boat Safe: Boating Safety Course, Boating Tips and Safety
Learn more about boating safety.

PDF Transcript

The Conasuaga River supports more rare species and is in better condition than most of the other rivers draining through the Coosa River system of northwestern Georgia. Surrounded by extensive wilderness and national forest land, the upper third of the river is in almost pristine condition. The waters of the Conasauga are home to over 90 different species of fish including the amber darter, the blue shiner, and the frecklebelly madtom. Of all of the fish, mussels, and other aquatic species of the river, 25 species are considered rare. The river also provides recreational opportunities like snorkeling, canoeing and outstanding fishing, and most important, water for agricultural, residential and industrial use.

Related Links

Conasauga River Alliance
More information about the Conasauga River

The Landowners Guide to Conservation Options
If you are a landowner and you would like more information about what you can do.

Nature Conservancy
An organization that works to save the Earth's Last Great Places, among them the Conasauga River.

Georgia Wildlife Web
Learn more about the rare and endangered fish and mussels that live in the Conasauga River.

North Georgia is a natural wonderland, full of adventure, history and great family fun. Some places, like Cloudland Canyon State Park attract large numbers of visitors. Others, like the Crockford – Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, are diamonds in the rough, known mostly by locals and hunters.

If you're interested in a little history lesson, don't miss New Echota Historic Site. With a little homework and a lot of enthusiasm this part of our beautiful state is within easy reach of us all.

Georgia's Flint River is one of the southeastern United States' greatest natural resources. Over 125 of its 220 total miles are free-flowing as it traverses the state from the Atlanta Metro Area to its confluence with the Chattahoochee. As we examine the future of the state's water resources for the next century, the Flint is a pivotal watershed in which to promote conservation, ecological tourism and sustainable economic development. Georgia Outdoors plans on doing a three part series on the river for the 11th season.

This program visits two of North Georgia's most beautiful waterfalls, Tacoa Falls and Minnehaha Falls, where host Michael Skinner teaches us about landscape photography.

Then, Michael travels to Minnesota to photograph some beautiful winter wildlife. Photographing nature is one of the most popular and fascinating areas of photography. Like any craft or hobby, there is a learning curve.

With photography, applying knowledge means practice, practice means patience and perseverance. Once you have the basics then you can begin to develop your own distinct style using the elements of exposure and composition. And, as most photographers will tell you, a little bit of luck never hurts!

Ducks are a favorite game bird among hunters today and they have been for hundreds of years.

Even if you're not a hunter, ducks are part of our collective consciousness about the natural world. Their migration calls herald the passing of the seasons and for most people, they are instantly identifiable in flight. Whether it's the "daffy" bill at the end of their noses or the flock of birds bobbing like corks in the water we all know, "It's a duck!"

This program features a Altamaha draw hunt on Butler Island, a Georgia State Champion duck caller and a young wildlife artist who won his first Junior Duck Stamp award when her was ten years old.

Georgia's urban areas can be full of surprises for outdoor adventurers. All it takes is a little get up and go. Most of us know about outdoor destinations like Zoo Atlanta, Fernbank Science Center and Stone Mountain, but there are also innumerable hiking trails, bird watching forests, trout fishing and great paddling are all within a short drive of the city.

This week Georgia Outdoors features The Elatchee Nature Science center near Gainesville, Fernbank Science center in Atlanta and The Buford Hatchery where families can help restock Georgia's streams. Next time viewers want some after work recreation, they can take a short drive to the Chattahoochee, or even Piedmont Park for a little fishing.

Second only to the Largemouth Bass, the Crappie is Georgia's most popular game fish and Lake Weiss in North Georgia is famous for it's Crappie fishing.

This episode features a day on the lake with biologist Kevin Dalmier, a surprise harvest of Spotted Bass along with a fair catch of crappie, Crappie Fishing Tips from Freshwater Fish Hall of Famer Sam Heaton and a Crappie Cooking segment.

Mountain biking is a great family sport. This program features information on the basics as well as the new high tech gear available. We follow an Atlanta salesman that keeps his bike in his SUV as he travels the state. We join our guest for a ride in the Tallulah Gorge State Park and in Augusta along the canal.

This program visits points on the new Coast Birding Trail from a historic canal to Jekyll Island Beach. We join the Jekyll Island Bird Banding club and help band migratory songbirds. The program also includes a kayaking trip along a beautiful coastal marsh.