Sunday, 5 of February of 2012
Everything Outdoors
Date: March 27, 2009
Categories: The Outdoors
Our world is becoming increasingly urbanized and as we pave our way across the land, native ecosystems are affected. Habitat loss is the number one cause of wildlife population declines, and over the years, commercial and residential development have pushed a number of Georgia’s species to the brink of extinction. But, there are a few things you can do around the house to make a difference by making your yard more wildlife friendly: providing food, water and shelter for birds, and planting native plants helps attract more wildlife to your backyard.
First, we take the The Audubon Society wildlife sanctuary tour. The Atlanta Audubon Society is one of the most active organizations in Georgia helping to encourage people to create wildlife sanctuaries right in their backyards. In fact, in Atlanta residents can have their yards certified as a wildlife habitat.
Another place that’s making a difference is a unique housing development on coastal Georgia. It is a place that rises above and beyond the “typical” golf community. It is home to lush coastal woodlands, a variety of wildlife, an Audubon Certified Golf Course and an environmentally active community.
Bird watching and gardening are great ways to experience the joys of nature right in your own backyard during the day, but the enjoyment doesn’t have to stop just because the sun sets. Backyard campouts are another way to experience outdoor adventure in your very own yard. Each June, the National Wildlife Federation sponsors the Great American Backyard Campout, a nation-wide event designed to make kids aware of the wilderness right outside their door. We joined Sustaining Urban Villages at the Outdoor Activity Center as they hosted their own backyard campout.
Our world is becoming increasingly urbanized and as we pave our way across the land, native ecosystems are affected. Habitat loss is the number one cause of wildlife population declines, and over the years, commercial and residential development have pushed a number of Georgia’s species to the brink of extinction. But, there are a few things you can do around the house to make a difference by making your yard more wildlife friendly: providing food, water and shelter for birds, and planting native plants helps attract more wildlife to your backyard.
First, we take the The Audubon Society wildlife sanctuary tour. The Atlanta Audubon Society is one of the most active organizations in Georgia helping to encourage people to create wildlife sanctuaries right in their backyards. In fact, in Atlanta residents can have their yards certified as a wildlife habitat.
Another place that’s making a difference is a unique housing development on coastal Georgia. It is a place that rises above and beyond the “typical” golf community. It is home to lush coastal woodlands, a variety of wildlife, an Audubon Certified Golf Course and an environmentally active community.
Bird watching and gardening are great ways to experience the joys of nature right in your own backyard during the day, but the enjoyment doesn’t have to stop just because the sun sets. Backyard campouts are another way to experience outdoor adventure in your very own yard. Each June, the National Wildlife Federation sponsors the Great American Backyard Campout, a nation-wide event designed to make kids aware of the wilderness right outside their door. We joined Sustaining Urban Villages at the Outdoor Activity Center as they hosted their own backyard campout.
Date: March 9, 2009
Categories: The Outdoors
If you whistle for a dog to come, you’ll know what a Bird-voiced Treefrog sounds like. Males call to attract females from May through September, emitting several high-pitched, bird-like whistles in a row. You’re more likely to hear this nocturnal amphibian than you are to see it since it is small, well camouflaged, and only descends from trees to breed. If you do catch a glimpse, the Bird-voiced Treefrog looks like a miniature Gray Treefrog but without the yellow inner thigh color.
If you whistle for a dog to come, you’ll know what a Bird-voiced Treefrog sounds like. Males call to attract females from May through September, emitting several high-pitched, bird-like whistles in a row. You’re more likely to hear this nocturnal amphibian than you are to see it since it is small, well camouflaged, and only descends from trees to breed. If you do catch a glimpse, the Bird-voiced Treefrog looks like a miniature Gray Treefrog but without the yellow inner thigh color.Date: February 26, 2009
Categories: The Outdoors
In the mid-1800s, the Nine-Banded Armadillo only lived in southern Texas. However, during the mid- to late-1900s, the range of this strange-looking, nocturnal mammal expanded to include Georgia’s Coastal Plain and parts of the Piedmont. Bony plates called scutes cover the armadillo’s body and protect it from predators. Poor eyesight is evident from its tiny eyes, but a long snout and sharp claws help with foraging for insects, worms, and small vertebrates. When frightened, armadillos often jump straight up in the air before running away. This delayed escape makes them common roadkill. Since armadillos may carry leprosy, handling them is not a good idea. 
In the mid-1800s, the Nine-Banded Armadillo only lived in southern Texas. However, during the mid- to late-1900s, the range of this strange-looking, nocturnal mammal expanded to include Georgia’s Coastal Plain and parts of the Piedmont. Bony plates called scutes cover the armadillo’s body and protect it from predators. Poor eyesight is evident from its tiny eyes, but a long snout and sharp claws help with foraging for insects, worms, and small vertebrates. When frightened, armadillos often jump straight up in the air before running away. This delayed escape makes them common roadkill. Since armadillos may carry leprosy, handling them is not a good idea. Date: February 19, 2009
Categories: The Outdoors
On GPB-TVOver the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities, fire connects us to the natural world.
On this episode we’ll look at the 2007 wildfire that consumed over 400,000 acres of forest, burned 22 homes and forced the evacuation of over 1000 people in and around the Okefenokee Swamp.
But fire isn't all bad, in fact, it's a necessary part of a healthy forest ecosystem. We'll also join forest managers as they employ a technique called prescribed burning.
Finally, we'll visit the Jones Ecological Research Center just south of Albany. The landowners here regularly perform prescribed burning for it's large amount of longleaf pine, a species of pine dependent on fire for it's survival. Other species have also adapted to this fire-dependent ecosystem including the red cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise.
All this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Fire Ecology.
Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - Channel 8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WNGH/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.
GPB Knowledge is GPB's an all-new digital channel. The new channel features quality educational content for teachers and students, great documentaries, as well as public affairs and lifestyle programming. In the Atlanta area, viewers can enjoy GPB Knowledge by setting their digital tuners to 8. 3. Viewers in other markets can enjoy GPB Knowledge as well at the following digital channel destinations: Albany (14.3); Augusta (20.3); Chatsworth (18.3); Columbus (28.3); Dawson (25.3); Macon (29.3); Savannah (9.3) and Waycross (8.3). For cable and satellite channel information, viewers should check with their local providers.
On GPB-TVOver the course of human history our civilization has developed an important relationship with fire. From its beneficial use in cooking, warming our homes, and managing our land…to its destructive capabilities, fire connects us to the natural world.
On this episode we’ll look at the 2007 wildfire that consumed over 400,000 acres of forest, burned 22 homes and forced the evacuation of over 1000 people in and around the Okefenokee Swamp.
But fire isn't all bad, in fact, it's a necessary part of a healthy forest ecosystem. We'll also join forest managers as they employ a technique called prescribed burning.
Finally, we'll visit the Jones Ecological Research Center just south of Albany. The landowners here regularly perform prescribed burning for it's large amount of longleaf pine, a species of pine dependent on fire for it's survival. Other species have also adapted to this fire-dependent ecosystem including the red cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise.
All this and more on Georgia Outdoors: Fire Ecology.
Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - Channel 8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WNGH/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.
GPB Knowledge is GPB's an all-new digital channel. The new channel features quality educational content for teachers and students, great documentaries, as well as public affairs and lifestyle programming. In the Atlanta area, viewers can enjoy GPB Knowledge by setting their digital tuners to 8. 3. Viewers in other markets can enjoy GPB Knowledge as well at the following digital channel destinations: Albany (14.3); Augusta (20.3); Chatsworth (18.3); Columbus (28.3); Dawson (25.3); Macon (29.3); Savannah (9.3) and Waycross (8.3). For cable and satellite channel information, viewers should check with their local providers.
Date: February 18, 2009
Categories: The Outdoors
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