All New! Georgia Outdoors: Kayak

Georgia Outdoors: Kayak

Friday, Nov 21, 9:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 22, 6 PM
Tuesday, Nov 25, 7:30 PM

Developed by the Inuit culture more than a thousand years ago, the kayak has held a long indelible attraction for outdoor adventurers. Whether it’s the exciting rush of taking on a river rapid or the quiet serenity of navigating backwater creeks, the sport of kayaking draws enthusiasts from all walks of life.

When given the task of producing a program on kayaking, the Outdoors crew jumped at the chance to learn a little about the sport themselves. The crew enlisted the help of the Whitewater Learning Center of Georgia to be their teacher and set out to become master white water kayakers. Graduation: The class two rapids on the upper Chattahoochee River.

Sea kayaking, on the other hand, is specially designed for a more relaxed experience than whitewater kayaking. Sea kayaking affords a diversity of opportunities to explore Georgia’s riverine and coastal ecosystems. From the serene vantage point of a sea kayak a paddler’s perspective affords the opportunity to view wildlife and awe at the splendor of Georgia’s waterways.

We’ll also learn more about how kayaks are made and an Atlanta kayak club.

Click here to view a promo of this all new Georgia Outdoors!

Premiere Episode: Animal Architects

Georgia Outdoors: Animal Architects

Friday, Nov 14, 9:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 15, 6 PM
Tuesday, Nov 18, 7:30 PM

We humans do not have a monopoly on design and structure. From the smallest anthill to the largest eagles nest, the animal kingdom is populated by a variety of species who build. Georgia is home to an abundance of animal architects.

Our state reptile, the gopher tortoise digs deep burrows in the ground along the sandy soils of South Georgia. Along our lakes and bodies of water you’ll often spot huge osprey nests used by their residents from year to year. Even in your own back yard you’ll find a startling array of animal homes, nests and burrows.

Some of the most commonly seen are built by invertebrate species such as arachnids, insects, and crustaceans. For example, our only land dwelling crustacean, the crayfish, digs a deep burrow and you can often see the chimneys of these cousins of the lobsters along the muddy banks of our streams and rivers. Spiders build elaborate webs in trees, along soffits, and just about anywhere you look. But perhaps, our most commonly seen animal structures are built by social insects like bees, wasps, and ants!

Learn more about these and other industrious animals on Georgia Outdoors: Animal Architects.

Watch Georgia Public Broadcasting on these nine stations across Georgia: Atlanta - Channel 8; Albany - WABW/14, Augusta - WCES/20, Chatsworth - WCLP/18, Columbus - WJSP/28, Dawson - WACS/25, Macon - WMUM/29, Savannah - WVAN/9, Waycross - WXGA/8.

Premiere Episode! Georgia Outdoors: License to Fish

Georgia Outdoors: License to Fish
Friday, Nov 7, 9:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 8, 6 PM
Tuesday, Nov 11, 7:30 PM

Fishing in Georgia is a tradition that's been enjoyed from generation to generation throughout the years. Whether you're fishing for bream in a small pond or public fishing area, striper or largemouth bass in one of our many large reservoirs or angling for tarpon or shark in our coastal waters, there's something for everyone in Georgia's waters. All you need is a fishing license and you can enjoy fishing across the state.

All New Georgia Outdoors!

All New!

Georgia Outdoors: Pine Mountain

Friday, October 24 @ 9 PM

Saturday, October 25 @ 6 PM

Tuesday, October 28 @ 7:30 PM

Pine Mountain is one of Georgia’s best kept secrets, and there are plenty of reasons to visit:

The breathtaking views of Pine Mountain’s highest point and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s favorite picnicking spot: Dowdell’s Knob; The majestic walls of Sprewell Bluff State Park, where the Flint river cuts through the pine mountain belt; The fantastic azalea blooms and other attractions at Callaway Gardens; The miles of lush vegetation and abundant wildlife along the Pine Mountain Trail; And the fascinating history at Warm Springs, home of FDR’s Little White House.

Click here to view a promo for Georgia Outdoors: Pine Mountain.

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.

Season Premiere of Georgia Outdoors, Tonight!

Join us for a special hour of

brand-new back-to-back episodes of

Georgia Outdoors

this Friday at 9 & 9:30 PM!

Georgia Outdoors: Fire Ecology

Friday, October 3 at 9 PM

Click here for a video preview

Over 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 at 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.

Georgia Outdoors: Ocmulgee River Watershed

Friday, October 3 at 9:30 PM

Click here for a video preview

From its headwaters in north Georgia, to its intersection with the Oconee River forming the mighty Altamaha River, the Ocmulgee River cuts across 241 miles of diverse terrain. Along the way, the Ocmulgee and its tributaries drain about 6,180 square miles across thirty-three Georgia counties. This is the Ocmulgee watershed.

From its more developed shores in the Macon area to stretches of pure wilderness, the Ocmulgee River is truly one of central Georgia’s hidden treasures. And the best way to experience the river is by paddle. Every year, the Georgia River Network sponsors Paddle Georgia, an event which draws hundreds of paddling enthusiasts from all skill levels to take on a river. In 2007 they chose the Ocmulgee River and we tagged along to experience the river with them.

Georgia Outdoors Premiere Episode: Above 4000 FT

Premiere Episode!

Georgia Outdoors: Above 4000 FT
Friday, Feb 8 at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 9 at 12 Noon & 6 PM
Tuesday, Feb 12 at 7:30 PM

North Georgia is home to the southern end of the Appalachian mountain range, and while most of our peaks aren't quite as tall as those mountains to the north, a few reach heights of over 4,000 feet. From Brasstown Bald to Blood Mountain, we take a look at some of the more accessible of these mountain peaks and show you a few ways to enjoy yourself in these high elevations.

Whether it's a bike race to the top of Brasstown Bald, hiking and stargazing, or bouldering, this episode is packed with fun activities to enjoy atop our highest mountains. We also take a look at the unique ecology and climate found far above sea level.

This Week on Georgia Outdoors: Biking

Premiere Episode!
Georgia Outdoors: Biking
Friday, Feb 1 at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Feb 2 at 12 Noon & 6 PM
Tuesday, Feb 5 at 7:30 PM

Whether on a road or on a mountain trail, riding a bicycle
is a fun and healthy activity, and it's a great way to explore Georgia. On this episode we join a number of bike enthusiasts as they see the state from the unique vantage point of a bike.

First, Georgia Outdoors visits Up the Creek Without a Pedal, an annual bike ride in Rome that offers something for cyclists of all skill levels. We'll also check in with the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign and take a fun ride around the city. We explore a few mountain biking trails as well. All this and more!

Premiere Episode: Held in Trust

Premiere Episode!
Georgia Outdoors: Held in Trust
Friday, Jan 18 at 9:30 PM
Saturday, Jan 19 at 12 Noon & 6PM
Tuesday, Jan 20 at 7:30 PM

Georgia's history is diverse and rich with stories of triumph and tragedy. From Native American burial mounds to plantations to civil war fortifications, physical remnants of this past have been left behind in the form of buildings and structures. Many of these locations are preserved and open to the public. On this episode, we'll trace Georgia's history through its historic sites and see how the staff at these locations work to make history come alive. We join a torchlight tour of the Etowah Mounds near Cartersville, and find out about syrup making at the Jerrell Plantation. Finally, we'll see how archaeologists are continually digging up new elements of Georgia's history and feature the restoration of Hardman Farm, a historic dairy farm in Helen.

Tonight on Georgia Outdoors: State Symbols

Georgia Outdoors: Georgia's Favorite State Symbols

Tuesday, Jan 15, 7:30 PM

From the majestic right whale to the diminutive honeybee, Georgia has a number of official state symbols from the natural world. On this brand new episode, we'll feature ten natural state symbols and find out why each make good representatives of our state.

Georgia Outdoors Premiere Episode: Georgia's Favorite State Symbols

Georgia Outdoors: Georgia's Favorite State Symbols

From the majestic right whale to the diminutive honeybee, Georgia has a number of official state symbols from the natural world. On this brand new episode, we'll feature ten natural state symbols and find out why each make good representatives of our state.


Friday, Jan 11, 9:30 PM
Saturday, Jan 12, 12 Noon & 6PM
Tuesday, Jan 15, 7:30 PM

Georgia Outdoors Special this Evening

Georgia, with its miles of wilderness, mysterious swampland, and diversity of wildlife is fertile ground for unusual tales from the natural world. From the altamaha-ha, Georgia’s answer to the loch ness monster, to the search for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, thought extinct for decades, we explore some of the legendary creatures, far-fetched myths and animal lore handed down for generations. What is fact and what is fiction?

Some of the most popular destinations in Georgia are our beaches. From the well-traveled sands of Tybee Island, to the protected shores of Cumberland Island, Georgia Outdoors explores the geology and ecology of our amazing beaches.

These areas are more than great spots for soaking in the sun. From nesting for shorebirds and sea turtles, to the important storm buffer of the dune system, beaches also play an essential ecological role. On this episode, we’ll take a closer look at where the water meets sand.

Tonight at 7 PM only on GPB.

Premiere Episode: Georgia's Marshes

Though Georgia’s coastline is relatively short – only about 100 miles long – it holds one third of the salt marsh habitat on the east coast. From the freshwater rivers which feed the marsh, into the muddy grassland of the marsh itself, we’ll explore the incredible biological diversity of the salt marsh.

We start with a kayak trip down Cathead Creek, a tributary of the mighty Altamaha river which feeds the marshland of Macintosh County. From there, we visit the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve for a tour of the marsh with a group of students. The salt marsh is also a great place for fishing, and we venture out to fish for red drum both at high tide and low tide.

Premieres this Friday, November 16, 9:30 PM
Repeats Saturday, November 17, 6 PM &
Tuesday, November 20, 7:30 PM

Premiere Episode: Suwanee River Watershed

The Suwannee River is one of the most famous rivers in the southeast. From its origins in the Okefenokee Swamp to the rivers end along the marshes of the Gulf of Mexico, this great river is one of the last remaining unspoiled waterways in the United States.

But, a river is does not stand alone. Through a network of a network of springs, creeks, and underground aquifers, the Suwannee River Watershed drains an area over 11 thousand square miles straddling Georgia and Florida.

Georgia Outdoors explores the natural diversity of-- and some recreational opportunities throughout-- the Suwannee River watershed.

Only on GPB Television

Friday, Nov 2, 9:30 PM
Saturday, Nov 3, 6 PM
Sunday, Nov 4, 12 Noon
Tuesday, Nov 6, 7:30 PM

Georgia Outdoors Friendly Neighborhood Intern Boy

Although now I am an Associate Producer, not too long ago (i.e. a matter of months) I was the Georgia Outdoors Friendly Neighborhood Intern Boy. (GOFNIB) One of the tasks set before me during those intern days was to close caption the current season of shows. I won’t go into too many details (because frankly, who cares?) but suffice it to say that close captioning is, as a general rule of thumb, about a nine on the monot-o-meter.

This held true for all of the close captioning I did as an intern, with the notable exception of the upcoming episode “Nature Photography Contest: Fifth Anniversary”.

As a nature lover and amateur photographer, the “photo contest” shows are some of my favorite in the Outdoors library. It’s great to hear the winners talking about their photographs: what they went through to get the shot, what equipment they used, and so on. The winners always have great advice for any up and coming shutterbugs, and on the top of the list is this one: take lots of pictures. Simple advice, I know, but it’s amazing how easy it can be to forget. It really is the best way to get better at photography. Don’t believe me? Check out Georgia Outdoors: Nature Photography Contest Fifth Anniversary and see for yourself.

And after you watch the show, go out and start taking some pictures for yourself. Why? Because soon we’ll start accepting entries for year six of our contest! Check our website in the coming days for more information. Don’t miss the deadline! If enjoying the outdoors isn’t motivation enough for you, watch this Friday’s episode and check out some of the prize packages our previous photographers have won. : )

Be a Citizen Scientist

Several years ago I was driving down I-16. For anyone whose ever driven that stretch from Macon to Savannah you know it can be a trial just staying awake. It is some of the blandest highway driving in the south.

Well, on this day, like so many others driving from location to location, I looked up and saw a dark shadow coasting above. First thought-- a vulture. Maybe a turkey vulture but probably a black vulture. But as I studied the silhouette I noticed the deeply forked tail that gives no doubt to its identification-- a swallow-tailed kite! What a joy to see!

Swallow-tailed Kites are listed as rare in Georgia and so I noted the exit # and added the bird to my mental life list. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has an ongoing survey about swallow-tailed kites and this information is used to study activity range size and migration routes among other things. So, I did my citizen scientist duty for the day and it felt good.

You can do your part too. There are many ways that your observations in the outdoors can be put to use by wildlife biologists. Check out Georgia Outdoors: Citizen Scientist for more ideas and links.

A Whole New Season Georgia Outdoors!

It's hard to believe that we are about to premiere our 16th season of Georgia Outdoors. I've been with the show since it's 10th season and I've come to know Georgia intimately through the years. That breadth of general knowledge was the idea behind the concept of our season premiere episode, Georgia Outdoors: Beginners' Guide to Georgia (which is set to premiere on Friday, October 5th at 9:30 PM. Check it out.) Could we share our extensive general knowledge about Georgia in one show? Beginners' Guide starts with the idea that not everyone who lives in the state of Georgia grew up here and further, that even Georgia natives might appreciate a refresher course about what a diverse state Georgia really is.

I always think back to my first field shoot for Georgia Outdoors in Sept 1999. I had only been living in the state for 2 years after moving here from Florida and I didn't really know much about the state except for Atlanta (a fault of many well-meaning Atlantans). Well, here we were boating down the Flint River wth a DNR fisheries biologist who is studying the Flint's striper bass population and the cool water refuge the river affords them. An amazing first week on the job, I might add. I asked him, off the record, if he could work anywhere in the world where would that be? I expected answers like, "The Great Barrier Reef", or "The Amazon Delta" but what I got was, "The Georgia Coast". Huh?

But I've learned that he is absolutely right. The Georgia coast is an amazing place. A dozen+ barrier island protecting miles and miles of salt marsh. It's a wonderful place and I relish every chance I get to go there. In fact, I often suggest to the powers-that-be of GPB that a spin off of Georgia Outdoors-- Georgia Outdoors: The Coastal Edition-- would be a fabulous hit with our viewers and I'd be the first to volunteer to helm that series.

Georgia is so well placed geographically. It's central to so much that is ecologically diverse. From the Georgia coast, perhaps the most pristine coast in the US outside of Alaska, to the Flint-Chattahoochee watershed, named the 6th most biologically-diverse areas in the US by the Nature Conservancy, to the north Georgia Mountains, the foothills of a mountain range older than the Himalayas. So, if you live in Georgia then you are just hours from a diverse range of landscapes and outdoors experiences. Take advantage of it! Check out Georgia Outdoors: Beginners' Guide to Georgia and plot your course for adventure.

And by the way, that Flint River fisheries biologist got his wish. He now works at a fishery in Richmond Hill just miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Lucky guy.