This Week on Georgia Outdoors: License to Fish

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.

On GPB-TV

Friday, March 27, 9:30 PM

Saturday, March 28, 12 Noon & 6 PM

Tuesday, March 31, 7:30 PM

On GPB Knowledge

Saturday, March 28, 9 PM Sunday, March 29, 9 PM

This Week on Georgia Outdoors: Backyard Habitat

On GPB-TV

Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 PM

On GPB Knowledge

Saturday, March 14 , 9 AM

Sunday, March 15, 9 PM

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.

Wild Fact: Bird-voiced Treefrog

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.
Both Bird-voiced and Gray Treefrogs have a light spot under each eye, and body colors vary from green to gray with blotches on the back.

WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.

Wild Fact: Armadillos

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.

WILD Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, a wildlife interpretive specialist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, Georgia.

This Week on Georgia Outdoors: Fire Ecology

On GPB-TV

Friday, February 20, 9:30 PM

Saturday, February 21, 12 Noon & 6 PM

Tuesday, February 24, 7:30 PM

On GPB Knowledge

Saturday, February 21, 9 AM

Sunday, February 22, 9 PM

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.

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.

New Paddling Club Launches in Georgia’s State Parks

Hey, paddlers, start working on that j-stroke. Georgia’s State Park System has unveiled a new club just for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. The Park Paddlers Club includes six state parks with waterways ranging from tidal rivers to the celebrated Okefenokee Swamp. Members can earn a bragging-rights t-shirt by paddling all 22 miles at Crooked River, George L. Smith, Magnolia Springs, Reed Bingham, Stephen C. Foster and Sweetwater Creek state parks.

To join, park visitors buy a $10 membership card at any of the six participating parks. After completing the trails and getting their card punched at each park office, members can sport a bragging-rights t-shirt.

Most participating parks are in middle or south Georgia, while Sweetwater Creek is just 14 miles west of Atlanta. At this metro park, club members will explore three miles of a scenic reservoir. The easiest paddle is less than a mile long at Magnolia Springs State Park in Jenkins County, while the most difficult is a four-mile loop on a tidal river at Crooked River State Park near St. Marys. At George L. Smith State Park near Swainsboro, paddlers can explore a pretty mill pond dotted with Spanish-moss draped trees. Visitors to Reed Bingham State Park in Adel will complete more than three miles, floating past lily pads and a bald eagle nest. Finally, at Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo, paddlers can look for alligators, bears and other wildlife in the mysterious Okefenokee Swamp.

While none of the water trails include rapids or are considered difficult, they all have currents that can be impacted by wind or tide. The club is a fun way for people to work on their paddling skills while also exploring Georgia’s natural beauty. Many parks feature black-water lakes that reflect the trees and sky above. All have exceptional birding and wildlife watching opportunities. At Reed Bingham State Park, many visitors come just to see birds such as eagles, limpkins, turkey vultures and black vultures. At Crooked River State Park, lucky paddlers might even see a manatee. The DNR plans to add additional trails in the future.

Other clubs offered through the Georgia State Park System’s “Get Outdoors Georgia” initiative include the Canyon Climbers Club for hikers and the Muddy Spokes Club for mountain bikers. To learn more, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 770-389-7401.

This Week on Georgia Outdoors: Kayak

On GPB-TV

Friday, February 13, 9:30 PM

Saturday, February 14, 12 Noon & 6 PM

Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 PM

On GPB Knowledge

Saturday, February 14, 9 AM

Sunday, February 15, 9 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 art 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.

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.