Environment
Weekend America's coverage of the environment.
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Observing the Nature Watchers
British filmmaker David Attenborough hosts a series of nature documentaries. It's a cult phenomenon on the BBC. This weekend, the Animal Planet channel will be airing his documentary "Blue Planet. "Weekend America" reporter Sean Cole wondered what it might sound like if he did a nature documentary about humans. This piece is part of a series, Stories from the Heart of the Land, currently airing on public radio stations around the country. Go to HeartOfTheLand.org for more information.
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Man versus Fish on the Illinois River
The trouble started when the carp busted out of the ponds. At least that's what they think happened in Bath, Ill. In Bath, the Illinois River is overrun with an invasive fish species called the Asian silverhead carp. To help rid the river of the carp, this weekend is the Redneck Fishing Tournament. But the fish have a serious handicap. Something about the motor of boats excites them and they actually jump right into the boat. The main thing is not to get hit by one on its way into your net. Weekend America's Kelly McEvers brings us this bizarre tale of fish and not really fishing.
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A Very Long Walk (for a Cause)
Erin McKittrick and her husband Bentwood "Hig" Higman are going for a walk, a very long walk. The couple will be leaving their home in Seattle, Wash., to embark on a 4,000-mile trek along the Pacific Coast through Anchorage, Alaska, ending at Umimak Island. They expect it to take nine months. They will walk, hike, raft, and ski along the way. Weekend America talks with the couple as they prepare to leave for their journey.
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A (Continuing) Trek Through Yellowstone
Memorial Day weekend conjures up images of barbecues, picnics, and family road trips. Last week, Weekend America brought you independent producer Barrett Golding's unique biking road trip through Yellowstone and Teton National Parks with his friend Josef Verbanac. This weekend we bring you the conclusion to Golding's adventure.
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Stepping it Up Against Climate Change
One of the surprising voices to come out of the environmental movement has been evangelical Christian groups. They have joined with environmental groups to bring attention to global climate change and other environmental issues. This weekend is the national day of action on climate change, sponsored through a project called Step It Up. Groups will be gathering at parks, streets and churches to bring attention to global climate change. Weekend America Host Bill Radke speaks with author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben and President of the Academy of Evangelical Scientists and Ethicists, Cal DeWitt, about how two unlikely groups have joined forces.
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Getting in Trouble For Being Green
Arshia Khurshid, a homeowner in San Antonio, Texas, decided to tear out the smooth grassy lawn that came with her new home and replace it with a limestone tile mosaic and native plants like sunflowers. The new landscaping is far better for the environment. While the old grass lawn required watering about twice a week, the new rock garden barely needs a drop. But in the eyes of her homeowners association, she had committed a serious crime. As Weekend America's Michael May reports, some "green" homeowners are fighting a battle of aesthetics versus the environment with their homeowners associations.
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Fuel Alternative
Politicians and celebrities have been spreading the word on biofuel, touting it as the best alternative to fossil fuels. But now experts are saying increased production of biofuel may actually cause more harm than good. From beer shortages to a surge in food prices, an increase could trigger a host of problems. What are the other potential consequences of a national shift to corn and sugarcane based fuels, and what other options are there? Weekend America host Bill Radke speaks with Earth Policy Institute founder and president, Lester Brown, to find out what other alternative choices Americans have to power their vehicles.
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Owens Valley
This weekend, water is flowing once again in one of the largest river restoration projects ever, the Lower Owens River. The river has been dry for 93 years, ever since the Los Angeles water department diverted the flow to guarantee enough water for the arid but growing city. Weekend America's Pat Loeb went to check it out the Owens Valley, 250 miles from Los Angeles.
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Tree Hunting
Byron Carmean is tree hunter. Carmean isn't after just any old tree, he hunts for "champs." Champs are the crown jewels of the forest. They have the largest height and circumference out of all the old growth trees. And since old growth trees are rapidly dying out, lots of people like Byron Carmean have been on the hunt for champs, in hopes of saving them. Weekend America's Hillary Frank paid a visit to a Byron Carmean, in a Virginia forest to learn the techniques and passions of a big tree hunter.
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Swan Song
In the name of environmentalism, the trumpeter swan is being reintroduced to Wisconsin. But the plan's not without some controversy. The State Department of Natural Resources says a competing species, the mute swan, has to go to make room for the trumpeter. But a group of citizens isn't going to let the mute swan go so easily. Independent Producer Christina Shockley introduces us to the mute swan and the people who have come to consider them a part of the family.
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Leaf Peepers
Did you know that the state of New Hampshire has 22 official peepers on its payroll? Leaf peepers, that is, and it's their job to scout the best fall color and report back to the authorities. Weekend America's Shannon Mullen heads to the New Hampshire White Mountains for a scenic drive with a senior leaf peepers.
