LIVEThis American Land - Right Whales, Bird Collisions, Arizona Groundwater, Renegade Rancher
RIGHT WHALES The North Atlantic Right Whale is among the most endangered species on earth. About 350 animals are left. But they're being killed by two human threats: Strikes from speeding ships, and entanglement in tons of discarded fishing gear. While the outlook is dire, there is dedication and creativity among scientists, anglers, the U.S. military, and volunteers to save the remaining right whales in the waters off New England, south to the coasts of Georgia and Florida. BIRD COLLISIONS Birds see the world differently from humans. And that can lead to deadly encounters when birds fly into glass buildings. It kills more than a billion birds a year. Now more cities are adopting bird-friendly building ordinances to help reduce bird-glass collisions. And schools of architecture are designing spaces that are both safe and attractive for our feathered friends. It's also easy for apartment and home dwellers to make their windows safer. ARIZONA GROUNDWATER What's causing lands to sink and wells to dry up in southern Arizona? Aquifers are being drained to water thirsty industrial farms. State and local laws are not providing much guidance, and the problem has turned into a groundwater free-for-all. Correspondent Brad Hicks shows us the impact of this groundwater free-for-all. RENEGADE RANCHER Water challenges along the Colorado River are inspiring ranchers to try new ways to save this precious commodity. Some are experimenting with Silphium, a good livestock feed with deep roots that's rich in protein. We'll take you to Colorado, where collaboration is helping farms, cities, and industries share water with creativity, not conflict. CAMP HALE The harsh terrain of Colorado's mountains helped young Army recruits in World War II prepare for fighting Nazis in the Alps. Now, after years of effort, Colorado's Camp Hale/Continental Divide has been named a National Monument by the federal government. Many of those hardy soldiers came back after the war to help create the multi-billion dollar outdoor sports and ski resorts in Colorado and throughout the west. Camp Hale is a spot for recreation, and respite for military veterans and their families.
Series Website: http://www.thisamericanland.org
Recent and Upcoming Airings
11.212/15 12:00 pm