Nature Adventures
Grades 3-8, Science; Thirteen 30-minute episodes.

101. Fall in South Dakota. In this episode Todd and Terri visit a rattlesnake den and learn how rattlesnakes live through the winter. They also take a closer look at the cicada.

102. Preserving, Conserving and Restoring Our Land and Wildlife. This episode takes Terri and Todd to Moccasin Creek where NorthWestern Energy is attempting to reclaim the creek and restore it to safe levels for our environment. They also visit the Black Hills area, where they go along as employees from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks track a mountain lion.

103. Baby Animals of South Dakota. In this episode Todd and Terri observe various baby animals all across the state. They see tadpoles in various stages of metamorphosis, and they rescue some salamander babies suffering due to the drought conditions in Harding County. The two of them also examine a large Golden Eagle’s nest that has been abandoned high on a butte.

104. Look, But Don’t Touch! In this episode Terri and Todd come upon a rattlesnake sunning itself on a busy highway, and intervene to keep it safe. They also discover a lizard on a butte in Harding County and a large turtle in a field.

105. Landscapes of South Dakota. In this episode Todd and Terri view many of the diverse landscapes found in South Dakota. They find out how the landscapes were formed and how they impact the ecosystem.

106. Snakes of South Dakota. In this episode Terri and Todd visit Reptile Gardens, the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls, the Badlands, and Harding County in an attempt to find snakes. They are in luck and find a Yellow Bellied Racer, a Fox Snake, a prairie rattlesnake, and the rarely-seen Western Hognose Snake.

107. Helping South Dakotans Become Better Conservationists. In this episode Custer State Park employees take Todd and Terri to find the rare Black-Backed Woodpecker. They learn about Mountain Pine Beetles and the impact they are having on pine trees in the Black Hills, and what the park is doing to stop the damage that the beetles are causing. They talk about forestry and the methods used to help maintain balance and health in our forests. Todd and Terri find a large snapping turtle, victimized by drought, and relocate him to a more suitable home. They discuss how and why we should help animals in need.

108. Fossils and Minerals. In this episode Terri and Todd visit dinosaur excavation sites in Montana and North Dakota. They learn from paleontologists how fossils are discovered and excavated, and they go to the lab to see how the excavated bones are prepared and preserved. They also visit Custer State Park to learn about the Spires, the Needles and other rock formations found in the Black Hills.

109. Critters and Varmints. In this episode Todd and Terri dispel myths about some critters, hoping that we’ll think twice about whether or not they are so bad! They explain how every creature is important in our ecosystem. They discuss salamanders, common garter snakes, giant grasshoppers, marmots, bull snakes prairie dogs, and beavers.

110. Interesting Finds in South Dakota. In this episode, Terri and Todd trek up Harney Peak, the highest elevation in South Dakota. They explore the Cave Hills and the buttes of Harding County, and they learn some interesting facts about Stone Johnnies and the North Dakota/South Dakota Boundary Markers. In Hot Springs they are visited by a furry friend!

111. Hoofed Animals of South Dakota. In this episode Todd and Terri take a look at various hoofed animals, learning which regions the different animals inhabit. They come face to face with a herd of male elk, and observe a mother elk and her baby as they forage for food. They also travel to Custer State Park for the annual Buffalo Roundup to learn the importance of proper management of the buffalo herd.

112. In the Waters of South Dakota. In this episode Terri and Todd learn about the unusual nesting habits of Blue Gills and about the variety of turtles that can be found in South Dakota. They go on a bullfrog hunt in Sioux Falls, which ends up being quite an adventure!

113. Did You Know? In this episode Todd and Terri become acquainted with South Dakota’s State Flower, the Prairie Pasque. They examine how windmills use nature to work, and also learn about Mother Nature when they explore how rainbows and hail are formed. They also talk about wild turkeys, Wood Boring Beetles, and some other creatures that live in South Dakota.