Download a photo of Bret at the Governor's Pheasant Opener
Download a photo of Jim Brandenburg and Bret Amundson
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Coming up on Prairie Sportsman, Host Bret Amundson is in Luverne at the Governor’s Pheasant Opener and visiting with world-renowned photographer Jim Brandenburg, then citizen scientists show how they monitor lakes and streams' water quality.
“Touch the Sky” will air on Pioneer Public Television Sunday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.; on Lakeland Public TV Saturday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m.; on KSMQ Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 pm; and will be rebroadcast on TPT MN. Check local listings.
Host Bret Amundson interviews wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg whose nonprofit, Brandenburg Prairie Foundation, purchased 1,000 acres of land near Luverne where Jim grew up. It was restored as Touch the Sky Prairie, part of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. Bret was also in Luverne for the Governor’s Pheasant Opener and after a long day hunting on private land and the prairie, he finishes the walk with roosters a’plenty.
Then citizen science volunteers demonstrate how they measure water clarity in the Hawk Creek Watershed and Big Kandiyohi Lake in central Minnesota. The data is used by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to determine if lakes and streams meet water quality standards. Now in its 45th year, the Citizen Water Monitoring program has more than 1,400 Minnesota volunteers.
In the final segment, Chef Curt cooks up one of his wild game specialties, filmed before his untimely death in January.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors – to hunt, fish and enjoy recreation provided by our vast resources of lakes, rivers, trails and grasslands – while promoting environmental stewardship.
Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/assistant producer; Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer and Max Grabow, assistant videographer/editor. The 2019 season is made possible by funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Diamond Willow, Live Wide Open and Western Minnesota Prairie Waters.
About Pioneer Public Television
Established in 1966, Pioneer Public TV is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.
