Smith Island, The Benefits of Beavers, Mississippi -
this american land

SMITH ISLAND "This American Land" spent time with residents of Maryland's Smith Island back in our first season. It was before the climate crisis was everyday news, yet the people here were already dealing with sea-level rise and the genuine possibility that the next generation may have to abandon the oyster fishing and tourist draw for this beautiful four-square mile archipelago. We'll explore what's changed since then, and the long-term plans of some families who have lived here for generations. THE BENEFITS OF BEAVERS Humans have long marveled at the engineering skills of beavers. Now scientists are learning more about how beaver dams help restore rivers during droughts and after wildfires. Artificial intelligence techniques are being used to both locate dams, and to build dams that replicate nature's keenest construction workers. MISSISSIPPI WETLANDS There's a lot of work underway to protect and restore the largest wetland ecosystem in the United States. The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley stretches across seven states. Now there are millions of dollars available to restore its forest and stream habitats. The efforts are reducing flooding, sequestering carbon, and creating more hunting and fishing habitat with help from private landowners. Hundreds of bird species and the iconic Louisiana black bear also benefit from these conservation practices.

Duration: 26 minutes and 48 seconds

Episode Number: 1205

No future air times were found for this episode.

About This American Land:

A unique series of magazine-style episodes hosted by Bruce Burkhardt, a former environmental reporter for CNN, and a fresh new talent, Caroline Raville.

Each episode will link 5 or 6 stories, sometimes in a theme, showing how conservationists, fishermen, hunters and outdoor recreationists are sharing responsibilities for protecting America's natural heritage for future generations.

The focus will be on will be on wild and beautiful places you've never heard about, and on passionate people protecting vital American landscapes, waters, and wildlife.

There's nothing quite like this on national television; THIS AMERICAN LAND will be a distinctive approach to covering serious national conservation issues.

We realize that many stations produce quality programming like this for their local markets, and we think there's a national audience for it in a series like ours.

We will showcase stories from participating affiliates, drawing attention to the special natural resources their localities and what people are doing to protect them.

Current participants are Oregon Public Broadcasting and Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Segments will also be featured from local public broadcasting programs such as Outdoor Oklahoma and Exploring North Carolina.

Each episode will also include a segment from the Science Nation series funded by the National Science Foundation.