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Idahoans deal with different issues than do citizens in many other states. Our goal on "Outdoor Idaho" has been to find the right mix of journalism and story telling to help shed light on those issues.
Often the issues are contentious, getting right to the heart of what we Westerners expect from our public lands. In programs like "Searching for the Soul of the Forest Service" and "The Health of Our Forest," and "The Public's Land" we explored the impact of the U.S. Forest Service on our local communities, on loggers, ranchers, and recreationists.
We've explored federal programs that have changed forever the face of our state. In "The Bureau that Changed the West" we examined the impact the Bureau of Reclamation has had -- and continues to have -- on southern Idaho farmers.
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"The CCC in Idaho" provided an interesting history lesson on what Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps meant to young men during the Great Depression. Many of the roads and trails they built still exist.
In programs like "Owyhee Canyonlands" and "The Changing BLM" and "The Desert," we explored the increasing demands on our desert, not only from hardy ranchers but also from hikers and river runners and city folks who increasingly find solace in these quiet, fragile places.
There's a reason we've done so many shows on public lands. They comprise almost two thirds of the state. A complete list of our "issue" oriented "Outdoor Idaho" shows indicates that our crew takes its responsibilities seriously to cover important public policy debates in a level headed manner.
 Bud Moore at lookout |
While it sometimes makes good TV to show opposing sides fighting, it makes more sense to show opposing sides working together, really collaborating. "On the Henry's Fork" showed how conservationists and irrigators learned to get along to protect a valuable resource. But it took some courage to listen to what the other side was saying.
The various sides of any environmental debate have their heroes and role models. That's expected. What is rare is that occasional person with enough wisdom and experience and street smarts to have something to say to all sides of the debate. Eighty five year old Bud Moore may be just such a person. We have a lengthy profile of Bud Moore in our 20th Anniversary television program.