Friday, September 5, 2008

25 Years of Phenology on KAXE

Phenology Past and Present

This month, KAXE is kicking off a year-long celebration of 25 years of John Latimer's Phenology Show. In October, 1983, John began doing a weekly review of his journal of nature notes he collected during his daily rural mail deliveries.

Since then, the program has expanded way beyond John's mail route and the studios of KAXE. Thousands of listeners and students from all over northern Minnesota have joined John to create a network of eyes and ears tracking the small and large changes as the seasons pass. We've talked with many people about their experiences and knowledge of the great variety of wildlife and the nature of where we live.

An Uncertain Future

Teachers, people who fish and hunt, foresters and other wildlife professionals are noticing that the number of young people interested in outdoor activities and the natural world is going down. John's programs in the schools are one way to pass on that interest and curiosity in our natural world.

Over the next year, our goal is to raise 25 thousand dollars. Most of that money will be used to support John's outreach work. We hope you will join us Tuesday evening, September 16th, from 5:30 to 7 o'clock, at KAXE's studios for a reception/fundraiser to kick off the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Phenology on KAXE.

What are your thoughts on the future of our natural heritage?

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