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Years ago in TV land, the DNR and WTTV Channel 4 (Indianapolis) produced more than 800 episodes of Indiana Outdoors, a show originating from the address probably every central Indiana kid knew by heart --- 3490 Bluff Road.
After all, this was where you could find Cowboy Bob, Tumbleweed the dog, Windjammer the horse and Sourdough the Singin' Biscuit.
The show aired from late 1974 to 1992.
Chief naturalist Steven M. Locke and Brown County State Park naturalist (and later DNR chief naturalist) Michael Ellis were hosts, traveling to places like Mounds and Turkey Run state parks, Wyandotte Woods State Recreation Area and Brookville Reservoir.
Michael Ellis can still be found as a DNR treasure, as editor of Focus on Fish and Wildlife, a DNR newsletter. He's been at the DNR for 26 years.
WTTV produced the show with no charge to the DNR. Showcasing our department, it aired on many stations around Indiana.
I used to enjoy that program and wanted to put the DNR back on the air. I was elated to learn that others felt the same way. Thanks to some very creative talent at Ball State University, Indiana's natural resources and television aren't just a fond memory any more.
A new Indiana Outdoors is being produced by Ball State's telecommunications department with student talent. To bring the show to life, the university created a seminar for the students to produce segments for a television show that will air on public television beginning in July.
The students were video- graphers, reporters, editors and technicians. They produced more than 50 stories, edited into 13 half-hour programs that have been offered free of charge to public television stations in Vincennes, Bloomington, Muncie, Indianapolis, Merrillville, Fort Wayne, and Elkhart.
Students shot video in the field and edited the material in a high-tech digital lab at Ball State.
Instructors reviewed the edited segments and made suggestions for further refinement.
The program is the brainchild of Don Van Meter, an associate dean and professor of natural resources at Ball State. Nancy Carlson, an associate professor of telecommunications, and Sam Clemmons, producer/director at the university's PBS affiliate, provide direction to the students.
Don also will host the programs along with Jill Ditmire, a central Indiana TV personality.
DNR staff helped by developing story ideas, arranging for our experts to appear on-camera and reviewing information for accuracy.
Viewers will see stories about topics as diverse as coal mining and reclamation, river otters, horseback riding and wildlife photography.
The students worked hard and gained valuable experience during their travels around Indiana. I've previewed some of the shows and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm sure that the program will be a big hit.
Nancy suggests that you call your local PBS TV station to get specific program listings.
Thanks Don, Nancy and Sam and the students at Ball State for all your hard work and for allowing us to be a part of Indiana Outdoors.
