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Prairie Fire on WILL-TV

7:30 pm Thursdays - telling compelling stories about central Illinois.

Program info & archives

Story Subject Category: Environment

Starved Rock State Park
From Episode number 803, Twin Groves Wind Farm, Starved Rock State Park, Lincoln: Lincoln & Depression, air date Thursday, April 09, 2009

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Starved Rock State Park is located just south of Utica, Ill. Its 18 canyons were formed by melting waters from glaciers. The erosion created spectacular rock formations in the surrounding sandstone bluffs. Producer Brian Paris and videographer Virginia Steffen visited the park to see for themselves what makes Starved Rock so special. 

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Segment duration: 8:00

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Producer: Steve Drake and Brian Paris
Editor: Steve Drake and Tristan Riddell

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentHistorical LandmarksIllinois Culture/HistoryNative AmericanaParks/Outdoor RecreationTravelUtica

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Earth-Friendly Runway Fashion
From Episode number 802, Decatur Airbrush Artist, Earth-Friendly Runway Fashion, Lincoln: Lincoln & Women, air date Thursday, April 02, 2009

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We meet Runway, a group of young fashion designers from Urbana-Champaign who have joined together to create high fashion from other people’s cast-offs. Using recycled materials, the Runway designers put on a fashion show that highlighted not only their creativity and ingenuity, but also the need to conserve and re-use many the things that people throw away. Jared Collins got a front-row seat for Runway’s fashion show.

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Segment duration: 07:09

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Producer: Jared Collins and Steve Drake
Editor: Jared Collins and Steve Drake

This segment is filed in these categories: Arts/CultureEnvironmentHobbiesUniversity of Illinois

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Twin Groves Wind Farm
From Episode number 803, Twin Groves Wind Farm, Starved Rock State Park, Lincoln: Lincoln & Depression, air date Thursday, April 09, 2009

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To conserve our planet’s limited natural resources, we need to develop alternative energy sources for the future. One of the cleanest alternative energy sources is wind power. Twin Groves Wind Farm is located on the wind-swept Bloomington Moraine in eastern McLean County. Host Alison Davis Wood visited the wind farm, which sprawls across more than 22,000 acres of farmland, and generates enough energy to power over 100,000 homes. She saw one of the wind turbines erected and found out what the locals thought of this new kind of farm going up in their backyards.

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Segment duration: 8:12

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Producer: Steve Drake and Alison Davis Wood
Editor: Steve Drake and Tristan Riddell

This segment is filed in these categories: Agriculture/AgribusinessEnvironmentScience/NatureBloomington

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore
From Episode number 705, Recycled Rhythms, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, World War II Friendships, air date Thursday, April 03, 2008

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The goal of Habitat for Humanity’s Champaign ReStore is to keep gently used furniture out of the landfill and also help people in need.

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Segment duration: 06:49

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Producer: Virginia Steffen

This segment is filed in these categories: BusinessEnvironmentHousing and Urban RenewalChampaign

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Hiking Illinois, Part Two
From Episode number 556, Seely Johnston, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hiking Illinois, air date Thursday, May 13, 1999

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Segment duration: 06:56

Producer: Alison Davis Wood

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentLandscapeParks/Outdoor Recreation

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Bird Watching at Busey Woods
From Episode number 555, Hiking Illinois Part 1, Lincoln Presenter's Convention, Birdwatching, air date Thursday, April 08, 1999

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Segment duration: 05:11

Producer: Alison Davis Wood

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentHobbiesLivestock/Animals/ZoologyParks/Outdoor Recreation

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Hiking Illinois, Part One
From Episode number 555, Hiking Illinois Part 1, Lincoln Presenter's Convention, Birdwatching, air date Thursday, April 08, 1999

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University of Illinois research specialist Susan Post, author of the book “Hiking Illinois,” takes Prairie Fire on a trek through the Forest Glen Preserve near Georgetown. Post’s book, published by Human Kinetics, is a guide to the 100 most interesting trails in Illinois, with information about the length and difficulty of each trail, a map of each trail and information on park hours and facilities.

“This will be a kind of Prairie Fire adventure story,” said WILL-TV’s Jack Kelly, who produced the story. “People watch the show to find out about places to go and things to do, and Post is an expert on the natural areas of the state. She’s got so much helpful information to pass on.”

Post has worked as a research biologist for the Illinois Natural History Survey since 1978. As she has sampled streams for endangered plants and soybean fields for insect pests, she has become well-acquainted with the state’s natural areas. An accomplished nature photographer, Post has had her work published in a number of regional magazines.

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Segment duration: 11:11

Producer: Jack Kelly

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentHobbiesLandscapeParks/Outdoor Recreation

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Forest Glen State Park

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Segment duration: 02:07

Producer: Alison Davis
Advisor: Mary Kay Solecki

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentLandscapeParks/Outdoor Recreation

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Landscapes with Mary Kay Solecki
From Episode number 539, Burr Oak Grove, Barns in Edgar County, Prairie Fire Landscapes, air date Thursday, December 19, 1996

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Mary Kay Solecki visits the Hooper Branch Savannah

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Segment duration: 02:20

Producer: Alison Davis Wood
Advisor: Mary Kay Solecki

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentLandscapeParks/Outdoor RecreationScience/Nature

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Prairie Dock Plants at Pine Ridge Cemetary

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Segment duration: 01:49

Producer: Alison Davis
Advisor: Mary Kay Solecki

This segment is filed in these categories: EnvironmentHorticultureParks/Outdoor Recreation

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