News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 7/8/05   Click on image for publication quality photo  BACKYARD WONDERS -- Karol Leonard of the Wild Bird Center in Covington displays an injured skunk in a segment of “Backyard Wonders,” a new show about north shore plant and animal life airing on the Southeastern Channel, Southeastern Louisiana University’s educational access channel on Charter Cable Channel 18. SOUTHEASTERN CHANNEL UNVEILS NEW NATURE SHOW        HAMMOND -- “Backyard Wonders,” a new series about unique plant and animal life on the north shore, will debut at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, on the Southeastern Channel, Southeastern Louisiana University’s educational access channel on Charter Cable Channel 18.        The 30-minute magazine show will also air at 7:30 pm., Thursday,  July 14; 7:30 pm., Saturday, July 16; 6:30 p.m., Sunday, July 17;  and 8 p.m.,  Monday, July 18, said Rick Settoon, general manager of the Southeastern Channel and the show’s executive producer.          “We believe our viewers will really enjoy ‘Backyard Wonders,’” Settoon said.  “It’s fresh, educational, and entertaining. Many aren’t aware of our region’s native flora and fauna. The show should help increase their appreciation.”        Southeastern Channel staff member Pelle Eriksson, the show’s producer, said “Backyard Wonders” will also inform viewers about preserving the natural environment and ecosystem, starting in their own backyards.          “‘Backyard Wonders’ will show how special the nature that surrounds us really is, and how those of us who live on the north shore fit into the web of life,” said Eriksson.        The program’s host is Charles Reith, owner of Naturally Green, a local company providing agricultural and horticultural products and services. Reith has lectured on environmental issues at Southeastern and other universities.        Eriksson said that the first episode of “Backyard Wonders” focuses on north shore bird life. It begins with a segment on bird watchers from all over the country flocking to the Louisiana Birdfest near Pass Manchac. Reith and his daughter Siena also visit Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville to study its swifts, swallows and red-winged blackbirds.        Next, the host treks to the backyard of Joanna Jack, whose home is a haven for purple martins, and then to the Purple Martin Bird Sanctuary at the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway to discuss migration patterns of the bird.        Reith then travels to the Wild Bird Center in Covington where owners Jerry and Karol Leonard show how injured birds are rehabilitated.        To encourage viewers to make their yards more “bird friendly,” Reith visits Gant Boswell of Covington, who explains how using solar power and letting pastureland grow back to its natural condition has kept his land environmentally balanced.  Finally, the host demonstrates the first phase of building a backyard compost.        Settoon said future episodes of “Backyard Wonders” will spotlight other local plant and animal life, including wetlands ecosystems.