Streaming expert/wizard/guru Veronica Cast knows a few things about IdahoPTV Passport. If you’ve ever contacted our station needing assistance creating or accessing your IdahoPTV Passport account, you’ve likely spoken to our in-house Passport IT Support Technician, Veronica! As her days are filled with all things Passport-related, we thought she might share what’s currently on her streaming list. Here are her picks and descriptions of her Top 10 animal and nature programs:
1. Wild Horses – A Tale From the Puszta
A journey into the secret world of Przewalski’s horse, told through the eyes of a young foal named Dot. Many other iconic animals of the grasslands make an appearance: the Great Bustard, the Aurochs, giant spiders and many more.
“Traveling with children is always an adventure. Watching this beautiful herd of Przewalski horses travel the Puszta is full of excitement as they interact with their NEIGHbors in the Hungarian grasslands.” – Veronica
Produced by South Florida PBS in Miami, Changing Seas gives viewers a fish-eye view of life in the deep blue. Join scientists as they study earth’s last frontier and discover the mysteries of our liquid planet.
“Save the manatees!! These gentle sea cows are declining in numbers far too quickly. So much hope goes into the tireless work that scientist and volunteers do to help the manatees in Florida.” – Veronica
3. Westward Wings | A Nature Short Film
Westward Wings follows researcher Maggie Hirschauer as she strives to learn more about the monarch butterfly population in western Montana. Maggie’s research opens a window to a world of pollinators and highlights the importance of creating habitat for native pollinators across the Western United States.
“This film brought me back to my elementary days at Cole School. Fourth grade with Mrs. Sutherland, The Butterfly Lady, was a year full of memories that will stay with me forever. Watch the lifecycle of the monarch from milkweed to eggs, larva, caterpillars, chrysalis, and finally, beautiful butterflies. Watch and learn what we can do help the monarch population.” – Veronica
4. Animal Babies: First Year on Earth
Meet six baby animals from across the globe. Follow along as they experience joy and hardship, confront near-daily adversities, navigate their habitats, and overcome challenges in their first year of life.
“The first year of learning teaches all babies the most vital survival skills. Watching these animal babies grow and adapt reminds me of the fun and fear that came with raising my own babies!” – Veronica
5. America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston – Idaho: Tied to the Land
Life on the American frontier is evolving. To find out how, and what it means, Baratunde Thurston ventures into the wilds of Idaho in search of its outdoor culture. He finds ranchers and backcountry pilots sharing the wilderness with newly resettled refugees, and sees how climate change is playing havoc with the age-old salmon fishery.
“Idaho is home, my HOME — born and raised! Some may ask ‘What makes Idahoans love Idaho so much?’ Baratunde Thurston gives a peek into our amazing state and shows why we love it!!” – Veronica
Hawaii, the most remote island chain on earth, offers sanctuary for wildlife that has reached its tropical shores. From humpback whales to waterfall-climbing fish, it’s home to an extraordinary wealth of wildlife.
“Remote, beautiful, and full of life, Hawaii holds some of the most amazing views both on earth and in the skies above. I hope to one day experience the majesty that Hawaii has to offer. Aloha!” – Veronica
A unique look at three of the greatest builders of the African savanna: weaver birds, aardvarks and termites. In their spectacular buildings they do not live alone! Many roommates from other species — from small insects, reptiles and birds to large mammals — not only live together, they also benefit from sharing the same roof.
“Roommates — can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em, and some pairings truly save lives! A unique look into how roommates can be beneficial.” – Veronica
8. The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature’s most spectacular locales, the film is a story of people from every conceivable background — rich and poor, soldiers and scientists, natives and newcomers — who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.
“I found this series to be completely mesmerizing! From sea to shining sea, there is beauty beyond imagination all around us.” – Veronica
An adventure-filled exploration of conservation science, Bears of Durango embeds with a dynamic team of wildlife researchers tasked with conducting a black bear study in Durango, Colorado.
“My oh my! Bears, bears, and more bears! Momma bears, cute little baby bears and LOTS of other bears adds up to an unBEARable amount of human and bear encounters in Durango, Colorado.” – Veronica
An epic scientific expedition to the breeding grounds of the humpback whale. Traveling to the Kimberley region in Western Australia, whale researchers Curt and Micheline Jenner capture never-before-seen whale behavior using the latest aerial camera drones and night-vision cameras, providing insight into the secret life of these enigmatic giants.
“Being a mother is one of the hardest, most beautiful jobs in the world. Humpback whale moms journey thousands of miles and go through the most amazing migration to safely give birth to a new generation. And I thought the trip to the hospital was bad…” – Veronica
IdahoPTV Passport is a member benefit that provides IdahoPTV donors extended on-demand access to a rich library of quality public television programs on your television with a number of streaming video devices as well as on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.
To learn more or sign up for Passport, visit idahoptv.org/passport.
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