For Release: April 23, 2007
Kentucky Life heads for the hills with features on the wildflowers of Black Mountain and Elliott County's "Trixie Foundation" for unwanted pets on the next program , airing Saturday, May 12 at 8/7 p.m. CT and Sunday, May 13 at 4:30/3:30 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, May 13 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET2. Dave "Mudcat" Shuffett and his canine pal Charlie host.Black Mountain, the state's highest point, is an amazing and diverse ecosystem, home to 28 species of plants that, in Kentucky, occur only on this mountain. The mountain's singular elevation, as well as its rare plant species, also make this a home for many rare animal species, from migratory songbirds to tiny butterflies. Marc Evans, senior ecologist for Kentucky State Nature Preserves, talks about his work on Black Mountain at the peak of wildflower season in early May. The segment also includes a trip to the mountain during summer, when the Turk's Cap Lily is on view.
Next, Kentucky Life features the work of the Trixie Foundation, which for more than 15 years has rescued and sheltered Appalachia's unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats. Located along a back road in Elliott County, it's the largest no-kill, cageless shelter in the region. Home to over 250 dogs and cats, the Trixie Foundation is the all-consuming effort of Randy Skaggs, who also advocates for a chang e in the way Kentucky deals with i ts unwanted animal population.
Finally, the images of KET photographer Steve Shaffer are featured, exposing the beauty of some of Kent ucky's rare and secluded places.
Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Joy Flynn. Segment p roducers for this program are Valerie Trimble and Brandon Wickey. More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org .