>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO IN
WISCONSIN.
I'M PATTY LOEW.
THIS WEEK FIND OUT HOW A LAND
TRUST PROVIDES THE SUN PRAIRIE
CITY KIDS WITH A HANDS-ON
LESSON IN NATURE, EXAMINE WHY
THE CRAWFORD COUNTY DISC JOCKEY
HAS TAKEN ON TWO EXTRA JOBS BUT
LIKE MANY PEOPLE STILL CAN'T
FIND AFFORDABLE HEALTH
INSURANCE AND MEET THE
CANDIDATES IN WHAT IS SHAPING
UP TO BE AN EXTREMELY TOUGH
BATTLE FOR A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT
IN OUR STATE.
WE'LL ALSO REMEMBER THE WORK OF
A WELL KNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER WHO
TOOK US ON A LOVELY JOURNEY
DOWN SOME OF THE RUSTIC ROADS
FOUND IN WISCONSIN.
MAJOR FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY
THE PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY
WHO BRING RELIANT AND FRIENDLY
ENERGY TO THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN.
OFFERING ENERGY SAVING IDEAS ON
THE WEB AND BY THE ANIMAL
DENTAL CENTER OF MILWAUKEE AND
OSHKOSH.
A VETERINARY SPECIALIST WORKING
WITH VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN, PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COME UPONIAN
ANIMALS.
>> ACCORDING TO 2007 FIGURES
FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU,
15% OF ALL AMERICANS LIVE
WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE SO
IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT HEALTH
CARE IS ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES
IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
ART HACKETT EXAMINES THE HEALTH
CARE PLAN PUT FORWARD BY JOHN
MCCAIN AND BARACK OBAMA.
ART ALSO INTRODUCES US TO A
CRAWFORD COUNTY MAN FINDING HIS
OWN SOLUTION TO BEING INSURED.
>> MOST MORNING CHAD PHELPS
WITH BE FOUND IN A USED CAR
DEALERSHIP IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN.
>> KIND OF A JACK OF ALL TRADES.
I DO DETAILING AND SALES AND
LIGHT MECHANIC WORK HERE.
>> AFTER CHAD PHELPS FINISHES
HIS JOB AT THE USED CAR LOT, HE
PUTS IN A FIVE HOUR SHIFT AT
HIS SECOND JOB.
THAT ONE IS AT PRAIRIE DU
CHIEN'S RADIO STATION.
YET NEITHER JOB NORED THIRD JOB
ON THE WEEKENDS PROVIDE HEALTH
INSURANCE.
PHELPS HASN'T HAD HEALTH
INSURANCE FOR OVER FOUR YEARS.
>> THE JOBS I'VE CHOSEN TO HAVE
JUST DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION FOR
THEIR EMPLOYEES.
WITH MY GIRLFRIEND AND OUR TWO
KIDS BEING -- THEY'RE ALL ON
BADGER CARE AND SO I MEAN, I
GUESS I KNOW THAT THEY'RE
COVERED SO IT'S REALLY MORE AS
LONG AS THEY'RE OK, I GUESS
I'LL JUST KIND OF TOUGH OUT MY
COLDS AND STUFF.
>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU
HAD HEALTH INSURANCE?
>> I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ABOUT
FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO.
I WORKED AT THE WAL-MART SUPER
CENTER HERE IN TOWN AND HAD
HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEM.
>> CHAD PHELPS IS ONE OF ABOUT
HALF A MILLION WISCONSIN
RESIDENTS AND NEARLY 46 MILLION
IN THE UNITED STATES WHO LACK
HEALTH INSURANCE.
IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THIS
ISSUE COMES UP DURING THE
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.
>> WE HAVE A MORAL COMMITMENT
AS WELL AS AN ECONOMIC
IMPERATIVE TO DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS
THAT SO MANY FAMILIES ARE
FACING.
>> AS YOU NOTICED HE STARTS
TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT.
HE TALKS ABOUT GOVERNMENT WILL
DO THIS AND GOVERNMENT WILL DO
THAT AND THEN GOVERNMENT WILL
-- AND HE'LL IMPOSE MANDATES.
>> WHAT MAY BE A SURPRISE TO
SOME PEOPLE IS THAT ACCORDING
TO THE U.S. CENS US BUREAU,
PEOPLE IN CHAD PHELPS AGE
GROUP, PEOPLE AGE 18 TO 35 ARE
MOST LIKELY TO LACK HEALTH
INSURANCE.
>> I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF
MOST OF THE PEOPLE MY AGE IN
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN.
>> THESE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO
ARE OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY'RE NO LONGER DEPENDENT
LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS.
THEY'RE IN LOWER PAYING JOBS
WHICH DON'T OFFER INSURANCE.
>> LINDA REIVITZ IS WELL AWARE
OF THE INSURANCE PROBLEMS FACED
BY PEOPLE IN THIS AGE GROUP.
SHE'S A FORMER WISCONSIN
SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL
SERVICES.
SHE IS NOW A LECTURER IN SOCIAL
SERVICES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF NURSING.
>> I THINK IT'S A MINDSET.
A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE
HEALTHY.
THEY DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR
INSURANCE.
THEY DON'T HAVE A LT OF
DISPOSABLE INCOME AND THEY SAY
TO THEMSELVES, I DON'T WANT TO
PAY $200 OR $300 A MONTH.
>> PHELPS HAS BEEN PAYING FOR
WHAT LITTLE MEDICAL CARE HE'S
NEEDED OUT OF THINKS POCKET.
HE'S FACED NO MEDICAL ISSUES
UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN HE
DISCOVERED AN UNUSUAL MASS IN
HIS GROIN AREA.
>> I WAS TAKEN A BATH GETTING
READY FOR WORK AND THAT'S NOT
SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.
I'VE NEVER REALLY HAD ANY KIND
OF BROKEN BONES.
I'VE NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENTS UP
UNTIL THIS POINT, I THINK I'VE
BEEN VERY, VERY, VERY LUCKY.
THIS IS BY FAR KIND OF THE
SCARIEST MEDICAL THING I'VE
GONE THROUGH SO --
>> HERE IS WHAT THE TWO MAJOR
PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
ARE PROPOSING TO HELP PEOPLE
LIKE CHAD PHELPS.
REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE JOHN
MCCAIN PROPOSES REFUNDAL TAX
CREDITS OF $2,500 FOR A SINGLE
TAXPAYER FOR $35 FOR A COUPLE.
WORKERS WHOSE HEALTH COVERAGE
IS PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYER
WOULD SEE THE VALUE OF THEIR
BENEFITS COUNTED AS TAXABLE
INCOME.
THE WORKER MIGHT BE ON THE HOOK
FOR ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX.
MCCAIN WOULD ALSO ALLOW
INSURANCE COMPANIES TO SELL
POLICIES ACROSS STATE LINES TO
ENCOURAGE COMPETITION.
>> IF YOU ASSUME THE YOUNG
PERSON IS ONLY PAYING A FEW
HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH, FOR
EXAMPLE, FOR INSURANCE, THEN
THAT PERSON IS GOING TO COME
OUT OK.
IF THEY HAVE A PREEXISTING
CONDITION, IT'S VERY POSSIBLE
THAT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO
GET A POLICY IN WHAT'S CALLED
THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET.
NO ONE WILL SELL IT TO THEM.
SENATOR MCCAIN HAS SAID WHAT I
WANT TO DO IS CREATE WHAT HE
CALLS THE GAP, GUARANTEED
ACCESS PLAN WHICH IN WISCONSIN
IS SIMILAR TO THE HIGH RISK
POOL AND I WANT TO HELP YOU
FIND INSURANCE.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S LIKELY TO BE
QUITE COSTLY.
>> SINCE PHELPS' JOBS PROVIDE
NO INSURANCE, HE WOULD FACE NO
ADDITIONAL INCOME TAX.
LOWER WAGE WORKERS SUCH AS HE
WOULD GAIN THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT
FROM MCCAIN'S PLAN.
PHELPS SAYS AS LONG AS HE COULD
FIND A PLAN FOR THE AMOUNT OF
THE CREDIT, THAT WOULD BE OK.
>> YOU KNOW, SINCE IT'S A
CREDIT THAT HELPS A LOT,
ESPECIALLY WITH THE ECONOMY I'M
RUNNING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK
PAYING THE BILLS AND SUCH.
IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND
IT'S THERE FOR ME TO USE, BY
ALL MEANS I WOULD USE IT.
>> DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE BARACK
OBAMA'S INSURANCE PROPOSAL
WOULD SET UP AN INSURANCE
EXCHANGE WHICH WOULD OFFER
COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS A
VARIETY OF INSURANCE OPTIONS.
PEOPLE WOULD BE GUARANTEED
COVERAGE REGARDLESS OF
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.
>> BARACK OBAMA HAS MORE PIECES
TO HIS PLAN.
SO IF, FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT WERE
A LOWER INCOME INDIVIDUAL,
YOUNG, OLD, BUT IF IT WERE
LOWER INCOME INDIVIDUAL, THAT
PERSON, FOR EXAMPLE, MIGHT BE
ELIGIBLE FOR A PUBLIC PROGRAM.
AFTER THAT WHAT SENATOR OBAMA
DOES IS TO CREATE A NATIONAL
PLAN THAT EITHER BUSINESSES OR
PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET INSURANCE
THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER HAD THE
OPTION OF PURCHASING.
>> PHELPS SAYS AVAILABILITY OF
INSURANCE ISN'T WHAT'S CAUSED
PROBLEMS FOR HIS EMPLOYERS.
IT'S BEEN THE COST.
>> AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER,
YOU ONLY MAKE SO MUCH, YOU KNOW.
WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY VEHICLES.
WE ONLY MAKE A LITTLE BIT ON
EACH VEHICLE.
IF HE WAS TO CARRY HEALTH
INSURANCE ON ALL OF US, HE
WOULD HAVE TO MAKE NO PROFIT.
>> OBAMA'S PLAN REQUIRES
EMPLOYERS TO EITHER PROVIDE
HEALTH COVERAGE OR PAY INTO A
FUND WHICH WOULD OFFSET THE
COSTS OF A PUBLICLY OPERATED
PLAN.
SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE CHAD
PHELPS' EMPLOYERS WOULD BE
EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT.
THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A
TAX CREDIT TO COVER HALF OF THE
COST OF THEIR COMPANY'S
INSURANCE PREMIUMS.
OBAMA WOULD ALSO PROVIDE
SUBSIDIES TO BUSINESS TO OFFSET
CATASTROPHIC HEALTH CARE COSTS.
WHICHEVER CANDIDATE'S PLAN MAY
BECOME LAW, IT WILL BE TOO LATE
TO HELP CHAD PHELPS WITH HIS
CURRENT PROBLEM.
HE FIRST SOUGHT CARE AT A FREE
CLINIC.
THE DAY AFTER WE INTERVIEWED
PHELPS, HE, HIS GIRLFRIEND AND
10-MONTH-OLD SON WERE AT YET
ANOTHER FREE CLINIC IN THE
MADISON SUBURB OF MIDDLETON.
THERE PHELPS GOT GOOD NEWS.
>> NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT
WHATSOEVER.
IT'S NOT -- YOU KNOW, LIKE I
WAS SAYING, IT'S NOT ANYWHERE
OR ATTACHED TO ANYTHING THAT
WOULD BE LIKE CANCEROUS OR
ANYTHING LIKE THAT
>> SO THIS SOLVES YOUR MEDICAL
PROBLEMS.
STILL DOESN'T SOLVE YOUR
INSURANCE PROBLEMS.
>> YES.
THAT'S DEFINITELY AN ISSUE.
THE FREE CLINICS ARE A GOD SEND
WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAL ISSUES
BUT I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE IN
CASE I GET IN AN ACCIDENT OR
SOMETHING.
>> YOU CAN HEAD TO THE ELECTION
YEAR ONLINE RESOURCE, WISCONSIN
VOTE.ORG TO FIND THE POLICY
PROPOSALS ON ISSUES LIKE HEALTH
CARE FROM ALL OF THE
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THAT
WILL APPEAR ON THE WISCONSIN
BALLOT FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
THE SITE FREE TOURS ALL PUSH
>> WE PUSH TO ONE OF OUR
STATE'S HOTTEST CONGRESSIONAL
CAMPAIGNS.
IT'S THE BATTLE FOR WISCONSIN'S
EIGHTH DISTRICT.
THE NORTHEASTERN SECTIONS OF
OUR STATE INCLUDES THE CITIES
OF GREEN BAY AND APPLETON, MON
OK WA AND STURGEON BAY.
ELECTION NIGHT IN THE EIGHTH
DISTRICT IS BOUND TO BE A REAL
NAIL-BITER.
>> IN THIS CORNER, THE VICTOR
OF THE LAST MATCHUP, DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESSMAN STEVE KAGEN.
ENTERING THIS RACE WITH TWO
YEARS IN WASHINGTON UNDER HIS
BELT.
FORMERLY A FULL TIME PHYSICIAN
IN APPLETON.
IN THIS CORNER THE MAN WHO LOST
BY FEWER THAN 6,000 VOTES LAST
TIME, FORMER REPUBLICAN SPEAKER
OF THE WISCONSIN IS ASSEMBLY,
JOHN GARD.
>> WHAT'S EXCITING IS IT'S
COMPETITIVE AGAIN.
>> ACCORD TO GO MICHAEL KRAFT,
THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, WHICH WILL
YOUS 14 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST
WISCONSIN RS LEANS REPUBLICAN.
IT WAS HELD FOR FOUR TERMS BY
REPUBLICAN MARK GREEN BEFORE HE
RAN FOR GOVERNOR AND LOST.
BUT IN AN EXPENSIVE RACE TWO
YEARS AGO FOR THE OPEN SEAT, A
DEMOCRAT, STEVEN KAGEN, TOOK IT
BY A NOSE.
IT WAS SO CLOSE, HIS
CHALLENGER, JOHN GARD, STEPPED
UP FOR THE REMATCH.
>> THE CONTRAST IS SO CRYSTAL
CLEAR, BOTH IN THINK
CONGRESSIONAL RACE AND
PRESIDENTIAL RACE --
>> THAT CONTRAST BETWEEN THEM
MAY BE THE ONLY THING THESE
CHALLENGERS AGREE ON.
>> YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO
CHOOSE THE PATH THAT STEVE
KAGEN AND BARACK OBAMA SET OUT,
HIGHER TAXES, MORE GOVERNMENT,
MORE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
I WOULD ARGUE WEAK ON NATIONAL
DEFENSE AND, YOU KNOW, -- OR
YOU CAN CHOOSE A DIFFERENT
PATH, RESTRAIN TAXATION, TRY
AND REENERGIZE THE PRIVATE
MANUFACTURING AND PRIVATE THE
JOB GROWTH AND LIMIT THE ROLE
OF GOVERNMENT.
>> WE ARE INVOLVED IN AN
ENDLESS WAR OVER IN IRAQ, THE
OCCUPATION OF IRAQ.
THAT IS GO I'M FIGHTING HARD TO
CHANGE.
I'M TRYING TO BRING BACK JOBS
HERE TO WISCONSIN WHERE THEY
BELONG AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE
EXAMPLE.
NIAGARA AND KIMBERLY.
AS NIAGARA GOES, AS KIMBERLY
GOES, SO GOES OUR NATION.
WE HAVE TO FIX OUR TRADE LAWS,
WITHDRAW OUR FORCES AND MOVE
THEM AWAY FROM IRAQ AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
>> OBVIOUSLY IN THESE TIMES THE
ECONOMY NEARLY DROWNS OUT OTHER
ELECTION ISSUES.
SO FAR IN THIS CAMPAIGN, JOHN
GARD HAS SAID THE BIG PROBLEM
IS THE PRICE OF OIL.
>> THIS LOOKS LIKE AN ORDINARY
GAS PUMP BUT IT'S A 24-HOUR GAS
MACHINE THAT HANDS OVER --
>> GARD AGENCIES COMMERCIALS
SLAM KAGEN FOR VOTING AGAINST
EXPANDED DRILLING FOR OIL.
>> I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE
DRILLING IN AN WAR, OFFSHORE.
>> JOHN CAN SAY WHATEVER HE
WANTS BUT I VOTED FOR THE
BIGGEST INCREASE AT ANY ONE
POINT IN TIME IN OUR NATION'S
HISTORY OF EXPANDING OIL
DRILLING HERE IN AMERICA.
NOT JUST FOR OIL BUT FOR
NATURAL GAS.
>> THERE ARE THREE THINGS WE
NEED TO DO TO BECOME ENERGY
INDEPENDENT.
>> KAGEN DOES OPPOSE DRILLING
FOR OIL IN ALASKA'S NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE BUT FAVORS IN
OTHER PARTS OF THAT STATE.
HE VOTED YES IN LATE SEPTEMBER
TO LIFTING THE QUARTER CENTURY
BAN ON OFFSHORE DRILLING AS
PART OF A LARGER SPENDING BILL.
FOR KAGEN'S PART, HE'S ABLE TO
TOUT HIS CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
HE'S PROUD OF GETTING THE
FEDERAL WAIVER FOR WISCONSIN'S
SENIOR CARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG
PROGRAM AND WORKING TO RAISE
THE MINIMUM WAGE.
EXPERTS SAY IT'S THE
INCUMBENT'S ADVANTAGE.
>> IT'S A COMBINATION OF
EMPHASIZING WHAT I'VE DONE FOR
YOU LATELY AND TWO YEARS AND
WHAT I PROMISE TO DO IF
REELECTED.
>> BUT IT'S THAT RECORD THAT
GIVES JOHN GARD HIS AMMUNITION.
>> EVERYWHERE I GO IN THE
DISTRICT, I ASK PEOPLE, LOOK.
I'M THE HIRED HAND.
THESE ARE YOUR TAX DOLLARS.
WHERE DO YOU WANT THEM SPENT?
IN THE SANDS OF IRAQ OR HERE AT
HOME?
>> SPEAKING OF TAXES, JOHN GARD
REPEATEDLY SAYS STEVE KAGEN
VOTED TO RAISE TAXES BY $680
BILLION.
HE'S REFERRING TO KAGEN'S VOTE
TO ALLOW PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAX
CUTS TO EXPIRE.
KAGEN IS UNAPOLOGETIC.
>> WELL, I'M THE TAXPAYER'S
BEST FRIEND.
I VOTED TO REPEAL PERMANENTLY
THE ESTATE TAX.
THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK HE
WOULD AGREE WITH.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SMALL
BUSINESS PEOPLE AND FARMERS
EVERYWHERE AGREE WITH.
I FOUGHT VERY HARD TO LOWER
TAXES FOR EVERYBODY.
62,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTHEAST
WISCONSIN ARE PAYING LESS TAXES
TODAY BECAUSE I HELPED TO
PREVENT THE A.M.T., THE
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX FROM
TAKING EFFECT.
>> WHETHER IT'S EARMARKED
SPENDING, HE VOTED FOR THE
LARGEST TAX INCREASE IN
AMERICAN HISTORY, HE'S VOTED
REPEATEDLY AND CONSISTENTLY
AGAINST OPENING UP AMERICAN
DRILLING AND I WOULD HAVE VOTED
DIFFERENTLY IN EACH OF THOSE SO
PEOPLE NOW GET A BETTER ABILITY
TO JUDGE WHERE I AM AND WHERE
HE IS.
>> THOSE TWO PLACES COULDN'T BE
MORE DIFFERENT.
BUT POLITICAL EXPERT MICHAEL
KRAFT SAYS EVEN IN THIS
REPUBLICAN LEANING DISTRICT, HE
THINKS THE EDGE GOES TO THE
DEMOCRATS.
HE'S SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED
BEFORE.
>> THE PARTY THAT OCCUPIES THE
WHITE HOUSE
>> CRAFT SAYS HIGH VOTER
TURNOUT HISTORICALLY BENEFITS
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.
STILL IN THIS DISTRICT THIS
ELECTION IS CONSIDERED A TOSSUP.
>> IT'S A CLOSE RACE BY
EVERYTHING THAT I'VE SEEN.
IT'S HARD TO SAY, WELL, HE WON
TWO YEARS AGO AND THEREFORE,
IT'S A CAKE WALK.
IT'S NEVER A CAKE WALK.
>> CONGRESSMAN STEVE KAGEN
VOTED NO ON THE ECONOMIC
BAILOUT PLAN THAT WOULD SPEND
$700 BILLION OF TAXPAYER MONEY
TO SHORE UP THE U.S. ECONOMY.
JOHN GARD SAYS HE WOULD HAVE
VOTED THE SAME WAY.
AS FOR THE TIGHTNESS OF THIS
RACE, A RECENT SURVEY "USA
TODAY" PUT KAGEN AHEAD OF GARD
AHEAD BY 11 POINTS WITH 3% OF
VOTERS UNDECIDED.
OUR NEXT STORY OFFERS A
SOLUTION TO A GROWING CONCERN
ABOUT OUR NATION'S CHILDREN.
SOME EXPERTS HAVE SOUNDED AN
ALARM THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE
EXPERIENCING WHAT THEY CALL A
NATURE DEFICIT.
THE WORRY IS THAT SOMETHING
PRECIOUS IS LOST WHEN KIDS NO
LONGER HAVE WILD TIME, TIME IN
THE WOODS TO EXPLORE OR PLAY IN
NATURE.
REPORTER JO GARRETT PROFILES A
SCHOOL THAT HAS FOUND A WAY TO
PROVIDE THAT EXPERIENCE AND
WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THOSE KIDS.
>> THIS IS THE PATRICK MARSH
NATURAL RESOURCE AREA.
990 ACRES OF UNEXPECTED LAND IN
DANE COUNTY.
ONE OF THE MOST RAPIDLY GROWING
COUNTIES IN THE STATE.
YES, THERE'S HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IN
THE DISTANCE.
BUT THERE'S NATURE OF PLENTY
AND ON THIS DAY, CHILDREN.
PAT RICH MARSH IS ALSO THE
MEETING PLACE FOR AN AFTER
SCHOOL PROGRAM CALLED THE
DISCOVERY CLUB.
THE PROGRAM WAS SPONSORED BY
THE PATRICK MARSH MIDDLE SCHOOL
WHICH IS JUST ONE WEEK ACROSS A
FIELD FROM PATRICK MARSH.
THE DISCOVERY CLUB IS RAN BY
MARK SMITH, THE SEVENTH GRADE
SCIENCE TEACHER.
>> THE DISCOVERY CLUB STARTED
ABOUT 11 YEARS AGO.
>> IT'S STILL THE SAME.
>> IT IS A BUNCH OF STUDENTS
THAT GO OUT AND MONITOR WHAT'S
GOING ON OUT AT THE MARSH.
>> WE'LL DUMP THAT IN THIS
BUCKET SO WE CAN SEE WHAT WE'VE
GOT.
>> WE DO WATER QUALITY STUFF
AND JUST MAKE OBSERVATIONS OF
THE WILDLIFE WE'VE SEEN.
>> DO YOU WANT THE AIR TEMP?
>> YEAH.
GIVE ME THE AIR TEMP, TOO.
>> THE DATA IS COOL.
THE DATA SHOWS WHERE WE'VE BEEN
BUT I REALLY THINK THAT WHAT
THEY GET OUT OF IT IS AN
OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY DON'T GET
AT HOME.
THEY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO
THROW A STICK AND SEE A TURTLE
AND POKE IN THE MUD AND CRAWL
ON A TREE.
REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY JUST TO
KIND OF BE A KID AND EXPLORE
AND I THINK THAT'S THE BEST
PART OF BEING AT PATRICK MARSH
AND BEING IN DISCOVERY CLUB.
LOOK AT THE TOAD.
>> TAKE A LOOK AT A MAP.
THOSE 990 ACRES ARE WHAT THE
COUNTY AND OTHERS WOULD LIKE TO
SEE PROTECTED FROM FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT.
TO KEEP THE MARSH AND
SURROUNDING WATER SHED IN GOOD
SHAPE.
BUT SO FAR, ONLY ABOUT 300
ACRES ARE ACTUALLY PRESERVED,
THE D.N.R. OWNS SOME, THE
COUNTY OWNS SOME MORE AND
HERE'S ANOTHER KEY PARTNER,
THEY'VE SAVED THE AREAS IN RED.
THAT'S THE WORK OF THE LOCAL
LAND TRUST OF DANE COUNTY.
IT'S CALLED THE NATURAL
HERITAGE LAND TRUST.
>> THE LAND TRUST STARTED
GETTING INVOLVED AND SAID,
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT?
WE CAN PICK UP A PIECE OVER
HERE AND THERE WAS 55 ACRES
HERE AND 27 HERE AND THEY
REALLY HAVE BEEN COMING
TOGETHER TO KIND OF BRING THE
PUZZLE TOGETHER AND SO NOW, THE
LAND TRUST HAS ABOUT -- I
BELIEVE ABOUT 100 ACRES TOTAL.
>> AND THE LAND, THIS LIVING
LAB, IS INVALUABLE TO TEACHERS
LIKE MARK SMITH.
>> WHEN I SIT HERE IN THE
CLASSROOM AND I TALK ABOUT
PRAIRIES AND I TALK ABOUT
WETLANDS AND TALK ABOUT
FORESTS, IT IS -- IT IS JUST
PICTURES IN A BOOK.
UNLESS I CAN HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE KIDS
OUT AND SHOW IT TO THEM.
>> OK.
AWESOME.
SHOW THEM WHERE THE FOX LIVES.
>> WE'VE SEEN THE FOX.
>> WE SAW THE FOX IN AND OUT OF
IT.
IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S BEEN DIGGING
IN THERE.
HE'S DIGGING MORE.
>> RENOVATING.
>> THE LAND TRUST IS JUST DOING
SO MUCH FOR ME TO MAKE MY JOB
EASIER.
SINCE WE'RE SO CLOSE, WE HAVE
JUST A FANTASTIC RESOURCE THAT
WE CAN'T IGNORE.
WE HAVE TO GET THE KIDS OUT
THERE.
AND GET THEM TO SEE IT.
>> THERE HE GOES.
CAREFUL.
DON'T STEP ON HIM.
>> OK.
EVERYONE WATCH OUT.
A TOAD IS COMING THIS WAY.
>> I'VE BEEN GOING HERE SINCE
THE START WITH MY BROTHER GOING
IN AND I JUST LOVE BEING OUT
HERE.
>> IT'S JUST REALLY FUN
LEARNING ABOUT NATURE AND GOING
OUT IN THE WATER AND CATCHING
STUFF.
>> YOU CAN FIND ANIMALS, TRACKS
AND SEE FEATHERS, DIFFERENT
BUGS.
>> MANY OF US NO LONGER GROW UP
IN NATURE.
THE CLUB AN ACCESS TO THIS WILD
PLACE, PROVIDES THAT EXPERIENCE
FOR THESE CHILDREN.
RECENTLY, SMITH PARTICIPATED IN
A SCHOOLWIDE SURVEY, THAT
LOOKED AT HOW THE STUDENTS GOT
TO SCHOOL.
THE RESULTS?
>> AFTER A WEEK OF CHECKING THE
KIDS OUT TO FIND OUT HOW MANY
OF MY 29 KIDS WERE WALKING OR
RIDING THE BUS OR GETTING A CAR
RIDE, OUT OF AN ENTIRE WEEK,
ONLY FOUR TRIPS WERE TAKEN ON A
BIKE.
NOT A SINGLE KID WALKED.
ABOUT HALF OF THOSE KIDS TOOK A
BUS AND THE OTHER HALF WERE
PICKED UP SO REALLY, ALMOST
NONE OF MY STUDENTS EVER GET AN
OPPORTUNITY JUST TO EVEN BE
OUTDOORS.
JUST WALKING TO SCHOOL.
KIDS TODAY, THEY EVEN SAID THAT
IN THEIR BACKYARD, THEY'RE
LIKE, OH, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF
THIS STUFF IN MY BACKYARD.
I DON'T HAVE ANY BIG TREES IN
MY BACKYARD.
I DON'T HAVE THE CREEK.
I DON'T HAVE WEEDS.
MY BACKYARD IS, YOU KNOW, MOWED
AND TRIMMED AND WE'RE NOT
ALLOWED TO CLIMB THE TREES.
IT'S JUST AN OPPORTUNITY THAT
THERE'S A PLACE THAT IS
DIFFERENT AND IT'S WILD AND
IT'S EXCITING
>> THAT'S COOL.
I DON'T KNOW.
MY FIRST THOUGHT IS IT'S FROM
THE ORIOLE.
IT COULD BE A FEMALE ORIOLE.
>> I JUST THINK THERE'S LIKE A
WINDOW OF TIME WE NEED TO GET
OUT AND SEE THESE THINGS AND
YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE THESE
OPPORTUNITIES.
I WISH THAT EVEN IF THE FUTURE
WHEN SCHOOLS ARE SITED THAT A
WHOLE CONNECTION TO THE LAND
WOULD BE MADE.
I JUST THINK IN PLANNING IN THE
FUTURE, WHAT A GREAT
OPPORTUNITY.
SAVE A GREEN SPACE FOR YOUR
KIDS.
>> THE FATHER OF AMERICA'S
CONSERVATION MOVEMENT ONCE
VOICED SIMILAR SENTIMENTS.
LEOPOLD WROTE, I AM GLAD I
SHALL NEVER BE YOUNG WITHOUT
WILD COUNTRY TO BE YOUNG IN.
OVER WATER VAIL ARE 40
FREEDOMS, WITHOUT A BLANK SPOT
ON THE MAP.
>> THESE ARE THE TREE SWALLOWS
AND SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT
YOU SEE FLYING AROUND.
>> A BLANK SPOT ON THE MAP
FILLED WITH WONDER.
>> SO WE'LL KEEP TRACKING THEM.
MAYBE THEY'LL HATCH BEFORE
SCHOOL IS OUT.
>> ARE ROBIN EGGS --
>> A BLANK SPOT THAT THE
NATURAL HERITAGE LAND TRUST
HOPES TO GROW PIECE BY PIECE
INTO THE FUTURE.
>> THERE'S A TREE SWALLOW UP
THERE.
>> TEACHER MARK SMITH TELLS US
THAT THE DISCOVERY CLUB IS
GOING STRONG, STUDYING BIRDS
AND WILL TURN ITS ATTENTION TO
AM PIBIANS IN THE SPRING.
THERE'S A TREASURE TROVE OF
SCENIC BEAUTY IN WISCONSIN.
AND ONE OF THE MOST WONDERFUL
WAYS TO SEE THOSE TREASURES IS
THROUGH WISCONSIN'S RUSTIC ROAD
SYSTEM.
IT WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE
LEGISLATURE IN 1973 TO PRESERVE
WISCONSIN'S SCENIC, LIGHTLY
TRAVELED COUNTRY ROADS.
THE GOAL IS TO GO SLOW, YOU
CAN'T GO MORE THAN 45 MILES AN
HOUR ON A RUSTIC ROAD.
>> GET IN THE CAR AND SLOW DOWN.
>> IN 1996 WISCONSIN PUBLIC
TELEVISION HOOKED UP WITH
PHOTOGRAPHER BOB RASHID WHO WAS
CREATING A BOOK ON THE STATE'S
RUSTIC ROAD SYSTEM.
BOB'S BOOK BECAME THE
INSPIRATION FOR A DOCUMENTARY
THAT WE PRODUCED.
IT WAS A HIT, IN LARGE MEASURE
DUE TO BOB'S GREAT IDEA AND, OF
COURSE, HIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK OF
PHOTOS.
BOB RASHID PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY
ON OCTOBER 9.
HE WAS WORKING ON A BOOK ABOUT
BUSINESS WISCONSIN STURN ON
STET OF HIS DEATH.
WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH AN
SPERPT FROM THE 1996
DOCUMENTARY, WISCONSIN'S RUSTIC
ROADS.
A BIT OF OUR JOURNEY WITH BOB.
FOR IN WISCONSIN, I'M PATTY
LOEW.
SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
>> I LIKE THE WAY THE LIGHT IS
GOING ACROSS THE SNOW AND I
LIKE THOSE LITTLE TRACKS.
>> HE FOUND A WORLD OF SITES TO
EXPLORE ON THESE ROADS AND
ALONG THE WAY, HIS PASSION FOR
THE RUSTIC ROADS TURNED INTO A
PROJECT, A LABOR OF LOVE.
>> I DRIVE BACK ROADS A LOT
WHEN I GO PLACES AND I REMEMBER
I WAS GOING UP NORTH, AND I
COME ACROSS A COUPLE OF THESE
ROADS AND I HAD DRIVEN DOWN
RUSTIC ROADS BEFORE AND ALWAYS
SEEM TO COME AWAY WITH A GOOD
PHOTOGRAPH SO I JUST DECIDED I
WAS GOING TO DRIVE THEM ALL AND
JUST MAKE THAT BE MY PROJECT.
I WAS GOING TO DRIVE THEM ALL.
>> HE HAS SHOT THE MAP AND IN
ALL SEASONS.
WISCONSIN AS IT ONCE WAS.
>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR IN
WISCONSIN IS PROVIDED BY THE
PEOPLE OF ALLIANT ENERGY WHO
BRING SAFE, RELIABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ENERGY
TO KEEP HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS
AND LIFE IN WISCONSIN RUNNING
SMOOTHLY.
ALLIANT ENERGY, OFFERING ENERGY
SAVING IDEAS ON THE WEB AND BY
THE ANIMAL DENTAL CENTER OF
MILWAUKEE AND OSHKOSH.
A VETERINARY SPECIALIST WORKING
WITH PET OWNERS AND FAMILY
VETERINARIANS THROUGHOUT
WISCONSIN, PROVIDING CARE FOR
ORAL DISEASE AND DENTAL
PROBLEMS OF SMALL COMPANION
ANIMALS.
>> JOIN US FOR THE NEXT IN
WISCONSIN.
WE'LL DISCOVER HOW THESE LITTLE
GUYS ARE TAKING WISCONSIN'S
CHEESE INDUSTRY TO THE TOP.
>> HAVE TO LOVE THEM.
YOU HAVE TO LOVE THEM, TOO.
THESE GUYS ARE MORE LOVABLE.
>> WE'LL EXPLAIN HOW YOU'RE ON
THE HOOK FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT'S MULTITRILLION
DOLLAR DEBT AND WE'LL INTRODUCE
YOU TO AN ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
WHO WALKS AN UNUSUAL BEAT IN
MILWAUKEE'S URBAN FOREST.
THAT'S NEXT TIME ON IN
WISCONSIN.