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WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THIS STATION
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GET REAL!
[Captioning sponsored by THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION]
REAL COOL!
GET REAL!
THIS IS GET REAL!
AND, THIS IS YOUR SHOW.
TODAY'S SHOW IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
'CAUSE WE'RE TAKING A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE.
* TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE... *
Andrew: WE'RE GONNA GET WILD RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BACK DOOR
Lauren: IN A PARK
Andrew: IN THE WOODS
Lauren: AND IN A RAIN FOREST HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD !
Andrew: WE'LL ALSO MEET SOME COOL KIDS.
AND, WE'LL EXPLORE THE WOODS HERE AT RIVEREDGE NATURE CENTER
IN NEWBURG, WISCONSIN.
Andrew: IT'S PROBABLY A LOT LIKE WOODS NEAR YOU.
Lauren: IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE
THIS HAS MUCH TO DO WITH THE RAIN FOREST
BUT THEY HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.
WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT IN A MINUTE.
Lauren: HERE'S THE SCOOP:
THE FOLKS HERE AT RIVEREDGE
HOOKED UP WITH THE FOLKS AT THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM.
THEY'VE TEAMED UP WITH THE PEOPLE OF COSTA RICA
A COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
TOGETHER, THEY'VE PRESERVED A PIECE OF THE RAIN FOREST
THEY CALL "LA TIRIMBINA RAINFOREST CENTER."
THESE COOL PEOPLE INVITED GET REAL! REPORTER, JARON
TO CHECK IT OUT.
Jaron: DAY 1: JUST GETTING TO COSTA RICA TOOK A WHOLE DAY !
WE DROVE FROM MADISON, WISCONSIN, TO CHICAGO;
FLEW TO MIAMI;
CHANGED PLANES AND FLEW TO SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA.
14 HOURS OF TRAVELING, AND WE'RE NOWHERE NEAR THE RAIN FOREST.
MY BUTT'S TIRED !
THIS MORNING, WE LOADED UP AND HEADED FOR THE RAIN FOREST.
ON THE WAY, WE STOPPED AT A COFFEE PLANTATION
AND SHOT A FEW LINES.
ON THE DRIVE, I LEARNED
THAT COSTA RICA IS MORE THAN JUST RAIN FOREST.
I SAW A TON OF FARM LAND
AND LOTS OF COWS WITH BIG FLOPPY EARS.
WE HAD TO CROSS THE MOUNTAINS.
WE EVEN GOT STUCK IN THE MUD.
THE WEATHER WAS TERRIBLE--
LOTS OF WIND AND RAIN.
WE ENDED THE DAY NEAR THE ROAD TO THE TIRIMBINA RAIN FOREST.
TOMORROW, WE'RE TAKIN' IT IN.
GET READY TO GET WILD !
WHEN YOU'RE TALKIN' RAIN FOREST
YOU ARE TALKIN' WILD.
CHECK IT OUT, THESE ARE SOME SERIOUS TREES.
* INTO THE TREES... *
SO, WHAT MAKES A RAIN FOREST A RAIN FOREST ?
FOR ONE THING, RAIN !
* I'M ONLY HAPPY WHEN IT RAINS... *
* JUNGLE BOOGIE, JUNGLE BOOGIE... *
* CRASH, ON THE LAST SPLASH... *
EACH YEAR, THE RAIN FOREST CAN GET OVER 33 FEET OF RAIN
THAT'S MORE THAN SIX TIMES MY HEIGHT.
NOPE-- HIGHER YET.
THAT'S A LOT OF RAIN !
SOME OF IT EVAPORATES
SOME GETS SUCKED UP BY THE TREES AND PLANTS
AND SOME OF IT COLLECTS IN RIVERS AND WATERFALLS.
* DID YOU EVER STAND ON THE LEDGE *
* AND LOOK INTO THE RIVER... *
* CHASIN' WATERFALLS... *
NOT ONLY IS THERE A LOT OF RAIN, BUT IT'S HOT.
* TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER... *
SINCE TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS ARE NEAR THE EQUATOR
IT'S PRETTY WARM ALL YEAR.
WITH A LOT OF RAIN, SUN, HEAT
IT'S THE IDEAL HANGOUT FOR PLANTS.
THEY LOVE THESE CONDITIONS !
THAT'S WHY THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS.
LIKE THIS TREE-- HUGE, HUH ?
BUT, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WALK
ALMOST A HALF MILE TO SEE ANOTHER ONE.
* INTO THE TREES... *
A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PLANTS
MEANS A SLEW OF DIFFERENT ANIMALS TO EAT THEM
ESPECIALLY INSECTS !
EACH HAS ITS FAVORITE SNACK.
* MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO... *
SO, EVERYTHING'S CONNECTED.
SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED
ABOUT ONE AND A QUARTER MILLION KINDS OF LIVING THINGS--
MORE THAN HALF OF 'EM LIVE IN TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS.
BUT, THAT'S JUST THOSE THAT'VE BEEN COUNTED !
THERE ARE A TON OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
THAT HAVEN'T BEEN IDENTIFIED YET, MAYBE UP TO 30 MILLION !
* SO I CREEP, YEAH... *
A TON OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE RAIN FOREST
MAY MEAN HEALTHIER HUMAN BEINGS EVERYWHERE.
BUT, WHY ?
YOU SEE, SOME CHEMICALS FOUND IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS
CAN BE USED TO MAKE MEDICINE.
LIKE PICHICHIO, IT'S GOOD FOR THE SINUSES.
THAT'S ONE REALLY IMPORTANT REASON TO PROTECT RAIN FORESTS.
AS LONG AS THERE ARE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THERE
WHO KNOWS WHAT CURE SCIENTISTS MAY DISCOVER.
* WILD, WILD LIFE... *
WITH MILLIONS OF THINGS TO BE DISCOVERED
ONE DAY, YOU AND I COULD BE IN THE RAIN FOREST
MAKING SURE CREATURES LIKE THESE MAKE THE LIST !
CHECK OUT THESE ANTS.
A FOREST LIKE THIS ONE
MIGHT HAVE FOUR OF FIVE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ANTS.
Andrew: THE RAIN FOREST HAS HUNDREDS
OF DIFFERENT ANTS.
MAYBE MORE !
CHECK OUT THE VARIETY OF INSECTS IN YOUR BACK YARD.
PUT A PIECE OF FRUIT OUTSIDE FOR A FEW HOURS OR EVEN OVERNIGHT.
Andrew: WHEN YOU COME BACK
COUNT HOW MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUGS THERE ARE.
PUT THE FRUIT IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE YARD.
Andrew: OR, TRY IT IN A PARK OR ON A CAMPING TRIP.
WHICH PLACE HAS MORE DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUGS, AND WHY ?
SEND US PICTURES OF YOUR ROTTING, BUG-CRAWLING FRUIT.
WE'LL PUT SOME OF THEM ON OUR WORLD WIDE WEB SITE.
Jaron: DAY 4: WE SPENT THE WHOLE DAY HIKING
AND SHOOTING IN THE RAIN FOREST.
GETTING THERE WAS HALF THE BATTLE !
WE DROVE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER ON SOME NASTY ROAD.
YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN POTHOLES ?
THESE WERE CRATERS-- MADE ME WANNA HURL !
THEN WE TRUDGED THROUGH A LOAD OF MUD.
BUT, WHEN WE FINALLY GOT TO THE RAIN FOREST, IT WAS AWESOME !
AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST GREEN EVERYWHERE.
BUT, IF YOU'RE PATIENT, THE MORE YOU LOOK, THE MORE YOU SEE.
* WELCOME TO PARADISE... *
WE'RE IN THE RAIN FOREST, BUT WHERE'S THE ACTION ?
FOR A WILD PLACE, WE'RE NOT SEEING A LOT OF WILD LIFE
LIKE BIRDS AND BATS.
I WANT TO SEE SOME MONKEYS !
LET'S LOOK AROUND.
* IN THE JUNGLE, IN THE JUNGLE *
* IN THE JUNGLE, IN THE JUNGLE... *
SO, WHERE HAVEN'T WE LOOKED ?
BEEN THERE.
DONE THAT.
YUP, UP !
* MOVIN' UP, UP, UP... *
THE BOTTOM LAYER OF THE RAIN FOREST IS THE FOREST FLOOR.
THE TREETOPS BLOCK OUT MOST OF THE SUN
SO THERE ISN'T AS MUCH LIFE DOWN HERE.
WELL, THERE ARE MANY INSECTS
OTHER SMALL CREATURES
AND FUNGI THAT DO HANG OUT ON THE FLOOR.
SOME OF THEM EAT DEAD LEAVES AND ANIMALS.
IT'S NATURE'S WAY OF RECYCLING.
* GET DOWN, GET DOWN... *
THE LAYER ABOVE THE FLOOR IS THE UNDERSTORY--
SOME SHRUBS AND SMALL TREES--
THEY'RE NOT CATCHIN' A LOT OF RAYS.
THE TREES THAT FIGHT THEIR WAY TO THE TOP AND OUT
ARE CALLED EMERGENT TREES.
* MOVIN' UP, UP, UP... *
SOME EMERGENT TREES ARE 200 FEET TALL !
SINCE THEY'RE TALLER
THEY'RE CATCHIN' SOME SERIOUS RAYS !
BUT, MOST OF THE TREES ARE ABOUT 100 TO 150 FEET TALL.
THE TOPS OF THESE TREES
FORM A THICK LAYER OF BRANCHES AND LEAVES
OVER THE FOREST, CALLED A CANOPY.
ABOUT 80% OF LIFE IN THE RAIN FOREST
HANGS OUT IN THE COPY.
IF THE ACTION'S UP THERE
HOW DO WE GET UP THERE ?
* THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMM... *
REMEMBER TO GO SLOWLY, CONCENTRATE...
I'M GETTING ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT TREE CLIMBER.
YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS UP, FIRST.
SECOND, NEVER TOUCH THIS LEVER.
* UNO, TWO, TRèS, FOUR... *
I'M GOIN' UP !
* READY, STEADY, READY, STEADY... *
THIS IS TOUGHER THAN I THOUGHT.
THIS CANOPY TRAM IS AN EASIER WAY TO GET INTO THE CANOPY.
LET'S GO !
* READY TO GO... *
WHOA! ANYONE SCARED OF HEIGHTS ?
WE'RE UP OVER 120 FEET.
* LONG WAY DOWN... *
THE CANOPY'S THE PLACE TO BE
FOR THINGS THAT CREEP, CRAWL AND FLY.
* UP ON THE HIGH WIRE *
* HIGH WIRE... **
IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT IN THE CANOPY.
THERE'S A LOT OF LIFE UP HERE, AND IT'S ALL INTERCONNECTED
JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE FOREST.
* IN THE JUNGLE, IN THE JUNGLE... *
IT'S A PRETTY COMPLEX SYSTEM
AND EVERYTHING'S CONSTANTLY CHANGING.
NOW, CHANGE CAN BE GOOD.
IF ONE TREE FALLS, THINGS ON THE FLOOR GET PSYCHED
AND GROW LIKE CRAZY BECAUSE OF THE SUNLIGHT.
THIS IS HOW THE FOREST RENEWS ITSELF.
* SUN, SUN, SUN, HERE IT COMES... *
BUT, CHANGE CAN ALSO BE BAD.
IF THOUSANDS OF TREES ARE CUT DOWN, THIS WHOLE SYSTEM
IN WHICH EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED, IS WIPED OUT.
EACH LAYER OF THE FOREST IS HOME TO DIFFERENT PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
TAKING AWAY TREES AND OTHER PLANTS, MEANS TAKING THEIR HOME.
* EVERYBODY NEEDS A HOME... *
THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF LIFE IN THE RAIN FOREST
ESPECIALLY IN THE CANOPY.
SCIENTISTS HAVE JUST BEGUN TO EXPLORE IT.
SPEAKING OF EXPLORING, I THINK I'LL GIVE THIS ANOTHER TRY.
* UP ON THE HIGH WIRE, HIGH WIRE... *
Lauren: WHILE JARON'S-- UH, HUNG UP
WE'RE EXPLORING THIS FOREST
TO SEE HOW IT'S LIKE THE RAIN FOREST.
IT LOOKS PRETTY DIFFERENT.
Lauren: IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE RAIN FOREST.
THE TREES ARE SHORTER.
THERE ARE NO COOL VINES HANGING DOWN.
NO MONKEYS OR IGUANAS, EITHER.
HERE'S SOMETHING: THEY BOTH HAVE TREES
AND ANIMALS.
AND, THEY BOTH HAVE DEAD STUFF !
ALL FORESTS DO HAVE ONE IMPORTANT THING IN COMMON:
PARTS !
THEY ALL HAVE PARTS.
HERE'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO
TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE PARTS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT
EVEN YOUR BACK YARD.
WATCH.
YUP! JUST WATCH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
(theme music from Jeopardy! )
LOOK
AND LISTEN.
MAKE OBSERVATIONS.
BE PATIENT.
WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT HAPPENS.
YOU MIGHT DISCOVER PATTERNS.
AND, SHARE 'EM WITH OTHERS.
Jaron: DAY 6: REMEMBER THE AERIAL TRAM ?
IT'S NEAR THE BRAULIO CARRILLO NATIONAL PARK
IN NORTH CENTRAL COSTA RICA.
WHEN WE WERE THERE, WE HAD A CHANCE TO HANG OUT
WITH A COOL KID AND HIS DAD.
CHECK 'EM OUT !
Andrés ( translated: ) MY NAME IS ANDRéS; AND I LIVE IN SAN PEDRO.
I'M ELEVEN YEARS OLD.
I LIKE THE CITY.
THE RAIN FOREST IS IMPORTANT TO ME
BECAUSE IT PROVIDES ME WITH A SENSE OF PEACE
AND I ENJOY ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE IN IT.
MY FATHER IS A GUIDE.
SO, HIS ROLE IS TO EXPLAIN AND MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.
Andrés' father: WHAT YOU MUST DO
IS TAKE ONE OF THESE LEAVES AND PUT IT UNDER YOUR HAT.
IT TAKES AWAY THE HEADACHE.
IT REALLY WORKS.
Andrés: MY FATHER WORKS IN THE AERIAL TRAM, AS A TOURIST GUIDE.
THE AERIAL TRAM IS A PROJECT
THAT WAS DESIGNED TO BE ABLE TO GET A CLOSER VIEW OF THE CANOPY
WITHOUT DAMAGING TREES.
THE CANOPY IS WHERE THE ACTION IS.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BECAUSE I CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH NATURE.
THROUGH THE AERIAL TRAM
A TOURIST CAN LEARN TO PRESERVE THE RAIN FOREST
AND TO APPRECIATE THE CANOPY.
I FEEL GREAT INTRODUCING TOURISTS TO THE RAIN FOREST.
I FEEL USEFUL.
AND, I LIKE TO GUIDE THEM.
THE RAIN FOREST IS VERY IMPORTANT TO COSTA RICA.
IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.
WHEN I'M IN THE RAIN FOREST, I FEEL GOOD.
I FEEL TRANQUIL, AND I'M AT PEACE.
Jaron: MAKING TV IS HARD WORK, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN FOREST.
EVERYWHERE WE GO
WE HAVE TO CARRY AT LEAST A HUNDRED POUNDS OF EQUIPMENT.
REMEMBER ORLANDO, THE EXPERT TREE CLIMBER?
HERE HE IS HELPING OUR CAMERA GUY
GET A HUNDRED FEET INTO A NUTMEG TREE TO GET SHOTS OF BIRDS.
THAT'S ABOUT 10 STORIES UP !
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN TO SEE IF IT WORKED.
* FLY ME TO THE MOON... *
Jaron: FLYING IS A GREAT WAY TO GET AROUND IN THE FOREST
IF YOU'VE GOT THE WINGS.
BUT, IF YOU AND I WANT A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW
WE NEED TO HOLD ON TIGHTLY !
JUST KIDDING !
SOME OF THE COOLEST THINGS WITH WINGS ARE BUTTERFLIES.
CHECK 'EM OUT !
* YOU'RE SO PRETTY *
* THE WAY YOU ARE **
* YOU'RE SO PRETTY THE WAY YOU ARE... *
* KEEP DOIN' WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO *
* YOU'RE IN THE POCKET, NOW FOLLOW THROUGH *
* KEEP DOIN' WHAT YOU'VE GOT TO DO *
* NOBODY'S STOPPIN' YOU... *
CHECK OUT THESE BUTTERFLIES.
THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE JUST HANGIN' OUT.
ACTUALLY, THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF IMPORTANT BUSINESS: POLLINATION.
WHEN A BUTTERFLY EATS NECTAR FROM A FLOWER
IT GETS POLLEN ON ITS BODY.
AT THE NEXT FLOWER, SOME OF THIS POLLEN RUBS OFF.
THE END RESULT IS A SEED, FROM WHICH A NEW PLANT CAN GROW.
THERE ARE ABOUT 750 DIFFERENT KINDS OF BUTTERFLIES
IN COSTA RICA.
THAT'S A LOT OF POLLINATORS !
IT LOOKS LIKE WE MADE A FRIEND.
BUT, IF I WERE A BIRD, I'D EAT HIM FOR LUNCH !
AAH !
THE RAIN FOREST IS THE PERFECT HANGOUT.
THE WEATHER'S GREAT
AND THERE'S LOTS OF PLANTS AND INSECTS TO MUNCH ON !
( chirping )
THERE ARE ABOUT 850 DIFFERENT KINDS OF BIRDS IN COSTA RICA.
MOST LIVE HERE ALL YEAR, LIKE TOUCANS AND OROPENDOLAS.
BUT, SOME MIGRATE HERE FROM OTHER PLACES.
SO, WHEN IT'S SNOWING IN THE MIDWEST
THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE
OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS HAVE HEADED HERE.
ANOTHER COOL CREATURE THAT FLIES IS THE BAT.
THERE ARE ABOUT 103 DIFFERENT KINDS OF BATS IN COSTA RICA.
BUT, IT'D BE TOUGH TO SEE 'EM
'CAUSE MOST OF 'EM SNOOZE DURING THE DAY.
( snoring
BUT, AT NIGHT, THEY'RE READY TO EAT.
AND, YOU BETTER LOOK OUT IF YOU'RE AN INSECT !
SOME BATS CAN SEE AT NIGHT.
BUT, IF WE WERE TO LOOK FOR THEM
WE'D HAVE TO USE ONE OF THESE: IT'S CALLED A NIGHT SCOPE.
CHECK THIS OUT.
HEY, SOMEONE TURN OFF THE SUN.
A NIGHT SCOPE TURNS ALL THE AVAILABLE LIGHT WAY UP.
IT'S GREAT FOR LOOKING AT THINGS THAT CREEP AND CRAWL AT NIGHT.
CREATURES CAN BE HARD TO FIND; WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WILD.
BUT, OOH-- SCARY !
IN THE RAIN FOREST, BIRDS AND BATS SHARE A BIG RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY EAT SEEDS FROM THE FRUIT ON TREES
AND TRANSFER THEM TO OTHER PARTS OF THE FOREST.
SO NEW TREES CAN GROW.
HOW DO THEY DO THIS ?
THEY INGEST THE SEED, PROCESS IT CHEMICALLY AND MECHANICALLY
WITH GASTRIC ACID AND EXPEL IT.
THEY POOP !
OUT COMES THE SEED WHEREVER THEY HAPPEN TO DO THEIR DUTY
AND ANOTHER TREE MIGHT GROW THERE.
SO BIRDS, BATS AND BUTTERFLIES ARE NOT ONLY REALLY COOL
THEY DO SOME PRETTY IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE RAIN FOREST
AND EVERYWHERE ELSE, TOO.
* A CONNECTION IS MADE... *
WHOA! I WISH I COULD BE LIKE THOSE BIRDS
WHO SPEND SUMMERS IN THE MIDWEST AND WINTERS IN COSTA RICA !
Lauren: YEAH, IT MUST BE ROUGH.
THEY HAVE HOMES AND JOBS IN BOTH PLACES.
THOSE BIRDS ARE AFFECTED
BY WHAT HAPPENS IN BOTH FORESTS.
IT'S LIKE A BIG CHAIN OF DOMINOES.
TIP OVER JUST ONE, AND THE WHOLE THING COULD BITE THE DUST.
WE'RE PLAYING BERRY BINGO.
IT'S LIKE BINGO, EXCEPT WITH BERRIES.
AND IT'S BERRY EASY TO PLAY.
MAKE YOURSELF A SIMPLE BINGO CARD.
PUT THE COLORS ACROSS THE TOP AND DOWN THE SIDE.
THEN, START LOOKING !
WHEN YOU FIND A BERRY, SQUASH IT.
MAKE SURE IT'S ON THE RIGHT SQUARE.
WE'RE TRYING TO FILL UP THE WHOLE CARD.
BIRDS DEPEND ON THE BERRIES FOR FOOD.
Andrew: AND, THE BERRIES DEPEND ON THE BIRDS
TO SPREAD THEIR SEEDS AROUND, SO NEW PLANTS CAN GROW.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAPPEN
IF THERE WERE NO BERRIES FOR THE BIRDS TO EAT ?
OR, WHAT IF THERE WERE NO BIRDS TO EAT THE BERRIES ?
BERRY BINGO MIGHT SEEM SQUARE
BUT IT'S A FUN WAY TO LOOK FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL RELATIONSHIPS.
Jaron: KIDS IN COSTA RICA ARE A LOT LIKE KIDS ANYWHERE.
WE SPENT SOME TIME WITH CARL AND ADRIANNA.
Carl ( translated ): I HAVE TWO BROTHERS AND THREE SISTERS.
( singing in Spanish )
I LIKE HAVING SUCH A BIG FAMILY
BECAUSE I CAN PLAY WITH ALL OF THEM.
AND, I CAN LEARN TO SHARE.
Adrianna ( translated ): I LIKE HELPING MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
TO COMB THEIR HAIR, TAKE A BATH OR GET DRESSED.
I ALSO HELP THEM WITH THEIR HOMEWORK.
Carl: MY DOG'S NAME IS PEPSI.
WE PLAY WITH HER.
WE RUN, AND SHE CHASES US.
Adrianna: THERE IS NO SCHOOL
FROM NOVEMBER TO FEBRUARY.
I'M ON VACATION NOW, SO I PLAY.
AND, I HELP MY MOTHER.
Carl: COSTA RICA HAS TWO SEASONS:
THE DRY SEASON AND THE RAINY SEASON.
THE DRY SEASON STARTS IN NOVEMBER
WHEN WE ARE ON VACATION FROM SCHOOL.
AND, IT ENDS WHEN WE ARE BACK IN SCHOOL, IN MAY.
DURING THE DRY SEASON, I PLAY WITH ALL MY COUSINS.
WE RIDE OUR BIKES
AND WE PLAY IN THE GARDEN.
Adrianna: I PLAY VIOLIN.
AND, WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
WE ARE PART OF AN ORCHESTRA.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE UNITED STATES ABOUT COSTA RICA
IS THAT IT'S VERY BIG, PRETTY, THERE ARE A LOT OF ANIMALS
AND THERE ARE MANY FRIENDS.
Carl: I WOULD LIKE TOúTELL ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE UNITED STATES
THAT COSTA RICA IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
BECAUSE IT'S A PEACE-LOVING COUNTRY.
BESIDES THAT, IT HAS A LOT OF FORESTS AND ANIMALS
THAT, HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF
TO ENSURE A BETTER WORLD IN THE FUTURE.
Jaron: DAY 9: WE WOKE UP THIS MORNING TO THE SOUND OF POURING RAIN--
AGAIN !
* HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN... *
IT IS CALLED A RAIN FOREST.
THEY AREN'T KIDDING ABOUT THE RAIN !
EVERYTHING I OWN IS SOAKED.
AND, MOST THINGS STINK.
MY FEET SQUISH WHEN I WALK.
I'M HAVIN' A GREAT TIME !
* RAIN, RAIN, RAIN... *
DAY 10: IT'S STILL RAINING.
WE DECIDED TO TRY SHOOTING ANYWAY
AND USED A BOAT TO CROSS A FLOODED ROAD.
BETWEEN THE RAIN, WE STILL MANAGED TO GET A LOT DONE.
* RAIN... *
SHH! YOU GOTTA BE QUIET WHEN WE'RE WALKING IN THE FOREST
'CAUSE WE DON'T WANNA SCARE ANYTHING OFF.
PLUS, THE SOUNDS OF THE FOREST
CAN BE JUST AS COOL AS WHAT WE SEE.
COME WITH ME.
THE FOREST IS A GREAT HOME
FOR ALL KINDS OF WILD LIFE AND PEOPLE, TOO.
BUT, IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW
TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS ARE IN REAL DANGER.
PEOPLE CUT THEM DOWN FOR LOGGING AND FARMLAND.
* HERE TODAY *
* GONE TOMORROW *
* HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW... *
ABOUT 40 ACRES OF RAIN FOREST ARE LOST EVERY MINUTE.
THAT'S THE SIZE OF ALMOST 50 FOOTBALL FIELDS.
SO, ONE MINUTE FROM NOW
40 MORE ACRES WILL BE DESTROYED.
THAT MEANS ANIMALS ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES.
EVERY 30 MINUTES
ONE KIND OF PLANT OR ANIMAL BECOMES EXTINCT.
GONE !
BY LOOKING AT THE RAIN FOREST
IT'S EASY TO THINK IT'S A REALLY TOUGH ENVIRONMENT.
BUT, ACTUALLY, IT'S PRETTY FRAGILE.
THERE'S ONLY ABOUT TEN INCHES OF TOPSOIL.
WHERE DO THE PLANTS GET THEIR NUTRIENTS ?
YOU KNOW, THE STUFF THAT HELPS 'EM GROW.
NOT JUST FROM THE SOIL, HERE.
MOST OF THE NUTRIENTS ARE IN THE PLANTS.
* BIG RED TREE GREW UP AND OUT *
* THROWS UP ITS LEAVES *
* SPINS ROUND AND ROUND... *
MANY TREES SEND OUT ROOTLETS THAT TRAP SOIL
AND MORE PLANTS GROW FROM THIS SOIL.
THEY'RE CALLED EPIPHYTES.
EPIPHYTES: PLANTS THAT GROW ON PLANTS.
* SOMEHOW THE VITAL CONNECTION IS MADE... *
( alarm clock rings )
HEY, OUR MINUTE'S UP !
DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THAT MEANS ?
ANOTHER 40 ACRES OF RAIN FOREST WERE JUST LOST.
EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED.
PLANTS AND ANIMALS NEED EACH OTHER.
MOST ANIMALS WON'T EAT JUST ANYTHING, THEY'RE PICKY.
* PICKY, PICKY HEAD... *
THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THE RAIN FOREST IS SO FRAGILE.
IF JUST ONE ANIMAL OR PLANT BECOMES EXTINCT
ANIMALS AND PLANTS THAT DEPEND ON IT ARE OUT OF LUCK.
THE RAIN FOREST IS A COMPLICATED SYSTEM.
IT CAN'T JUST GROW BACK AFTER IT'S BEEN CUT DOWN.
THIS IS BRYAN FINEGAN.
HE WORKS AT A RESEARCH STATION IN COSTA RICA.
WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING ?
WELL, WE'RE STUDYING TWO THINGS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WAY HUMAN BEINGS AFFECT THIS FOREST
BECAUSE THINGS HUMANS DO AFFECT THE FOREST IN MANY WAYS.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT HOW HUMAN BEINGS
CAN MAKE A LIVING FROM THIS FOREST, WITHOUT DESTROYING IT.
Jaron: SOME SCIENTISTS ARE STUDYING
WAYS TO PROTECT FORESTS HURT BY DEFORESTATION:
CUTTING DOWN FORESTS.
SCIENTISTS ARE ALSO WORKING ON REFORESTATION:
PLANTING NEW FORESTS.
ALTHOUGH REFORESTATION IS GREAT, WE CAN'T DEPEND ON IT.
IT TAKES HUNDREDS OF YEARS FOR A TREE TO GET THIS BIG.
THIS ONE'S OVER 400 YEARS OLD.
KEEP THE TREES
AND ANIMALS AND PLANTS WILL STAY HERE WITH THEM.
* SAVE ME *
* S-A-A-AVE... **
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO RESEARCH IN THE RAIN FOREST
TO HELP SAVE THE EARTH.
HERE'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR FAMILY.
MAKE A LIST OF EVERYTHING YOU DO IN A DAY.
THINK AND TALK ABOUT HOW EACH THING ON THE LIST
MIGHT AFFECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
TRY COMING UP WITH WAYS YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR HABITS
TO BENEFIT YOUR HABITAT, THE EARTH !
Jaron: DAY 11: ON THE WAY BACK TO SAN JOSE
WE SAW MANY MUD SLIDES
THAT HAD JUST BEEN CLEARED FROM THE ROAD.
DAY 12: OUR LAST EARLY WAKE-UP CALL.
MY TRIP TO THE RAIN FOREST WAS A REAL ADVENTURE.
THE RAIN FOREST IS A MAGICAL PLACE
FILLED WITH MYSTERIES WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED.
BUT, FOR ALL ITS MAGIC
THE RAIN FOREST IS ALSO A VERY REAL PLACE.
AND, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THE EARTH.
MAYBE YOU CAN'T VISIT AN ACTUAL RAIN FOREST.
BUT, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
START BY CHECKING OUT THIS BOOK.
IT'S CALLED, 50 SIMPLE THINGS KIDS CAN DO TO SAVE THE EARTH.
IT'S FILLED WITH, WELL--
50 SIMPLE THINGS KIDS CAN DO TO SAVE THE EARTH.
Lauren: VISIT A MUSEUM.
SOME HAVE RAIN FOREST EXHIBITS
LIKE THIS ONE AT THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM.
GO TO AN ACTUAL FOREST
LIKE THIS ONE AT RIVEREDGE NATURE CENTER.
Lauren: AND, YOU CAN LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS SHOW.
OUR ADDRESS IS:
Andrew: OR, FLOOD US WITH E-MAIL AT:
Lauren: AND, THERE'S LOADS OF COOL INFORMATION
ON OUR WORLD WIDE WEB SITE.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO
IS GET OUT THERE AND EXPLORE
ASK QUESTIONS
THINK ABOUT THEM
AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT NATURE.
TAKE AN ADULT AND BRANCH OUT TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTS, TOO.
TRY A VACANT LOT
A POND, A RIVER OR A PRAIRIE.
AND, ALWAYS REMEMBER TO
Both: GET REAL!
( birds calling, frogs croaking)
REAL COOL !
( birds calling, frogs croaking)
[Captioning services provided by Wisconsin Public Television]
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BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY
AND BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT
FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO THIS STATION
SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE IN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING.
GET REAL! IS MADE FOR KIDS BY THE PEOPLE AT:
AND: