Join us as we go for a walk in the woods for the first Local Routes episode of Season 10. We head to the Apalachicola National Forest to find the rarely-seen sandhills cellophane bee in Apalachicola National Forest. Our guide for this adventure is citizen science and smart phone technology. Plus, discover the mystery behind a rare four-headed Pindo Palm tree in Tallahassee. Finally, hear the inspiring story of a woman who battled postpartum depression by turning her hobby into a thriving business.
See the video below for the full program:
Tracking down the Sandhills Cellophane Bee in the Apalachicola National Forest
In a special collaboration with NOVA and PBS. we start of the program with WFSU ecology producer Rob Diaz de Villegas. He takes viewers on a mission to find the rare sandhills cellophane bee, using the power of citizen science apps like iNaturalist. These tools help researchers track endangered species like the frosted elfin butterfly and contribute valuable data for scientists. Don’t miss this EcoAdventure to learn more about how learning about plant you discover on a hike can help scientists help rare creatures. Plus, don’t forget to subscribe to our WFSU’s Ecology Blog.
Meet Vincent, the 4-headed Pindo Palm Tree
Next, we join Mike Plummer for a humorous look at Vincent, the four-headed Pindo Palm growing right outside WFSU’s studios in Tallahassee. Once a three-headed curiosity, this strange tree recently sprouted a new set of fronds, surprising everyone at the station. Mike explores how this unique palm came to be and why it is so rare.
From Postpartum Depression to Baking up a Dream
We wrap up the program with the story of an entrepreneur. Launching a business can be challenging, but for one local mother, it became her path to healing from postpartum depression. In this WFSU story, producers Alex Campbell and Freddie Hall introduce us to Jennifer Young of TC Bakery. She transformed her love of baking into a thriving business. Discover how this journey helped her find herself, balance motherhood, and build a flourishing career.
Suzanne Smith is Executive Producer for Television at WFSU Public Media. She oversees the production of local programs at WFSU, is host of WFSU Local Routes, and a regular content contributor.
Suzanne’s love for PBS began early with programs like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and continues to this day. She earned a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri with minors in political science and history. She also received a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida.
Suzanne spent many years working in commercial news as Producer and Executive Producer in cities throughout the country before coming to WFSU in 2003. She is a past chair of the National Educational Telecommunications Association’s Content Peer Learning Community and a member of Public Media Women in Leadership organization.
In her free time, Suzanne enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching television, and exploring our community.
