Rudy Mancke Collection

Rudy Mancke, who passed away on Nov. 7 at the age of 78, became a beloved figure in South Carolina and beyond through his groundbreaking work as the host of the nationally distributed television show NatureScene and SC Public Radio’s NatureNotes. NatureScene, co-created with Beryl Dakers premiered in 1978 and continued for an impressive 25 years, gaining national recognition for its simple and innovative approach to exploring the natural world.

Within this Collection

Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 4

Video

Sandy Island features around thirteen plant communities. At their next stop, Rudy and Jim discuss the plant life which resides here. They talk about reindeer moss, a species of lichen, and what...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 2

Video

Jim and Rudy discuss the composition of the sand dunes on Sandy Island, and how wind and water have shifted the dunes over time. The waters between these slopes make perfect hunting ground for local...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 6

Video

Rudy and Jim walk through a longleaf pine habitat, and come across a loblolly pine with a red-cockaded woodpecker nest. We also see Turkey oak trees, and yellow jessamine flowers. The yellow jessamine...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

Video

Rudy and Jim visit Sandy Island, off the South Carolina coast, near Georgetown. Sandy Island is the largest undeveloped fresh water island on the East coast, consisting mainly of sand dunes, and...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 7

Video

Here at The Refuge, Rudy and Jim come across a rare plant in South Carolina: rosemary. Not to be confused with the rosemary spice one would find in a kitchen. Turkey oaks are found here as well, along...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8
Episode 10

Video

In the same area, we see two white ibis birds. The ibis population in S.C. has increased dramatically since the 1920’s. The eastern cottonmouth is a common species of snake found in the Lowcountry
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 8

Video

Canopy trees, such as the Live Oak trees, Southern Magnolia trees, and Pignut Hickory trees compete for sunlight. Rough Green Snakes are a non-poisonous species of snake commonly found in canopy trees...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

Video

The Osprey, one of the species of birds found in this area, has repurposed a dead oak tree by building a nest on top of it. The Osprey reuses its same nest year after year.
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 9

Video

In areas known as lime sinks, plants get more moisture and sunlight. Some of the plant life we see here are horse sugar plants, holly bushes, and lizard’s tail plants. While in the lime sink, Rudy and...