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

Animals

Collections

Forest

Collections

Plants

Collections

Title:
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 6
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The increased amount of rain makes for a much more diversified forest when it comes to the tall trees in the area. Here we see the Tulip Tree, and the Understory Tree. Along the way Rudy and Jim come...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1 2
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Some of the trees found in the area also have blossoms. The redbud is one example. On a nearby hickory tree, Rudy and Jim come across a woodpecker called a yellow bellied sap-sucker, which has come to...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3 8
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In the same stop, Rudy and Jim find a species of reptile called the Green Anole lizard, and they describe the differences between a salamander and a lizard. Illustrating more of the forest’s diversity...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 5
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

When pieces of trees fall to the ground, nature has a way to recycle that debris. A species of mushroom known as the False Turkey Tail helps break down the rotting wood, adding nutrients to soil in...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2 3
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Cove forests are very popular with visitors, due to the rich bottom soil found here. One animal which does very well in these areas is the beaver. Its work can be seen here with its telltale signs of...
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4 9
Appalachian Cove (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The cove got its shape from streams of water periodically carving out the rock. Witch Hazel and Rhododendrons are species of plants which benefit from the moisture of nearby streams.
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 7 8
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 7
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In this next area, Rudy and Jim come across a raccoon skull, which was most likely killed by a predator. A canebrake rattlesnake rests coiled up on a bed of leaves, showing how it perfectly blends in...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 9 11
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 9
Episode 11

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

While strolling through the longleaf pine forest, Rudy and Jim come across a prominent moth. Its color pattern on the wings mimics tree bark near perfectly, making it tougher for predators to spot...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2 3
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The Earthstar is a star shaped species of fungus which commonly grows on these dunes.
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 4 5
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim visit an ecotone, which is a line between two different habitats: one more dry, and one moister. Here we see a fetterbush, the inkberry or gallberry, which is another species of holly...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8 9
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Cypress Tupelo Swamp: The ground here close to Indian Lake is perfect for tree species such as old cypress, red maples, and tupelos. Water pennywort resides in the water itself, and mistletoe is both...
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 3 4
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 2
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 6
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 1
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 7
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 6
Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 10
Sandy Island (S.C.) Stop 8
Episode 10

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 8
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 4
Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 4
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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 9
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 5
Episode 9

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3 6
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 3
Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Still in an area close to the coast, we see different plant life due to the significantly lower levels of salinity. Willow trees grow here, and a Yellow Crowned Night Heron bird has built a nest in a...
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2 3
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 2
Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In the marsh areas close to the South Carolina coast, a tree which lives very well is the Southern Red Cedar tree.
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1 2
Little Pee Dee River (S.C.) Stop 1
Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Bracken Ferns, Bull Nettles, and the Fetterbush see widespread growth in this area. In lower, wetter areas known as pocosins, we find the Virginia Chain Fern, and a species of shrub called Pond Spice.