The following is a press release from Georgia Public Broadcasting:

Ever wondered why alligators and wading birds make great neighbors? Find out answers to this and more on a new season of Georgia Outdoors, premiering Wednesday, Feb. 3 with two new episodes.

A co-production of Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Georgia Outdoors takes a fresh look at the natural beauty and outdoor activities that make Georgia a great place to spend time outside.  With its spectacular photography and narrative storytelling, Georgia Outdoors showcases the best of Georgia’s wildlife, plants, and other natural and cultural resources.

For the first episode at 8 p.m., “Herons and Heroes,” the show’s host travels across Georgia to explore the lives of alligators, great blue herons, wood storks and many other species of wading birds.  Footage includes Sapelo Island, Sweetwater Creek State Park and Fort McAllister State Park.  At 8:30 p.m., the episode “Crashing Water” showcases the waterfalls of north Georgia and outdoor activities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing and hiking.  Footage includes Tallulah Gorge State Park, the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi River; Amicalola Falls State Park, the Southeast’s highest waterfall; Anna Ruby Falls near Unicoi State Park and Dukes Creek Falls near Smithgall Woods.

“We want people to explore all that Georgia has to offer outdoors and to enjoy the great natural resources that we’re so blessed with in this state,” said DNR Commissioner Chris Clark.  “From hiking and camping to canoeing and fishing, DNR offers many opportunities for outdoor adventure around the state.”

Airing for the first time in high definition, the new look of Georgia Outdoors also includes the addition of host and producer Sharon Collins. Collins, an Emmy-winning correspondent and former anchor for CNN, most recently served as host of “Down to Earth,” a regular feature on CNN Headlines News. Collins was also a host, producer and correspondent for CNN’s award-winning weekly environmental program “Earth Matters.” She is joined on the Georgia Outdoors production team by GPB’s Emmy award-winning director of photography, Shane Keating, and CINE Gold Eagle award-winning editor Aaron Stewart.

For channel listings and show schedules, visit www.gpb.org.  To learn more about the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, visit www.gadnr.org.