Land and Sea

Stan Deering was 10 years old when his family left Flatrocks. But his memories of his early childhood in that abandoned outport are still vivid. And as time goes by, to him they become more and more important.

Examining how one man rebuilt the world of his childhood on the abandoned Samson's Island in Notre Dame Bay, Nfld.

Back in the late '80's, John Hurley Sr hatched a plan. He figured he would revive an old abandoned slate quarry in the tiny Trinity Bay community of Burgoyne's Cove. Some said he was a dreamer...that no one would ever buy rock coming out of Trinity Bay. But Hurley proved them wrong.

In September of 2009, the tall ship SV Concordia sailed out of Lunenburg NS. Joining the crew on board were students attending the Class Afloat program - a mix of academic studies and sailing skills. Five months later, on a blustery day off the coast of Brazil, the unthinkable happened. Without warning, The Concordia was knocked over on her side and began to flood with water. 18 minutes later, she sank. For everyone on board it was a harrowing escape, a fight for survival, and an experience that will haunt them forever.

Hazel Tubrett lived in Labrador for ten years. During that decade, she heard her former father-in-law tell many tales...stories of his childhood on the Labrador coast. How people lived, what they ate...how they survived.

The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world. Twice daily a volume of water equal to the flow of all the rivers on the planet enters the Bay. The tides rise 12 to 16 meters - 40 to 50 feet high but it is not only the awesome physical power of the Fundy tides. It's their ability to support the magnificent whales, fascinating seabirds and shorebirds and the rest of the marine life. The Bay is truly one of the natural wonders of the world.

"His accordion is 40 years old...he's over 90. Mr. Pete Barron. One of Placentia Bay's master players. Still cranking out the old tunes most have long forgotten.

The Magdalen Islands are isolated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. So how does the small population survive and make a living when other rural communities are dying? By taking control of their own fishery, by building a tourism market and by enticing newcomers to start new businesses.

Investigating the increase of Jamaican farm workers in Nova Scotia since local labor is hard to find.

Part 1 - Former host Dave Quinton shares some of his memories of the series. He holds the record as Land and Sea's longest running host. Dave Quinton. And in his 26 years with the show, Dave became a household name in Newfoundland and Labrador...a voice instantly recognized by those who grew to love the program he helped create, and nuture.

Part 2 - Former host Dave Quinton shares some of his memories of the series.

Investigating the alternative fuel properties of algae.

Taking a look at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's mounted unit.

Moonshine - it has the reputation of being illicit and dangerous. Despite that, the people of Prince Edward Island have had a long love affair with shine. For generations, every special occasion included a customary bottle of the potent drink. Today the art of making shine remains entrenched in Island life.

Mistaken Point is a remarkable place, some might even call it magical. It's a rocky headland at the tip of the Avalon Peninsula. Etched onto two shelves of stone are the remnants of ancient creatures that lived more than 560 million years ago.

BioBlitz: the search for biodiversity. How often do we even think about the creatures and plants that live among us? That's the goal of the 3rd annual BioBlitz organized by St. Mary's University in Halifax. The scientists are counting all the species at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park. It's an important way to evaluate the health of any ecosystem.

Remembering the terrible CP Rail accident in 1980 that took the lives of 12 young Newfoundlanders.

Examining the alewives debate between Maine and New Brunswick and how it affects the smallmouth bass industry.

Profiling Conne River elder John Nick Jeddore.

Learning about the future of the oyster industry in P.E.I.

Looking at the rock called Labradorite.

Not that long ago, coyotes were rarely seen in the Maritimes. Farmers might have considered them a nuisance, when they killed a lamb or calf. But most people never gave them a thought. That all changed with the death of singer/songwriter Taylor Mitchell in 2009. Coyotes attacked her on a trail in Cape Breton. In Nova Scotia coyotes are now seen as a deadly enemy and a public danger.

When Barry found himself in Prince Edward Island looking for seasonal work, he started asking questions about the type of clam called a quahog. And before long, he was on the beaches of PEI in his stocking feet, doing the quahog shuffle. Fishing for the shellfish you find with your feet.

Nova Scotia folk art is often called primitive or naïve. It's certainly colourful, whimsical and popular. For art collectors around the world, this "art of the people" is one of the things that makes Nova Scotia famous.

You'll meet a blueberry farmer, two aspiring cranberry farmers and a farmer who's growing a powerful berry you've likely never even heard of - sea buckthorn. You'll discover the health benefits of these tiny berries and gain an appreciation for the patience it takes to produce them.

There could be lots of natural gas in parts of New Brunswick, but it's difficult to retrieve. It lies deep underground in the shale layers. Oil companies want to use a technique called fracking to bring it to the surface. But some people are worried that fracking will harm the environment. And they may be right. We went to Pennsylvania to see the effects of fracking on communities there. We visit New Brunswick where oil companies are already exploring. Is the province ready? Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island may also have huge shale deposits.

Looking at one of the most colorful bed and breakfast owners.

Looking at the sinking of HMCS Esquimalt during the Second World War.