PORTLAND – Central Oregon is a beautiful place and for many, living in the shadow of the high Cascades is a dream come true. But close examination reveals a picture at odds with the scenery.

Oregon Field Guide, which will air at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, on Oregon Public Broadcasting, joins a BLM ranger on patrol for an up-close look at problems urban growth is bringing to the area. In addition, the report will take a look at how some people are going back to the basics – to the extreme.

BLM Crime

As more people live and visit Central Oregon, the greater the impact is on the land. Producer Jim Newman accompanies a BLM ranger to observe the problems he encounters on his rounds. With only three rangers to patrol the Bend/Prineville area, it’s becoming more and more difficult to control illegal squatters, tree cutters, garbage dumpers and even methamphetamine labs that are springing up and threatening this beautiful natural resource. It’s s big job and if more support doesn’t come soon, the trees may only be a veil hiding a deeper problem.

Primitive Living

For one week each year, a group of folks come together to step back in time and get in touch with their inner caveman/cavewoman. Join producer Ed Jahn as he journeys to Glass Butte between Bend and Burns, to visit the annual primitive camp out called the Knap-In. Participants come together to make arrowheads and spear points, bows and arrows, weave cloth and live off the land.

In its 15th season, Oregon Field Guide remains a valuable source of information about outdoor recreation, ecological issues, natural resources and travel destinations. Oregon Field Guide airs Thursday evenings at 8:30 p.m. on the television stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting and repeats on Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. In the Mountain Time zone of Eastern Oregon, the program airs at 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, and at 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Oregon Field Guide also airs over the stations of KSYS in Southern Oregon. Programs run one week behind OPB’s schedule.

Oregon Public Broadcasting is a statewide network of community-supported learning resources. The OPB Web site is opb.org.