It's been a busy couple of weeks eventhough "In Wisconsin" hasn't been on the air. This week, we return to our regular Thursday at 7:30p time slot.

In Wisconsin Reporter Jo Garrett visits Milwaukee's Urban Ecology Center, a downtown oasis for birds migrating north. You will discover how this urban jewel has been reclaimed from drug dealers and criminals by birdwatchers and citizen scientists.

We also have a QUEST report by In Wisconsin Reporter Andy Soth as he looks at Wisconsin's first great scientist. Increase Lapham was a self-taught renaissance man who dabbled in botany, archaeology, forestry and climatology. Discover how his influence is still being felt in the state two hundred years after his birth.

You won't want to miss the teen musicians in the statewide Bolz Young Artist Competition. For several months, they have been auditioning but only four remained standing on the stage of Overture Hall in Madison. This week you'll meet cellist Elliott Yang of New Berlin. With the arrival of spring you can also discover a very urban section of Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Janesville through the camera lens of videographer Mike Eicher.

In Wisconsin airs 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24 on Wisconsin Public Television. The program also will air at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 27 on Milwaukee's MPTV and on WDSE-TV in Duluth at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27.

This week I've slated several new reports for In Wisconsin. One of the more interesting is a new approach to burials, admittedly, not everyone is comfortable thinking about. It's called green or natural burial. Wisconsin is starting to provide options for this end of life choice. Find out what this eco-friendly option is all about and why it is being met with some opposition.

You'll also see an inspiring report about Andy Janiki. He's a quadriplegic but that's not stopping him from exploring the wilds of Wisconsin. Four different state parks are now offering rentals of adaptive kayaks made specifically for people with disabilities. It has allowed Janiki to regain his freedom.

Next week - Thanksgiving night -we take a look at a historic deer research project in Wisconsin, the making of the UW Arboretum by the boys in the Civilian Conservation Corps and a little trivia. Do you know who's considered Wisconsin's first scientist?

You'll get the answer on In Wisconsin Thursday's at 7:30 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television.

Well, those fall colors are fading if not gone. Today in Madison it's grey, rainy, and the background is bare branches on the trees. Okay, there are some advantages to the loss of leaves. I spotted two bird nests in the trees as I walked to work. But, if you're like me, that fall display thing hurtles by and I always want to take in more, more, more of the colors and (sigh)work and chores and commitments often seem to edge out leaf looking. I know, I know, get your priorities straight!

Well, there's one more chance to take in fall colors. On Thanksgiving Day, In Wisconsin will repeat a story we produced on turkey vultures in their fall staging at Devil's Lake State Park. Hundreds of turkey vultures gather every fall. Devil's Lake State Park is one of the largest turkey vulture staging areas in the Midwest. Now, about those fall colors... well on this shoot, we hit it at peak. So, tune in on Thanksgiving Day and get a blast of fall colors on the bluffs of Devil's Lake. Add in the soaring vultures and it's a recipe for wonderfulness. Check it out, it's really cool.