Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dakota Midday: NASA And USGS Celebrate 25 Year EROS Partnership

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

The U.S. Geological Survey and NASA are celebrating 25 years of partnership at the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center near Sioux Falls. In August 1990, the USGS and NASA jointly established the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center at EROS to collect and disseminate critical land sensing information.

Two years ago NASA launched the Earth-observing satellite Landsat 8 which collects images archived at EROS. The images help document drought, deforestation, trends in seasonal vegetation, the impact of natural disasters and more.

Representatives from NASA, the Department of the Interior and USGS attended Thursday morning ceremonies at the EROS Center marking the 25 year partnership. Mike Connor, Department of the Interior deputy secretary, and EROS director Frank Kelly joined Dakota Midday and discussed the impact and benefits of the USGS-NASA partnership.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
Related Content