.svg){kind=logo}
 (3).jpg)
Transcript: The Transformer
A child says, WHEE!
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
[Serene music plays]
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a mustard yellow vest, a bright blue shirt and blue jeans.
Tavis narrates, FORESTS ARE FULL OF WED AND MYSTERIOUS ORGANISMS. PLANTS, FUNGI... YOU NAME IT. BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF TWO ORGANISMS COMBINED TOGETHER AND MADE A WHOLE NEW ONE? COULD A TRANSFORMER LIKE THAT EXIST?
Tavis says, LET ME SHOW YOU.
[Uplifting music plays]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
A calm river cuts through a thick forest.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, TODAY WE'RE EXPLORING THE TERRITORY OF OVER TEN NATIONS OF ALGONQUIN PEOPLES. IT'S NOW ALSO HOME TO ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK. AND HERE, WE'RE TACKLING THE HEIGHTS OF THE BARRON CANYON.
Troy McMullin studies a tree trunk. His short grey hair, beard and moustache are neatly trimmed. He wears a grey shirt, black-framed eyeglasses, and a yellow backpack.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET TROY MCMULLEN. HE IS A LICHENOLOGIST, WHICH IS A SCIENTIST THAT STUDIES LICHENS. WORKING FOR THE CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE, HE PRETTY MUCH WROTE THE BOOK ON LICHENS. NO, REALLY, HE'S WRITTEN MULTIPLE BOOKS ON THEM.
The title of a book reads, “The Secret World of Lichens: A Young Naturalist’s Guide.”
Taviss narrates, I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT A LICHEN IS. APPARENTLY, IT TRANSFORMS? I DON'T KNOW. I THINK WE NEED TROY TO FILL US IN.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays quietly]
In the forest, Troy and Taviss on a wide dirt trail.
Taviss asks, TROY, WHAT IS A LICHEN? IS IT A PLANT OR A FUNGUS?
Troy replies, ACTUALLY, IT'S BOTH. IT'S A FUNGUS AND AN ALGAE, WHICH IS A PLANT AND WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER LIKE THAT, THEY TRANSFORM LIKE A TRANSFORMER AND WE CALL THAT A LICHEN.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, green algae and a light green mushroom bounce past each other.
The algae says, HEY, FUNGI.
The mushroom says, OH, HEY, PLANT.
The mushroom and algae crash together and form a lichen.
Both shout, AH!
[Angelic singing]
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Troy says, THERE'S ACTUALLY ABOUT 20,000 SPECIES THAT HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AND THERE'S STILL LOTS MORE TO DISCOVER. I'VE ACTUALLY NAMED SOME MYSELF.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, MAYBE HE COULD NAME A LICHEN AFTER ME. TAVLICHENNESS?
Taviss’s face appears on a lichen.
[Whooshing, popping]
Taviss narrates, HM. OR NOT.
Taviss asks, SO HOW WILL I KNOW A LICHEN WHEN I SEE ONE?
Troy replies, WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I'LL SHOW YOU. COME ON.
Taviss narrates, YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME, LICHENS!
Troy leads Taviss to a fallen tree where pale green lichen grows on thick, green moss.
Troy says, WELL, HERE'S SOME LICHEN THAT FELL ON SOME MOSS. IT'S A GOOD WAY TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE. MOSS IS OFTEN A GRASS GREEN COLOUR, BUT LICHENS ARE OFTEN A PASTEL COLOUR. THEIR COLOURS ARE MUCH BRIGHTER.
SO ANOTHER WAY TO TELL ARE THE LEAVES. MOSS ARE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF LEAVES, WHEREAS LICHENS CAN BE DIFFERENT FORM TYPES. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE TOAD SKIN. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE HORSE HAIR. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE ICING SUGAR SPLASHED ON A TREE. THEY HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHAPES. IN FACT, SOME OTHER SCIENTISTS AND I WROTE THIS BOOK ON ALL THE LICHENS THAT GROW IN ALGONQUIN PARK, AND THERE'S OVER 400 SPECIES.
Troy gives Taviss a book and she flips through the pages.
Taviss asks, WELL, SHOULD WE GO SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME?
Taviss closes the book.
[Book snapping shut]
Troy replies, YEAH, LET'S GO SEE HOW MANY WE CAN FIND.
[Whooshing]
Troy and Taviss walk past a bench.
[Footsteps crunching]
Troy says, SO, BARRON CANYON IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO STUDY LICHENS. THERE ARE SO MANY COOL SPECIES HERE. IT'S A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE IN ALGONQUIN PARK AND EVEN IN ONTARIO. AND...ABOVE ALL THAT, IT'S SPECTACULAR.
Taviss and Troy stand above the river and the trees at the top of the canyon.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, I'D SAY IT'S SPECTACULAR. I COULDN'T ASK FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL SPOT TO GO HUNTING FOR LICHEN.
Troy says, OH, HERE'S A TREE WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FORMS ON IT. YOU CAN SEE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LICHENS. THERE'S A LEAFY ONE.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, AND A HAIRY ONE.
Taviss touches the hairy lichen and recoils.
She says, EW, IT DOES FEEL HAIRY.
Troy says, AND A CRUSTY ONE. AND THIS ONE IS CALLED BITTER WART LICHEN, AND YOU CAN FIGURE THAT OUT BY TASTING IT.
Taviss asks, CAN I GIVE IT A TRY?
Troy says, SURE, YOU'RE WITH ME. GIVE IT A TRY.
Taviss asks, SO, DO I JUST RUB IT OFF?
Taviss rubs her finger against the lichen on the tree trunk.
Troy says, YEP, GET SOME OF THE WHITE POWDER ON YOUR FINGER. IT SHOULD BE VERY BITTER IF YOU'VE GOT IT.
Taviss cringes.
Taviss says, OH! OH, VERY BITTER.
[Troy chuckling]
Troy says, THAT'S IT. NICE JOB. YOU'RE NOW A BUDDING LICHENOLOGIST.
[Whooshing]
Taviss and Troy sit beside lichen on a rock. Taviss has the book open on her lap.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, OKAY, NOW, TO ME, THIS LOOKS LIKE A FUNGUS, BUT I BET IT'S A LICHEN, RIGHT?
Troy says, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS A LICHEN. ITS COMMON NAME IS ROCK TRIPE, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER THE LINING OF A COW'S STOMACH THAT IS USED FOR FOOD.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, WHAT? WHO'S NAMING THESE LICHENS? OH, RIGHT, SCIENTISTS LIKE TROY.
Troy says, THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY LICHENS THAT CHANGE COLOUR. LICHENS PRODUCE OVER A THOUSAND CHEMICALS THAT AREN'T PRODUCED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE NATURAL WORLD. THIS ONE CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY ADDING ANOTHER CHEMICAL, AND YOU SEE A COLOUR CHANGE.
Taviss asks, CAN WE DO IT NOW?
Troy says, YEAH, SO WE GOT A RAZOR THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE TO SCRAPE AWAY SOME OF THE TOP LAYER SO WE CAN SEE THE INSIDE, AND THAT'S THE WHITE PART OF IT, AND THAT'S WHERE THE CHEMICAL THAT WE'RE GOING TO TEST FOR IS PRODUCED. YOU PUT A LITTLE DROP OF BLEACH ON THE WHITE PART, IF IT'S THE SPECIES WE THINK IT IS, IT'LL TURN RED.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S SEE.
Taviss leans forward and squeezes drops of bleach onto the lichen. The white part turns pinkish-red.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, OH, MY GOODNESS!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown lichen wears a top hat.
The lichen shouts, ABRACADABRA!
The lichen turns bright red.
The lichen says, TADA!
[Boinging, whooshing]
In the forest, Troy says, OKAY, GREAT WORK! WE'VE IDENTIFIED IT USING THE SPOT TEST, AND IT'S SMOOTH ROCK TRIPE AND...
Troy says, OH! I SEE ANOTHER ONE THAT REACTS THE SAME WAY OVER THERE.
Taviss jumps to her feet and runs.
Taviss says, ON IT!
Traviss and Troy look at lichen on the side of a tree.
Troy says, OKAY, SO THIS ONE I THINK IS SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN. AND IF IT IS, IT'S JUST LIKE THE SMOOTH ROCK TRIPE. THE INSIDE OF IT WILL REACT TO A CHEMICAL DROP FROM BLEACH. WE DON'T HAVE TO SCRAPE BECAUSE INSECTS EAT THE OUTER LAYER. YOU CAN SEE AREAS WHERE THE WHITE INTERIOR IS EXPOSED.
Taviss says, LIKE RIGHT HERE.
Troy says, YOU GOT IT. WANT TO DO A DROP OF BLEACH RIGHT ON THAT SPOT?
Taviss says, YEP.
Taviss drops bleach on the lichen and it turns red.
Taviss says, OOH, IT DID TURN RED.
Troy says, OKAY, GOOD JOB. SO, NOW WE KNOW THAT IT'S SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN.
Taviss says, SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN.
Troy says, YOU GOT IT.
Taviss says, I'M LIKIN' THIS LICHEN.
[Troy chuckling]
Troy says, NICE ONE.
[Gongs bangs, reverberates]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, A LICHEN CALLED OLD MAN'S BEARD WAS THE ORIGINAL TINSEL USED ON CHRISTMAS TREES. IT GROWS IN SINGLE STRANDS, SOMETIMES EVEN SEVERAL METERS LONG. PEOPLE WOULD WRAP IT AROUND THEIR TREES FOR DECORATION.
Photographs show strands of lichen hanging from a branch and a man with a thick white beard. Video footage shows two children wrapping garlands around a white indoor tree.
Taviss narrates, IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE OLD MAN'S BEARD LICHEN, YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN A NICE, UNDISTURBED FOREST, BECAUSE IT'S SUPERSENSITIVE TO AIR POLLUTION.
THIS HAS BEEN: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
By the canyon, Troy and Taviss stand by a tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Troy says, WHOA, TAVISS! I THINK WE JUST GOT LUCKY.
Taviss says, HUH?
Troy says, HOLD ON, JUST WAIT HERE.
Troy jumps down to a rock. He picks up a piece of bark with orange and yellow lichen and brings it to Taviss.
Taviss says, WHAT IS IT?
Troy says, WELL...THIS IS A BRIGHT ORANGE LICHEN CALLED SUNBURST LICHEN.
Troy and Taviss sit on a rock.
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE THAT NAME.
[Troy chuckling]
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT?
Troy says, WELL, THE MAIN THING IS THAT IT HAS A UNIQUE CHEMICAL THAT MAKES IT BRIGHT ORANGE LIKE THIS.
Taviss says, AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED TODAY, CHEMICALS EQUAL CHANGED COLOUR. SO, DOES THIS ONE CHANGE COLOUR?
Troy says, IT SURE DOES. DO YOU WANT TO DO A SPOT TEST?
Taviss says, YEP.
Troy says, IT JUST NEEDS A LITTLE TINY BIT.
Drops of bleach turn the lichen dark purple.
Taviss says, WHOA! TURNS DARK, DARK PURPLE!
Troy asks, ISN'T IT AMAZING?
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE THIS ONE. SO, IS THIS HOW LICHENOLOGISTS STUDY LICHEN?
Troy says, WELL, THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS. ANOTHER WAY IS TO GET A REALLY CLOSE LOOK AT THEM, AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS THAT ARE ON THE LICHEN.
Taviss peers at the lichen through a magnifying glass.
Troy explains, CHARACTERS ARE THINGS THAT GROW ON IT. JUST LIKE ON A HUMAN, YOU'D HAVE DIFFERENT COLOURED HAIR YOU'D HAVE DIFFERENT COLOURED EYES. THOSE ARE CHARACTERS, AND LICHENS HAVE THE SAME THING. THEY PRODUCE DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DIFFERENT FORMS.
Taviss says, YEAH, I SEE SOME DARKER PIECES, SOME CIRCULAR PIECES.
Troy says, ANOTHER THING LICHENOLOGISTS HAVE TO DO WHEN STUDYING LICHENS IS COLLECT A SAMPLE. IF YOU SAY SOMETHING GROWS SOMEWHERE, YOU HAVE TO PROVE IT.
Taviss says, LIKE WHEN I TELL MY MOM I MADE MY BED AND SHE HAS TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT?
Troy says, EXACTLY. BUT TAKING A SPECIMEN IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS. SOME LICHENS GROW RIGHT INTO THE ROCK, OR RIGHT INTO THE BARK.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a green lichen grows on a pale grey rock.
The rock says, YOU KNOW WHAT, LITTLE LICHEN? YOU'RE REALLY GROWIN' ON ME. HAHAHAHA.
[Lichen gibbering, whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Troy cuts a piece off the bark and shows Taviss.
Troy says, OKAY, SO THAT PIECE CAME OFF PRETTY NICE. NOW WE'VE GOT A SPECIMEN THAT WE CAN PROVE THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY HERE.
Taviss says, LICHENS ARE SO COOL.
Troy says, I KNOW. AREN'T THEY AMAZING? THE CHEMICALS IN LICHENS ARE USED IN PERFUMES, THEY'RE USED IN DEODORANTS, THEY'RE USED IN TOOTHPASTE.
Taviss says, TOOTHPASTE?
Troy says, THEY'RE EVEN USED IN MEDICINES. AND SINCE WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MANY LICHENS, THERE COULD BE MEDICINAL CURES OUT THERE WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
Taviss says, WELL, CLEARLY, I'VE BEEN SLEEPING ON LICHEN.
Troy asks, CAN I SHOW YOU SOME MORE?
Taviss says, YEP!
[Whooshing]
Troy and Taviss look at a pale green lichen on the side of a tree.
Troy says, HERE'S AN INTERESTING LICHEN. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT COLOUR THAN THE REST OF THE LICHENS ON THE TREE BECAUSE IT HAS A CHEMICAL IN IT THAT'S ACTUALLY USED AS AN ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT SOMETIMES.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S IT CALLED?
Troy replies, FORTY KILOMETER AN HOUR LICHEN.
Taviss asks, WHY IS IT CALLED THAT?
Troy says, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING, YOU CAN IDENTIFY IT WHILE DRIVING BY AT 40 KILOMETERS AN HOUR.
Taviss says, I LIKE IT.
[Whooshing]
Troy picks up a stick with lichen growing on it.
Taviss says, OH, HERE'S SOME NEAT HAIRY ONES. THERE'S ACTUALLY A COUPLE OF SPECIES ON HERE. THERE'S THIS REALLY BRIGHT ONE.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, THAT'S CALLED BOREAL OAKMOSS.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, AND IT'S GROWING WITH THESE REALLY FINE, DARKER ONES. SO THIS IS KIND OF AN EXCEPTION TO THE BRIGHT PASTEL COLOURS. THIS IS MORE OF A BROWN COLOUR AND IS CALLED HORSEHAIR LICHEN.
Taviss says, I LOVE HORSES!
Troy asks, DOES IT FEEL LIKE HORSE HAIR?
Taviss touches the lichen.
Taviss says, NO, IT'S KIND OF SOFTER THAN HORSE HAIR.
Troy says, YEAH, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A LICHEN.
[Whooshing]
Troy points and says, THERE'S ANOTHER REALLY NEAT SPECIES GROWING ON TOP OF THAT ROCK. IT HAS A LUMPY SURFACE, JUST LIKE THE BACK OF A TOAD.
Taviss says, UGH, WEIRD.
[Whooshing]
Troy says, THERE'S ONE MORE THING I REALLY WANT TO SHOW YOU ABOUT LICHENS BEFORE WE LEAVE, BUT IT HAS TO GET A LITTLE BIT DARKER FIRST.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S GET OUT OF THIS CANYON BEFORE IT GETS TOO DARK.
Troy says, GOOD IDEA.
[Drumstick tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss narrates, WE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, AND NOW WE'RE...WHERE?
[Whooshing]
Taviss says, I'M HERE IN BARRON CANYON IN ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK. I WAS GONNA WATCH THE SUNSET, BUT IT'S CLOUDY! BUT I CAN STILL ENJOY THE VIEW, THOUGH. LET'S GET COZY.
Taviss puts a blanket on her lap, pours herself a drink, and turns on a lantern.
[Rock music continues, clicking]
Taviss reads one of Troy’s books about lichens.
Taviss says, AND FINALLY, MY BOOK. THIS IS THE LIFE.
[Rock music fades out, crickets chirping]
[Whooshing]
At night, Troy says, SO THE LAST COOL THING I WANT TO SHOW YOU ABOUT LICHENS IS THAT THEY FLUORESCE.
Taviss says, UH... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS.
Troy says, IT MEANS THAT THEY GLOW UNDER AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT.
Taviss’s mouth falls open.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, STOP! AS IF I WASN'T IN LICHEN LOVE ALREADY!
Taviss says, AWESOME!
[Whooshing]
A beam of light moves over a smiling lichen, and they glow.
[Slide whistle]
The lichen says, OH, HI.
[Whooshing]
Troy gives Taviss shaded safety glasses.
Troy says, BUT YOU NEED TO WEAR THESE. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR EYES. SO, WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT OUR EYES BEFORE WE SEE THE LICHENS FLUORESCE. HERE'S THE LIGHT. AND YOU SHINE IT AT THE TREE...
Lichen growing on the side of a tree glows with yellow fluoresce.
Taviss says, WOW.
Troy says, YOU CAN GET A BIT CLOSER. WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU CALL THAT?
Taviss says, MM, YELLOW. WHOA, THIS ONE'S SO COOL. IT GLOWS A LOT.
Troy says, YEAH, IT'S FLUORESCING ORANGE. THIS IS A STUBBLE LICHEN, AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS ONE FLUORESCED. I'M STILL LEARNING THINGS.
Taviss says, THAT IS SO COOL. LICHEN IS SO COOL! HOW DO MORE PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT THEM?
Troy says, I KNOW, THEY'RE AMAZING. ONCE YOU GET YOUR LICHEN EYES, YOU JUST START TO SEE THEM EVERYWHERE. WHY DON'T YOU GO HOME AND SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN FIND?
Taviss says, I'M LICHEN THAT IDEA.
[Troy chuckling]
Taviss says, OKAY, COME ON! I HAD TO! IT'S TOO GOOD!
[Troy laughing]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays quietly]
Lichen grows on the sides of different trees.
Taviss narrates, WHEN A PLANT AND FUNGI COME TOGETHER, THEY TRANSFORM AND BECOME A LICHEN. LICHENS COME IN MANY FORMS AND CAN BE USED IN DYES, MEDICINES, EVEN TOOTHPASTE.
THEY CHANGE COLOUR, GLOW IN THE DARK, AND THE BEST LICHEN SECRET OF THEM ALL? THERE'S STILL SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THEM!
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT! LICHENS ARE TRANSFORMERS!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Taylor Annisette. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Troy McMullin. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
TVO Kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment, Original.
[Child giggles, joyful music plays, pop]
Text over video footage of a forest reads, “T.V.O. kids presents.”
[Serene music plays]
Taviss, a ten-year-old girl, walks in a forest. Her dark brown hair is in two braids. She wears a mustard yellow vest, a bright blue shirt and blue jeans.
Tavis narrates, FORESTS ARE FULL OF WED AND MYSTERIOUS ORGANISMS. PLANTS, FUNGI... YOU NAME IT. BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF TWO ORGANISMS COMBINED TOGETHER AND MADE A WHOLE NEW ONE? COULD A TRANSFORMER LIKE THAT EXIST?
Tavis says, LET ME SHOW YOU.
[Uplifting music plays]
Taviss runs on a dirt path lined with trees on both sides.
Title: Secrets of the Forest.
A drawing beside the title shows a girl sitting on green tree roots. She holds a magnifying glass and gazes towards the title.
A calm river cuts through a thick forest.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, TODAY WE'RE EXPLORING THE TERRITORY OF OVER TEN NATIONS OF ALGONQUIN PEOPLES. IT'S NOW ALSO HOME TO ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK. AND HERE, WE'RE TACKLING THE HEIGHTS OF THE BARRON CANYON.
Troy McMullin studies a tree trunk. His short grey hair, beard and moustache are neatly trimmed. He wears a grey shirt, black-framed eyeglasses, and a yellow backpack.
[Chiming]
Taviss narrates, MEET TROY MCMULLEN. HE IS A LICHENOLOGIST, WHICH IS A SCIENTIST THAT STUDIES LICHENS. WORKING FOR THE CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE, HE PRETTY MUCH WROTE THE BOOK ON LICHENS. NO, REALLY, HE'S WRITTEN MULTIPLE BOOKS ON THEM.
The title of a book reads, “The Secret World of Lichens: A Young Naturalist’s Guide.”
Taviss narrates, I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT A LICHEN IS. APPARENTLY, IT TRANSFORMS? I DON'T KNOW. I THINK WE NEED TROY TO FILL US IN.
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays quietly]
In the forest, Troy and Taviss on a wide dirt trail.
Taviss asks, TROY, WHAT IS A LICHEN? IS IT A PLANT OR A FUNGUS?
Troy replies, ACTUALLY, IT'S BOTH. IT'S A FUNGUS AND AN ALGAE, WHICH IS A PLANT AND WHEN THEY COME TOGETHER LIKE THAT, THEY TRANSFORM LIKE A TRANSFORMER AND WE CALL THAT A LICHEN.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, green algae and a light green mushroom bounce past each other.
The algae says, HEY, FUNGI.
The mushroom says, OH, HEY, PLANT.
The mushroom and algae crash together and form a lichen.
Both shout, AH!
[Angelic singing]
[Upbeat music plays]
In the forest, Troy says, THERE'S ACTUALLY ABOUT 20,000 SPECIES THAT HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AND THERE'S STILL LOTS MORE TO DISCOVER. I'VE ACTUALLY NAMED SOME MYSELF.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, MAYBE HE COULD NAME A LICHEN AFTER ME. TAVLICHENNESS?
Taviss’s face appears on a lichen.
[Whooshing, popping]
Taviss narrates, HM. OR NOT.
Taviss asks, SO HOW WILL I KNOW A LICHEN WHEN I SEE ONE?
Troy replies, WELL, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I'LL SHOW YOU. COME ON.
Taviss narrates, YOU CAN'T HIDE FROM ME, LICHENS!
Troy leads Taviss to a fallen tree where pale green lichen grows on thick, green moss.
Troy says, WELL, HERE'S SOME LICHEN THAT FELL ON SOME MOSS. IT'S A GOOD WAY TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE. MOSS IS OFTEN A GRASS GREEN COLOUR, BUT LICHENS ARE OFTEN A PASTEL COLOUR. THEIR COLOURS ARE MUCH BRIGHTER.
SO ANOTHER WAY TO TELL ARE THE LEAVES. MOSS ARE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF LEAVES, WHEREAS LICHENS CAN BE DIFFERENT FORM TYPES. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE TOAD SKIN. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE HORSE HAIR. THEY CAN LOOK LIKE ICING SUGAR SPLASHED ON A TREE. THEY HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHAPES. IN FACT, SOME OTHER SCIENTISTS AND I WROTE THIS BOOK ON ALL THE LICHENS THAT GROW IN ALGONQUIN PARK, AND THERE'S OVER 400 SPECIES.
Troy gives Taviss a book and she flips through the pages.
Taviss asks, WELL, SHOULD WE GO SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME?
Taviss closes the book.
[Book snapping shut]
Troy replies, YEAH, LET'S GO SEE HOW MANY WE CAN FIND.
[Whooshing]
Troy and Taviss walk past a bench.
[Footsteps crunching]
Troy says, SO, BARRON CANYON IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO STUDY LICHENS. THERE ARE SO MANY COOL SPECIES HERE. IT'S A REALLY SPECIAL PLACE IN ALGONQUIN PARK AND EVEN IN ONTARIO. AND...ABOVE ALL THAT, IT'S SPECTACULAR.
Taviss and Troy stand above the river and the trees at the top of the canyon.
[Gentle music plays]
Taviss narrates, I'D SAY IT'S SPECTACULAR. I COULDN'T ASK FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL SPOT TO GO HUNTING FOR LICHEN.
Troy says, OH, HERE'S A TREE WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT FORMS ON IT. YOU CAN SEE ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF LICHENS. THERE'S A LEAFY ONE.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, AND A HAIRY ONE.
Taviss touches the hairy lichen and recoils.
She says, EW, IT DOES FEEL HAIRY.
Troy says, AND A CRUSTY ONE. AND THIS ONE IS CALLED BITTER WART LICHEN, AND YOU CAN FIGURE THAT OUT BY TASTING IT.
Taviss asks, CAN I GIVE IT A TRY?
Troy says, SURE, YOU'RE WITH ME. GIVE IT A TRY.
Taviss asks, SO, DO I JUST RUB IT OFF?
Taviss rubs her finger against the lichen on the tree trunk.
Troy says, YEP, GET SOME OF THE WHITE POWDER ON YOUR FINGER. IT SHOULD BE VERY BITTER IF YOU'VE GOT IT.
Taviss cringes.
Taviss says, OH! OH, VERY BITTER.
[Troy chuckling]
Troy says, THAT'S IT. NICE JOB. YOU'RE NOW A BUDDING LICHENOLOGIST.
[Whooshing]
Taviss and Troy sit beside lichen on a rock. Taviss has the book open on her lap.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, OKAY, NOW, TO ME, THIS LOOKS LIKE A FUNGUS, BUT I BET IT'S A LICHEN, RIGHT?
Troy says, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT IS A LICHEN. ITS COMMON NAME IS ROCK TRIPE, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER THE LINING OF A COW'S STOMACH THAT IS USED FOR FOOD.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, WHAT? WHO'S NAMING THESE LICHENS? OH, RIGHT, SCIENTISTS LIKE TROY.
Troy says, THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY LICHENS THAT CHANGE COLOUR. LICHENS PRODUCE OVER A THOUSAND CHEMICALS THAT AREN'T PRODUCED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE NATURAL WORLD. THIS ONE CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY ADDING ANOTHER CHEMICAL, AND YOU SEE A COLOUR CHANGE.
Taviss asks, CAN WE DO IT NOW?
Troy says, YEAH, SO WE GOT A RAZOR THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE TO SCRAPE AWAY SOME OF THE TOP LAYER SO WE CAN SEE THE INSIDE, AND THAT'S THE WHITE PART OF IT, AND THAT'S WHERE THE CHEMICAL THAT WE'RE GOING TO TEST FOR IS PRODUCED. YOU PUT A LITTLE DROP OF BLEACH ON THE WHITE PART, IF IT'S THE SPECIES WE THINK IT IS, IT'LL TURN RED.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S SEE.
Taviss leans forward and squeezes drops of bleach onto the lichen. The white part turns pinkish-red.
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss says, OH, MY GOODNESS!
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a brown lichen wears a top hat.
The lichen shouts, ABRACADABRA!
The lichen turns bright red.
The lichen says, TADA!
[Boinging, whooshing]
In the forest, Troy says, OKAY, GREAT WORK! WE'VE IDENTIFIED IT USING THE SPOT TEST, AND IT'S SMOOTH ROCK TRIPE AND...
Troy says, OH! I SEE ANOTHER ONE THAT REACTS THE SAME WAY OVER THERE.
Taviss jumps to her feet and runs.
Taviss says, ON IT!
Traviss and Troy look at lichen on the side of a tree.
Troy says, OKAY, SO THIS ONE I THINK IS SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN. AND IF IT IS, IT'S JUST LIKE THE SMOOTH ROCK TRIPE. THE INSIDE OF IT WILL REACT TO A CHEMICAL DROP FROM BLEACH. WE DON'T HAVE TO SCRAPE BECAUSE INSECTS EAT THE OUTER LAYER. YOU CAN SEE AREAS WHERE THE WHITE INTERIOR IS EXPOSED.
Taviss says, LIKE RIGHT HERE.
Troy says, YOU GOT IT. WANT TO DO A DROP OF BLEACH RIGHT ON THAT SPOT?
Taviss says, YEP.
Taviss drops bleach on the lichen and it turns red.
Taviss says, OOH, IT DID TURN RED.
Troy says, OKAY, GOOD JOB. SO, NOW WE KNOW THAT IT'S SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN.
Taviss says, SPECKLED SHIELD LICHEN.
Troy says, YOU GOT IT.
Taviss says, I'M LIKIN' THIS LICHEN.
[Troy chuckling]
Troy says, NICE ONE.
[Gongs bangs, reverberates]
Taviss narrates, IT'S TIME FOR: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
[Upbeat music plays]
Taviss narrates, ONCE UPON A TIME, A LICHEN CALLED OLD MAN'S BEARD WAS THE ORIGINAL TINSEL USED ON CHRISTMAS TREES. IT GROWS IN SINGLE STRANDS, SOMETIMES EVEN SEVERAL METERS LONG. PEOPLE WOULD WRAP IT AROUND THEIR TREES FOR DECORATION.
Photographs show strands of lichen hanging from a branch and a man with a thick white beard. Video footage shows two children wrapping garlands around a white indoor tree.
Taviss narrates, IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE OLD MAN'S BEARD LICHEN, YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN A NICE, UNDISTURBED FOREST, BECAUSE IT'S SUPERSENSITIVE TO AIR POLLUTION.
THIS HAS BEEN: A LITTLE KNOWN BUT STILL TOTALLY TRUE AND AMAZING STORY.
Text reads, “A little known but still totally true and amazing story.”
[Typing, ding]
By the canyon, Troy and Taviss stand by a tree.
[Upbeat music plays]
Troy says, WHOA, TAVISS! I THINK WE JUST GOT LUCKY.
Taviss says, HUH?
Troy says, HOLD ON, JUST WAIT HERE.
Troy jumps down to a rock. He picks up a piece of bark with orange and yellow lichen and brings it to Taviss.
Taviss says, WHAT IS IT?
Troy says, WELL...THIS IS A BRIGHT ORANGE LICHEN CALLED SUNBURST LICHEN.
Troy and Taviss sit on a rock.
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE THAT NAME.
[Troy chuckling]
Taviss asks, SO, WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT IT?
Troy says, WELL, THE MAIN THING IS THAT IT HAS A UNIQUE CHEMICAL THAT MAKES IT BRIGHT ORANGE LIKE THIS.
Taviss says, AND WHAT I'VE LEARNED TODAY, CHEMICALS EQUAL CHANGED COLOUR. SO, DOES THIS ONE CHANGE COLOUR?
Troy says, IT SURE DOES. DO YOU WANT TO DO A SPOT TEST?
Taviss says, YEP.
Troy says, IT JUST NEEDS A LITTLE TINY BIT.
Drops of bleach turn the lichen dark purple.
Taviss says, WHOA! TURNS DARK, DARK PURPLE!
Troy asks, ISN'T IT AMAZING?
Taviss says, OOH, I LIKE THIS ONE. SO, IS THIS HOW LICHENOLOGISTS STUDY LICHEN?
Troy says, WELL, THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS. ANOTHER WAY IS TO GET A REALLY CLOSE LOOK AT THEM, AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE DIFFERENT CHARACTERS THAT ARE ON THE LICHEN.
Taviss peers at the lichen through a magnifying glass.
Troy explains, CHARACTERS ARE THINGS THAT GROW ON IT. JUST LIKE ON A HUMAN, YOU'D HAVE DIFFERENT COLOURED HAIR YOU'D HAVE DIFFERENT COLOURED EYES. THOSE ARE CHARACTERS, AND LICHENS HAVE THE SAME THING. THEY PRODUCE DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DIFFERENT FORMS.
Taviss says, YEAH, I SEE SOME DARKER PIECES, SOME CIRCULAR PIECES.
Troy says, ANOTHER THING LICHENOLOGISTS HAVE TO DO WHEN STUDYING LICHENS IS COLLECT A SAMPLE. IF YOU SAY SOMETHING GROWS SOMEWHERE, YOU HAVE TO PROVE IT.
Taviss says, LIKE WHEN I TELL MY MOM I MADE MY BED AND SHE HAS TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT?
Troy says, EXACTLY. BUT TAKING A SPECIMEN IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS. SOME LICHENS GROW RIGHT INTO THE ROCK, OR RIGHT INTO THE BARK.
[Whooshing]
In an animation, a green lichen grows on a pale grey rock.
The rock says, YOU KNOW WHAT, LITTLE LICHEN? YOU'RE REALLY GROWIN' ON ME. HAHAHAHA.
[Lichen gibbering, whooshing]
[Upbeat music plays]
Troy cuts a piece off the bark and shows Taviss.
Troy says, OKAY, SO THAT PIECE CAME OFF PRETTY NICE. NOW WE'VE GOT A SPECIMEN THAT WE CAN PROVE THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY HERE.
Taviss says, LICHENS ARE SO COOL.
Troy says, I KNOW. AREN'T THEY AMAZING? THE CHEMICALS IN LICHENS ARE USED IN PERFUMES, THEY'RE USED IN DEODORANTS, THEY'RE USED IN TOOTHPASTE.
Taviss says, TOOTHPASTE?
Troy says, THEY'RE EVEN USED IN MEDICINES. AND SINCE WE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MANY LICHENS, THERE COULD BE MEDICINAL CURES OUT THERE WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
Taviss says, WELL, CLEARLY, I'VE BEEN SLEEPING ON LICHEN.
Troy asks, CAN I SHOW YOU SOME MORE?
Taviss says, YEP!
[Whooshing]
Troy and Taviss look at a pale green lichen on the side of a tree.
Troy says, HERE'S AN INTERESTING LICHEN. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT COLOUR THAN THE REST OF THE LICHENS ON THE TREE BECAUSE IT HAS A CHEMICAL IN IT THAT'S ACTUALLY USED AS AN ANTIBACTERIAL OINTMENT SOMETIMES.
Taviss asks, WHAT'S IT CALLED?
Troy replies, FORTY KILOMETER AN HOUR LICHEN.
Taviss asks, WHY IS IT CALLED THAT?
Troy says, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING, YOU CAN IDENTIFY IT WHILE DRIVING BY AT 40 KILOMETERS AN HOUR.
Taviss says, I LIKE IT.
[Whooshing]
Troy picks up a stick with lichen growing on it.
Taviss says, OH, HERE'S SOME NEAT HAIRY ONES. THERE'S ACTUALLY A COUPLE OF SPECIES ON HERE. THERE'S THIS REALLY BRIGHT ONE.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, THAT'S CALLED BOREAL OAKMOSS.
Taviss says, MMHM.
Troy says, AND IT'S GROWING WITH THESE REALLY FINE, DARKER ONES. SO THIS IS KIND OF AN EXCEPTION TO THE BRIGHT PASTEL COLOURS. THIS IS MORE OF A BROWN COLOUR AND IS CALLED HORSEHAIR LICHEN.
Taviss says, I LOVE HORSES!
Troy asks, DOES IT FEEL LIKE HORSE HAIR?
Taviss touches the lichen.
Taviss says, NO, IT'S KIND OF SOFTER THAN HORSE HAIR.
Troy says, YEAH, THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S A LICHEN.
[Whooshing]
Troy points and says, THERE'S ANOTHER REALLY NEAT SPECIES GROWING ON TOP OF THAT ROCK. IT HAS A LUMPY SURFACE, JUST LIKE THE BACK OF A TOAD.
Taviss says, UGH, WEIRD.
[Whooshing]
Troy says, THERE'S ONE MORE THING I REALLY WANT TO SHOW YOU ABOUT LICHENS BEFORE WE LEAVE, BUT IT HAS TO GET A LITTLE BIT DARKER FIRST.
Taviss says, WELL, LET'S GET OUT OF THIS CANYON BEFORE IT GETS TOO DARK.
Troy says, GOOD IDEA.
[Drumstick tapping, rock music plays]
Text reads, “The Fun Factor.”
Taviss narrates, WE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM, AND NOW WE'RE...WHERE?
[Whooshing]
Taviss says, I'M HERE IN BARRON CANYON IN ALGONQUIN PROVINCIAL PARK. I WAS GONNA WATCH THE SUNSET, BUT IT'S CLOUDY! BUT I CAN STILL ENJOY THE VIEW, THOUGH. LET'S GET COZY.
Taviss puts a blanket on her lap, pours herself a drink, and turns on a lantern.
[Rock music continues, clicking]
Taviss reads one of Troy’s books about lichens.
Taviss says, AND FINALLY, MY BOOK. THIS IS THE LIFE.
[Rock music fades out, crickets chirping]
[Whooshing]
At night, Troy says, SO THE LAST COOL THING I WANT TO SHOW YOU ABOUT LICHENS IS THAT THEY FLUORESCE.
Taviss says, UH... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS.
Troy says, IT MEANS THAT THEY GLOW UNDER AN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT.
Taviss’s mouth falls open.
[Bell dinging]
Taviss narrates, STOP! AS IF I WASN'T IN LICHEN LOVE ALREADY!
Taviss says, AWESOME!
[Whooshing]
A beam of light moves over a smiling lichen, and they glow.
[Slide whistle]
The lichen says, OH, HI.
[Whooshing]
Troy gives Taviss shaded safety glasses.
Troy says, BUT YOU NEED TO WEAR THESE. ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT CAN BE BAD FOR YOUR EYES. SO, WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT OUR EYES BEFORE WE SEE THE LICHENS FLUORESCE. HERE'S THE LIGHT. AND YOU SHINE IT AT THE TREE...
Lichen growing on the side of a tree glows with yellow fluoresce.
Taviss says, WOW.
Troy says, YOU CAN GET A BIT CLOSER. WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU CALL THAT?
Taviss says, MM, YELLOW. WHOA, THIS ONE'S SO COOL. IT GLOWS A LOT.
Troy says, YEAH, IT'S FLUORESCING ORANGE. THIS IS A STUBBLE LICHEN, AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS ONE FLUORESCED. I'M STILL LEARNING THINGS.
Taviss says, THAT IS SO COOL. LICHEN IS SO COOL! HOW DO MORE PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT THEM?
Troy says, I KNOW, THEY'RE AMAZING. ONCE YOU GET YOUR LICHEN EYES, YOU JUST START TO SEE THEM EVERYWHERE. WHY DON'T YOU GO HOME AND SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN FIND?
Taviss says, I'M LICHEN THAT IDEA.
[Troy chuckling]
Taviss says, OKAY, COME ON! I HAD TO! IT'S TOO GOOD!
[Troy laughing]
[Whooshing, upbeat music plays quietly]
Lichen grows on the sides of different trees.
Taviss narrates, WHEN A PLANT AND FUNGI COME TOGETHER, THEY TRANSFORM AND BECOME A LICHEN. LICHENS COME IN MANY FORMS AND CAN BE USED IN DYES, MEDICINES, EVEN TOOTHPASTE.
THEY CHANGE COLOUR, GLOW IN THE DARK, AND THE BEST LICHEN SECRET OF THEM ALL? THERE'S STILL SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN ABOUT THEM!
Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT! LICHENS ARE TRANSFORMERS!
[Inspiring plays]
Text reads, “Secrets of the Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.”
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Written by Taylor Annisette. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Troy McMullin. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment, T.V.O. Kids.
You are now leaving TVOKids.com
TVOKids doesn't have control over the new place you're about to visit, so please make sure you get your Parent or Guardian's permission first!
Do you have permission from your Parents / Guardian to go to other websites?