Dreams Of The American West

MIAMI (CBS4) - The awe-inspiring beauty of the nation's wilderness came to life Wednesday night in high-definition TV when CBS4 reporter Michael Williams, CBS4 photojournalist Rafael Murciano, Zoo Miami's Ron Magill and Nirvana Sookdeo, a gifted student at Herbert A. Ammons Middle School in South Miami Dade, brought viewers up close to some of nature's greatest treasures in a CBS4 special, "Dreams of the American West."

It was filmed amidst the spacious majesty of America's most spectacular national parks – Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Glacier – and detailed the history and scenery of some of the country's most precious natural treasures.

Williams, Murciano and Magill are no strangers to these exotic adventures. Their last excursion, broadcast on CBS4 in 2009, was "Dreams of the Galapagos," a visit to the famed islands off the coast of Ecuador.

In their latest adventure, Nirvana Sookdeo and her guardian were able to accompany CBS4 to the American West by virtue of the fact that she won a South Florida public middle school Eco Hero contest sponsored by CBS4 and Zoo Miami. The purpose of the contest and the special program is to educate people, young and old, about the need to preserve our natural heritage.

If you missed this truly moving and memorable television experience, which aired Wednesday evening on CBS4, or you just want to watch it again, click the links on the right of the story to watch all 4 parts.

And to see more spectacular images of their journey, click here for the pictures taken by Zoo Miami's Ron Magill.