New Specials in April and May 2019 Include NATURE | American Spring LIVE, a Celebration of the Change in Seasons Across America
ARLINGTON, VA; MARCH 27, 2019 -- Throughout April and beyond, PBS will celebrate Earth Day and the arrival of spring with programs that explore topics from the change of seasons in North America to the way scientists and politicians came together to fix the hole in the ozone layer. New specials include a live interactive look at the arrival of spring in various ecosystems throughout the country, as well as programming from NATURE and NOVA.
From April 29 to May 1, PBS will broadcast NATURE | American Spring LIVE, taking audiences on a real-time journey into spring’s arrival. In iconic locations across the country, from the Rockies to the Everglades, researchers and citizen scientists investigate how a range of organisms respond to the change in seasons. Each of the three episodes is based around a central theme chosen to reveal how spring triggers extraordinary biological change.
Acclaimed ABC News anchor Juju Chang will host the multiplatform event, which includes both live and pre-taped footage. A wide array of classroom resources will be hosted on PBS LearningMedia with activities to help teachers get students involved in hands-on science research. WNET, producer of NATURE, will also work with science and community organizations, as well as PBS stations nationwide to encourage audiences to participate in citizen science through training workshops, family events and more.
Sir David Attenborough’s NATURE “The Egg: Life’s Perfect Invention” invites viewers to take a closer look at nature’s best life support system. As the egg hatches, Attenborough reveals the wonder behind these incredible miracles of nature.
Other NATURE programs include encores of “Big Birds Can’t Fly,” showcasing ostriches, emus, kiwis and other flightless birds; “Sex, Lies and Butterflies,” about one of the greatest migrations on Earth; and “Equus: Story of the Horse,” a two-part history of mankind’s relationship with the horse.
Travel back to the 1980s with OZONE HOLE: HOW WE SAVED THE PLANET and hear how scientists and politicians persuaded the Reagan administration to address the hole in the ozone layer. President Reagan and Margaret Thatcher urged the world’s nations to come together and support the Montreal Protocol, an agreement to eliminate the use of common industrial chemicals that were destroying the ozone. Another natural phenomenon at risk – the Dead Sea – undergoes some major changes in NOVA “Saving the Dead Sea.” In an attempt to save the shrinking sea, engineers prepare a plan to connect it with the Red Sea by way of a massive desalination plant. But will this solution put the environment at risk?
Marvel at the remarkable people and wildlife inhabiting the Rocky Mountains in an encore of THE ROCKIES: KINGDOMS OF THE SKY and meet the scientist whose groundbreaking writings revolutionized our relationship to the natural world in an encore of AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “Rachel Carson.”
These programs are available for streaming simultaneously on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, which is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast. PBS station members can view episodes via Passport (contact your local PBS station for details).
NEW PROGRAMS
NATURE “The Egg: Life’s Perfect Invention”
Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
The egg is perhaps nature’s most perfect life support system. Step by step as the egg hatches, host Sir David Attenborough reveals the wonder behind this incredible miracle of nature.
OZONE HOLE: HOW WE SAVED THE PLANET
Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET
Discover the forgotten story of the hole in the ozone layer and how the world came together to fix it. Hear from the scientists and politicians who persuaded Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher to take action and solve the planetary problem.
NOVA “Saving the Dead Sea”
Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
As the Dead Sea shrinks, engineers prepare a daring solution: connect it with the Red Sea by way of a massive desalination plant. If it works, it could stabilize the legendary lake and ease regional tensions. But will it put the environment at risk?
NATURE | American Spring LIVE
Monday, April 29-Wednesday, May 1, 2019, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Witness the change of seasons in real time. In iconic locations with varied ecosystems, a diverse group of researchers and citizen scientists investigate how a wide range of organisms respond to the coming of spring.
ENCORE PROGRAMS
NATURE “Big Birds Can’t Fly”
Wednesday, April 17, 2019, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Explore the evolution and unique stories of ostriches, emus, rheas, cassowaries and kiwis. Though it’s said a bird is three things – feathers, flight and song – these birds can’t fly or sing, and their feathers are closer to fluff.
NATURE “Sex, Lies and Butterflies”
Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Explore the astounding abilities of butterflies’ 360-degree vision, deceptive camouflage, chemical weaponry and fantastic flight. Look beyond their bright colors and fragile beauty and follow them on one of the greatest migrations on Earth.
THE ROCKIES: KINGDOMS OF THE SKY
Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Experience the amazing wildlife and remarkable people who inhabit this 3,000-mile mountain range, home to cougars, wolverines, wolves and grizzlies. Daredevil wingsuit fliers jump from high peaks and Native Americans compete in breakneck horse races.
NATURE | Equus: Story of the Horse
Wednesdays, May 15-22, 2019, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
Travel around the world with anthropologist Niobe Thompson to uncover the history of mankind’s relationship with the horse. Discover the habits and biology of these majestic animals and ride along with the world’s last nomadic tribes.
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE “Rachel Carson”
Tuesday, May 28, 2019, 8:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Meet the scientist whose groundbreaking writings revolutionized our relationship to the natural world. Mary-Louise Parker is the voice of Rachel Carson in this moving and intimate portrait.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 120 million people through television and 26 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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CONTACTS:
Cara White, CaraMar Publicity
843-881-1480; cara.white@mac.com
For NATURE: Chelsey Saatkamp, WNET
212-560-4905; SaatkampC@wnet.org