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5850 Labath Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Valerie Landes, 707-585-8522, naturalheroes@krcb.org
Barry Lewis, 215-545-5880, blewis@greentreks.org
Online: www.naturalheroestv.org
First National Television Series on People Making
a Positive Difference on Their Environment
Inspiring stories of people taking action locally,
now airing nationally on public television.
All over the globe, ordinary citizens are finding ways
to preserve open spaces, protect endangered species, and ensure
their schools and neighborhoods are healthy for kids. They are
working to bring clean air and water back to their communities,
and prove that decaying urban areas can become productive and
vibrant again. Natural Heroes is a compilation of independently
produced films that spotlights these individuals and celebrates
the positive contributions that inspired people can make.
While they share a common theme, each 30-minute episode of the
13-part debut season of Natural Heroes is very different in
content and style. Connect, for example, is a frenetic journey
into pop culture that weaves together music, diverse imagery,
and the passionate voices of young people who care for the Earth.
Hosted by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, the film introduces
viewers to youth activists from around the world as they share
stories of success and concern. “This show is outstanding,”
said David Brower, former Executive Director of the Sierra Club
and founder of Friends of the Earth. “A powerful message
from the youth of the world!"
A Lot in Common follows a disparate group of residents from
Berkeley, California as they struggle to transform a vacant
lot into a thriving community garden replete with native vegetation,
local artwork, and demonstrations of earth-friendly technology
in action. Commentary by psychologist/ landscape architect Karl
Linn, whose vision of a neighborhood commons provides the framework
for the garden, is supplemented by contextual interviews with
environmentalist Paul Hawken, Urban Habitat co-founder Carl
Anthony, and others. The award-winning film is “not just
about a community garden in Berkeley,” said Terence O'Driscoll,
Station Manager of WNYE in New York. “It's about the human
community everywhere."
Other episodes include Trash is a Failure of Imagination, which
gives new meaning to the adage "one person's trash is another
person's treasure," as it follows artists who dumpster
dive for materials to use as the foundation of their work; The
Last Stand: Heroes at the Ballona Wetlands, hosted by actor
and environmental activist Ed Asner is centered on the issues,
politics and players involved in the debate over one of Southern
California's few remaining wetland ecosystems and one of Los
Angeles' last open spaces; Solar Decathlon, which follows university
students from around the country as they compete to design,
build, and operate the most effective and efficient solar-powered
house; and Transportation Solutions, three shorts featuring
Ted Turner and actress and activist Darryl Hannah which look
at an anti-SUV bumper sticker brigade, a fast food oil fired
automobile, and the inner workings of the Toyota Prius, the
most popular hybrid out on the road.
Natural Heroes is a co-production of KRCB Public Television and GreenTreks
Network, Inc. and is the first nationally distributed series
of its kind. It began airing on PBS stations across the country
in June 2004 and will be available for carriage by other stations
again early 2005. Check www.naturalheroestv.org
to learn more and find out how you can help get it on the air
in your part of the country.
GreenTreks
Network Inc.
GreenTreks Network Inc. (GreenTreks) is an Emmy Award-winning
501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
GreenTreks has shared hundreds of stories about individuals
protecting their local environmental and community health with
millions of viewers around the country through television, film
festivals, community outreach, Internet, and other forms of
media. GreenTreks mission of “Telling Stories that Change
the World” brings clarity to complex issues and moves
uninformed citizens towards awareness and action and supports
them in making the change.
KRCB Public Television www.krcb.org
KRCB is the PBS station serving the North Bay area of the San
Francisco Bay Area. KRCB is committed to expanding the range
of offerings available for PBS stations nationwide, including
programs such as Natural Heroes.
Natural
Heroes – Series Description and Episode Listings
Series Description 13/30s
Natural Heroes focuses on people making a positive difference
for the environment and enhancing the world around us. Each
episode of Natural Heroes is created by different independent
filmmakers, making each episode quite unique. These are diverse,
inspiring stories featured within an eclectic program unlike
any other.
Individual Program Descriptions
101 - “A Lot in Common”
A group of eccentric Berkeley neighbors led by an energetic
octogenarian reclaim a vacant wasteland and find they have a
lot in common.
102 – “Acting Locally — Protecting our Waterways”
Short films show how people all over the country are using innovative
technologies to clean up the water and land in their communities.
103 – “Connect – A New Ecological
Paradigm”
Young activists around the world are uniting to protect their
ecological inheritance. Hosted by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe.
104 –
“Roll on Columbia”
The story of how Woody Guthrie came to write 30 songs in 30
days for the Bonneville Power Administration is a story of the
historic convergence of an American folk music icon and a public
works project. Guthrie's observations on the harsh realities
of the depression and the promise of harnessing the power of
the Columbia River have become some of the most enduring anthems
of Pacific Northwest history. Today there’s much controversy
surrounding the cultural and environmental impacts of dams,
but at its time, hydroelectric power was an innovative, seemingly
non-damaging solution. Features Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger.
105 – “Trash is a Failure of the Imagination”
The adage “one person’s trash is another person’s
treasure,” comes to life in this program, which takes
a look at a handful of artists who use recycled materials as
the foundation of their work. From lights and timepieces to
figures and furniture, to an entire “made from recycled”
home, this show is full of inspiration and ideas for those who
want to give junk a second chance.
106 – “Transportation Solutions”
SUV Taggers: Two bad-boy enviro-activists unleash a relentless
bumper sticker campaign against SUVs in mall parking lots.
French Fries…To Go: Daryl Hannah and Ted Turner raise
awareness about alternative fuels with the help of Charris Ford,
an extremely energetic and quirky visionary/eco-rapper.
107 - “Up Thornton Creek”
When a city government illegally permits a developer to build
on salmon stream, local citizens decide they must take action
and sue. Sparks fly high and wild.
108 – “The Soup Peddler”
Unconventional cyclist provides a literal interpretation of
the Slow Food Movement, delivering homemade soup through his
eco responsible micro-business, reconnecting people to their
food.
109 – “The Last Stand: Heroes at the Ballona
Wetlands”
Covers the recent politics and players in the debate over preservation
and development in one of the last remaining wetlands in Southern
California. Even in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, citizens
band together to make a powerful difference. Hosted by Ed Asner.
Music by Joni Mitchell.
110 – “Acting Locally — Protecting our Land and Air”
Short films show how people all over the country are using innovative
technologies to clean up the air and land in their communities.
111 – “The Naturalist”
Meet the woodsman called the John Muir of the Ozarks. Living
without modern amenities in the tradition of Thoreau and Muir,
he spends his life observing and recording natural history.
His example is a powerful antidote to the cynicism artifice
of modern culture.
112 – “No Room to Move”
Explores the effect of urban sprawl on wildlife: developers
entomb tortoises and speeding cars kill bears crossing roads.
Also examined is how wildlife and human population needs could
be bettered by a development model known as the new urbanism.
113 – “Solar Decathlon”
The Solar Decathlon is a competition where schools from around
the country built fully functional homes that run off of Solar
Power. We follow the Carnegie Mellon team from Pittsburgh and
the house that they entered in the competition in Washington
DC.
Producers:
KRCB Public Television & GreenTreks Network Inc.
KRCB Public Television
5850 Labath Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Tel: 707-585-8522
Fax: 707-585-1363
GreenTreks Network, Inc.
1420 Walnut Street, Suite 1304
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Tel: 215-545-5880
Fax: 215-545-5811
www.naturalheroestv.org
naturalheroes@krcb.org
Feed Information:
NATURAL HEROES
NTHR OB1 101-113
# of Episodes/Length: 13/30s
Feed Date/Schedule: SundaysMarch 6-May 29, 2005, 1300-1330 ET/512
Rights: Standard Broadcast Rights
Non Commercial Cable same as broadcast
School-Unlimited use for one year
Series Description:
Natural Heroes focuses on people making a positive difference
for the
environment and enhancing the world around us. Each episode
of naturalheroes is created by different independent filmmakers,
making each episodequite unique. These are diverse, inspiring
stories featured within aneclectic program unlike any other. |
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