UA’s ‘Discovering Alabama’ Celebrating 30 Years, Announces New Documentaries

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Emmy Award-winning series “Discovering Alabama” announces its new three-part documentary sequence on “Alabama’s Coastal Paradise” will begin airing on Alabama Public Television Nov. 25.

The new programs were developed to share the rest of the coastal story, enhancing positive public awareness of the multi-faceted significance of the state’s coastal region beyond the unflattering and lingering attention that resulted from the 2010 oil spill.

“Most people know about our beaches, condos and other such vacation attractions, but not so many know about the remarkable natural diversity and history of our coastal area,” said Dr. Doug Phillips, series creator, producer and host.

“It’s among the most naturally diverse coastal areas in the world and also was the gateway to the New World for many of the early European adventurers, explorers and settlers to America,” Phillips said. “Viewers will be very pleased to join ‘Discovering Alabama’ as we have our adventure exploring the state’s coastal wonders.”

“Alabama’s Coastal Paradise” is dedicated to celebrating, promoting and educating viewers about the Alabama Gulf Coast and will feature shows on Alabama’s Coastal Ecology, Alabama’s Coastal Historical Heritage and Alabama’s Coastal Education Assets.

The new documentaries kick off part of a yearlong celebration as “Discovering Alabama” hits its 30th year of production. The series has attracted more than 1 million viewers on Alabama Public Television; completed almost 100 programs with accompanying educational resources that are used in K-12 classrooms and supported by educator workshops across the state; and is recognized nationally as part of public television’s “American Field Guide” series.

“The world is changing at an accelerating rate,” Phillips said. “Alabama’s best chance to sustain its abundant natural heritage is through increased public education and appreciation for this heritage.”

Phillips said he often hears from Alabamians who credit the series for the wider environmental awareness and appreciation that has emerged in Alabama in recent decades. He considers its top two accomplishments: its use in classrooms of every school system in the state, and the major leadership role it has played in establishing many of Alabama’s environmental protection and conservation programs, including the Forever Wild Land Trust Program.

“It has been a long, tough haul, not simply working 24/7 to produce the shows, Teacher Guides and the many related resources, teacher workshops, etc., but also the year-to-year struggle to find funding,” Phillips said.

In addition to multiple state-wide television broadcasts, the “Discovering Alabama” series and the “Alabama’s Coastal Paradise” documentaries will be promoted through online resources at APT and discoveringalabama.org, to include a “Virtual Field Trip,” teacher guides and other K-12 classroom resources.

The show’s educational component has always been the primary focus. It was created as an extension of Phillips’ environmental work with schools and teachers and has always been designed to be interdisciplinary and supportive of the state’s K-12 academic requirements, Phillips said.

The new documentaries were produced with special funding from the Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund and annual sponsorship support provided by the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Wildlife Federation and Fay and Bill Ireland Sr. through the William Reynolds Ireland Sr. Endowed Support Fund.

“It’s no surprise to me that the series has lasted 30 years — Alabamians love to see the wonders of our state presented in such a beautiful educational program,” Phillips said. “At 30 years, we are among the longest continuous broadcast tenures in television history, and there are an endless number of topics yet to do. The series could easily go another 30 years and more.”