Today marks the debut of Ken Burns’ six-part documentary series, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." San Francisco’s local PBS station, KQED, is giving us plenty of opportunities to see all of the episodes—see below for dates and times. All episodes are two hours long. (Here's how to watch the series online.)
Filmmaker Burns promises that his series is not just a nature show, but the story of “an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical, with drama and history.”
"Without national parks, there would be mansions of the rich lining the Grand Canyon," Burns said. "The Everglades would be drained and filled with tract housing. Yosemite, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, would be a gated community."
Episode 1: The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)
The history of America's national parks begins in 1851, when California's beautiful Yosemite Valley started to attract people who wished to exploit the land, and others, like John Muir, who believed it should be preserved.
Channels and Airdates:
KQED 9HD
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 -- 12:00 pm (Noon)
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 -- 4:00 pm
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 -- 8:01 pm
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 -- 10:00 pm
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 4:00 am
KQED World
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 11:00 am
Episode 2: The Last Refuge (1890-1915)
The years 1890 to 1915, when many Americans feared industrialization would negatively impact the country's pristine lands, are recalled. With Congress yet to establish authority or appropriations for park protection, a conservation movement begins.
KQED 9HD
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 8:00 pm
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 -- 10:30 pm
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 4:30 am
KQED World
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 11:00 am
Episode 3: The Empire of Grandeur (1915-1919)
The years 1915-19, when the conservation movement successfully pressured the federal government to create the National Park Service to oversee the nation's national parks, are recalled.
KQED 9HD
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 8:00 pm
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 -- 10:00 pm
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 4:00 am
KQED World
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 11:00 am
Episode 4: Going Home (1920-1933)
The years 1920-33, when the automobile enabled more people to visit the national parks, are recalled. Included: National Park Service director Stephen Mather pushes to build more roads in the parks.
KQED 9HD
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 7:59 pm
Wed, Sep 30, 2009 -- 9:59 pm
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 4:00 am
KQED World
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 11:00 am
Episode 5: Great Nature (1933-1945)
The years 1933-45 are recalled. Included: the Civilian Conservation Corps are created during the Depression to undertake renovation projects in the national parks; NPS biologist George Melendez Wright pushes to reform the NPS's wildlife policies.
KQED 9HD
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 8:02 pm
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 -- 10:01 pm
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 4:00 am
KQED World
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 11:00 am
Episode 6: The Morning of Creation (1946-1980)
The series finale covers the years 1946-80. Following World War II, the parks see a dramatic increase in visitors, resulting in a billion-dollar campaign to improve facilities and infrastructure.
KQED 9HD
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 8:00 pm
Fri, Oct 2, 2009 -- 10:00 pm
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 -- 2:00 am
Sat, Oct 3, 2009 -- 4:00 am
KQED World
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 -- 8:00 am
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 -- 11:00 am
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