UA’s ‘Discovering Alabama’ Features Local Watershed in New Documentary

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Viewers are invited to explore the North River Watershed with Dr. Doug Phillips in the newest documentary by The University of Alabama’s Emmy Award-winning series “Discovering Alabama.”

The 30-minute program, “Discovering Alabama: North River Watershed,” will air on Alabama Public Television at 6 p.m. Oct. 18.

The North River Watershed Project is a cooperative effort between multiple government agencies, citizen groups and educational partners, and it is something that could be used as a model as Gov. Robert Bentley looks to develop a statewide water policy plan, said Phillips, series creator, producer and host.

“A major priority in developing statewide water policy is the need for public education about these issues, challenges and opportunities, as well as public awareness of the complexities of water management and what needs to be done,” he said.

“Fortunately for Tuscaloosa, our local leaders have long put a priority on protecting the region’s water resources, and those efforts will be highlighted in this show.”

Viewers will “meet” a variety of local governmental water managers and water resource experts, as well as students and educators, and examine different water study projects that help address the problems.

“People tend to think of watersheds in terms of little streams that join bigger streams that merge with the river and maybe the river goes to a lake, and then they think of that as the watershed, but the essential watershed is the land that sheds that water into those flow ways,” Phillips said.

“And it is the quality of the land that largely determines the quality of the water. As we go about our business in the day-to-day growing and developing, we don’t often take the time to properly plan for protecting those watersheds and, thus, water quality, in a way that those vital resources can be sustained for the future.”

The new show was produced with funding from numerous sources, including local governments.

“Discovering Alabama,” which celebrated its 30th year of production last year, 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 show’s educational component has always been the primary focus.

“Discovering Alabama” programs have accompanying Teacher Guides that provides background materials and activities for pre- and post-viewing. In addition, there are DVDs, Ask the Expert, Virtual Field Trips and E-books.

Educator workshops are also presented throughout the year. “Discovering Alabama” aligns with the Alabama Course of Study to address the needs of any classroom teacher, any grade and any level, said Pam Sloan, education outreach coordinator.

“The materials can be used by teachers at every grade level in every content area,” she said. “We show teachers how to use the materials to enrich their classroom instruction based on the needs expressed by teachers.”

Materials, lessons and activities are shared through the show’s website, discoveringalabama.org, as well as on the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveringAlabama.

“‘Discovering Alabama’ is an outgrowth of my work with schools and teachers from way back when,” Phillips said. “Taking them up the mountains, down the rivers and into the wilderness and making connections with the grand natural diversity of this state is significant, as are the subjects they are learning and the ultimate importance of taking care of this remarkable natural heritage that Alabama has.

“We’ve been able to blend those academic content requirements with those environmental stewardship messages and make learning exciting and locally relevant at the same time.”