Marion Jackson described his vision for the book The Natural Heritage of Indiana as “a celebration of Indiana’s natural heritage—its natural and human history, its landscape and its life—what it once was, what it is now, and what it promises to be.” He emphasizes the importance of understanding the past to prepare “us better to mold Indiana’s future.” He issued this challenge: “if you feel moved to help protect what remains of Indiana’s natural heritage, our objective will have been fulfilled.”

The series shares that mission. Documentary filmmaker Samuel Orr has spent more than two years, and has traveled thousands of miles to bring the landmark book to television in a four-part documentary series. The programs are produced in stunning high definition, and reveal their subjects through breathtaking photography, time-lapse cameras and innovative camera placement.

Visit the video gallery.

Episode One: The Indiana That Was Airs September 21, 2008 on TV 20 and WFYI-HD 20.1 a rebroadcast with new material From ancient seas and coral reefs, to Ice-Age glaciation, the first program will explore the massive changes in Indiana's landscape, as well as the plants and animals that developed over these periods. Just 250 years ago, the area was vastly different than the land we know today. Witness what the state once looked like, with vast forests and prairies, and a huge diversity of what now seem like exotic species

Episode Two: Life in the Water Airs September 28, 2008 onTV 20 and WFYI-HD 20.1 Indiana is bordered by two great water systems: Lake Michigan to the north and the Ohio River to the south. Throughout the state, entire ecosystems are built around rivers, streams and wetlands. In some areas, water exists for only parts of the year, but during those times, there is an amazing explosion of activity. This documentary takes viewers into these habitats, where they will witness the diversity of life that exists. Sometimes, the life cycles take place on a nearly microscopic level. Elsewhere, the program reveals prehistoric looking fish and amphibians that still inhabit the landscape, as well as spectacular waterfowl.

Episode Three: Life on Land Airs October 5, 2008 on TV 20 and WFYI-HD 20.1 In a landscape once covered by glaciers and dominated by forests and prairies, much of Indiana is now the domain of humans, who use the land for agriculture and industry. But look into the woods and the wild places (and sometimes in small tracts of land near these developed areas), and you'll still find a surprising diversity of plant and animal life. Producer/photographer Samuel Orr travels into the state's forests and caves, and reveals a land teeming with sometimes strange and beautiful plants and trees, and the birds and beasts that share these habitats. Among the highlights of this episode: the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly, and its amazing migration from Indiana to Mexico.

Episode Four: A Changing Landscape Airs October 12, 2008 on TV 20 and WFYI-HD 20.1 This program will focus on the alteration of the natural landscape of Indiana by humans, the consequences to native systems and organisms, and the coming of conservation and ecological study and stewardship. Much has been altered, but there are stories of hope, as well. This program will show how certain species that had been driven from the state have made successful returns, and how individuals and communities are taking important steps in restoring habitat and combating the insidious problem of invasive species.

NEWS UPDATES:

Natural Heritage of Indiana production receives Emmy nominations!
The Lower Great Lakes chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has nominated the first episode of Natural Heritage of Indiana: The Indiana That Was for two Emmy nominations. The documentary is being honored in the categories of Best Science Program or Special and for videography. Awards will be announced on September 13th in Cleveland.

Watch for The Natural Heritage of Indiana on your local public television station. This series is slated for broadcast on the following stations this fall: WFYI-TV, Indianapolis WTIU, Bloomington WIPB, Muncie WNIN, Evansville WYIN, Merrillville WNIT, Elkhart WFWA, Fort Wayne KET-2, Louisville WVUT-TV, Vincennes Consult local listings for program air dates. Future e-newsletters will feature broadcast dates and times, as they become available.

Natural Heritage of Indiana web site is launched! As an important supplement to the television broadcasts, the Indiana Historical Bureau is launching a companion web site for The Natural Heritage of Indiana. The web site will feature content from the series, illustrated scripts, streaming video, and links to the numerous partner organizations. The web site will be updated on a regular basis. Visit naturalheritageofindiana.org

Natural Heritage of Indiana educational outreach.
A key Outreach partner in this series is the Indiana Historical Bureau. The Bureau, a state agency, will develop and maintain an exciting Natural Heritage of Indiana web site, which will present educational and outreach activities surrounding the series. The Indiana Historical Bureau, coordinating important educational outreach activities attached to the series, is planning several major educational outreach initiatives related to NHI:

Documentary inspires partnership
The stunning video for The Natural Heritage of Indiana requires stunning graphics. As producer Samuel Orr looked to illustrate portions of Indiana's ancient history, he sought the development of 3-D graphics to reflect the earth's fiery creation, as well as illustrations that give viewers a sense of the magnitude of the ice sheets that covered the state during the ice age. Medical Animatics , a national leader in the production of scientific and medical visualizations, partnered with WFYI-TV on the creation of these new animations. The animation adds important visual depth and substance to the content.

WFYI is the lead partner for production of The Natural Heritage of Indiana. WFYI public broadcasting is a center of discovery for all ages. Through unique programs, services and emerging technologies, WFYI is a leading community resource, empowering people to discover their world, broaden their horizons and become active participants in shaping the future. In 2007, WFYI received 21 Emmy nominations, and 10 awards for its productions, and has produced a dozen shows for national distribution in recent years.

SERIES PARTNERS:

• Indiana Department of Natural Resources
• The Nature Conservancy
• Indiana Department of Education
• Indiana State Library
• Indiana State Museum
• Indiana Academy of Science
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management
• Indiana Humanities Council
• Indiana Supreme Court
• Indiana Wildlife Federation
• The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
• Indiana Geological Survey
• Indiana State Archives

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