NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S BOYD MATSON HOSTS SERIES ON NATURE, SCIENCE, EXPLORATION, ADVENTURE

Filmed and broadcast in High Definition (HD) for the first time (where available), season four of the award-winning public television series Wild Chronicles premieres nationwide January 2009 on public television (check local listings). More vivid than ever, Wild Chronicles tells the story of our planet from the vantage of those who have traversed its most remote passages, solved its scientific mysteries and advocated for its protection. The stories focus on the work of researchers and explorers — many supported by National Geographic grants — and cover natural history, science, adventure, culture, conservation and the environment. Also new for season four, all episodes will follow a titled theme that will tie individual show segments together, resulting in a distinct storyline for each episode.

Presented by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG, Wild Chronicles is made possible by National Geographic Mission Programs, the science and education arm of the National Geographic Society. The weekly, half-hour, magazine-style show is hosted by National Geographic’s Boyd Matson, also host of the “National Geographic Weekend” radio program. Matson’s compelling storytelling connects viewers to the pulse of the planet, offering rare access to and in-depth reporting on the state of the natural world while focusing on researchers and explorers in the field working to study, protect and preserve the Earth.

“Season four of Wild Chronicles will expose viewers to the wonders of the natural and scientific world in ways they’ve never seen before. New stories of adventure and exploration will make viewers feel as if they’ve been transported from their living room to the field to work alongside the researchers, scientists and explorers that Wild Chronicles covers,” said Mark Bauman, executive vice president, National Geographic Digital Studio.

Episode one, titled “Living with Us,” opens the new season with a report from the Santa Monica Mountains BioBlitz, a 24-hour dash organized by the National Geographic Society and the National Park Service to find, identify and learn about as many plant and animal species in the park as possible; an up-close view of the miniature world of harvester ants; a look at a centuries-old agricultural tradition in Spain that protects livestock from predatory wolves; and a visit to a primate sanctuary in Florida where unwanted pet monkeys get a second lease on life.

Future episodes explore a green Sahara with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno; take viewers to Argentina for a special report on Magellanic penguins; examine the results of a worldwide ocean census; and report on 2008 National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tsetsegee Munkhbayar’s environmental conservation work in Mongolia. National Geographic’s Crittercam¬Æ team also will contribute, telling nature’s stories from an animal’s perspective.

Combining decades of field experience to generate a sophisticated world view that goes beyond the typical nature program, the Wild Chronicles team plans 26 episodes for season four. The series continues under the leadership and vision of executive producer Martha Conboy. Other team members are Alison Barrat, series producer; April Chabries, series producer; Gayle Young, senior writer; Jamie Pickell, senior editor; Angie Edinger, editor; Jason Orfanon, producer; Adam Enatsky, assistant editor/graphics; Laura Boyd, coordinating producer; Jennifer Shoemaker, coordinating producer; Matthew Finaylson, production coordinator; and Christie Welsh, production coordinator.

Wild Chronicles season four is broadcast in Standard Definition where HD is not available (check local listings).

awards

2007 Parents’ Choice Award Winner: Television

30th IWFF (International Wildlife Film Festival — 2007)
Best Television Series Under $250,000 Budget
Wild Chronicles
National Geographic Television
Executive Producers: Mark Bauman & Martha Conboy

Spring 2007 CINE Golden Eagle:
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Children’s Programs — Wild Chronicles

2007 CINE Special Jury Award (based on 2006 Golden Eagle)
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Children’s Programs — Wild Chronicles: Children’s Segments

2007 CINE Special Jury Award (based on 2006 Golden Eagle)
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction, On-Air Promotions & Opens — Wild Chronicles: Opens

33rd Ekotopfilm (2006)
Grand Prize
Wild Chronicles – Crittercam

29th IWFF (International Wildlife Film Festival — 2006)
Merit Award
Wild Chronicles
National Geographic Television

Fall 2006 CINE Golden Eagle
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Children’s Programs — Wild Chronicles: Children’s Programs

Fall 2006 CINE Golden Eagle
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, On-Air Promotions and Opens — Wild Chronicles: Opens

Spring 2006 CINE Golden Eagle
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Children’s Programs — Wild Chronicles / Children’s Programs

Spring 2006 CINE Golden Eagle
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Environment and Natural Science — Wild Chronicles / Crittercam

Spring 2006 CINE Golden Eagle
Professional Telecast Non-Fiction division, Environment and Natural Science — Wild Chronicles / Narwhal Teeth