MPT says this is its 21ST season for showcasing the Chesapeake.
Owings Mils, Md (KM) It will soon be time for Chesapeake Bay Week on Maryland Public Television. During the week of April 20th through April 26th, MPT will broadcast programs depicting life along the nation’s largest estuary. Senior producer Sarah Sampson says it will be more than just the environmental aspects of the Bay.
“We have programs about food. We have programs about history; even recreation on the Bay,”: she says. There’s expected to be 18 hours of programming focusing on the Chesapeake Bay’s history, heritage and resources as well as its ecosystem, according to MPT.
The cornerstone of this year’s program is “Resurrecting Poplar Island.” Sampson says it was once a thriving community in the 18th and 19th centuries of about 100 people. But the island eroded over the years. “It’s one of the most ambitious environmental restorations in the country. They’ve actually built an island. It was down to about three acres because of erosion in the 1990’s. And they’ve actually rebuilt this island. It’s about 1700 acres today. And with that, they recreated an entire ecosystem,” says Sampson.
That program will premier on Sunday, April 20th at 7:30 PM.
Poplar Island is located off of Tilghman Island on the Eastern Shore.
Other new programs on MPT as part of Chesapeake Bay Week:
“Chesapeake Rhythms” on Tuesday, April 22nd at 8:00 PM. This segment highlights the seasonal movements of the region’s iconic creatures, such as the tundra swan, monarch butterfly and the American eel.
“Every Acre Counts: Chesapeake Farmers in the Forefront” on Tuesday, April 22nd at 8:30 PM. This one is about four local farmers who are putting new technology to the test to create more sustainable land practices.
“Headwaters Down: Tidal River,” Wednesday, April 23rd at 8:00 PM. This segment is about the journey of five friends as they kayak the James River, exploring the 110-mile stretch from Richmond, Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay.
“Upstream Downriver: Uniting for Water Justice,” Wednesday, April 23rd, at 9:00 PM. This segment depicts the human connection to the rivers that flow through the hearts of the cities, towns and rural areas..
“On Water’s Edge,” Thursday, April 24th, 7:30 PM. This program looks at the city of Crisfield and it’s relationships with the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
In addition to the Maryland Public Television network at their scheduled times, these programs will also air on MPT-HD, and the MPT Live stream with additional content available to stream live. They will also be on demand through the PBS App, and MPT’s online video player.,
Sampson points out that the Chesapeake Bay is important for all of the Maryland, including areas located far away from the Bay, including Frederick County. She points out that the Monocacy River empties into the Potomac River which eventually flows in the Chesapeake Bay. “I know people in Frederick County like to eat crabs, and they like to eat fish. Many of us in Maryland love seafood. That’s another reason to pay attention to the health of the Bay,” says Sampson.
By Kevin McManus