Coming to PBS... and Yosemite... September 27, 2009

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales — from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska — The National Parks: America's Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background — rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. It is a story full of struggle and conflict, high ideals and crass opportunism, stirring adventure and enduring inspiration - set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable. The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan.

Watch a PBS preview of The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Yosemite National Park will be screening the entire film series from Sunday, September 27 through Friday, October 2. You can watch each episode, from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, at Lower Pines Amphitheater, Curry Village Amphitheater, or Yosemite Lodge Amphitheater.

Park Ranger Shelton Johnson, a featured commentator in the series, local actor Lee Stetson, who provides the voice of John Muir, and Yosemite's public affairs officer, Scott Gediman, will introduce the film at each of the venues.