Ken Burns' National Parks Documentary

Learn about the history and wonders of America's National Parks in Ken Burns' new film, THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA. The six-episode, twelve-hour series is directed by Burns and produced with his long-time colleague, Dayton Duncan, who also wrote the screenplay. It airs Sunday, September 27 - Friday, October 3 on local station WJCT. Click here for schedule.

For more about the Ken Burns film and the local documentary National Parks of Florida's First Coast and the Georgia Sea Isles, visit the WJCT website and the local documentary project website.

At its heart, the film is the story of an idea, as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical – that the most special places in the nation should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone.

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the documentary 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 narrative traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years. It is simultaneously a biography of compelling characters and a biography of the American landscape.

Don't miss it!

Last updated: April 14, 2015

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