April 10 marks the start of Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) 7th annualChesapeake Bay Week™, a weeklong run of programming encouraging public participation and discussion about the fragile health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and its many tributaries. This year’s Chesapeake Bay Week™ features nearly 14 hours of local prime-time programs, which celebrate this important natural resource and highlight its most critical issues.
“Chesapeake Bay Week remains such an important element of MPT’s local programming efforts,” said Steven J. Schupak, Senior Vice President, MPT. “But it is the feedback from our viewers and members as well as the participation of area residents in helping improve the health of the bay that make this annual event so special.”
Some of 2011’s Chesapeake Bay Week™ programming highlights include:
Who Killed Crassostrea Virginica: The Fall and Rise of Chesapeake Bay Oysters, Sunday, April 10 at 10:00 p.m. Confronting head-on the conflicting claims about the calamities that struck down the world’s richest oyster grounds, this one-hour documentary introduces viewers to a fresh perspective on the roles of three groups that combined to kill off most of the oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. The film re-evaluates the usual suspects—overfishing, disease pollution and mismanagement—in the light of recent findings from science labs, from the bottom of the bay and from long-forgotten historical archives. (Also airs April 11 at 2:00 a.m.)
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge: Spanning the Bay, premiere Monday, April 11 at 9:00 p.m. On a journey that spans more than half a century, MPT explores the far-reaching effects that the Bay Bridge has had on everything from commerce to commuting. Shot in high-definition, this one-hour documentary combines breathtaking cinematography with rediscovered archival footage to paint a vivid picture of what was once the world’s longest over-water structure. The film also marks MPT’s first-ever foray into the world of 3-D production, with a segment that takes viewers on a nostalgic 1952 drive over the newly opened bridge. Get a sneak peek of how the Chesapeake Bay Bridge forever changed the way Marylanders drive, think and live. (Also airs April 12 at 12:01 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. and April 16 at 9:00 p.m.) The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, promotional sponsors and partners: The Baltimore Sun; The Clark Charitable Foundation; Ledo Pizza; Maryland Port Administration; Maryland Transportation Authority
Chesapeake Stories II, Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. Join adventurous paddlers as they explore Chesapeake backwaters, pitch their tents on windswept beaches, grill fresh-caught rock fish and brainstorm about saving and savoring the bay. Meet watercolor artist Marc Castelli, who captures the magic of sunlight on waves or weathered boats and the hardships of Chesapeake watermen. (Also airs April 13 at 2:00 a.m.)
Growing up on Tilghman, Tuesday, April 12 at 8:30 p.m. Not so long ago, Tilghman’s Island was a unique Chesapeake waterman’s community where children roamed freely and families bonded to wrest a living from the bountiful but challenging Chesapeake Bay. Accompanied by captivating images from today and years gone by, island residents recall their unique heritage and discuss the challenges of sharing it with future generations. (Also airs April 13 at 2:30 a.m.)
Rivers of Worry, Wednesday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. Are contaminants polluting our water before it reaches the Chesapeake Bay? The Severn River on the bay’s western shore is a typical urban-suburban waterway, home to fishing, boating and swimming. But, because of high fecal bacteria counts, officials have advised some communities to avoid contact with the river after a rainfall. On the Eastern Shore, water samples show a range of natural and human-caused contaminants. Though most are found only in trace amounts, Rivers of Worry explores how much is really known about the possible health effects of their accumulation and interaction. (Also airs April 14 at 12:01 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.)
Chesapeake Bay Volunteer-a-thon, April 17 at 6:00 p.m. Hoping to connect volunteers with environmental restoration projects, MPT’s two-hour live broadcast provides individuals, families, clubs and organizations with the opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities. Volunteers donated nearly 15,000 hours of volunteer support in 2010 — the equivalent of 46 calendar days of clean-up effort — MPT’s most successful volunteer-a-thon to date. Volunteers can pledge their time by calling (410) 581-4035, e-mailing volunteer@mpt.org, or by printing and returning this form. Volunteer-a-thon sponsor: Bank of America
For complete program listings or to find out how you or your organization can get involved to help restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed, visit mpt.org/bayweek.
The Bay Initiative, including the Volunteer-a-thon, is sponsored in 2011 in part by Irene and Edward H. Kaplan, The Bancroft Foundation, Bank of America, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Chesapeake Maritime Museum, Greenspring Energy, Ledo Pizza, Maryland Port Administration, the National Aquarium in Baltimore and South Moon Under.
For more information on MPT, visit mpt.org and the MPT pressroom.