From April 15 to 22, 2012, Maryland Public Television celebrates the region’s most important natural resource, the Chesapeake Bay. Timed to coincide with Earth Day, MPT’s annual Chesapeake Bay Week™ aims to highlight the most critical issues facing the bay through locally produced documentaries, a full prime-time lineup of programming and volunteer opportunities in the community.
“Now in its eighth year, Chesapeake Bay Week™ remains a vital component of MPT’s local programming efforts,” said Steven J. Schupak, senior vice president for content and chief content officer of MPT. “This year we’re featuring more than 16 hours of programming to encourage public participation and discussion about the fragile health of the watershed and its many tributaries. We also aim to share a love of the bay and our region by including shows that feature local cuisine, music performance as well as unique historical stories.”
Highlights of 2012’s Chesapeake Bay Week™ programming lineup include:
Menhaden: Most Important Fish in the Bay, Monday, April 16 at 10 P.M. Explore the far-reaching impact of menhaden through the eyes of the men who love this stinky, oily fish for what it contributes to their livelihood, to their heritage and to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. (Also airs on April 17 at 2:00 A.M.)
Secrets of the Chesapeake, Tuesday, April 17 at 8 P.M. Explore stories of secrets, mysteries and oddities—from sunken, long-forgotten secret weapons of the Third Reich to disappearing islands and sea serpents—to the best places to surf in the Chesapeake. Legend and lore of haunted lighthouses, sunken treasure and pirates come alive in this one-hour program. (Also airs on April 18 at 12:01 A.M. and April 24 at 11:00 P.M.)
The Maryland Harvest: A Guide to Seasonal Eating, Tuesday, April 17 at 9 P.M. What makes locally grown products special, delicious and nutritious? How are farmers and chefs collaborating to develop a new uniquely Maryland cuisine highlighting the flavors of each season? Meet the farmers who produce the primary ingredients for the culinary creations of four top Maryland chefs. (Also airs on April 18 at 2:00 A.M.)
Concert for the Chesapeake Bay, Sunday, April 22 at 6:00 P.M. Rock out. Help out. This two-hour live benefit concert raises volunteer hours, not dollars, connecting viewers and listeners to environmental opportunities to help the Chesapeake Bay. Live simulcast on WTMD 89.7 FM.
Chesapeake Bay Week™ sponsors: The Bay Initiative, including the Concert for the Chesapeake Bay, is sponsored in 2012 in part by University of Maryland and by Irene and Edward H. Kaplan, the Bancroft Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Clark Charitable Foundation, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, National Aquarium in Baltimore, South Moon Under, Sun Nurseries, Towson University, 89.7 WTMD, Washington College and WineFest at St. Michaels.
ABOUT MPT
Launched in 1969 and headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland Public Television is a nonprofit, state-licensed public television network and member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). MPT’s six transmitters cover Maryland plus portions of contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Frequent winner of regional Emmy® Awards, MPT creates local, regional and national television shows. Beyond broadcast, MPT’s commitment to professional educators, parents, caregivers and learners of all ages is manifest in its year-round instructional events and super-website Thinkport which garners in excess of 1.4 million visits annually. MPT’s community engagement connects viewers with local resources on significant health, education and public interest topics through year-round outreach events, viewer forums, program screenings and phone bank call-in opportunities.
For additional information, visit mpt.org/pressroom.