Locally-produced Shows to Celebrate Earth Day

Carbondale, IL—WSIU-TV 8/DT 40 and WUSI-TV 16/DT 19, the public television
stations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), will present
two locally-produced programs in celebration of Earth Day on Thursday,
April 22.

In Southern Illinois, there are over 10,000 landowners who have at least
10 acres of forestland.  Hosted by Brad Schultz, Managing Your Forest
Land — airing from 5:30-6pm — helps Southern Illinois landowners think about
working with a local forester to develop a plan for how to best utilize
forests on their property.  Brad arrives on a farm near the Ohio River and
interviews forestry experts and landowners, and walks the land with a
forester who provides options to better utilize the owner's land.  The
program is provided by Shawnee Resource Conservation & Development in
Marion, Illinois.

From 8-9pm, WSIU and WUSI will air Earth Day: Reshaping Our Perspectives,
an informative and comprehensive environmental program produced by SIUC
students. This one-hour program examines the state of the environment,
particularly in regard to soil, water, air, energy, and societal and
ecological issues related to Southern Illinois and the surrounding area. 
Specific segments feature the USDA Soil and Water Conservation
Department’s Wetland Restoration Project; a report on mercury in Illinois
waterways; coverage of local school and youth programs; at-home options
for conservation and cleaner living (recycling, composting, waste
reduction); energy alternatives (the St. Louis Earthways Home, solar
power, geothermal power); landfills, including those against them (COAL),
and an explanation of how landfills operate and why they exist;
permaculture farming and other land use alternatives; pollution and
garbage dumping issues in the area; and “how-to” segments that explain
what viewers can easily change in their lifestyles to make a difference. 
Footage also includes activities of the Beautify Southern Illinois Student
Alliance (BSISA), a Registered Student Organization at SIUC.

WSIU’s local earth day programming demonstrates SIUC’s commitment to
promote the responsible use of our region’s natural resources and provides
students with direct involvement in student-centered creative activities,
both among the goals of Southern at 150, the blueprint for the development
of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.

WSIU Public Broadcasting is licensed to the Board of Trustees of Southern
Illinois University and is comprised of two public television stations and
three public radio stations operated through the SIUC Broadcasting
Service. The stations provide programs and services that foster
educational, civic and personal development. Visit wsiu.org for program
and community service information, online pledging and more.

Contacts:
Managing Your Forest Land, Lynn Jackman, 618-993-5396, ext. 6
Earth Day: Reshaping Our Perspectives, Ben Doyle, 618-453-6144