Celebrate Earth Month with Iowa PBS
Explore Earth’s natural wonders and follow the stories of those trying to protect them this month on Iowa PBS. The statewide network will provide special programming on-air and online throughout April.
Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly
Sunday, April 3 at 2 p.m.
Follow the extraordinary journey of the monarch butterfly as it unfolds along the coasts of New England and in the heart of Mexico's forested volcanic mountains. Experience every stage of the monarch's life cycle in vibrant close-ups, from egg to caterpillar to adult. Through this story of adaptation and survival, explore the symbiotic relationship between habitats and the vital role they play in our interconnected ecosystems.
Stream Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly online or on the PBS Video App.
A Wild Idea: The Birth of the APA
Sunday, April 3 at 3 p.m.
New York's Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon, and Great Smokies National Parks combined. It is one of the largest unbroken deciduous forests on Earth, with a thousand miles of streams and rivers, hundreds of lakes, and lofty peaks. Even more amazing, most of the land within the park is privately owned, and 85 million people live within a day's drive. Yet the Adirondacks remain largely undeveloped. Discover the history of the park and the founding of the Adirondack Park Agency 50 years ago.
Forever Wild
Sunday, April 3 at 4 p.m.
Explore an environmental and democratic triumph in the historic town of Telluride, Colorado. A billionaire developer plotted to turn 600 acres of pristine valley floor into a mammoth lake and golf resort by manipulating the politicians and press. Nothing stood in his way until a small group of citizens united the residents, rallied the community and fought for the land.
Stream Forever Wild online or on the PBS Video App.
Nature: Hippo King
Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m.
From Zambia’s Luangwa Valley, an old, battle-scarred hippo bull has an incredible story to tell. Previously hippos were almost always misunderstood because their secret life happens beneath the water and under the cover of darkness. This tale imagines a story of 35 years from when the hippo was a vulnerable orphan to the ultimate battle that crowns him king decades later. From birth to exile to redemption, follow the life of the “Hippo King” and discover the true character of one of Earth’s largest land mammals.
Nature: Hippo King is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App.
Expedition With Steve Backshall: Unpacked: Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, April 6 at 9 p.m.
Unpack the behind-the-scenes camerawork and logistics that made filming five of Steve Backshall’s expeditions possible. Working together, Steve and the team not only ventured into the unknown, they brought these epic journeys to the TV screen.
Expedition With Steve Backshall: Greenland: Ice Mountain
Wednesday, April 6 at 10 p.m.
Follow Steve Backshall as he tries to summit a remote and unclimbed mountain in Greenland’s Stauning Alps. After facing quicksand, a river and a glacier to reach basecamp, the climb gives Steve a unique insight into a fast-changing environment.
Expedition With Steve Backshall: Greenland: Ice Mountain is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App.
Nature: American Arctic
Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska has long protected survivors of the Ice Age, but this frozen fortress is melting due to climate change. For the caribou, musk oxen, polar bears and Arctic foxes, the Ice Age is slipping away.
Nature: American Arctic is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App. (Beginning: 4/13/2022)
Frontline: The Power of Big Oil, Part 1
Tuesday, April 19 at 9 p.m.
Examine the fossil fuel industry's history of casting doubt and delaying action on climate change.
Frontline: The Power of Big Oil, Part 1 is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App. (Beginning: 4/19/2022)
Changing Planet
Wednesday, April 20 at 7 p.m.
Join conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan for a global environmental health check of seven of Earth’s bellwether biomes. From the Arctic to the Amazon, these vulnerable habitats are changing, revealing surprising animal behaviors as species adapt.
Changing Planet is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App.
Earth Emergency
Wednesday, April 20 at 9 p.m.
Examine how human activity is setting off dangerous warming loops that are pushing the climate to a point of no return — and what we need to do to stop them. Discover the missing piece of the climate puzzle with captivating illustrations, stunning footage and interviews with leading climate scientists as well as support from Greta Thunberg.
Earth Emergency is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App. (Beginning: 4/20/2022)
Wild Shetland: Scotland’s Viking Frontier
Wednesday, April 20 at 10 p.m.
Ewan McGregor narrates the story of seabirds, otters, seals and orcas raising their families, hunting for food and fighting for survival on the most remote of the Shetland islands over the course of one breeding season.
The Trick
Friday, April 22 at 9:30 p.m.
This conspiracy thriller and cautionary tale tells the story of the 2009 Climategate scandal, when the media storm undermined confidence in the science of climate change. Professor Phil Jones and his team at the University of East Anglia find themselves in the middle of a major investigation with their 30 years of research work being questioned in the first ‘fake news’ attack.
Frontline: The Power of Big Oil, Part 2
Tuesday, April 26 at 9 p.m.
Part two of this three-part series continues the examination the fossil fuel industry's history of casting doubt and delaying action on climate change.
Frontline: The Power of Big Oil, Part 2 is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS Video App. (Beginning: 4/26/2022)
Nature: Portugal: Wild Land on the Edge
Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
Discover the wildlife and landscapes of Portugal, impacted by its history as a global trading hub. From forest to coast, witness the majesty of the country's wild horses, storks, monk seals and more.
Nature: Portugal: Wild Land on the Edge will be available to stream beginning on Apr. 27, 2022 online and on the PBS Video App.
Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline
Wednesday, April 27 at 8 p.m.
Follow Ade Adepitan as he travels to the frontline of climate change, discovering how life is being affected even now and scouring the globe for potential solutions. Enjoy all three episodes as they air back to back.