Albany, NY – WMHT Public Media, a multichannel public communications organization serving Eastern New York and Western New England, today announced the premiere of its latest locally produced documentary, From Land to Legacy: 100 Years of New York State Parks & Preservation. Scheduled to debut on Wednesday, September 11 at 8 p.m., the program will traverse a century of New York’s parks, highlighting their history, beauty and grandeur, as well as the importance of preserving these natural treasures for generations to come.
A premiere screening will be held on Monday, September 9 at 7 p.m. at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park. The event is free and open to the public.
Produced by WMHT Content & Engagement Manager Nicole Van Slyke in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP), the one-hour documentary will explore the history of New York’s park system, including the figures key to its development; examine the importance of conservation efforts in preserving these vital spaces; and discuss what can be done to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future.
“We’re excited to showcase the splendor of New York’s parks, and to illustrate the importance of preserving these cultural jewels that reflect the state’s identity and future,” said Will Pedigo, Chief Content & Engagement Officer of WMHT Public Media. “Amid growing recognition of the need to protect our vital natural resources, this program offers valuable insights on climate issues and initiatives aimed at promoting conservation and sustainability.”
From Land to Legacy navigates a host of historical landscapes, from the first American conservation efforts at Niagara Falls to the multicultural narratives of Sojourner Truth and Roberto Clemente State Parks. It will also feature Jones Beach in Long Island, Johnson Hall State Historic Site in Johnstown, and Ganondagan State Historic Site near Rochester. And, OPRHP Chief Diversity Officer Yolanda
Bostic Williams will discuss efforts to ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of socioeconomic background, race or disability, have access to state parks and their amenities.
In addition, the film will probe the variety of ecosystems within the state parks and discuss conservation efforts to protect these habitats. These include habitat restoration projects, the role of native plants and animals in maintaining ecological balance, human impact on the land, and OPRHP’s work to promote sustainable interaction with nature.
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Our Centennial Celebration is more than just a milestone; it’s a chance look at both our history and our future to help understand what the New York State park system means to our communities and our state. Thank you to WMHT and all the contributors for this new documentary. We know it will inspire viewers to celebrate the legacy of our parks and historic sites and look forward to our next 100 years.”
A premiere screening event, which is free and open to the public, will be held on September 9 at the Spa Little Theater in the Saratoga Spa State Park.
For additional details on From Land to Legacy: 100 Years of New York State Parks & Preservation, visit wmht.org/nystateparks. To register for the free screening. visit wmht.org/screenings.
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About WMHT Public Media
Serving Eastern New York and Western New England, WMHT Public Media is the only locally owned, nonprofit, multichannel public communications organization that reaches beyond the traditional broadcasting model to act as a leader by convening arts, culture, learning and civic interests. WMHT focuses on Community, Culture and Connections by providing entertainment, enrichment and engagement through television, radio, digital media, and educational services. Services include WMHT-DT (17.1), WMHT-Create (17.2), WMHT-World (17.3), WMHT PBS Kids (17.4), WMHT-FM 89.1 & WRHV-FM 88.7 (classical public radio), and WEXT Radio 97.7/106.1 (AAA public radio). WMHT also operates RISE, a radio reading service for the blind and print disabled.
About OPRHP
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024. Celebratory initiatives include ‘Blazing A Trail,’ an interactive timeline chronicling the agency’s history and influential figures; an exhibit in the New York State Capitol’s State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X and the OPRHP Blog.
Contacts:
Will Pedigo
Vice President and Chief Content & Engagement Officer, WMHT Public Media (518) 880-3435 | wpedigo@wmht.org
Steve Janack
Principal, The Janack Group (518) 810-8050 | steve@thejanackgroup.com