WATER'S JOURNEY
DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Water’s Journey, an award-winning PBS documentary series, follows a team of explorers as they trace the dynamic journey of water through caves, springs, rivers, and wetland estuaries and coral reefs. Along the way they learn about the challenges and problems that face our waterways and what needs to be done to protect them.
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Episode 1:
The Hidden Rivers of Florida
Over 8 billion gallons of water a day burst forth from Florida’s springs….the most unique concentration of springs on the planet. At one time it was thought to be an endless supply, but now the demands of man are starting to exceed availability. Join a team on a daring journey into the Floridan Aquifer to find out what’s going wrong. They follow the connective path of water through the landscape. Their discoveries lead you on a thrilling adventure about the miraculous course that the water takes.​
Over eight billion gallons of water a day bursts forth from Florida's springs - the most unique concentration of springs on the planet. At one time, it was thought to be an endless supply, but now the demands of man are starting to exceed availability. We join a team on a daring journey into the Floridan Aquifer to find out what's going wrong. As the team follows the connective path of water through the landscape, their discoveries lead viewers on a thrilling adventure about the miraculous course that water takes, and the places we don't want to believe it goes. Is it too late for the Floridan Aquifer?
Florida's aquifer is part of a dwindling, finite domain of places on earth rarely witnessed by man. Only a small group of elite divers have ventured into these water-filled caves. Even fewer have attempted to conduct scientific investigations here. But these intrepid explorers are uncovering important facts about the health of the Floridan aquifer. They are discovering that our springs are something between a weather vane and a time machine - foretelling the future of water quality as our aquifer becomes affected by pollution and urban expansion.
Episode 2:
The River Returns
The St. Johns River is born in marshes, then winds northward for 310 languid miles before flowing through Jacksonville. Florida's greatest waterway, a haven for manatees and mecca for bass fishing, is under siege by a burgeoning human population. Its challenges are many, but there is great hope. This is the story of a river returning. ​ Flying inflatable boats, cave diving, kayaking and a storm-drain spelunking expedition up the great St. Johns River bring us closer to understanding the environmental challenges facing America's waterways.
Utilizing some unusual views high above and deep within the earth, a team of explorers completely immerses themselves in the mechanics of a river system on a quest to define the nature and source of its powerful flow. Their adventures reveal the stunning beauty of a wild and scenic land and the difficult issues facing the populace as they grapple with the reality of inevitable growth.
As human kind comes perilously close to out-pacing our true understanding of these renewable resources, the challenge lies in learning how to coexist with our rivers, while building a better understanding of how our lives are intertwined in this great natural cycle of water.
The River Returns inspires hope that the great watersheds of our planet can be saved and that environmental protection and sustainable growth can coexist in a new paradigm of cooperation.
Episode 3:
Everglades
Currents of Change
22 million people call it home. Millions more travel to Florida for recreation, beaches and theme parks. Few know Florida is home to one of the greatest ecosystems on earth - The Florida Everglades. But this masterpiece has reached its limit to absorb mankind's ever-growing impacts.
Although people may not always agree about how to restore balance to the Everglades, one thing is clear. Humanity needs wetlands. They are the foundation of a fragile ecosystem that extends from inland waterways to the ocean wilderness.
Can we achieve the delicate balance that protects humanity and the environment? Will the largest restoration plan ever attempted... succeed?
Join our team of scientists and explorers as they follow the flow of the great river of grass, and beyond...
Episode 4:
Everglades
Restoring Hope
The Florida Everglades is a land of beauty and diversity - a natural master-piece. Over the past century, everything that has been done to the Everglades, was done in the name of progress. But, endless draining and development of what was once part of a vast floodplain has pushed the Everglades to the brink of collapse.
In an effort to protect one of the greatest wetlands on the planet, a massive restoration plan has been initiated. It is the largest ecological restoration project ever conceived. If successful, the needs of the environment and the needs of millions of people will be met. If it fails - the survival of South Florida hangs in the balance.
Join a team of scientists and explorers as they plunge into the head of the Everglades to learn about what's happened to this once-great place and what's being done to restore and protect it.
The Special Edition Water's Journey - Everglades: Restoring Hope DVD contains part one of the two-part Everglades adventure series, short film features. teacher resources, expedition highlights and the award-winning Interactive Learning Site.
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