WGCU Shows

Delicate Blooms (Earth Edition)

While home to alligators, panthers and mosquitoes, South Florida's swamps also harbor half of the native orchid species growing in the United States and Canada. EARTH EDITION - DELICATE BLOOMS: SOUTH FLORIDA'S NATIVE ORCHIDS treks deep into the backwaters of the Sunshine State - the orchid capital of the U.S. - to glimpse these precious flowers in their natural habitat. The program travels into the heart of the Greater Everglades ecosystem, to a part of the Florida seldom seen by tourists. During the program, scientists explain why orchids are so rare and explore the threats endangering them, including poachers, logging, insecticides, changes in the region's hydrology and increased development.
Writer/Producer: Alexa Elliott 

 Distributed nationally by:

Full Measure: A Veterans' Story

World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf wars, Afghanistan: Every generation of warriors has faced vexing challenges upon returning home and struggling through the difficult transition from war to peace. Today, young Americans are coming home from combat, treated like heroes by a grateful country. But they are often broken heroes with broken bodies and broken minds.  

Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

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CREW: Evolution of a Dream

For more than 20 years, the Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) has been cleansing Southwest Florida's water, educating its children, sheltering its wildlife and providing recreational opportunities for its people. But what will the next 20 years hold? Will CREW be able to expand its offerings? Or will the fervor for environmental preservation wane in the face of tough economic times and shifting political priorities?
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

CREW: Keepers of the Watershed

Through extensive interviews and on-site footage, this half-hour documentary traces the roots of the 60,000-acre Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed (CREW) and the circumstances and conditions that led to its establishment, going back to the creation of the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The program examines the unique consortium of environmentalists, government agencies, landowners, developers and private citizens who came together in the CREW Land and Water Trust for a common cause: to preserve and protect one of the region’s most valuable and important resources, the watershed that refuels the aquifers and provides water to residents of Southwest Florida.

Writer/Producer/Narrator: Rod Clarke

Into the Wild: Edison, Ford & Friends

In 1914, three famous friends -- Thomas Edison, the “Wizard” of electricity; Henry Ford, the pioneer auto-maker; and John Burroughs, best-selling nature writer -- trekked into the wilds for a camping adventure in the Everglades. Their campfire camaraderie inspired a series of camping trips throughout the next decade. Joined by another famous friend, tire manufacturer Harvey Firestone, the “Four Vagabonds” explored a changing America, finding rest -- and inspiration -- in the nation’s great outdoors.
Writer/Producer: Lynne Howard Frazer
Narrator: Peter Thomas

Distributed nationally by:

John's Wish

Told through interviews and video shot both locally and in Africa, John's Wish is the story of a teenage boy from Fort Myers who is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. When the Make-a-Wish Foundation asks him what celebrity he would like to meet or where he would like to take his family on vacation, he responds with a challenging and selfless request. His wish is to build an orphanage in Africa. Together with the help of many volunteers, “John’s Wish” comes true.
Writer/Producer/Videographer: Tim Kenney

Curious Kids

Curious Kids explores themes of "My Self," with healthy eating, exercise, future vocations and self-esteem; "My Backyard," through Southwest Florida from an environmental and ecological perspective; and "My World," by exploring the people and places of Southwest Florida and by discovering characteristics we share with countries around the world. Produced by International Children's Entertainer Rosie Emery.

Watch the Shows

Curious Kids on YouTube

FGCU Sports Report

Review the highlights of Florida Gulf Coast University’s 14 Division I sports teams through past episodes of the FGCU Sports Report. The program features player profiles, features on various teams and studio interviews with coaches. Hosted by veteran sports journalist Tom James. Watch all episodes on our FGCU Sports Report YouTube channel. Like us at FGCU Sports Report on Facebook.
Writer/Director: Jim Goin

Sea of Uncertainty

 
Produced during the summer of 2010, this half-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at how Southwest Florida's scientists, civil society and community leaders responsed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. By documenting the local release of turtles and the rehabilitation of pelicans directly affected by the spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico as well as new regional methods for tracking the nesting of loggerhead sea turtles, the program investigates impacts to wildlife. The interviewees also address potential long-term environmental and economic impacts to our region. 
Writer/Producer/Narrator: Donna Roberts

Promises Kept: The "Ding" Darling Refuge

The J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge complex represents promises kept: a promise to nature and the earth to preserve and protect its habitat and its inhabitants, and a promise to the American people to make this 8,000-acre sanctuary available for their enjoyment, reflection and education. This half-hour program reflects on the promise made by an unassuming political cartoonist from Iowa who led the initial charge to save Sanibel Island from unbridled development and exploitation. Produced in fall of 2009 to air with Ken Burns' National Parks series.
Writer/Producer: Rod Clarke