Nature’s Keepers, an inspirational documentary film about Pike County’s 150-year history of land stewardship and those who are continuing that legacy today, will air on public television station WVIA-TV, based in Scranton, January 5 at 7:00 p.m..

Video Blog: Watch A Preview Of Nature's Keepers

(Photo: Delaware Highlands Conservancy founder Barbara Yeaman with Nature’s Keepers Producers Carl Dietz and Andrew McCoy of Foundry Media, and Production Assistant Chris Ashton)

WVIA’s Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, Tom Curra, had been interested in Nature’s Keepers since it began production locally in 2006.

“As part of our station's mission, we strive to showcase not only local films produced by area filmmakers, but also documentaries that shed light on environmental issues facing our region,” Curra explained. “Nature's Keepers does both and we are excited that we can allow our viewers in our 22-county coverage area the opportunity to watch this quality film.”

“We have a unique conservation history in Pike County and Nature’s Keepers shares the stories of some of the people who are continuing that legacy. We are delighted that WVIA will present the first public television broadcast of the film,” says Nature’s Keepers’ Executive Producer Sean Strub.

“Pike County has a proud history of conservation,” says Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne), who makes a cameo appearance in the film. “It started with the pioneering efforts of Gifford Pinchot, and continues today through others willing to take an active role in protecting our natural resources. Nature’s Keepers salutes Governor Pinchot’s legacy and the continuing legacy of those following in his footsteps.”

Nature’s Keepers’ non-profit partner is the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, a local land trust serving Pike and Wayne counties, in Pennsylvania, and Sullivan and Delaware counties, in New York.

“The Delaware Highlands region is fortunate to have so many individuals working in a variety of innovative ways to protect our clean water, productive forests and wildlife habitat,” says the conservancy’s Executive Director Sue Currier. “Nature’s Keepers provides a snapshot of the diversity of activities undertaken to achieve a common goal—protecting the quality of life we all enjoy.”

Nature’s Keepers was made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Film Office, major sponsors Hotel Fauchere and Davis R. Chant Realtors, as well as gifts from hundreds of regional individuals and businesses.

“Pike County is the great, green backdrop to the metropolitan region,” says Dave Chant. “Nature’s Keepers tells the wonderful story of this area—that we call Chant Country. Davis R. Chant Realtorsis very proud to be a Nature's Keepers sponsor.”

Heron’s Eye Communications, one of the film’s Producers, was recognized for its work on the project with a 2008 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. The project attracted support from many of Pike County’s elected officials.

Nature’s Keepers will run throughout January and February on WVIA-TV, channel 8 for many Pike County residents. Repeat air dates include: January 8 at 8:00 p.m.; January 10 at 10:00 p.m.; January 11 at 3:00 p.m.; January 26 at 7:00 p.m.; and February 1 at 3:00 p.m.

A premiere party will be held on January 5, beginning at 6:00 PM, at The Emerson House at the Hotel Fauchere, 403 Broad Street, in Milford, Pa. Admission to the event is free; a cash bar will be available.

DVDs of Nature’s Keepers will be available at the January 5 premiere party as a complimentary gift for membership to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

For more information, visit the Nature Keeper's website or call the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s Hawley office at 570-226-3164.

12/12/2008