Cure Your Cabin Fever with Season 17 of Windows to the Wild with Willem Lange

Beloved NHPBS Favorite Returns On-Air, Launches New Podcast

DURHAM, NH – Climb a mountain, paddle down a river, take a sail on a schooner and explore an offshore island – all from the comfort and safety of your own home. Cold temperatures and an ongoing global pandemic are prompting many New Englanders to hunker down at home this winter. Bring the outdoors in through the magic of public television, with NHPBS’ award-winning WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE program.

The NHPBS favorite launches its 17th season on Wednesday, February 2, featuring five new episodes. Viewers can enjoy the program on-air via NHPBS Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. or they can watch episodes on their own time online. NHPBS Members have the option to enjoy binge-watching all five shows on NHPBS Passport starting on February 1.

“We are proud to bring NHPBS viewers another season of inspired storytelling, filmed safely and effectively during pandemic conditions,” said Peter A. Frid, President & CEO of NHPBS. “We know NHPBS viewers — like many New Englanders — are keen outdoor enthusiasts. The return of host Willem Lange and his crew with another season of wonder inspired by the wild is the perfect winter escape.”

The new season will ultimately feature ten, 30-minute episodes, with the initial five episodes launching in February and five more dropping in March. In all episodes, Lange’s approachable and authentic style invites guests to share their stories and provides a warm and welcoming presence for viewers. Guests from all walks of life —
from naturalists to community activists to guides and historians - enhance each program and provide context and color.

For the initial slate of episodes, program topics will include:

Historic preservation and community engagement efforts around little-known maritime history site Wood Island, Maine.
Social justice and outdoor recreation with a look at how local groups are making the outdoors accessible for all, ensuring traditionally underserved populations feel safe and comfortable on trails, on the slopes and at other common outdoor recreation sites.
A multi-day paddle boarding excursion down the Saco River. The trip from the Mount Washington Valley to southern Maine reveals lessons about local history, effective conservation, and our relationship to nature.

“Well into its second decade, WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE continues to produce fresh, immersive storytelling that surfaces stories and looks at relevant contemporary societal issues through the lens of the outdoors,” said Dawn DeAngelis, Vice President & Chief Content Officer at NHPBS. “This year’s season extends that premise, all cloaked in the warm and witty demeanor of our beloved host, Willem Lange, and his familiar dog Kiki. Now, we are looking forward to extending Willem’s voice through another platform – podcasting!”

In partnership with the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University, NHPBS is creating a spoken-word podcast encompassing stories and essays from Lange’s most recent book “Words from the Wild,” and from his weekly column Yankee Notebook. Fans of the broadcast will now have another option to hear Lange’s wisdom from decades as an outdoor enthusiast, via these short audio episodes. The podcast, WORDS FROM THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE, will be available starting February 1. Listeners can download the podcast at nhpbs.org/windows, or wherever they get their podcasts.

In addition to developing the podcast, for both Lange and the program’s executive producer, Phil Vaughn, the time off-air was a time for personal accolades. Both were recently honored for their commitment to public communications and media.

In October 2021, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University presented Lange with a Fitzwater Medallion for Leadership in Public Communication, one of four recipients honored for demonstrating “a commitment to using the power of collaboration to ensure the health of our democracy.” In December, the Boston/New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) announced that executive producer Phil Vaughan was one of five 2021 inductees selected for the prestigious Gold & Silver Circle Awards. The Silver Circle Awards honor veteran television professionals who have contributed more than 25 years of service to the industry. Vaughn was honored for his work on WINDOWS TO THE WILD, as well as other NHPBS productions and long-form documentaries.

WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE – SEASON 17:

Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwXEVlxjWR8

PROGRAM GUIDE

EPISODE 1 – WOOD ISLAND LIFE SAVING STATION
Initial Broadcast date: Wednesday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Visit an island just off Kittery, Maine and learn about efforts to preserve its history.From 1908 to 1940, surfmen posted at Wood Island’s Life Saving Station launched 62 sea rescues, saving 255 lives. Learn about civilian and military efforts to restore the station and shine a light on its history for today and future generations. Guests will include representatives from the Wood Island Life Saving Station Association, the U.S. Coast Guard station at Portsmouth Harbor, and The Maniacal Traveler, Diane Fallon.

Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYxOoXWUIFA

EPISODE 2 – SUMMITS IN SOLIDARITY
Initial Broadcast date: Wednesday, February 9

Take a hike on an ancient trail above Alton Bay, NH with Summits in Solidarity. Co-founder Serena Ryan shares more about how the group was formed in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and the wider social justice conversation taking place in our country. Guests will include representatives from NH PANTHER (Plymouth Area Network to Help End Racism), the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People, NH Audubon, and hikers from underserved communities, who share their stories and perspectives on accessing the outdoors as Black, Indigenous and People of Color.

EPISODE 3 – PADDLING THE SACO
Initial Broadcast Date: Wednesday, February 16

In this episode, photographer Joe Klementovich and Mike Morin undertake a six-day paddle boarding excursion to explore 130 miles of the Saco River. The pair carry all the essentials – food, tent and shelter, first aid and repair supplies, and camera equipment – on their paddleboards. Starting in the mountains near Bartlett, NH, the two friends travel through agricultural lands, meandering rivers and eventually end up in the estuary that leads to the Atlantic Ocean. Willem and the team meet up to hear the paddleboarders’ observations about what their journey taught them about local history, conservation, and our connections to nature and Native peoples.

EPISODE 4 – SECTIONAL HIKER
Initial Broadcast Date: Wednesday, February 23

For the hundreds of hikers who hit the Appalachian Trail each year, thru-hiking the length of the 2100-mile trail that runs from Georgia to Maine is perceived as the ultimate AT experience. But what about another way? In this episode, Willem and the crew meet Debby Roberts, a 71-year-old “sectional hiker” who has been hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail for 30 years, with the goal to hike every section. Willem joins Debby and her professional guide for a day of hiking, and a night camping, in the mountains of western Maine.

EPISODE 5 – SCHOOL AT SEA
Initial Broadcast Date: Wednesday, March 2

Set sail with students, chaperones, and crew members for a unique educational experience aboard the 1960s-era schooner, Shenandoah. Departing off Martha’s Vineyard with a group of 30 sixth-graders, Willem learns about a program that lets students spend a week aboard the boat learning new skills, working as teammates, and growing in a novel, electronics-free environment. Students build life skills and benefit from a one-of-a-kind memorable experience.

HOW TO WATCH WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE

NHPBS Passport (On-demand)
Viewers can watch WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE and other NHPBS programming anytime, online and on their schedules via the NHPBS Passport. Passport provides members with extended access to a comprehensive library of quality public television programming. Sign-up is a simple three-step process. Passport is available on most devices: Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Broadcast
WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE airs Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., on your local NHPBS channel.

Podcast:
Download Willem Lange’s new podcast WORDS FROM THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE at nhpbs.org/windows, starting on February 1 or wherever you download your podcasts.

WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE is generously supported by the Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust, Bailey Charitable Foundation, The McInich Foundation, The Fuller Foundation, Inc., The Gilbert Verney Foundation.