DURHAM, NH, (February 28.2023) – New Hampshire PBS’ award-winning program WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE wraps up its 18th season with five new episodes streaming on NHPBS Passport on Wednesday, March 8th and broadcasting on NHPBS on Wednesdays beginning March 15th. Start planning your own springtime adventures with a glimpse into the wonders of nature and life in the wild.
The second half of season 18 features the program’s characteristic blend of serious storytelling with outdoor fun and recreation. Locations vary from the crevices and canyons of sunbaked Arizona to the summit of New England’s highest peak (Mount Washington), to the patchwork green fields of Ireland.
“Being outdoors oftentimes means trying something new and – always – having a sense of discovery. Before this season, I’d never ridden a rail bike before, and I’d certainly never seen a cat hike a mountain,” said program host Willem Lange. “I’m grateful for the new folks I met on the trail and in the field and to see nature in full display, from the shorelines of Maine to Ireland’s west coast to the peaceful urban pathway we found in Manchester, New Hampshire.”
The NHPBS favorite launched its 18th season on Wednesday, February 8th, broadcasting the first of five 30-minute episodes. NHPBS Members can binge-watch the entire ten-episode season via NHPBS Passport, starting March 8.
“The outdoors is for everyone, but it hasn’t always been portrayed that way,” said the program’s executive producer, Phil Vaughn. “We really try to pay attention to representing a broad range of people in our storytelling. We understand some people get outdoors as a form of therapy, others for relaxation. Everyone has their own reasons, and we try to profile that.”
For the final slate of season 18 episodes, program topics will include:
With season 18 complete, program producers are already looking ahead to the next slate of episodes to air in 2024.
“One area we are also thinking about is human interactions with nature,” said producer Phil Vaughn. “Are we getting too close to nature and wildlife? There have been academic studies on this topic, and it’s something we may explore in season 19.”
WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE – SEASON 18
PROGRAM GUIDE – FINAL FIVE EPISODES
EPISODE 6 – ECO RIVER RUN
initial broadcast date: Wednesday, March 15 at 7:30 PM on NHPBS
Stream online with NHPBS Passport
In the summer of 2022, Sarah and Carter Davidson and their two children took a trip years in the making. For 18 days, the family and a group of friends traveled by raft and kayak 225 miles down the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek, Arizona. Back home in the North Conway area, Willem (with canine companion Kiki!) catches up with the Davidsons for a short rafting trip on the Androscoggin River. Parents and children both reflect on their Arizona adventure and what they witnessed in relation to our changing climate. In this episode, viewers will experience the lush greenery of northern New England and the calm waters of the Androscoggin, as well as the burnt oranges, brilliant blue skies and raging waters of the majestic desert Southwest. WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE regular contributor Joe Klementovich also shares photos and video from the epic Arizona trip.
EPISODE 7 – ADVENTURES WITH FLOKI
initial broadcast date: Wednesday, March 22 at 7:30 PM on NHPBS
Stream online with NHPBS Passport
Who says hiking is solely for humans? Meet Floki, the hiking cat. Whether hauled on the back of her owner – Melissa “Mel” Elam – or strolling on a leash, Floki is along for the ride as Elam scales the mountains of New Hampshire. In this episode, Willem hikes the Black Cap Trail with Mel and her partner Chris Smullen, a photographer who records many of their hikes. Mel shares how she rescued Floki from an animal shelter but credits Floki for providing companionship and love that helped Mel through the COVID-19 pandemic, a divorce and other challenging times. We will also see how Mel and Floki ‘pay it back’ in the hiking community, as the pair and a group of friends head up Mount Washington for the annual Seek the Peak fundraiser, benefiting the Mount Washington Observatory.
EPISODE 8 – SCENIC RAILRIDERS
initial broadcast date: Wednesday, March 29 at 7:30 PM on NHPBS
Stream online with NHPBS Passport
In central New Hampshire, miles of railway track that lay unused and neglected are now providing smiles and scenic rides for thousands of visitors. Gary LeBlanc and his family cleared track, built custom ‘rail bikes’ and launched a business called Scenic Railriders. Now, visitors can get in a light workout as they pedal through fields and forests, taking in local history and vistas of the Merrimack River. Willem is joined in this episode by writer and history buff Marshall Hudson, who shares some local lore as he and Willem pedal along the 6.4-mile loop trail. Produced during the fall, the episode features brilliant fall colors and stunning aerial photography of the Merrimack River and nearby meadows and forests.
EPISODE 9 – JOURNEY ACROSS IRELAND
initial broadcast date: Wednesday, April 5 at 7:30 PM on NHPBS
Stream online with NHPBS Passport
It’s a magical springtime journey to Ireland for Willem Lange and a group of NHPBS supporters! During a nine-day visit, Willem and his traveling companions venture along the Republic’s west coast, from the Dingle Peninsula and the iconic Cliffs of Moher to Killarney National Park, Galway (The “City of the Tribes”) and the wilds of Connemara. Along the way, Willem visits a castle and a historic home, experiences traditional Irish music sessions, samples whiskey and learns how Irish drums (bodhrán) are made. The getaway concludes amid the museums and history of Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Did we mention that Willem also rocks a stylish traditional flat cap hat and that the trip included abundant sunshine? Yes, it’s all true.
EPISODE 10 – CHANGING WINTER
initial broadcast date: Wednesday, April 12 at 7:30 PM on NHPBS
Stream online with NHPBS Passport
Spruce, fir, and pine trees draped in snow. Snow-covered mountain tops. Moose tracks. Snowflakes gently falling on a ski trail. Cross-country skier Gabriel Andrus experienced all these classic winter sights during what was meant to be a 300+ mile cross country ski trip from the Canadian border to his hometown of Walpole, in southwestern New Hampshire. Learn more about what Gabriel discovered on his journey and the documentary film he’s creating about his trek. In this episode, Willem and the crew also hear from University of New Hampshire climate scholar Elizabeth Burakowski about the changing face of winter in New Hampshire and its far-ranging ramifications for our environment, economy and culture.
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 online, anytime and on their schedules via 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. Members can binge-watch the last five episodes beginning March 8, 2023.
Broadcast
WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE airs Wednesdays at 7:30 PM on NHPBS, with repeats throughout the broadcast schedule. All episodes are archived online, available to watch anytime: https://video.nhpbs.org/show/windows-wild/
Via Podcast:
Download Willem Lange’s podcast WORDS FROM THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE at nhpbs.org/windows or listen from your favorite podcast platform. The podcast encompasses short stories and essays from Lange’s book, Words from the Wild, and from his weekly column “Yankee Notebook.” Hear Lange’s wisdom and perspectives, garnered from decades as an outdoor enthusiast. The podcast is a partnership with the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University.
WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE is generously supported by the Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust and Bailey Charitable Trust.
Willem Lange’s wardrobe is provided by The Kittery Trading Post.
Closed captioning is provided by Proulx Oil and Propane.
THE WILLEM LANGE ENDOWMENT FUND is a newly created permanent fund recognizing Willem’s contributions to public television and outdoor education. Income from the Fund supports NHPBS as it produces and presents programming related to the environment and outdoors, beginning with production of season 19, to air in 2024. Learn more about the Fund.
UPCOMING EVENT - Sunday, October 6, 2024 - Trail Mixer 2024 Windows to the Wild Event
WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE is generously supported by the Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust and the Bailey Charitable Foundation
Willem Lange’s wardrobe is generously donated by The Kittery Trading Post
Fifty years ago, a group of citizens stopped the development of an oil refinery.
Watch More Riding the Rails, an 18-Day River Odyssey and a Special Feline Friend
Listen on your favorite podcast platform
Thanks to our podcast partner: The Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University
Adventure journalist Freddie Wilkinson and a group of indigenous paddlers set out.
We rejoin adventure journalist Freddie Wilkinson and a group of indigenous paddlers.
A team of researchers study the effects of human interactions with Canada Jays.
Scarlett, also known as "Little Foot" has hiked all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000 footers.
Mirna Valerio does it all. She runs, hikes and skis. She encourages others, no matter who they are.
Joe Klementovich travels along Maine's rivers on a paddleboard.
Marshall Hudson writes stories about interesting and often forgotten places and people.
Gregory Rec and his daughter Corrina love hiking together.
Myah Rather is a Meteorology and Atmospheric Science student from Maryland.
Willem Lange and a group of New England travelers explore the beauty and culture of France.
The Gulf of Maine offshore wind farm could become New England's next source of renewable energy.
Elevate Youth empowers youth to explore the outdoors and promotes environmental stewardship.
As an NHPBS member, you'll be among the first to experience it.
Randy Pierce lost his sight in 2000, but not his determination to keep hiking.
Dogtown, part of the forgotten forests of Cape Ann, Mass.
Wildlife videographer Alfred Balch heads into the woods with Willem.
Find out what attracts our feathered friends to this special spot.
Host Willem Lange takes viewers on a ride along the Scenic RailRiders track in Concord, NH.
A North Conway, NH family shares what they learned about the effects of climate change.
Willem and Wendy Lull explore and discuss ways to record and preserve life on the coast.
Willem goes looking for moose with long-time moose researcher Charles Willey in Colebrook.
A trip along Vermont's Long Trail.
Join host Willem Lange on a tour of a Cambridge oasis -- the Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Melissa Elam has hiked all of NH's 4,000-foot mountains with her cat, Floki.
A North Conway family shares what they learned about the effects of climate change.
Willem and a group of people from throughout New England took a trip through Ireland.
What do you do with a section of 170-year-old abandoned railroad track?
Gabriel Andrus will ski from the northern border of NH to its southern border this winter.
There are gems in the hills. Host Willem Lange learns there's a lot to rock hunting.
Arlette Laan is the first woman to hike all eleven of the National Scenic Trails.
Kayaker Betsy Wish set out years ago to meet the people who catch our lobsters.
Host Willem Lange is at sea on the American Eagle schooner.
The Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve is considered an ecological gem.
Getting outdoors is important but its also important to be safe.
WINDOWS TO THE WILD's good friend and Outdoor Enthusiast, Chaya Harris from Outdoor Afro.
Competitive rower Erik Frid takes a break from competition to row 300 miles.
Susie Spikol is a naturalist at the Harris Center for Conservation Education.
Mt. Eustis Ski Hill opened in 1939 and was a community gathering place until it closed.
New Hampshire resident Susan Dromey Heeter is competitive.
David Krueger is a Language Specialist / Interpreter, you may have seen him.
Redline guide Ken Hodges hikes with Debby "Bear Repellent" Roberts.
Willem hikes with partners and participants of Summits in Solidarity.
The Lifesaving Station at Wood Island was used for sea rescue prior to the Coast Guard.
The Lifesaving Station at Wood Island was used for sea rescue prior to the Coast Guard.
Students attend school aboard a schooner.
Conway photographer Joe Klementovich uses a paddleboard to explore 130 miles of the Saco.
Join us for an all new season of Windows to the Wild with Willem Lange! Wednesdays at 7:30
Host Willem Lange is with friends on the Tucker Mountain trail in Vermont.