Cold Plunges, Sailing Crews and E-Bikes: Windows to the Wild Returns October 15

Durham, NH (October 14, 2026) — Season 21 of WINDOWS TO THE WILD is here, and ready to pack a punch with all new stories. Host Willem Lange and crew travel to Kittery with a group of friends who take a sunrise cold-water plunge, reconnect with a junior television naturalist who still shares her love of the outdoors, climb aboard the boat of an all-women sailing crew who find adventure and community on the ocean, and ride along with e-bike riders discovering new ways to explore local trails.

Catch the new season premiere on New Hampshire PBS on Thursday, October 15 at 8 PM.

“This season is full of people who are simply out there in nature having fun” said executive producer Phil Vaughn. “You’ll also find that we’re digging into work to restore eelgrass off our coast and learn more about the remarkable migration of alewives.”

For more than two decades, WINDOWS TO THE WILD has shared stories of people across New England who find healing, curiosity and connection in the great outdoors.

“Every year, we find people who have turned to nature when they need it most, and it helped them heal,” Vaughn said. “These are the stories we’re excited to share because they may inspire someone else to step outside.”

Want to learn more about this season? Here’s a full list of the shows:

PHOTOS, FISH AND FINDS
Thursday, October 15 at 8 PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

From nature photography and migrating alewives to treasures hidden beneath the earth, Willem Lange meets people across New England who find healing, curiosity and connection in the great outdoors.

TAKING THE PLUNGE
Thursday, October 22 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

One woman rows solo across the Atlantic, friends take a sunrise cold-water plunge, and a former NATUREWORKS host shares her lifelong love of the outdoors. Meet some folks whose outdoor adventures challenge, inspire and create lasting connections to nature.

THE PATHS WE SHARE
Thursday, October 29 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

Two artists paint their way across New Hampshire, a group of retired men discover the benefits of walking together and a community reconnects with the land. Willem Lange explores how getting outside can change what we see, and bring us together.

OUT OF BOUNDS
Thursday, November 5 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

Explore New England outdoor adventures with Willem Lange, from disc golf and a beloved New Hampshire summer camp to an all-women sailing crew finding adventure and community on the ocean.

BIRDS, BOW AND BIKES
Thursday, November 12 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

Meet a master falconer who works with birds of prey, learn how a community is protecting a New Hampshire forest and experience how e-bike riders discover new ways to explore local trails. See how people across New Hampshire are protecting nature and making outdoor adventures more accessible.

FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Thursday, November 19 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

Retirees build wood duck nesting boxes, a surfing father shares his love of the outdoors with his daughters, and volunteers help scientists restore New Hampshire’s threatened eelgrass. Meet people whose connection to nature inspires conservation for future generations.

WHAT NATURE IGNITES IN US
Thursday, November 26 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

A mountain athlete helps others push their limits, a historic New England island garden preserves poet Celia Thaxter’s legacy and young people in the Bahamas learn to explore and protect nature. Discover how outdoor adventures inspire creativity, personal growth and conservation.

TRADITIONS SHAPED BY NATURE
Thursday, December 3 at 8PM on NHPBS and streaming on YouTube and the PBS APP

Deep in the Maine woods, a family keeps a generations-long tradition of maple sugaring alive, while an abandoned granite quarry in North Conway reveals a fascinating chapter of New Hampshire history. Willem Lange explores places where family traditions, local history and the natural world remain deeply connected.

With the roll-back in federal funding for public media, unique local programs like WINDOWS TO THE WILD need support. Viewers can help secure the future of environmental, nature and outdoor programming by donating to the Willem Lange Endowment Fund.

Support for the production of WINDOWS TO THE WILD is provided by The Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust, the John D. McGonagle Foundation, the Bailey Foundation, Road Scholar and by viewers like you.

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WINDOWS TO THE WILD WITH WILLEM LANGE is generously supported by the Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust, John D. McGonagle Foundation, Bailey Charitable Foundation and Road Scholar.