Free Film and Lecture Series “Speaking Sustainably” offered in partnership with WPBT2 at The Deering Estate at Cutler
(MIAMI, October 1, 2014) – Hosted by the Deering Estate at Cutler, in partnership with WPBT2, “Speaking Sustainably” is a film and lecture series offered free to the public to engage the community with critical environmental issues of the twenty-first century and to inspire action. Film and lectures are held in the Visitor Center Theatre and are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the Deering Estate website.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.
“Saving Sawfish”
The strange, prehistoric-looking Smalltooth Sawfish were once coveted by anglers as popular trophy fish. But habitat loss and overfishing have greatly reduced the animals’ range and landed them on the endangered species list. Today, the fish are limited to South Florida, where scientists are conducting research to save the species.
About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 p.m. (October – May). DeeringAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.
About WPBT2:
WPBT2 is South Florida’s community-licensed, premier public broadcasting station serving Miami and the South Florida community. As a vibrant force in the community, WPBT2 provides high quality content from PBS and its own original productions including Changing Seas, Downton Abbey, Antiques Roadshow, Great Performances, Check, Please! South Florida, and award-winning children’s programs, Curious George, The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, and Super Why. In addition, WPBT2 operates the digital channels: World, Create, and a 24-hour Spanish language network, V-me. WPBT2 also powers uvuvideo.org, a community video-sharing website.
About Changing Seas - an original production of WPBT2:
Changing Seas is a public television series produced by WPBT2 in Miami, Florida. Narrated by well-known voice talent Peter Thomas, this series takes viewers on an exciting adventure to the heart of our liquid planet.
The oceans cover roughly 70 percent of the earth’s surface and they contain 97 percent of the world’s water supply. Nevertheless, only five percent of their vast expanse has been explored – leaving in secret a deep, liquid wilderness yet to be discovered.
Regardless, the oceans have long played an important role in people’s lives. Currently, more than half of all Americans live within 50 miles of the coast, and that number is rising. It is estimated that by 2025 more than 75 percent of Americans will live along the country’s shorelines. Coastal and marine waters support 28 million jobs and draw 189 million tourists a year.
While the population’s dependence on the oceans as a natural resource and a source for recreation continues to increase, the health of these large bodies of water is rapidly declining. Over-fishing, global climate change, pollution: these are only a few of the threats that the oceans are facing today. At the same time, the seas hold great promise for ongoing medical research, as an untapped source of alternate energy, and other benefits that scientists are just now beginning to discover.
Changing Seas goes to sea with explorers and scientists as they uncover new information that could lead to scientific breakthroughs. This documentary series lets viewers experience first-hand how oceanographers and other experts study earth’s last frontier, and it sheds light on how human activities are threatening ocean resources.