While most television networks lack programming in the environmental arena, at least we have PBS, which will air a few green specials just in time for Earth Day.

First we have “Planet H20”:

PLANET H2O, a two-part television special premiering in April, is an excellent resource to introduce young people to water conservation. Told through the stories young people, it explores issues regarding fresh water systems around the world. Check local listings for dates and times on public television stations.

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The program explores a day in the life of the Rio Grande, saving the Chesapeake Bay, precision farming in the Ogallala Aquifer, how Long Island kids helped bring a clean water system to a small community in the Amazon, and sharing water resources in the Great Lakes. Young viewers will recognize the hosts of PLANET H20, Sara Paxton (Darcy’s Wild Life) and America Ferrera (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Real Women Have Curves).

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The Web site at http://www.thirteen.org/h2o includes kids’ activities, fun water facts, info on cool careers, downloadable teachers guide, lesson plans, and video.

And second, “The State of the Planet’s Wildlife,” which will air on April 18th at 9 p.m.:

Hosted and narrated by Academy Award® winner Matt Damon, THE STATE OF THE PLANET’S WILDLIFE poses one of the most critical questions of the 21st century: why are nearly half of the world’s wildlife species facing extinction within the next few decades? The program is a global investigation of what scientists call “the sixth great extinction of the world’s animals and plants.” The documentary also includes spectacular wildlife photography in a visually stunning celebration of the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Produced by Emmy® Award-winning filmmakers Marilyn and Hal Weiner, this is the ninth episode of their critically acclaimed environmental series, Journey To Planet Earth.

Specific case studies explore the loss of wildlife as a result of climate change, population and poverty pressures, poaching, the international bush-meat trade, and the loss of wildlife corridors. Shot on location around the world, THE STATE OF THE PLANET’S WILDLIFE visits the high country of Montana, Florida’s Everglades, South Africa, Singapore, Bangladesh, Kenya, Zambia, the Amazon, the Arctic, and China to present the variety of threats to animals today.

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A full press release and photos are available at http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/journey_to_planet_earth

Thanks PBS!