Earth Alert has launched a new television program "Preserving Enchantment" offering a closer look at crucial New Mexico environmental issues. The premiere show is on Otero Mesa, a 1.2 million-acre grassland wilderness area in Southeastern New Mexico imminently threatened with gas drilling production. The show will be cablecast on Monday, June 6, 7:30 p.m., on Channel 27. It features a recent 20-minute documentary on Otero Mesa, produced by the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, accompanied by an interview with Stephen Capra, executive director of the Alliance.
The talk show format features professionally produced video footage, stills, or short documentaries, incorporated into discussion of issues, instructing viewers on how they can help. "We're using television's power and convenience, giving viewers the opportunity to see some of these remarkable places as well as showing them why they need to take action. We are guiding them on letter writing and volunteering to save these extraordinary spots," said Janet Bridgers, host and producer .
The half hour show will be produced once a month, currently slotted at 7:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month on Comcast's Channel 27. As the slot may change, those interested in being notified of future shows should email us at info@earthalert.org.
Earth Alert sees public access production as the beginning of a process that allows for a cost-effective way to produce a quality showcase on environmental issues. The goal is to distribute the product to other cable access stations in New Mexico, and reproduce the shows on DVDs for distribution to other organizations, and to share this knowledge with communities across the country.
Preserving Enchantment crew members include Kent Salazar, Steve Schroeder, Sherry Rice, Karen Webb, Nancy Galloway, Gloria Newson and Robbie Coleman, with graphics help provided by Joe Adair. Earth Alert thanks them for their help, without which production of the show would not be possible.
