Discovering Alabama Explained

Discovering Alabama is a series on Alabama Public Television about Alabama's natural history.^[1] It is hosted by Doug Phillips, a naturalist-educator with the Alabama Museum of Natural History which produces the show. Broadcast since 1985, the show has won four Southeast Emmy Awards.^{[2] [3]} It the longest running show on Alabama Public Television and one of the station's most popular.^[4]

The show has aired more than 100 episodes in its 40-year history.^[5] As of 2019, 76 episodes were digitized and posted online.^[6]

The show has a partnership with the Alabama Department of Education.^[7]

Phillips wrote the 2002 book Discovering Alabama Wetlands^{[8] [9]} with photographs by Robert P. Falls and a foreword by Edward O. Wilson. In 2006 Phillips book Discovering Alabama Forests was published.^[5] He was inducted into the university of Alabama Hall of Fame in 2023 for his work on the show.^[10]

Selected episodes

• Alabama's state capitals (2023)
• Whooping cranes (2023)
• "Tuscaloosa" (2019), about the history of Tuscaloosa^{[11] [12]}
• Flint River (2016)^[13]
• Alabama in Space (2010), regional Emmy Award winner 2010^[14]
• Wildlife history (2004)
• Long Leaf Ecosystem (1998)^[15]

Notes and References

1. News: Schauer . Roman . February 23, 1996 . Beauty joins issues of environment on APT's 'Discovering' . 64 . . Newspaper.com.
2. Web site: 'Discovering Alabama' Wins 2011 Emmy Awards – University of Alabama News | The University of Alabama. 30 June 2011 .
3. Web site: Discovering Alabama. Discovering Alabama.
4. News: Bradley-Litchfield . Robyn . May 17, 1998 . Still discovering Alabama . 65 . . Newspaper.com.
5. Web site: Discovering Alabama. Encyclopedia of Alabama.
6. Web site: Binge-watching? Episodes of public television's Discovering Alabama are available online | Bham Now. bhamnow.com. 25 February 2019 .
7. Web site: Dr. Doug Phillips of 'Discovering Alabama' visits Wallace State for Earth Day festivities. Russell Moore/Wallace State Community. College. The Cullman Times. 2 May 2016 .
8. Doug Phillips book signing September 27, 2002 ·Tuscaloosanews.com
9. Book: Alabama Rivers, A Celebration and Challenge . 9781732270701 . Deutsch . William G. . 18 June 2019 . MindBridge Press .
10. Web site: UA Education Hall of Fame adds five members. Austen. Shipley. February 27, 2023.
11. Web site: Episode puts spotlight on city. Mark Hughes Cobb Staff. Writer. The Tuscaloosa News.
12. Web site: Public invited to view T-Town episode of 'Discovering Alabama'. Ken Roberts City. Editor. The Tuscaloosa News.
13. Web site: Watch Flint River on Alabama Public Television. Alabama Public Television.
14. Web site: 'Alabama in Space' awarded regional Emmy. Staff Writer. The Tuscaloosa News.
15. Book: Ethridge, Robbie. Creek Country: The Creek Indians and Their World. July 21, 2004. UNC Press Books. 9780807861554 . Google Books.