PBS SoCal Celebrates Earth Month with New Season of Environmental Series EARTH FOCUS Premiering April 22
Press Contact
Nicole Kavros
nkavros@pbssocal.org
Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal get extended access through PBS Passport.
Los Angeles, Calif. – March 25, 2026 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced its 2026 Earth Month slate with new and returning environmentally-focused programs, specials and documentaries that highlight environmental stewardship sustainability and human impacts on ecosystems in Southern California. Leading the lineup is the return of a new season of the award-winning, locally-produced environmental series EARTH FOCUS. The seventh season of the acclaimed series examines environmental challenges across Los Angeles, from the impact of large stadium events to noise pollution affecting marine mammals off Catalina Island, the public health impacts of urban oil drilling and climate change pressures on agriculture and food systems. The seventh season of EARTH FOCUS will premiere on Wed., April 22 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 26 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus. Following season seven, EARTH FOCUS continues in May with season eight, featuring local stories in collaboration with the Los Angeles Times on the complexities of rebuilding Los Angeles after the fires. The season will also highlight stories on food waste and conservation of indigenous plants, beach erosion and the ocean. Each episode will be available to stream at pbssocal.org/earthfocus and on the free PBS App.
“We’re proud to feature these powerful programs as part of our Earth Month programming,” says Chief Content Officer Tamara Gould. “At PBS SoCal, we believe storytelling can deepen our understanding of the world around us and inspire meaningful connections to the issues shaping our communities right now. Our programs reflect our commitment to sharing stories that celebrate the natural world and encourage environmental awareness and stewardship.”
PBS SoCal will premiere two documentary specials highlighting local stories that affect Southern Californians, OUR NEIGHBORS, THE PEACOCKS and COYOTE CROSSING. In OUR NEIGHBORS, THE PEACOCKS, airing on Wed., April 8 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal, a suburban community deals with a growing population of wild peafowl. As mating season begins--the noisiest time of the year--the film follows the lengths many neighbors go to protect the birds. The next special, COYOTE CROSSING, blends together science, Indigenous knowledge and firsthand accounts to explore how an ancient predator adapts across cities, suburbs and the countryside. The one-hour special premieres on Mon., April 20 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
Also, priority programs this year are SHARED PLANET and OFF THE BEATEN PATH, both of which explore the relationships between people, wildlife and the environments they share. SHARED PLANET reveals the untold stories of people and wildlife thriving together, celebrating the benefits of coexistence and premieres on Wed., April 29 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal. A PBS SoCal Plus co-production, OFF THE BEATEN PATH features the beauty, danger and endless wonder of our local environments, and how unseen forces shape where we live and how we live now and in the future. The first episode premieres on Sat., April 4 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus.
Select content slated to air during Earth Month is listed as follows (*schedule subject to change):
MACGILLIVRAY FREEMAN’S CORAL REEF ADVENTURE - Wed., April 1 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 5 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
From the iconic Great Barrier Reef to the islands of Fiji, Tahiti and Rangiroa, Howard and Michele Hall embark on an incredible journey to document some of the world’s most stunning sights: endangered coral reefs across the South Pacific. Narrated by Oscar winner Liam Neeson.
OUR NEW WORLD: “The Pulse of Change” – Wed., April 1 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 5 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
As our world constantly changes and humans evolve, we must learn how to protect this planet we call home. This show dives into the impacts of climate change and how we can keep nature thriving.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: “Salton Secrets” – Sat., April 4 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., April 30 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The Salton Sea holds many mysteries from shipwrecks to white gold and a link to earthquakes. Experts believe this seemingly desolate area is the key to learning more about the future of earthquakes.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: “Sharks, Sea Lions & Surfers” – Sat., April 4 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., April 30 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
Two decades of successful conservation efforts have made the pristine shores of La Jolla an ideal home for sea lions and seals, attracting sharks and sightseers. Experts investigate how a co-existence between all life is possible.
OUR NEIGHBORS, THE PEACOCKS – Wed., April 8 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 12 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
Arcadia residents are met with a growing population of wild peacocks in their neighborhoods, igniting a conversation over relocating the birds or welcoming their presence. As mating season approaches, this film captures the moment when a community must face its pheasant fiasco.
OUR NEW WORLD: “A Wild Revival” – Wed., April 8 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 12 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
The second episode of this series follows five ecosystems that have been impacted by climate change. From melted ice to the disappearance of underwater forests, we see how various landscapes and species must adapt to the new ecosystems forming around us.
SOCAL SNOWY OWL – Wed., April 8 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., April 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
After a rare Arctic owl is spotted in California for the first time in 100 years, an Orange County suburb grows eager to understand our connection with nature and the changing world. Without knowing it, SoCal’s own snowy owl brought hope, community and awareness to this quiet town.
WILDLIFE ON THE EDGE – Wed., April 8 at 11:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sat., April 18 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus
After the death of a popular mountain lion, local advocates look to protect our wildlife neighbors. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing team and Gov. Gavin Newsom are featured in this documentary, which looks to raise awareness by showcasing the daily life of California’s mountain inhabitants.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: “The California Super Flood” – Sat., April 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., April 30 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The super flood of 1862 changed Southern California forever. Experts forecast another flood is past due.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH: “Hidden Hot Springs” – Sat., April 11 at 9:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Thurs., April 30 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal
The Los Angeles Basin was once filled with thermal springs. Due to urban development, today a visit to a hot spring involves a trek. Explore the scientific, botanical, and cultural history of these geological marvels.
COYOTE CROSSING – Mon., April 20 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Fri., April 24 at 2 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
Coyotes have roamed Southern California for over 1,000,000 years, occupying the landscape as it evolves from natural terrain to cities and suburbs. Experts, scientists and communities realize they must navigate public policy and fear to decide how we can co-exist with these longtime SoCal residents.
EARTH FOCUS: “LA’s Stadiums Confront Their Environmental Impact” – Wed., April 22 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 26 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
LA stadiums tackle climate impact with smart waste, water, and energy innovations.
NOVA: “Rain Bombs” – Wed., April 22 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 26 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
A new weather phenomenon, “Rain Bombs,” shock communities and scientists as they strike across the globe. Using high-tech simulations and sending drones right into the clouds themselves, investigators look to uncover what is causing these mystery events and how to stop them.
WILDING – Wed., April 22 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal and Sun., April 26 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus – New!
After acquiring an estate covered in chemicals, an English couple finds new opportunities to preserve nature and build a thriving ecosystem from the ground up.
LIFE UNEARTHED WITH ARIEL WALDMAN - Wed., April 29 at 7 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!
From Earth’s tiniest organisms to the endless wonders of outer space, there’s so much to explore in every corner of our expansive ecosystem --- and beyond.
EARTH FOCUS: " Examining the Impact of Sound on Marine Life” – Wed., April 29 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!
Rising ocean noise threatens marine life as scientists study its impact off Catalina Island.
SHARED PLANET: “Cities” – Wed., April 29 at 10 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!
With stunning cinematography, this unique global series reveals the untold stories of people and wildlife thriving together.
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About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal is available to stream on the PBS app and the PBS Kids App and reaches nearly 22M viewers across 7 Broadcast channels — including 2 primary channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus and 5 digital subchannels. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal offers programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.