‎Stories of America’s National Parks - Apple TV

Available on Prime Video

In the 12 inspiring lectures of Stories of America’s National Parks, you'll embark on a marvelous journey through some of the most beautiful places on Earth. You’ll traverse the country to explore the origins, cultural legacy, and environmental import of sites from the Hawaiian islands to the Alaskan wilderness to the Atlantic seaboard.

Documentary · 2024 · 33 min

Starring Megan Kate Nelson

EPISODE 1

Yellowstone: America’s First National Park

Venture back in time to witness the birth of the National Park System. Here, you’ll meet Ferdinand Hayden, a scientist who lobbied to explore Yellowstone in the 1870s. Once he recognized what a treasure this region was—including forests, geysers, and other natural wonders—he convinced the federal government to protect the land for posterity.

32 min · Nov 29, 2024
EPISODE 2

The Majestic Giants of Sequoia National Park

Travel to California’s Sierra Nevada mountains to stand among the world’s largest trees. More than a century ago, conservationists recognized not only the great beauty of this unusual forest, but also the threat posed by loggers and economic development—resulting in the creation of Sequoia National Park.

27 min · Nov 29, 2024
EPISODE 3

Mesa Verde: Preserving Ancient Ruins

Mesa Verde National Park offers an astonishing combination of environmental beauty and cultural heritage. Dr. Nelson takes you on a journey through the American southwest, where ancient cliff dwellings offer archaeological insight into Pueblo history.

26 min · Nov 29, 2024
EPISODE 4

Hawaii Volcanoes: Parks as Science Labs

Shift your attention from the American West to the Pacific Ocean, where the fiery spectacle of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park captures the imagination. Central to the geologic story of Hawai‘i’s Big Island is Pele, the goddess of creation and destruction, who is central to this park’s cultural heritage.

27 min · Nov 29, 2024
EPISODE 5

Denali: What’s in a Name?

Bundle up as you ascend the heights of Denali National Park, the tallest peak in North America. The park’s rich cultural history includes Indigenous groups who have called Alaska home for thousands of years. These groups—along with gold miners, big-game hunters, and mountaineers—all played a role in preserving this awe-inspiring wilderness.

28 min · Nov 29, 2024
EPISODE 6

Grand Canyon: Building on the Edge

Many of us have fond memories of visiting the Grand Canyon with our families, but what is the story behind Grand Canyon National Park? What do the geological formations tell us about millions of years of Earth’s history? And how did one of the nation’s foremost architects work to shape visitor experiences at the Grand Canyon? Deepen your understanding of one of America’s most famous landscapes.

29 min · Nov 29, 2024

Megan Kate Nelson

Host