The Open University Explores The Nature of Britain

The Open University Explores The Nature of Britain

MILTON KEYNES, England, November 15/PRNewswire/ -- Tx: 9pm, BBC ONE, Wednesdays

An epic journey across the length and breadth of our country is
continuing with
http://www3.open.ac.uk/media/fullstory.aspx?id=11826&LKCAMPAIGN=PR01 (The
Nature of Britain), co-produced by The Open University and currently showing
on BBC ONE, BBC TWO and BBC FOUR.

Presented by Alan Titchmarsh, The Nature of Britain concentrates on the
unique ecology of different landscapes and eco-systems throughout the UK and
the diverse behaviour of the animals and plants that live in them. During his
journey, Alan shares his enthusiasm for the British wildlife, encouraging
viewers to step outside and explore the natural history on their doorstep.

The series features eight key landscapes - Island; Farmland; Urban;
Freshwater; Coastal; Woodland; Wilderness and Secret Britain. It paints a
beautiful contemporary portrait of Britain's wildlife and provides the
definitive guide to The Nature of Britain.

Each programme lasts fifty minutes with an additional 84, ten-minute
regional short films, for each BBC television region, which highlights local
nature footage and conservation activities. There is also an eight-part
companion programme, The Nature of Britain: A User's Guide, hosted by Chris
Packham which broadcasts on BBC FOUR immediately after the main programme on
BBC ONE. A User's Guide showcases rarely seen British wildlife and will be a
practical guide showing viewers how they can help to keep Britain green and
beautiful.

Dr David Robinson, The Open University's head academic on The Nature of
Britain said: "Science can seen as something remote that ordinary people
can't do without specialist equipment or training, but The Open University is
committed to encouraging a 'can-do' attitude to
http://www.open.ac.uk/science/index.php?LKCAMPAIGN=PR01 (science and
learning), and The Nature of Britain is very much about what you can see and
do for yourself.

"Wildlife is marvellous on TV but our local natural world is fascinating
too. Every time I observe wildlife I see something - a plant, an animal, a
pattern of behaviour, which I have not seen before. You don't have to be a
zoologist to experience this and the series shows some of the special things
right on our doorsteps. The regional films will be great for informing
viewers of what they can do locally to experience the natural world
themselves and of how they can make a difference."

The Open University has produced a free calendar to accompany the series
which UK based viewers can obtain by visiting the Open2.net website:
http://www.open2.net/breathingplaces?LKCAMPAIGN=PR01

(www.open2.net/breathingplaces)

As well as having comprehensive and exclusive material about the network
series and regional programmes, Open2.net also has a link to the Breathing
Places campaign, which aims to create 1000 new spaces for nature and to
improve thousands more. Open2.net will show how an existing space can be
improved for its wild inhabitants featuring the process, permissions,
scientific background and progress over two years through pictures, video,
sound recordings, blogs, interviews and interactive maps.

Editor's Notes

The Nature of Britain is a co-production between The Open University and
the BBC. It is broadcast on BBC ONE at 9pm on Wednesdays. It will also be
repeated the following Sunday on BBC TWO at 6pm. The Nature of Britain: A
User's Guide will broadcast on BBC FOUR from 10pm on Wednesdays.

The Series Producer for the BBC is Stephen Moss. The Executive Producer
for The Open University is Mark Jacobs. The Head Academic for The Open
University is Dr David Robinson.

The Open University and BBC have been in partnership for over 30 years
providing educational programming to a mass audience. In recent times this
partnership has evolved from late night programming for delivering courses to
peak time programmes with a broad appeal to encourage wider participation in
learning.

All broadcast information is correct at time of issue. For Preview DVD's,
Images, Interview Requests contact Guy Bailey or Helen Burt.

Resources

Related courses:-

Short Courses

- Life in the Oceans (S180)

- Studying Mammals (S182)

Level One Courses (Suitable as entry level for study)

- Introducing Environment (Y161)

- Exploring Science (S104)

- Practising Science - a residential course (SXR103)

- Science starts here - a short course (S154)

- Fossils and the history of life (S193)

- Working with our environment: Technology for a sustainable future
(T172)

- Digital Photography: Creating and sharing better images (T189)

Level Two Courses

- Biology: Uniformity and Diversity (S204)

- Environmental Science (S216)

- Environmental Science in the Field - a residential course (SXR216)

- Geology (S260)

- The Geological History of the British Isles - a residential course
(SXR260)

Web http://www.open2.net

http://www.open.ac.uk/courses

http://www.bbc.co.uk/natureofbritain

Media contacts

Guy Bailey
g.r.bailey@open.ac.uk
+44(0)1908-653248

Helen Burt
Helen.burt@bbc.co.uk
+44(0)1892-675604

Source: The Open University

Media contacts: Guy Bailey, g.r.bailey@open.ac.uk, +44(0)1908-653248; Helen Burt, Helen.burt@bbc.co.uk, +44(0)1892-675604

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