Special to the PARADE
AUSTIN, TX—One couple’s 370-mile trek across the seven barrier islands of Texas comes to life this October. The series will air on all Texas PBS stations and be available for free on the PBS mobile app (check
local listings). It will also be distributed nationally to public media stations this fall.
In October 2023, Chrissy Kleberg, Jay Kleberg and a team of cinematographers embarked on an extraordinary journey, walking every inch of Texas’ coastline from the Louisiana border to the Rio Grande. Covering over 370 miles in just 21 days, they captured the rugged beauty and resilience of the Texas coast. This journey inspired the creation of the Chasing the Tide documentary series, educational resources and an upcoming book that will share their adventure and insights into the vibrant ecosystems of the Texas coastline.
“Texas’ coastal region embodies what the state is and aspires to be — breathtaking and gritty, storied and inspiring, expansive and eclectic — and it’s rapidly changing,” said Chrissy Kleberg, host, director and
producer.
Austin PBS, the series’ presenting station, has announced that starting Oct. 5, 2024, all 10 Texas PBS stations will begin airing the first episode of Chasing the Tide. This marks the launch of a Made in Texas film
series presented by Texas PBS. Starting Oct. 7, 2024, all six 30-minute episodes will be available for free on the PBS app, ensuring that viewers can watch the series on their mobile device, streaming service or smart
television.
“Austin PBS is proud to be the presenting station for this project,” said Sara Robertson, Chief Content Officer Austin PBS. “We value local content as a station and know our audience feels the same. Chasing the
Tide focuses on nature and conservation efforts around Texas and can be enjoyed in living rooms and classrooms for years to come.”
The series highlights efforts by individuals, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to conserve Texas’ wild coast and future-proof communities at the mercy of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Chasing the Tide showcases the Klebergs’ legacy of conservation and stewardship of the Texas Gulf Coast,” said Greg Stunz, the Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
“Their journey highlights multiple individuals and key conservation measures, including those from HRI, that are dedicated to preserving the sustainability of the Texas coast while also balancing the economic needs of the communities that live on it. It is an inspiring journey that shows the beauty of Texas, how the coast we hold so dear is changing, and what we can do to sustain it.”
To connect students to the coast, Chasing the Tide teamed up with PBS LearningMedia to make short film clips and discussion guides aligned to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and Next Generation Science
Standards in both English and Spanish. The learning resources are intended for classroom teachers, informal educators, parents and learners in grades third to eighth who are looking for science-based learning
materials. These resources can also be used by social studies students who want to explore the Coastal Plains region of Texas.
The Klebergs and the production team are also publishing a book in November that provides an in-depth look at the coastal trek, natural and human history, and the making of the documentary series. More
information can be found at chasingthetideseries.com
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