Educational Multimedia Production

Estuaries in the Balance: Freshwater Nurseries of Lake Superior
(in development)

Freshwater estuaries—shoreline environments where river water mixes with lake water—provide critically important wildlife habitat and unequalled ecological services to people. Estuaries are also among the world’s most endangered ecosystems. Endangered Estuaries tells the story of two iconic Lake Superior estuaries: The St. Louis River Estuary—the nation's largest freshwater estuary and heart of the traditional homeland of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe—is recovering a long history of industrial degradation.   A pristine estuary complex on the Bad River Band of Ojibwe’s reservation has been managed by the band through time. Both estuaries face threats from continued industrial impacts. 

60-min. Documentary  |  In Development  |  Natural and Cultural History  |  Indigenous Voice

Rekindled: An Indigenous Wildfire Crew, Tribal Wisdom, Fires Fueled by Climate Change
(in development)

Rekindled follows the wildfire crew of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe as they battle fires fueled by our warming climate. Conditions have been made more dangerous by decades of official fire-suppression policy—but times are changing. The film looks back on how our forests have been managed in the past and documents long-outlawed cultural burning practices that are gaining acceptance along with Indigenous perspectives on forest management. Fire-dependent forests are benefitting from bringing back fire.    

60-min. Documentary  |  In Development  |  Natural and Cultural History  |  Indigenous Voice

The Glittering World: Starry Skies Southwest
(in development)

This documentary journey follows Ojibwe night sky photographer Travis Novitsky—host and co-producer of CGEE's Emmy-winning Northern Nights, Starry Skies—as he explores the incomparable starry skies of the desert Southwest. Novitsky explores the region's world-renowned Dark Sky sanctuaries, engages in dialogs with Indigenous star knowledge practitioners, visits world-class observatories where important discoveries continue to be made, and documents leading efforts to address the human-health and environmental impacts of light pollution.     

60-min. Documentary  |  In Development  |  Natural and Cultural History  |  Indigenous Voice

A Sea Change for Superior: The Warming of the World's Largest Lake

Lake Superior is now among the fastest warming of the world’s largest lakes due to the impacts of climate change. A Sea Change for Superior explores the lake's legacy as famously frigid, clear, and clean in a time of unprecedented change that is impacting natural systems, wildlife, and people. The film—a co-production with PBS North—is being broadcast on PBS affiliates throughout our region and beyond, has received a nomination for a regional Emmy award, and has been a featured selection in multiple film festivals. Watch the full documentary on our Vimeo page.

60-minute Public TV Documentary  |  Emmy Nominated  |  Natural and Cultural History  |  Indigenous Voice

Northern Nights, Starry Skies

Ojibwe night-sky photographer Travis Novitsky’s stunning images celebrate the wonders of our northern night skies in this acclaimed documentary co-production with PBS North. Novitsky explores the world’s largest Dark Sky sanctuary complex. He opens the door to Dakota and Ojibwe Indigenous star knowledge traditions, and to ways the night sky has been a living presence through time and across cultures. Astronomers and dark-skies advocates address the importance of curbing light pollution to mitigate negative health and environmental impacts. A companion PBS LearningMedia website offers lesson plans to educators nationwide.    Watch the full documentary on YouTube.

60-minute Public TV Documentary  |  Emmy Winning  |  Natural and Cultural History  |  Indigenous Voice  | PBS LearningMedia Resources

The Mighty Mississippi

This hour-long documentary and virtual field trip was co-produced by CGEE and PBS affiliate WYES New Orleans. It includes field segments with content experts interviewed by student reporters and was winner of a prestigious NETA award.  View on WYES YouTube channel.

Chased by the light: A Photograpic Journey with Jim Brandenburg

Produced by CGEE and Aurora Pictures, Chased by the Light follows National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg on his quest to renew his creativity by taking a single picture for each of 90 days in Minnesotaʻs boundary waters wilderness areas. The hour-long film has won dozens of national and international awards and has been broadcast on PBS stations nationwide, throughout Canada, and Scandinavia. See excerpts on Vimeo.

YouTube Playlists

Explore CGEE's YouTube channel to access hundreds of short educational videos on a wide range of environmental, science, and social studies topics. 

Vimeo Showcases

Our Vimeo Showcases collect videos around a topic or theme.