TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – “Discovering Alabama,” an award-winning nature television series produced by The University of Alabama’s Alabama Museum of Natural History, is one of three finalists for an Emmy Award, presented by the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, Southeast Chapter.

Dr. Doug Phillips, originator, producer and host of the Alabama Public Television Series, and Roger Reid, production coordinator, are nominated for their efforts in developing the “Discovering Alabama” episode entitled “Black Belt, Part I.”

The winners will be announced June 18 in Atlanta at the 2005 Southeast Regional Emmy Awards held at the Grand Hyatt.

The series, with an estimated annual total viewership of one million, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The show, which receives financial support from such groups as the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, and the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation, has received the Governor's Award for Best Conservation Education Program and was dubbed the Best Conservation Education Program by the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service, among its many honors.

Typically, new Discovering Alabama programs are broadcast in prime time on Alabama Public Television. Regular weekly broadcasts are on Sundays at 1 p.m., along with other broadcasts at various times. Videos of the program, and supporting teacher guides, are used in schools throughout Alabama, representing an additional audience of more than 700,000 students and 40,000 teachers in 129 school systems statewide.