PBS SoCal’s new Earth Month programming headlined by local documentary SOCAL SNOWY OWL. When a rare snowy owl appears in a California suburb—the first sighting in 100 years—it captivates residents, turning a quiet neighborhood into a global destination. SOCAL SNOWY OWL will premiere on Tues., April 1 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Mon., April 28 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
Enjoy the Trailer:
Local Wildlife Highlighted in PBS SoCal’s 2025 Earth Month Slate with World Broadcast Premiere and Local Events for New Documentary SOCAL SNOWY OWL
Additional Earth Month Highlights Include WILDLIFE ON THE EDGE – Featuring Mountain Lion P-22 and Other Diverse Wildlife in the Mountains Around LA, Narrated by Beau Bridges, THE FUTURE OF NATURE Narrated by Uma Thurman and PATAGONIA: LIFE ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD Narrated by Pedro Pascal
Select programming will also be available to stream on PBS.org and the free PBS App. Members of PBS SoCal get extended access through PBS Passport.
Los Angeles, Calif. – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS organization, announced earlier its 2025 Earth Month slate with 15 new titles and headlined by the world broadcast premiere of the new 30-minute documentary SOCAL SNOWY OWL that will be screened at two regional events over the course of the month. When a rare snowy owl appears in a California suburb—the first sighting in 100 years—it captivates residents, turning a quiet neighborhood into a global destination. The documentary explores how one bird fostered human connection, inspired conservation awareness and offered a moment of hope in a rapidly changing world. The film includes interviews with Cypress City Councilwoman Frances Marquez, California State Senator Josh Newman and more. SOCAL SNOWY OWL will premiere on Tues., April 1 at 7:30 p.m. on PBS SoCal Plus and Mon., April 28 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal. Following the broadcast, the documentary will stream at pbssocal.org/SoCalSnowyOwl as well as on the free PBS App on April 1 and on PBS SoCal’s YouTube.
The Hollywood Times had the opportunity to talk with the director of SoCal Snowy Owl, Chris Angel, who is also a writer, producer actor and Lifelong Birdwatcher. Also on the interview with producer Walter. Enjoy our conversation:
PBS brings us all so many different programs about art, theatre, animals, kids programming and heart-warming human stories. This documentary is one for all of us to watch. It is a beautiful shot documentary with an amazing story of a beautiful Snowy Owl and the lives it touched in a community in Cypress. The Snowy Owl found comfort on the roofs of a few homes during its visit and what a sight it must have been to see it in person. Gather the entire family with a box of tissue, because you will need some. A good cry is good for our soul. Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times
The program augments the robust lineup of relevant specials and documentaries that highlight environmental stewardship premiering throughout April for Southern California viewers in partnership with presenting sponsor Metrolink.
Two local screenings will highlight the locally-produced film that was the winner of the Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. On Thurs., April 10, SOCAL SNOWY OWL will screen at the Rivian South Coast Theater followed by a panel discussion with special guests and a general reception all starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information about the screening and to reserve your tickets, please visit https://rivian.com/spaces/laguna.
And on Thurs., April 24, PBS SoCal and the Natural History Museum will co-host a public screening of SOCAL SNOWY OWL along with the EARTH FOCUS episode “Transforming the Los Angeles River” starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Commons Theater followed by a panel discussion with special guests and a general reception afterwards. Guests are invited to enjoy a first look at the NHM Commons, a brand-new gathering space designed for community and conversation at the Natural History Museum.
For more information about the screening and to reserve your free tickets, please visit https://nhm.org/calendar/green-screen-our-planet-film-earth-focus-pbs-socal.
The Documentary will stream at pbssocal.org/SoCalSnowyOwl
SOCAL SNOWY OWL – Mon., April 28 at 4 p.m. on PBS SoCal – New!
A rare Arctic snowy owl’s unexpected visit to a California neighborhood sparks wonder and unites a community and reveals the fragile connection between nature and the changing world. In the Orange County suburb of Cypress, the community find that their encounters with this visitor change their lives for the better.
For more information, follow us on social at @pbssocal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PBS SoCal’s Earth Month content is supported by generous institutional funders and partners including Metrolink. Environmental programming is supported, in part, by Edison International.
About PBS SoCal
PBS SoCal uses the power of public media for good, strengthening the civic fabric of Southern California and providing our community with an essential connection to a wider world. As a local, donor/member-supported non-profit organization, PBS SoCal programming is available to viewers on all key streaming platforms via the free PBS App and PBS KIDS App as well as over-the-air, via seven channels — including 2 primary broadcast channels, PBS SoCal and PBS SoCal Plus. With a commitment to make content available anytime and anywhere for free, PBS SoCal reaches nearly 19M viewers in the region with programming that reflects the diversity of Southern California and showcases the full schedule of beloved and trusted PBS content spanning Education, News, Environment and Arts & Culture. PBS SoCal also sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by bringing bilingual, hands-on learning experiences to the community for free.
About Metrolink
Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout an interconnected six-county network. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, connecting people, communities, and businesses and serving as an essential link in the region’s mobility landscape. Metrolink also operates the Arrow service, a nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands.
Metrolink is committed to promoting sustainability, and we’re proud to be a part of this global effort. Small acts, like taking the train, can add up to a big green impact and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable Southern California.
