About this season
The Nature of Things is a Canadian television series of documentary programs. It debuted on CBC Television on November 6, 1960. Many of the programs document nature and the effect that humans have on it. The program was one of the first to explore environmental issues, such as clear-cut logging. The series is named after an epic poem by Roman philosopher Lucretius: "Dē Rērum Nātūrā" — On the Nature of Things.
Episodes (15)
1. "The Last Stand: Western Mountain Parks"
Aired 2 November 1970
The first in a four-part series entitled The Last Stand. The series looks at a variety of areas in the world set aside as specially protected areas of wilderness and natural wildlife. The first program is about western mountain parks and the work being done by biologists and scientists to save mountain wildlife.
2. "The Last Stand: The Everglades of Florida"
Aired 9 November 1970
The Everglades, unique in the world, are dependent entirely on water. But the beautiful birds and animals in the park are threatened by land development and a new airport, whose drainage policies are drying up the area.
3. The Last Stand: Point Pelee
Aired 16 November 1970
The third in a four-part series entitled "The Last Stand." Point Pelee is a tiny peninsula in southwestern Ontario, jutting into Lake Erie, which contains a fresh water marsh full of wildlife of all kinds. It is also the last stronghold of the southern deciduous forest in Canada and contains southern species of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the country.
4. The Last Stand: The Southwestern Desert
Aired 23 November 1970
The last in a four-part series entitled The Last Stand. This program looks at Sonoran Desert in US Southwest and in Mexico.
5. A Sense Of Time: The Age Of The Universe
Aired 7 December 1970
The first in a three-part series entitled "A Sense of Time". This examines past and present ideas on questions of how old is universe.
6. A Sense Of Time: The Age Of The Earth
Aired 14 December 1970
This program focuses on a new geophysical concept of our planet.
7. A Sense Of Time: The Age Of Man
Aired 21 December 1970
Planet Earth has supported life for some three billion years; but Man, characterized by his powers of thought and other other intelligent faculties, has shown greatest development.
8. The Great Lakes
Aired 1 February 1971
Sociologists tell us that Great Lakes are basis for civilization around them. If lakes fail.
9. The Great Lakes
Aired 8 February 1971
Immediate implementation of pollution control in our Great Lakes is urgently needed if we are to preserve our most vital waterway.
10. Population Problems: Everybody'S Baby
Aired 15 February 1971
Population: Everybody's Baby" examines projected consequences of overpopulation and-controversy surrounding population control.
11. Population Problems: Tomorrow'S Child
Aired 1 March 1971
Featuring a national opinion poll on public attitudes in Canada towards population growth.
12. Who Help Themselves
Aired 15 March 1971
Dealing with McGill University Settlement Mental Health Unit project in Montreal..
13. Psychiatry: Heavy Night
Aired 22 March 1971
Psychiatry: Heavy Night
14. Psychiatry: Street Fighting Mad
Aired 29 March 1971
A visit to Montreal's Allan Memorial Institute, where a disturbed teenager responds to treatment.
15. Psychiatry: Human Potential
Aired 5 April 1971
A look at Vancouver-area encounter groups.