The UK’s heir apparent Prince William and The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme have launched a digital-first docuseries titled Guardians, which seeks to redefine the understanding of rangers and the protectors of nature, driving recognition of the vital yet unseen work they do to protect our planet.
Guardians dropped on the BBC Earth YouTube and social channels on Friday 23rd May, with a new episode launching each week. Each 6-10-minute episode of the social video series will offer exclusive access and first-hand accounts of the lives of rangers and nature protectors as they work to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems.
The six-part series will “immerse viewers in the unique worlds of the Guardians, whereby we encounter incredible individuals who make huge sacrifices to safeguard the planet’s most threatened environments. From the snowy mountains of the Himalayas to the remote rainforests of Brazil, the series is filmed in some of the most breathtaking yet challenging locations that the Guardians call home”.
Prince William (pictured) commented: “I’ve had the privilege of meeting a number of rangers throughout my life and have seen firsthand the vital work they do. Yet their stories are often overlooked or misunderstood. The reality is that protecting our natural world has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. We need to understand and recognise Nature’s Guardians, and the critical work they do.”
Dr Tom Clements, executive director of Nature Conservation said: “The role of a ranger stretches far beyond just protecting wildlife. They are educators, community supporters, researchers and scientists, from governments, organisations, local communities and Indigenous Peoples. They preserve cultural heritage, and they help safeguard and regulate the sustainable use of our planet’s precious resources.”
The series was co-produced with award-winning studio ZANDLAND and will see a new episode released each week offering exclusive access, interviews and dynamic storytelling. It will be distributed by BBC Studios Digital Brands via BBC Earth YouTube and social channels, which reaches a global audience of 13m subscribers.
Jasmine Dawson, SVP of Digital at BBC Studios said: “We are incredibly proud to bring Guardians to audiences globally through our BBC Earth YouTube and social channels. This series reflects BBC Studios Digital Brands’ commitment to making vital, global stories accessible to everyone, and it aligns with our mission to tell meaningful, purpose-driven stories that spark conversation.”
