For more than 30 years documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has revealed many of the great mysteries of our uniquely American culture. Like an archaeologist he uncovers layers of time to show us through his films the artifacts of our not so distant past that shed light on the course of events that has brought us to where we are today.

In his latest film, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, which airs on PBS stations nationwide in September, Burns demonstrates that the preservation and protection of our wild and scenic places embody the most cherished ideals of our American heritage and the legacy of our future.