The Americas With Simon Reeve
Simon Reeve begins his most ambitious journey yet, travelling the entire length of the Americas.
The Americas with Simon Reeve takes learners on a journey across the diverse landscapes and communities of North, Central, and South America. Along the way, students explore geography, ecosystems, wildlife, cultures, history, and the environmental and social challenges shaping the region today.
Ages 11–18
In Understanding the Water Crisis in California, host Simon Reeve dives into California's water crisis, where a whopping 80% of the state's water is used by farmers, particularly those growing almonds and raising cattle. In the Central Valley, extreme droughts have led farmers to dig deep into underground lakes, sinking the land by over 60 feet! Simon’s journey shows how our thirst for water is literally reshaping the landscape. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Fighting Climate Change With Redwoods, host Simon Reeve meets David Milarch who has a bold plan to fight climate change: grow the world’s largest trees! David revives ancient redwoods — some still clinging to life after being chopped down — because they store incredible amounts of carbon, making them nature's climate superheroes. But he faces a major challenge: convincing governments to prioritize planting trees over profits from cutting them down. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In All About the California Conservation Corps, host Simon Reeve heads deep into the forests of California to discover the work of the California Conservation Corps. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, he discovers the urgent need to cut down millions of dead trees — killed by drought, climate change and bark beetles — before they fuel wildfires. Alongside his guide, he hears how this work has not only helped to save forests but also changed lives. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Dancing Lights and Shrinking Ice of Denali, host Simon Reeve ventures to a breathtaking hideaway in Denali Park, where the northernmost latitude and glaciers create an unforgettable setting. Surrounded by endless wilderness, he experiences the magic of the aurora borealis as it lights up the night sky. While the beauty is awe-inspiring, Simon also highlights a sobering reality: glaciers that once loomed hundreds of feet higher are shrinking, revealing the impact of climate change on the landscape. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Alberta Oil Sands Crisis, host Simon Reeve takes us deep into the Alberta oil sands, an operation that generates billions of dollars for Canada but leaves behind environmental destruction and toxic waste. Simon learns that while the oil makes a lot of money, it’s not helping the local community, especially an Indigenous group struggling to survive. He meets Grace, who lives in a camper with no running water or heat in freezing temperatures, showing the harsh reality that many face in the area. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In How Climate Change Is Reshaping the Wilderness at Denali, host Simon Reeve and pilot Lea explore how climate change is reshaping one of the most untouched wilderness areas. With breathtaking views of Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America, and the massive 35-mile-long Ruth Glacier, they uncover the shocking impact of rising temperatures — new lakes forming where glaciers once stood. He also learns the Arctic is heating up almost twice as fast as the rest of the planet because of global warming. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Can Oil and Conservation Coexist?, host Simon Reeve explores the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, where he visits the small coastal Iñupiat community of Kaktovik — the only settlement in this 19-million-acre wilderness. He investigates the heated debate over protecting the refuge vs. oil drilling, as the people explain how oil companies have brought life-changing benefits like running water, modern homes, and longer life expectancy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Mormon Journey to Freedom, Simon Reeve hikes with two Mormon sisters as they explore the rugged Mormon Trail and share their faith. Along the way, he learns how Joseph Smith founded Mormonism and inspired thousands to trek through the harsh Rockies in search of freedom. The sisters reflect on their deep connection to those pioneers and explain how their religion continues to expand through dedicated missionaries. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Wildlife, Climate, and the Power of Rewilding the American Prairie, host Simon Reeve teams up with Shawn at the American Prairie Reserve to explore how rewilding efforts are bringing back wildlife like buffaloes, prairie dogs, and hawks while helping the planet tackle climate change. Shawn’s mission is clear: protect the land, restore nature’s balance, and show the world that preserving prairies is just as important as turning a profit. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Cowboys Are Choosing a Sustainable Future in Montana, host Simon Reeve travels through the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from Canada all the way to New Mexico! In Montana, Simon visits the IX Ranch where he learns how cowboys are using sustainable farming to protect the land, and that cattle outnumber people in the state! Simon joins Rich, the ranch manager, as they dive into the importance of caring for the land to ensure it can keep supporting both cows and future generations. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Buffalo Rebirth at Fort Belknap, host Simon Reeve visits Fort Belknap, where George Horse Capture shares insights about the struggles his people faced when forced onto reservations. He explains how the near-extinction of buffalo, once central to Native American culture, nearly wiped out his community’s way of life. However, there's hope as buffalo are being brought back through the American Prairie Reserve, helping to restore an important part of his ancestors’ heritage. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Understanding the Water Crisis in California, host Simon Reeve dives into California's water crisis, where a whopping 80% of the state's water is used by farmers, particularly those growing almonds and raising cattle. In the Central Valley, extreme droughts have led farmers to dig deep into underground lakes, sinking the land by over 60 feet! Simon’s journey shows how our thirst for water is literally reshaping the landscape. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Fighting Climate Change With Redwoods, host Simon Reeve meets David Milarch who has a bold plan to fight climate change: grow the world’s largest trees! David revives ancient redwoods — some still clinging to life after being chopped down — because they store incredible amounts of carbon, making them nature's climate superheroes. But he faces a major challenge: convincing governments to prioritize planting trees over profits from cutting them down. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In All About the California Conservation Corps, host Simon Reeve heads deep into the forests of California to discover the work of the California Conservation Corps. In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, he discovers the urgent need to cut down millions of dead trees — killed by drought, climate change and bark beetles — before they fuel wildfires. Alongside his guide, he hears how this work has not only helped to save forests but also changed lives. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Dancing Lights and Shrinking Ice of Denali, host Simon Reeve ventures to a breathtaking hideaway in Denali Park, where the northernmost latitude and glaciers create an unforgettable setting. Surrounded by endless wilderness, he experiences the magic of the aurora borealis as it lights up the night sky. While the beauty is awe-inspiring, Simon also highlights a sobering reality: glaciers that once loomed hundreds of feet higher are shrinking, revealing the impact of climate change on the landscape. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Alberta Oil Sands Crisis, host Simon Reeve takes us deep into the Alberta oil sands, an operation that generates billions of dollars for Canada but leaves behind environmental destruction and toxic waste. Simon learns that while the oil makes a lot of money, it’s not helping the local community, especially an Indigenous group struggling to survive. He meets Grace, who lives in a camper with no running water or heat in freezing temperatures, showing the harsh reality that many face in the area. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In How Climate Change Is Reshaping the Wilderness at Denali, host Simon Reeve and pilot Lea explore how climate change is reshaping one of the most untouched wilderness areas. With breathtaking views of Mount Denali, the tallest peak in North America, and the massive 35-mile-long Ruth Glacier, they uncover the shocking impact of rising temperatures — new lakes forming where glaciers once stood. He also learns the Arctic is heating up almost twice as fast as the rest of the planet because of global warming. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Can Oil and Conservation Coexist?, host Simon Reeve explores the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, where he visits the small coastal Iñupiat community of Kaktovik — the only settlement in this 19-million-acre wilderness. He investigates the heated debate over protecting the refuge vs. oil drilling, as the people explain how oil companies have brought life-changing benefits like running water, modern homes, and longer life expectancy. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Mormon Journey to Freedom, Simon Reeve hikes with two Mormon sisters as they explore the rugged Mormon Trail and share their faith. Along the way, he learns how Joseph Smith founded Mormonism and inspired thousands to trek through the harsh Rockies in search of freedom. The sisters reflect on their deep connection to those pioneers and explain how their religion continues to expand through dedicated missionaries. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Wildlife, Climate, and the Power of Rewilding the American Prairie, host Simon Reeve teams up with Shawn at the American Prairie Reserve to explore how rewilding efforts are bringing back wildlife like buffaloes, prairie dogs, and hawks while helping the planet tackle climate change. Shawn’s mission is clear: protect the land, restore nature’s balance, and show the world that preserving prairies is just as important as turning a profit. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Why Ranching Is Becoming a Tougher Way of Life, host Simon Reeve learns firsthand from a Montana rancher that life on a cattle ranch isn’t as easy as it sounds. With over a century of ranching history, he shares that the challenges of tough weather, tight finances, and fewer young people wanting to be cowboys are putting this way of life at risk. Add in the rising value of land for development, and ranchers face tough choices to keep their herds — and their traditions — alive. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In Cowboys Are Choosing a Sustainable Future in Montana, host Simon Reeve travels through the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from Canada all the way to New Mexico! In Montana, Simon visits the IX Ranch where he learns how cowboys are using sustainable farming to protect the land, and that cattle outnumber people in the state! Simon joins Rich, the ranch manager, as they dive into the importance of caring for the land to ensure it can keep supporting both cows and future generations. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.
In The Buffalo Rebirth at Fort Belknap, host Simon Reeve visits Fort Belknap, where George Horse Capture shares insights about the struggles his people faced when forced onto reservations. He explains how the near-extinction of buffalo, once central to Native American culture, nearly wiped out his community’s way of life. However, there's hope as buffalo are being brought back through the American Prairie Reserve, helping to restore an important part of his ancestors’ heritage. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The Americas With Simon Reeve, in which Simon Reeve explores the landscapes, cultures, and wildlife of North and South America.