Rhode Island’s coastal waters are getting the nature documentary treatment they deserve. Ocean State Media and The Nature Conservancy announced Friday that filming has begun on “Ocean State,” a four-part PBS docuseries showcasing the remarkable marine ecosystems off Rhode Island’s coast, with special attention to the biodiversity hotspot surrounding Block Island.
The series, produced by Silent Flight Studios and directed by award-winning filmmaker Tomas Koeck, will premiere its first episode in December on PBS Rhode Island, with subsequent installments rolling out seasonally through 2027, according to The Nature Conservancy. The series will also be available on the PBS streaming app.
“We aim to produce a love letter to the Ocean State, showcasing its powerful conservation stories, irreplaceable habitats and incredible wildlife,” Koeck said in the announcement. The filmmaker, who has worked on assignment for National Geographic, PBS Nature, and the National Audubon Society, added: “We’re starting with Block Island because the surrounding ocean has this incredible, unique assemblage of fish, marine mammals and seabirds. We want everyone to be able to share that experience.”
Each episode will dive into a different marine habitat, from barrier beaches and tidal marshes to eelgrass meadows, rocky shores and offshore waters, revealing the intricate ecological relationships that define Rhode Island’s coastal environment, according to the press release.
The project builds on momentum from earlier this year, when Silent Flight Studios released “Chasing Fins,” a pilot episode focusing on Rhode Island’s shark species and featuring the Atlantic Shark Institute. That special aired on Ocean State Media in August and received enthusiastic feedback from viewers, The Nature Conservancy said. It’s now available on PBS.org and the PBS streaming platform.
The Nature Conservancy has signed on as a conservation partner for the series, joining the Atlantic Shark Institute in supporting the project. The series is also backed by Ocean State Media and the Planet Fuel Charitable Fund.
“Ocean State offers viewers a rare opportunity to see Rhode Island’s natural treasures as few have before,” said John Torgan, The Nature Conservancy’s Rhode Island state director. “TNC is proud to be a conservation partner on this series, which we hope will inspire more protection and restoration of nearshore ocean habitats for wildlife and people.”
The documentary will highlight why Rhode Island’s waters are so special: positioned within a biodiversity corridor where cold northern and warm southern Atlantic currents converge, creating unique conditions that support an extraordinary variety of marine life, according to the announcement.
Following the four-part series, a feature-length film scheduled for 2027 will weave these narratives together, offering a comprehensive look at Rhode Island’s position within this critical marine ecosystem.
The series will also spotlight local environmental organizations, researchers, and communities working to protect Rhode Island’s shores, waters, and wildlife.
Koeck, recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for excellence in reporting and storytelling, is supported by Canon USA and endorsed by the Connecticut Audubon Society as an ethical wildlife photographer, according to The Nature Conservancy. His work brings together artistic vision, scientific curiosity, and a strong conservation focus.
For more information about the series, visit Silent Flight Studios’ Ocean State page.
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