The CBC has made a major change to its long-running series The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, with news that Bob Culbert is coming on board as area executive producer, replacing Michael Allder.

Allder had been with the natural history/science/tech series as EP for 14 years and is now moving into a new role as executive producer of special projects such as Geologic Journey II, Nano Revolution and others on the way.

“Any strategies for the future of The Nature of Things are solidly founded in the achievements of the past,” executive director of documentary programming Mark Starowicz said in a release. “I am grateful to [Allder] for his dedication to the program, his great skill as a filmmaker, and his work in building international alliances.”

Culbert, most recently the VP of documentaries for CTV, assumes his Nature of Things role on October 4.

This is a return to the CBC for Culbert, who served as executive director of news and current affairs from 1994 to 1999 and before that, area head of network TV current affairs.

During his time at the CBC, he was responsible for the network’s news programming including The National, doc specials and series such as Canada: A People’s History and current affairs programming. He was also a senior producer of the CBC’s daily current affairs program The Journal from 1981 to 1991.

Culbert is also a member of the Board of Directors for Hot Docs and is an educator, teaching courses and giving lectures on documentary programming at universities and colleges.

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Nature of Things, we’re also laying the groundwork for the next 50 years of this respected series. To remain vibrant, we need to look at creative new ideas by which we become even more relevant to Canadians,” said Starowicz.

From realscreen magazine.