“Save Our Sounds” was WRAL-TV’s award-winning environmental awareness campaign that focused attention on threats to the sounds and waterways along the coast of North Carolina.

This long-term station commitment utilized news reports, documentaries and public affairs programming to inform North Carolinians about the issues and show what they could do to ease stress on the state’s threatened sounds and rivers.

“Save Our Sounds” began in 1988 with a documentary hosted by WRAL-TV anchorman Charlie Gaddy. “Troubled Waters” gave viewers an in-depth look at coastal pollution and stresses on the state’s estuaries.

A second documentary – “Troubled Rivers” – investigated pollution sources along the once-pristine Neuse River. WRAL environmental reporter Bill Leslie hosted the program that ended up winning the national Sigma Delta Chi award for Distinguished Public Service.

Leslie later wrote and presented a series of investigative reports on hog farm pollution, Pfisteria, Navy dumping, and dioxin contamination threatening our waterways. That series and the overall “Save Our Sounds” campaign were honored with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for journalism in 1991.

The “Save Our Sounds” effort got help and support from an unexpected source. Retired CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite played an active role in the campaign, observing coastal development from WRAL’s SKY5, making speeches and recording public service announcements.

WRAL’s environmental initiative brought change and made a tangible difference in the state. The campaign led to new statewide legislation, procedural changes by business and government, and cleaner water for the citizens of North Carolina.