The nationally syndicated travel program “Beyond Your Backyard,” from Blue Ridge Public Broadcasting Service, has been nominated for three 2018 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in the Program, Host/Moderator and Editing categories. After just two seasons, the show is being recognized for educating viewers on the local history, culture and cuisine of North American destinations.

The nominations were announced Wednesday, May 15, by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences — the second-largest chapter in the nation. The awards ceremony for the 61st Emmy Awards recognizing excellence in television in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia is scheduled for June 22, 2019.

“Beyond Your Backyard” was nominated in the Program/Special Category for its season one episode shot in Key West, Florida. The nomination recognized Erik “Erik the Travel Guy” Hastings, host and creator of the program, and Harry Watson and Jacob Dellinger, executive producers. Hastings also was nominated in the Program Host/Moderator Category and Watson was nominated in the Editor of a Non-News Program Category.

“I am so proud of our team. We bootstrapped our entire process from writing, producing, editing and distributing a television series now seen by millions of viewers,” said Hastings. “To date, we’ve completed 22 episodes and already have shot five shows for season three. And to top it off, we are being recognized by our peers for excellence in programming.”

“Beyond Your Backyard,” now shooting its third season, is a half-hour educational travel adventure show nationally syndicated on PBS and the CREATE Network that is seen on 328 broadcast channels in 161 markets in 48 states across the United States. Millions of viewers watch each week as presenter “Erik the Travel Guy” reveals the “soul” of a destination, digging deep to explore every aspect of a destination.