Outreach It's a Wrap: Recapping Our 3rd Annual Wild and Scenic
Environmental Film Festival
From a corn field in Iowa to the dead zone that is now the Gulf of Mexico, two young men traded their combine for a canoe and embarked on a journey, to trace the environmental impact of the agricultural practices of our industrial food system. They share what they learned in Big River, just one of the 12 independent films and documentaries shown at this year's Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival on February 11th.
The festival, named for the victory of a small, but determined, watershed advocacy group to secure Wild and Scenic protective status for a 39-mile stretch of the South Yuba River in California, has become a favorite local event, and an inspiration to many.
The Stroud Water Research Center is one of more than 90 environmental organizations that will host the festival this year. The Wild and Scenic On Tour manager, Susie Sutphin, an employee of the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), the festival founder, explains its success as the largest film festival of its kind in the U.S. “Its power comes from the incredible breadth of independently produced environmental films and their ability to inform, inspire, and empower people to act. The films” she continues, “take our environmental problems out of the abstract and into real life, but they leave the viewer with the sense that he can make a difference.” And indeed, the success of SYRCL and the growth of this festival are testament to the power of the individual and the community to make positive change happen.
“It’s a wonderful platform for us to convey how water is at the heart of so many environmental issues,” said Bern Sweeney, director of the Stroud Water Research Center. “And, it gives us an opportunity to show how a lot of small, individual acts of conservation can, in fact, make a big difference.” The festival’s message: we face many environmental problems, but it’s within our power to address them — and here are some people who are doing just that. Why not join them?
The Delaware Museum of Natural History provided an apt setting in which to stage this year’s screening. “Being surrounded by the creatures who share this earth with us was a fitting reminder of why it’s so important to protect our wild spaces and the natural resources, like fresh water, that sustain us,” said Liz Brooking, Director of Communications and Marketing for the Stroud Water Research Center.
SPONSORS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT “As outdoor enthusiasts, protecting the environment is in our DNA so, it’s with great anticipation that we look forward to sponsoring this festival each year and supporting the freshwater research programs of the Stroud Water Research Center,” said Ed Camelli, cofounder of Trail Creek Outfitters, the lead sponsor of the event.
Trail Creek Outfitters was joined by locally owned culinary treasure, Talula’s Table, which provided the sustainably produced hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches, and sweets that tempted film goers. Paradocx Vineyards of Landenberg, PA, generously supplied the wines to complement the amazing spread of food.
The national sponsors of the festival are in the vanguard of companies that demonstrate that their commitment to the environment is not just “green washing.” For example, the personal care products company, Tom’s of Maine, is an avid supporter of those who work to improve water quality in their communities. Its belief that a supply of clean water positively impacts community health, business, recreation opportunities and overall quality of life, have prompted the company to donate $1 million to support American Rivers, River Network and other grassroots efforts.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company works to support its barley growers’ sustainable farming practices and purchases more organic hops than any other brewer, helping to reduce the amount of pesticides and fertilizers that enter our fresh water. Clif Bar & Company supports the Organic Farming Research Fund and uses organic products to make its energy bars and to save our rivers from harmful pollutants.
Patagonia’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint are legendary. Its pioneering work in the use of organic cotton and chlorine-free Marion wool are two of its many initiatives that have helped to protect our waterways from harmful chemicals. In addition, the company donates 1% of its sales to environmental organizations working to protect our natural spaces, including rivers and the forests that are vital to their health.
Osprey Packs of Colorado used its 2007 building expansion as vehicle for conveying its commitment to conservation. Its waterless urinals save an estimated 19,000 gallons of water a year in a region where water is an increasingly scarce resource. We salute the efforts of each of these sponsors and thank them all for their ongoing support and commitment to protecting our natural resources.
SPONSORS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING OUR ENVIRONMENT 
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