The Wild & Scenic Film Fest received rave reviews from attendees Monday night, March 4 after playing to a sold-out crowd at the Lincoln Theater. Film-goers both young and old enjoyed the inspiring film selections as well as the desserts and coffee provided by event sponsor Rising Tide Co-op.

Offered free to the public by Damariscotta River Association/Pemaquid Watershed Association (DRA-PWA), the film fest featured eight short films. With topics as diverse as the beautiful and miraculous development of an alpine newt inside its egg and the touching story of 97-year-old runner George Etzweiler, the films transported viewers from the top of Mount Washington, to British Columbia, the forests of Japan, and the world’s deepest canyon in Peru.

In introductory remarks, DRA-PWA Executive Director Steven Hufnagel drew parallels between the films and the work of DRA-PWA. Through trails and public access, and year-round nature education programs for kids and adults, the organization encourages people to find connection with nature so they will be in turn be inspired to protect the exceptional natural resources of the region.

One film, “Blue Carbon,” drew attention to the unique ecosystem of estuaries like the Damariscotta River. Estuaries not only provide important habitat for many species and fertile locations for human development, but they also act as buffers against storm surge and store a significant amount of carbon with great effectiveness.

Several of the films highlighted the importance of the science behind conservation, and how data informs the decisions that are made at the local level and beyond. DRA-PWA is committed to science-driven conservation, with robust and long-standing water quality monitoring programs and targeted land conservation projects that focus on building climate resilience.

Many of those in attendance expressed appreciation to DRA-PWA for bringing the film fest to the community, and especially for offering the event free of charge.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival was started by the watershed advocacy group, the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in California in 2003. The festival’s namesake is in celebration of SYRCL’s landmark victory to receive “Wild & Scenic” status for 39 miles of the South Yuba River in 1999. 

The five-day event in Nevada City features over 150 award-winning films and welcomes over 100 guest speakers, celebrities, and activists who bring a human face to the environmental movement. The home festival kicks-off the international tour to over 200 communities around the globe, allowing SYRCL to share their success as an environmental group with other organizations. 

The festival is building a network of grassroots organizations connected by a common goal of using film to inspire activism. With the support of Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour’s National Partners, Peak Design, CLIF Bar, EarthJustice, Klean Kanteen, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, the festival can reach an even larger audience.

For more information, call (207) 563-1393, email dra@damariscottariver.org, or visit www.damariscottariver.org or www.pemaquidwatershed.org