Another great film I watched at the @wildandscenicfilmfestival is Between Moon Tides. This film by @jasonjaacks is about a conservationist trying desperately to save a bird on the brink of extinction.
The saltmarsh sparrow creates its nest in the grasses of New England’s salt marshes. Due to sea level rise, these nests now get flooded during high tide and the baby sparrows drown. Deirdre Robinson has been studying these birds for decades and then co-founded the Saltmarsh Sparrow Research Initiative to get more people - especially budding young naturalists - involved in protecting the species. The team has fitted some small-scale temporary solutions to the nest problem, but the future of the birds looks bleak.
I liked this film firstly because Deirdre is such a lovable character with a witty humor and knowledge to spare. If you’ve ever done the work of saving an animal, you’ll appreciate the diligence, grit, and patience Deidre brings to her mission. I have endless admiration for people who work this hard to protect vulnerable animals, because as history shows us time and time again: if nobody steps up, we will lose them.
It’s oftentimes a soul-crushing task to get people caring about conservation, but it’s stories like this- ones that feel personal - that have what it takes. Deirdre and her team are up against a colossal problem that no one person can solve. To be honest, they probably can’t beat it… but their dedication should be the shining standard of what we strive for. I hope you’ll watch this film and use it as inspiration to seek out a local conservation effort near you. It’s 25 minutes and is available on YouTube.
My hat’s off to the filmmaker for such well-constructed storytelling. The portrayal of the place (serene, ethereal, worth saving) was just as moving as the character profile. This really was one of my favorites 🫶
#wildlifeconservation #conservation #saltmarshsparrow #birding #shotbyshana
Between Moon Tides by @JasonJaacks is out now on @Guardian
In a ribbon of saltmarsh in coastal New England, an intergenerational group of citizen scientists is trying to save the Saltmarsh Sparrow from extinction, one nest at a time.
BETWEEN MOON TIDES participated in our 2024 Nature Connection presented by @IFThenShorts and @TheRedfordCenter at @MountainFilm
#theguardian #saltmarshsparrow #redfordcenter #conservation #naturefilm #environmentalfilm #birds #extinction #monutainfilm #ifthenshorts
How important is the Saltmarsh Sparrow?
For some, it’s the “canary in the coal mine” for rising sea levels. For thousands of years it’s built its nest just an inch above the ground. Now as tide levels change an intergenerational group of citizen scientists are working together to understand this endangered species and develop ingenious ways to save it from extinction.
Join us in streaming 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 starting today, Aug 14 - 21 as part of Films That Move, our free virtual series spotlighting stories that stir hearts and spark action.
Don’t miss this deeply moving film that demonstrates the fragility of life juxtaposed against the strength we find in our connections to one another and the planet.
Stream for free via the Eventive link in bio.
What’s going on in the deep sea? “Nodules” is a 19-minute documentary written and produced by me (@clarefieseler ) and directed by filmmaker Jason Jaacks (@jasonjaacks ). We follow two scientists making discoveries about bizarre deep-sea rocks. The science collides with a new global push to extract these rocks for profit. See link in bio to watch the full film for free.
Deep-sea mining has not yet started anywhere in the world. But recently published research about these rocks — known as polymetallic nodules — contain warnings about the potential harms of extraction. One scientist re-discovers the world’s oldest deep-sea mining experiment and made a remarkable observation. The other helps uncover “dark oxygen” — a ground-breaking new study that suggests the nodules may be producing oxygen in complete darkness.
Will these findings reach the policymakers set to decide the fate of the deep sea?
Filmed between 2024 and 2025 as President Donald Trump exerts new mining pressures, the film combines verité footage, interviews, and archival material to illuminate a growing face-off between science and industry over the Earth’s final frontier.
This film was produced in partnership with Scientific American (@scientific_american ) and The Post & Courier (@postandcourier ) with support from the Pulitzer Center (@pulitzercenter ).
#ocean #deepsea #deepseamining #darkoxygen
@sealegacy@futureswell
I met Ofelia Rivas in 2008 on a New Mexico backroad. She invited me to visit her home next to the U.S.-Mexico border to see what was happening to her people.
Since then, I’ve returned again and again to witness the militarization of the border and its impact on the Tohono O’odham, with Ofelia as my guide. This week, the latest iteration of this 12 year long process will have its World Premiere at @mountainfilm . I couldn’t think of a better audience to experience this story.
Thanks to @alonewithacupcake for the editing chops and vision to bring this story to life. Thanks to @williamryanfritchmusic - as always - for being most soulful and passionate composer I’ve ever heard.
And thanks to @tribecafilmins for the support to see this very personal project through.
#noborders #noborderwall #mountainfilm2020 #virtualfilmfestival
