BELLOWS FALLS-The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) will host their inaugural Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Bellows Falls Opera House on Thursday, May 8.
The tour event will feature a range of river-focused, environmental films from across the globe, with two films made in the Connecticut River watershed.
Rivers Cannot Defend Themselves details past river advocacy in the Connecticut River watershed as told by David Sinish, one of the principal activists involved in procuring the Farmington River's Partnership Wild and Scenic River designation.
Reconnected: Restoring the Rivers of Long Island Sound illustrates present-day restoration and advocacy in a short-form documentary featuring CRC's River Restoration Network partners.
Many other films highlight inspiring stories of resilience, research, and community. In addition to the films, the event will include speakers and raffle prizes.
"It's a great opportunity to bring our community together and feel inspired by our natural world and the work being done for cleaner, healthier rivers in and beyond our watershed," Kathy Urffer, CRC's Director of Policy and Advocacy and Vermont River Steward, said in a news release.
The festival is an extension of CRC's work to restore and advocate for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed.
Earlier on the same day in Bellows Falls, CRC will host a tree-planting ceremony in celebration of their 100,000th tree planted in the Connecticut River watershed. This planting will take place next to the Saxtons River, where the organization implemented a river restoration project in partnership with the Vermont River Conservancy last year.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and films start at 7 p.m. Ticket Prices are $10 for children, $12 for adults, and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at ctriver.org/wild-scenic-films.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.