Short Block 2: Working FOR the Wild


Hope and Restoration: Saving the Whitebark Pine (Directed by Eric Liner, Produced by Megan King, Sponsored by Save the Whitebark Pine)

Whitebark pine trees are icons of North America's mountain landscape. They stand at the center of a web of life that supports dozens of plants and animals, and serve as a vital food source for grizzly bears, red squirrels, and Clark’s nutcrackers. Hear directly from leading voices of the USDA Forest Service, American Forests, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation, and others about what is at stake and why there is still time to save whitebark pine.


Heart of Maui (Directed and Produced by David Ehrenberg, Sponsored by Xplorer Maps)

This National Park Service film follows two biologists fighting to save a bird species so rare, there are only 200 left on the planet. The extinction event of our lifetime is unfolding inside Haleakala National Park's remote backcountry. Discover what will be lost if humans do not take action to save these rare Maui forest birds.


PLACE: People, Lamprey, and Cultural Ecology (Directed by Jeremy Monroe and David Herasimtschuk, Sponsored by George's Distributing)

Follow Umatilla Tribal Member Gabe Sheoships into an ancient cultural practice. Discover the connections between migratory fish, urban forests, and community stewardship, and witness the work one group is doing to re-build these connections for future generations.


Grounded (Directed by Jordan Hoffmaster, Sponsored by National Wildlife Foundation)

When a group of biologists in Western Montana discover their main study species is unintentionally being poisoned, they set out to find a solution and educate the public. Following raptor researchers from Raptor View Research Institute and MPG Ranch, Grounded explores the topic of lead poisoning in scavengers, particularly golden eagles, who feed on animals which were killed with lead bullets.


The Blackfoot Challenge (Directed and Produced by Jeremy Roberts, Sponsored by Defenders of Wildlife)

When a group of biologists in Western Montana discover their main study species is unintentionally being poisoned, they set out to find a solution and educate the public. Following raptor researchers from Raptor View Research Institute and MPG Ranch, Grounded explores the topic of lead poisoning in scavengers, particularly golden eagles, who feed on animals which were killed with lead bullets.


Drop (Directed by Liam Gallagher, Produced by Hilary Hutcheson and Protect Our Winters, Sponsored by Emerger Strategies and LB Snow)

Drop follows a single drop of water from its starting point atop the Continental Divide to its final destination in the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, meet individuals like fly-fishing guide Hilary Hutcheson, who has tracked the impact of global warming on Montana rivers for 20 years.

Eco-Hack! (Directed and Produced by Josh Izenberg and Brett Marty, Sponsored by KK Ranch)

An unconventional field biologist wages a high-tech war against ravens in the Mojave — think laser cannons, exploding tortoises, and autonomous drones — in a last-ditch effort to save the desert tortoise from extinction.



Both screenings will be followed by a Q&A with Julee Shamhart, Save The WhiteBark Pine, Jordan Hoffmaster, Grounded
Jeremy Roberts of Conservation Media + Mike McTee, MPG Ranch + Rob Domenech, Raptor View Research Institute!