PROTECTED: A Wild & Scenic River Portrait: River conservationist and author Tim Palmer shares the significance of national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the beauty of some protected rivers.Join the Gila Conservation Coalition for the 7th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival at WNMU's Light Hall on Friday, April 27 at 6:30 pm.

Silver City's Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a collection of films from the annual festival that speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet. The four-day national event features over 100 award-winning films and welcomes over 100 guest speakers, celebrities, and activists who bring a human face to the environmental movement.

Wildlife and The Wall: Filmmaker Ben Masters considers what effects building a border wall might have on wildlife dispersals, migratory corridors, and access to the Rio Grande, the only water source in a harsh desert environment."The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a natural extension of the Gila Conservation Coalition's work to inspire people to act on behalf of the Gila River and its watershed," says Allyson Siwik, Executive Director of the Gila Conservation Coalition. "The Wild & Scenic Film Festival shows us through film how communities like ours are working to protect their watersheds, unique landscapes, and the environment, galvanizing us to do the same."

Featured at the tour event in Silver City will be Protected: a Wild and Scenic Portrait, which showcases river conservationist and author Tim Palmer as he shares the significance of national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in protecting some of our nation's iconic rivers.

In Wildlife and The Wall, filmmaker Ben Masters considers what effects building a border wall might have on wildlife, as the Rio Grande is the only water source in a harsh desert environment.

The festival will also premier an episode on New Mexico's Continental Divide Trail from Season Five of Travels with Darley by the Emmy-nominated travel expert and author Darley Newman. Hike, mountain bike and raft along the Continental Divide Trail and Rio Chama in New Mexico in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The episode highlights Silver City, the Gila Cliff Dwellings, the Cosmic Campground and more.
Approximately ten other short films will be screened, with special guest appearances and prizes raffled throughout the evening, guided by Master of Ceremonies Kyle Johnson from Gila/Mimbres Community Radio. Mark your calendars – you don't want to miss this!

With thanks to the National Partners of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, CLIF Bar, EarthJustice, Klean Kanteen, Peak Design, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

A special thanks to our local sponsors:

Major sponsors: Western New Mexico University, Gila/Mimbres Community Radio, Continental Divide Trails Coalition, Center for Biological Diversity, Axle Canyon Preserve, Securing Economic and Energy Democracy (SEED) of Southwest New Mexico, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Bob Garrett & Mary Hotvedt, Gila Native Plant Society, Neal Apple & Vicki Allen, and Jane & Paul Riger

Sponsors: Syzygy Tileworks, TheraSpeech, Martha and Tom Cooper, Ron Parry, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society, and David Cummings

EVENT DETAILS:

Date and Time: Doors open at 6:00 pm and show start at 6:30 pm
Venue Name and Address: WNMU's Light Hall, 1000 West College Avenue
Ticket Prices: $15 at the door; GCC members $12; Admission + GCC membership $20; Students FREE