A Celebration of Our Environment

Nature-based adventure and thought provoking stories take the screen during the Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at The Flying Monkey. The event is presented by PSU’s Office of Environmental Sustainability and other University sponsors.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival, now in its 14th year, is a collection of films from the annual festival held the third week of Jan. in Nevada City, CA. Wild & Scenic focuses on films that speak to environmental concerns and celebrations of the planet.

“Films featured at Wild & Scenic give people a sense of place,” said Tour Associate Director Amelia Workman. “In today’s busy world, it is easy to disconnect from our role in the global ecosystem. When we realize that the change we need in this world begins with us, we start making a difference. “

“Plymouth State has a strong commitment to improving our campus community’s relationship with the environment,” said Brian Eisenhauer, Director of PSU’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. “To do so effectively, we need to blend inspiration we find in the natural world with appreciation for others’ efforts and careful planning. The Wild and Scenic Film Festival gives us a chance to come together and be inspired by amazing stories of adventures and environmental accomplishements.”

The festival in Plymouth will show 11 films, including ones that feature climbing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and inspiring stories that encourage individuals to make a difference. One featured film, “Nature Rx”, is an award-winning comedy set in the world of a spoofed prescription drug commercial and offers a hearty dose of laughs in the outdoors.

A longer film of the evening is “The Little Things”, which features professional snowboarders who chose to be outspoken and to make positive changes towards a sustainable environment. This film is an initiative taken on by one of snowboarding’s most influential riders, Marie-France Roy, in hopes of inspiring others towards sustainability through inspirational speakers, positive ideas, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

The festival is an extension of PSU’s work to inspire people to act on behalf of the environment, and all proceeds go to Plymouth State University’s general scholarship fund.

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at The Flying Monkey. Tickets are $10 per person, $5 for PSU students. Purchase tickets online at flyingmonkeynh.com, or call 603-536-2551. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

To learn more about the Office of Environmental Sustainability and its initiatives at PSU, visit https://www.plymouth.edu/sustainability/

COURTESY PHOTO/JUSTIN HARDESTY