A message from the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library:
The Library is pleased to partner with the Owen Sound Water Watchers, a grassroots community group, working to raise awareness and take action on local water issues, in presenting the 3rd Annual Water Docs Where-You-Live in Owen Sound film series.
This event takes place in the Library auditorium, September 18th and 25th.. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Films start at 7:00 p.m. After each screening there will be a chance to talk about the film. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The series kicks off on Tuesday, September 18th with the American documentary, A River’s Last Chance. This compelling film shows the amazing recovery of the Eel River in Northern California, a haven for wild salmon. The river and salmon have weathered decades of over-fishing, abusive logging, catastrophic floods and droughts, and a hydro power dam that diverts water out of the basin. Today, the Eel’s recovering wild salmon compete for water with the region’s underground multi-billion-dollar cannabis economy and the multi-billion-dollar wine industries of Sonoma and Mendocino. According to film maker Shane Anderson, the film is rooted in the belief that we can live symbiotically with our watersheds and encourage both a river’s recovery and economic future.
On Tuesday, September 25th, the evening begins with Just Add Water, a presentation by Master Gardener, Pat Wyszynski. Pat has been watching her property transform with different water features that she has added over the years. Bring your questions and be prepared to be inspired.
Fix and Release explores the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, a small turtle trauma centre in Peterborough Ontario as it fights to even the odds for survival that freshwater turtles face in a modern world. Most turtle species in Canada are endangered due to loss of habitat and collisions with cars and boats. Dr. Sue Carstairs leads a team of dedicated staff and volunteers as they develop their own ground-breaking approach to reptile medicine. This visually beautiful film shows turtles in a way that few have seen before – highlighting their amazing ability to recover from catastrophic injury and hinting that these ancient creatures may be more complex than previously thought. Turtles are vital for healthy wetlands and every saved turtle makes a difference. As Dr. Carstairs says, “We are saving the world one turtle at a time”.
We will close the evening with local water-themed shorts.
We’re grateful to our partners who make this event possible- the Toronto-based Water Docs International Film Festival, Scenic City Film Festival, and the Tom Thomson Art Gallery.
For more information about these events contact Carolin Brooks, cbrooks@owensound.library.on.ca, 519-376-6623 ext. 214.