For SPN

STEVENS POINT – Eleven local organizations who care for the earth are sponsoring a Summer Sustainability Movie Series at the Portage County Public Library on Thursdays, 6:30 PM, August 2-23.

The free and open-to-the-public screenings focus on environmental challenges in Wisconsin. Free popcorn will be available and there will be open discussions after each documentary.

“Our mission as a nonprofit,” said Dan Dieterich, president of Interfaith Community for the Earth, “is to work together as people of many faiths to educate ourselves and others as we advocate sustainable practices for the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants.”

“The Land with Jerry Apps” is the first film in the series on August 2. Viewers of Wisconsin Public Television may be familiar with Jerry, who is a friendly and enthusiastic advocate for the land, conservation, and local farming.

Sustaining land and water is the point of two short movies featured on August 9: Wisconsin’s Homegrown Farmer and Water Rich, Water Poor. “We can’t afford to take our water resources for granted. Sustainable practices in agriculture and industry, as well as careful purchases and wise political decisions will conserve natural resources for future generations,” said Dieterich.

Our Wisconsin: The Climate Change Effect examines environmental, social, economic, and political impacts of climate change on our Wisconsin weather, water, and wildlife. This WKOW documentary is presented on August 16. “Extreme weather is a common news story. We are not immune in Wisconsin to changing global climate patterns,” said Leo Jacoby, a member of the movie series planning team.

Searching for Sustainability concludes the series on August 23. Produced in Wisconsin by an Emmy Award winning team, this film was shown nationally on PBS last Earth Day and was designed to spark conversation by challenging viewers to think for themselves about sustainable agriculture. Viewers may recognize some of the 36 Wisconsin stakeholders, farmers, and scientists who explore the impact of diverse styles of food production on our environment.

Series cosponsors with Interfaith Community for the Earth include Aldo Leopold Audubon Society, the Baha’i Faith, Central Rivers Farmshed, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Frame Presbyterian Church Green Team, Franciscans Downtown, Friends of the Little Plover River, Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Peace United Church of Christ, and St. Joseph Parish Call to Justice Committee.