The Osoyoos Desert Society is hosting a four documentary film screenings followed by guest speaker/presentations featuring conservation.
The 2018 Winter Program Series kicks off Saturday, Feb. 3 with Grasslands, a documentary exploring one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems. The film examines the unique natural habitat of the mixed-grass prairie from the perspective of the ranchers, conservationists and aboriginal people who understand it and help preserve it.
Following the film, there will be a live animal presentation with Pluto the Burrowing Owl and a chance to learn more about this endangered grassland species with Lauren Meads, executive director of the Burrowing Owl Society.
Grasslands (Trailer) from 291 Film Company on Vimeo.
The second program in the series, scheduled for Feb. 17, features the documentary Spirit Bear Family. The film takes viewers on a journey to B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest for an up-close look at Canada’s legendary Spirit Bear — a rare black bear that has white fur. The film follows a Spirit Bear mother with her two black-furred cubs as she tries to find food for her family while keeping them safe.
After the film, Tom Saare, instructor with the BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation Program, will share his expertise on bears and bear safety.
On March 10 the series continues with a screening of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, a follow-up to the ground-breaking documentary An Inconvenient Truth. A decade after calling attention to the issue of climate change, the sequel shows how close we are to a real energy revolution. An Inconvenient Sequel follows Al Gore as he continues his fight, traveling around the world training climate champions and influencing international climate policy.
Free action packages and giveaways will be available after the film, as well as a chance to win an energy-saving gift basket.
The fourth and final program, held on March 24, focuses on bees and the perils they are currently facing. Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet, literally vanishing from their hives. The featured documentary will shed light on what is causing this phenomenon and what can be done to stop it.
After the film, Nancy Holms with the University of British Columbia and Border Free Bees will share information about Kelowna’s nectar trail and what each of us can do to help bees.
The Osoyoos Desert Society is a non-profit society and admission to the Winter Program Series is by donation. Programs run from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Watermark Beach Resort. For more information about the series, contact the Osoyoos Desert Society at mail@desert.org or call 250-495-2470.