Schedule:

March 7, 2024

Free Hike - Yankauer Nature Preserve

Join The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in West Virginia’s Executive Director Thomas Minney; Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) Executive Director Kristin Alexander; and TNC WV Director of Land Management and Stewardship Mike Powell for a hike at noon, March 7 at the Yankauer Nature Preserve, just outside Shepherdstown, WV. This preserve is co-managed by PVAS and TNC. Come learn about the positive partnership and collaboration of these two organizations to preserve the natural elements of land while exploring this lovely preserve. The one-mile hike will include cedar glades, deciduous forests, and a wonderful view of the Potomac River. A composting toilet is available at the trailhead. The trails are rocky with two steep sections.There is an alternative .4 mile accessible trail to explore.

Thursday - 12pm

Yankauer Nature Preserve

438 Whitings Neck Rd.

Martinsburg, WV 25404

Free Lecture - Appalachian Biodiversity and Resiliency in the Mountain State

Join speaker Thomas Minney, Executive Director of West Virginia Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Mike Powell, TNC WV’s Director of Land management and Stewardship.

Made possible by John Deupree and Sally Reynolds

This event is presented in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Additional partners include the Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities and Shepherd University’s Life Long Learning Program.

Thursday - 3pm

The Frank Center for the Arts at Shepherd University

260 University Drive

Shepherdstown, WV 25443

SHORT FILMS BLOCK 1

Three Films - 71 min

4:30pm

$14

Clear Day Thunder: Rescuing the American Chestnut

A mighty wonder that graced the forests of Appalachia and sustained all forms of life, embraced us, from cradle to grave. At the turn of the 20th century, a deadly blight accidentally imported into the U.S. from Asia devastated the American Chestnut. Within a span of only two generations, the tree was nearly extinct. This is the story of passionate citizen scientists and researchers working to restore this ecologically and economically important species. The tree that forged a connection with humankind has been embraced in turn by humans, who, invigorated by hope, are working tirelessly to revive this magnificent tree.

SCREENING THURSDAY -7, 6:30PM

March 8, 2024

Nuclear Now

Beneath our feet, Uranium atoms in the Earth’s crust hold incredibly concentrated energy. Science unlocked this energy in the mid-20th century, first for bombs and then to power submarines. The United States led the effort to generate electricity from this new source. Yet in the mid-20th century as societies began the transition to nuclear power and away from fossil fuels, a long-term PR campaign to scare the public began, funded in part by coal and oil interests. This campaign would sow fear about harmless low-level radiation and create confusion between nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Looking squarely at the problem, Oliver Stone shows us that knowledge is the antidote to fear, and our human ingenuity will allow us to solve the climate change crisis if we use it.
SCREENING FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 7PM   

Free Book Talk - Earth and Soul Reconnecting

Join us for an inspiring book launch party presented by Four Seasons Books in partnership with the American Conservation Film Festival.

On March 8 at 4pm, we’ll gather at The Station at Shepherdstown to celebrate Leah Rampy’s new book, “Earth & Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos.”

This powerful book is the result of a decades-long journey, exploring the gaps in our climate change conversations. Leah Rampy invites us to face the direct impact of climate change, guiding us through a soul journey of grief and loss. Yet, within this journey lies the opportunity to claim beauty, joy, and the possibility of reweaving our relationship with this sacred Earth.

Join us on this path of rediscovery, filled with hope for the future. Let’s come together and explore ways to reconnect amid the challenges of climate chaos.

Thursday at 4pm

The Station at Shepherdstown

100 Audrey Egle Dr.

Free but reservations required.

March 9, 2024

FAMILY FILMS

Two Films - 45 min

1pm

Cost: $14

SHORT FILMS BLOCK 2

Five Films - 58 min

2:30pm

Cost: $14

SHORT FILMS BLOCK 3

Five Films - 58 min

4pm

Cost: $14

DEEP RISING

Feature - 85 min

6:30pm

Cost: $14

Narrated and executive produced by Jason Momoa, and interwoven with awe-inspiring footage of the deep’s most dazzling creatures, Deep Rising illuminates the vital relationship between our ocean’s fragile and mysterious ecosystems, and sustaining all life on Earth. Join us on an epic journey from the deepest depths of our ocean to the future of green energy, and learn how the two are inextricably linked. This is a riveting tale of geopolitical, corporate, and scientific intrigue involving an organization empowered to green-light the massive extraction of metals from the seabed which are deemed essential by some to fulfill the demand for the current electric battery technology.

March 10, 2024

SHORT FILMS BLOCK 4

Four Films - 57 min

1pm

Cost: $14

SHORT FILMS BLOCK 5

Four Films - 56 min

2:45pm

Cost: $14

FOOD INC., 2

SCREENING SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 5PM

Cost: $14

Food Inc. 2

SCREENING SUNDAY - 5PM
In Food, Inc. 2, the sequel to the 2008 Oscar-nominated and Emmy-award winning documentary, Food, Inc., filmmakers Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo reunite with investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) to take a fresh look at our efficient yet vulnerable food system. Since the first film, multinational corporations have tightened their stronghold on the U.S. government. The system at large has robbed workers of a fair living wage, and profit focused corporations are proliferating a chemically formulated international health crisis by focusing on growing the market for ultra-processed foods. The film centers around innovative farmers, future-thinking food producers, workers’ rights activists, and prominent legislators such as U.S Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these companies head-on to inspire change and build a healthier, more sustainable future.

Community Meal and Gathering at Alma Bea

Bring some friends to discuss the films and enjoy a delicious Appalachian buffet!

Menu

Vegetarian chili with side garnishes

Brunswick stew

Cornbread and honey baked focaccia

Appalachian chopped salad

Macaroni and cheese

Cold tea and tip are included. Cash bar will be available too.

Only 120 tickets are available so get yours before they sell out.

Note: Tickets to this event are not included in the festival pass.

Alma Bea Restaurant

202 E Washington St, Shepherdstown, WV 25443

6:30pm Sunday,

Cost: $35

In Food, Inc. 2, the sequel to the 2008 Oscar-nominated and Emmy-award winning documentary, Food, Inc., filmmakers Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo reunite with investigative authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) to take a fresh look at our efficient yet vulnerable food system. Since the first film, multinational corporations have tightened their stronghold on the U.S. government. The system at large has robbed workers of a fair living wage, and profit focused corporations are proliferating a chemically formulated international health crisis by focusing on growing the market for ultra-processed foods. The film centers around innovative farmers, future-thinking food producers, workers’ rights activists, and prominent legislators such as U.S Senators Cory Booker and Jon Tester, who are facing these companies head-on to inspire change and build a healthier, more sustainable future.

Date: March 7 - 10, 2024

Location:

Various Venue in Shepherdstown

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