RENO-VATING Habitat for Fish and Wildlife:

A Film Festival Highlighting Collaborative Habitat Conservation and Its Benefits

The National Fish Habitat Partnership (www.fishhabitat.org) and American Fisheries Society’s Fish Habitat Section (https://habitat.fisheries.org/) have teamed up to host a film festival for the Reno meeting (September 30 - October 3). This festival will take place each day of the conference and include over 80 films shown during 14 showing sessions.

Films will showcase examples where resource practitioners and others come together to protect, restore and enhance freshwater, coastal and terrestrial habitats that support the needs of fish and wildlife. These films share how improving habitat brings other benefits like improved water quality and socio-economic returns to communities. Film categories include habitat conservation projects, on-the-ground restoration examples, and include other films that capture the dynamic landscapes and unique habitats that are home to our fish and wildlife. This festival offers a unique opportunity for meeting attendees to collaborate and learn about successful habitat conservation stories from across the country. Each showing session will include time in the beginning for available filmmakers and colleagues to share additional information about their films and time, in the end, to engage in a question and answer dialogue. For Information on the times for specific films, please visit the detailed schedule in front of Room Reno-Sparks CC, C4 or you can get a festival pamphlet at the registration desk. For more information and to register for the AFS/TWS Conference, please visit: https://afstws2019.org/

The film line-up by session is as follows:

Session 1: Our Stories: The National Fish Habitat Partnership
Monday, Sept 30 (8:00am - 9:40am)
This session captures films that highlight the mission of the National Fish Habitat Partnership (www.fishhabitat.org) and includes stories of collaborative habitat conservation. Films in this session include:
• Our Story by The National Fish Habitat Partnership,
• About Us from the Desert Fish Habitat Partnership,
• The Odyssey of Lake Wichita shared by The National Fish Habitat Partnership,
• The Restoration of Grape Creek, California shared by the California Fish Passage Forum,
• Watershed Leaders Network 2019 with support provided by Missouri Department of Conservation, TAPI Story, NewGround, Inc., Co-Nexio, Fishers & Farmers Partnership and Upper Mississippi River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership,
• BACK FROM THE BRINK: A Muskegon Lake Film from GreatLakes Outreach Media
• Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance - Fisheries Habitat Enhancement in Action from WAND-TV,
• FLOW: the Chipola River Story shared by The National Fish Habitat Partnership,
• Aaron Run - A National Fish Habitat Partnership Snapshot a National Fish Habitat Partnership project through the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture,
• Blueheads and Bonnevilles presented by The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership and the Western Native Trout Initiative,
• Wild Steelhead Habitat Restoration in Idaho from Idaho Department of Fish and Game,
• Journey of the O’opu: World Fish Migration Day (Hawai’i) shared by the Hawaii Fish Habitat Partnership, and
• Preserving Nature. Preserving Heritage. shared by Firefly Imageworks.

Session 2: Some Like It Salty: Examples of Coastal Conservation
Monday, September 30 (1:10pm - 2:50pm)
This session captures examples of collaborative habitat conservation taking place in our coastal and ocean environments. Films in this session include:
• Repairing the Reef: West Hawai’i Focuses on Habitat shared by NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation,
• A NRCS Salmon Recovery Success Story: Quileute Tribe submitted by Quileute Natural Resources,
• Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture in Washington shared by The Nature Conservancy of Washington,
• Restoring Tidal Wetlands at Winter Lake submitted by The Nature Conservancy,
• Engaging Conservation Leaders shared by Northwest Straits Foundation,
• Shore Friendly: The Benefits of Natural and Restored Beaches submitted by Island County Department of Natural Resources,
• MRC Diaries: Protecting and Preserving Our Island Waters shared by the Island County Marine Resources Committee,
• Bowman Bay Restoration Project Drone Video submitted by Northwest Straits Foundation,
• 3 Crabs, 5 Salmon, 30 Partners shared by the North OlymSalmon Coalition,
• Dutch Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration Project submitted by the California Department of Water Resources,
• Yolo Flyway Farms Tidal Habitat Restoration Project also submitted by California Department of Water Resources, and
• Living in the Dark shared by Greenfire Productions.

Session 3: Rivers by Freshwaters Illustrated
Monday, September 30 (3:20pm - 5:00pm)
This session highlights films produced by Jeremy Monroe with Freshwaters Illustrated that focus in on vibrant rivers. UPRIVER is a ‘watershed film’ that explores the active river conservation movement taking place in Oregon’s Willamette River system. Hidden Rivers is a film capturing the little know life of Southern Appalachian Rivers. Jeremy will be on hand to introduce the films. Films in this session include:
• UPRIVER by Freshwaters Illustrated, and
• Hidden Rivers by Freshwaters Illustrated.

Session 4: Sharing Benefits of Collaborative Aquatic Conservation
Tuesday, October 1 (8:00am - 9:40am)
This session continues the stories of collaborative habitat conservation shared in Session 1 and will include more examples that capture the mission and vision of The National Fish Habitat Partnership and show the many benefits that result from collaborative conservation. Films in this session include:
• Restoring California’s Great Estuary shared by California Department of Water Resources,
• Confluence of Purpose submitted by Tillamook Estuaries Partnership,
• Collaboratively Improving Salmonid Habitats in California’s Central Valley shared by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,
• Root River Field to Stream Partnership: Lessons Learned presented by Minnesota Department of Agriculture,
• A Dam Problem produced by Wahoo Films,
• Fish-Friendly Floodgates shared by Whatcom Family Farmers,
• Hamilton Creek submitted by LKE Corporation and Dancing Wolf Pictures,
• Floodplains for the Future produced by Wahoo Films,
• Floodplains by Design submitted by The Nature Conservancy of Washington, and
• Náimuni: Connecting Oxbow Conservation Area produced by Wahoo Films.

Session 5: Beavers as Water Guardians and Habitat Managers
Tuesday, October 1 (10:10am - 11:40am)
This session brings together a collection of films that capture the importance of beavers and how they serve as water guardians and contribute to habitat conservation. Films in this session include:
• Beavers on Working Lands submitted by the Habitat Program of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission,
• The Relationship Between Beavers and Salmon: It’s Complicated shared by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Alaska Region, and
• The Beaver Believers produced by Tensegrity Productions.

Session 6: Following the Fish, Part 1
Tuesday, October 1 (1:10pm - 2:50pm)
This session is the first of two that bring together a collection of films capturing the complexities of fish migration and the importance of maintaining aquatic habitat connectivity. The first film in the session is Love Flows, a film that brings to life the challenges that voiceless rivers and fishes face against threats, but more importantly, it focuses on what we are doing to help improve the situation. Film producers and colleagues will be on hand to share insights to the film’s origins and respond to questions. Films in this session include:
• Love Flows submitted by the World Fish Migration Foundation and directed by Francisco Campos-Lopez, with Zeb Hogan, Kathy Hoverman, Bob Irvin, and Jasper Pääkkönen,
• Undamming the Hudson River shared by River Keeper,
• Herring River Estuary: Restoring an Ecological Treasure submitted by Friends of Herring River, and
• Cold Water Connection shared by the Wild Salmon Center.

Session 7: A River Runs Through It: Stories of River Restoration
Tuesday, October 1 (3:20pm - 5:00pm)
This session captures examples of restoration within river environments. Films in this session include:
• The Ottaway – A River Reborn submitted by Into the Outdoors Education Network,
• Rebuilding Tincup Creek shared by Trout Unlimited,
• Clackamas Complete: A Return of Bull Trout produced by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Restoring Oxbow Lakes Along the Boone River submitted by The Nature Conservancy,
• Restoration from Above produced by Wahoo Films,
• Saving the Deschutes River produced by Wahoo Films,
• Return of Whychus Creek produced by Wahoo Films,
• Water & Wood produced by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Replenishing a River shared by FISHBIO, and
• A Natural Balance - Partners in Restoration submitted by the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

Session 8: For The Fish: Examples of Species-Specific Collaborative Conservation, Part 1
Wednesday, October 2 (8:00am - 9:40am)
This session is the first of two that bring together a collection of films capturing the complex relationship between aquatic habitat and fish. These films also highlight the mission and vision of The National Fish Habitat Partnership and serve to provide examples of the important work this partnership fosters across the US. Films in this session include:
• Pulse: A Story of River Restoration submitted by the Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group,
• Return and Restore-The NOAA/CCC Veterans Corps Program shared by the NOAA Restoration Center,
• Humpback Chub submitted by Grand Canyon National Park,
• Gila Trout - A Native Trout Conservation Story shared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region,
• Fishes’ Brew submitted by Nebraska’s PBS and NPR Station, and
• The Super Salmon produced by Alaskanist Stories.

Session 9: Following the Fish, Part 2
Wednesday, October 2 (10:10am - 11:40am)
This session is the second of two that bring together a collection of films capturing the complexities of fish migration and the importance of maintaining aquatic habitat connectivity. The first film in the session is The Salmon Forest, a 30-minute documentary film that explores the connection between wild salmon and life in the Tongass, America’s largest National Forest. The film follows salmon on their epic migration from the streams of the forest, to the ocean and back, revealing the various lives they impact along the way. Biologists highlighted in the film will be on hand to share insights into the film’s origins and respond to questions. Films in this session include:
• The Salmon Forest submitted by the USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Tongass National Forest (filmed in collaboration with Sitka Conservation Society and is a Pioneer Studios production),
• The Salmon’s Journey shared by Cedar Grove Composting,
• Fremont Weir Adult Fish Passage Project submitted by California Department of Water Resources, and
• Letting the Rivers Flow shared by North and South Rivers Watershed Association.

Session 10: Wildlife and Water
Wednesday, October 2 (1:10pm - 2:50pm)
This session brings together a collection of films that highlight the unique ways wildlife interact with their habitat and contribute to habitat conservation. Films in this session include:
• How Wolves Change Rivers submitted by The National Fish Habitat Partnership (produced by Sustainable Man),
• Horse Rich & Dirt Poor a Wildlife Society film by Charles Post, Phillip Baribeau, and Ben Masters and produced by Fin and Fur Films,
• The Curlew submitted by Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust, US Forest Service, NRCS, and Tight Line,
• Bear, Fish, Creek shared by Gold Country Images
• Crabb Ranch produced by The Conservation Fund and Sprout Films

Session 11: Legacies and Landscapes Through the Human Eye
Wednesday, October 2 (3:20pm - 5:00pm)
This session includes a collection of films that capture examples of conservation through human legacy and connection. As an example, the first film in this session is tribute to the life and work of Bob “Doc” Behnke, professor of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources. Doc’s work focused on trout and trout fisheries and without his efforts our streams today may not have the native trout in them. Films in this session include:
• Conserving Wild Trout: The Legacy of Dr. Robert Behnke shared by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Water from the Mountain - Agua de El Yunque shared by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• A Deeper Creek: The Watchable Waters of Appalachia shared by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• The Little Tennessee Native Fish Conservation Area shared by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Game Changer - A Watershed Moment shared by The National Fish Habitat Partnership (produced by Blue Forest Films),
• Sharing Water by Wahoo Films, and
• Wild Possibilities shared by the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.

Session 12: For The Fish: Examples of Species-Specific Collaborative Conservation, Part 2
Thursday, October 3 (8:00am - 9:40am)
This session is the second of two that bring together a collection of films capturing the complex relationship between aquatic habitat and fish. These films also highlight the mission and vision of The National Fish Habitat Partnership and serve to provide examples of the important work this partnership fosters across the US. Films in this session include:
• Saving Grayling submitted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
• The Lost Fish - The Struggle to Save Pacific Lamprey by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Saving Brook Trout in the Smokies by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Bringing Back the Brooks: A Revival of the South’s Trout by Freshwaters Illustrated,
• Treasuring the Choptank: Residents and Scientists Envision a Healthier Chesapeake Bay shared by NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, and
• Back from the Brink: The Oregon Chub Story by Freshwaters Illustrated.

Session 13: Stories of Lake and River Restoration
Thursday, Oct 3 (1:10pm - 2:50pm)
This session captures examples of restoration within lake and river environments. Films in this session include:
• Muskegon Lake Habitat Restoration submitted by Great Lakes Outreach Media,
• A Creek Once More shared by US Fish and Wildlife Service,
• Shasta Water Association and Arauja Dam Restoration Projects submitted by North Coast Resource Partnership,
• West Branch White River Restoration shared by the USDA Forest Service, and
• What We Have In Its Place: Dam Removal, River Revival shared by Exeter TV - Town of Exeter.

Session 14: Conservation in the West
Thursday, October 3 (3:20pm - 5:00pm)
This is a special session dedicated to the films that capture examples of collaborative conservation taking place in the West. These films have been included in other sessions but are captured here as a thank you to all the folks in the West that have helped to pull together this amazing conference! Thank you AFS and TWS meeting organizers!!!! Films in this session include:
• Our Story by The National Fish Habitat Partnership,
• About Us by Desert Fish Habitat Partnership,
• Blueheads and Bonnevilles presented by The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership and the Western Native Trout Initiative,
• The Restoration of Grape Creek, California shared by the California Fish Passage Forum,
• Shasta Water Association and Arauja Dam Restoration Projects submitted by North Coast Resource Partnership,
• Horse Rich & Dirt Poor a Wildlife Society film by Charles Post, Phillip Baribeau, and Ben Masters and produced by Fin and Fur Films,
• Collaboratively Improving Salmonid Habitats in California’s Central Valley shared by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation,
• Fremont Weir Adult Fish Passage Project submitted by California Department of Water Resources,
• Replenishing a River shared by FISHBIO,
• Beavers on Working Lands submitted by the Habitat Program of the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission,
• Humpback Chub submitted by Grand Canyon National Park, and
• Gila Trout - A Native Trout Conservation Story shared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region.

A special thanks to:

Film Festival Organizers: Tom Lang, AFS Fish Habitat Section; Stephanie Vail-Muse, Desert Fish Habitat Partnership; Therese Thompson, Western Native Trout Initiative; Alicia Marrs, California Fish Passage Forum; Joan Drinkwin, Pacific Marine Estuarine Partnership; Jessica Speed, Mat-Su Salmon Habitat Partnership; Deborah Hart, Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership; Heidi Keuler, Fishers and Farmers Partnership; Rick Westerhof, Great Lakes Basin Partnership; Jessica Johnson and Gillian O’Doherty, Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Ryan Roberts and Alex Atkinson, National Fish Habitat Partnership

Logo Designer: Maddie Murray, AFS Quebec Student Subunit

Poster Designer: Ryan Roberts, National Fish Habitat Partnership

Film Trailer: Sarah Koenigsberg, Tensegrity Productions, Director for the film The Beaver Believers

AFS Organizing Support: Todd Pearsons, Vice-President, Western Division and Laurie Earley, Past-President Program Co-Chair, AFS/TWS 2019 Meeting California-Nevada Chapter