Climate Change at the Grand Canyon

 by Roger Clark, Grand Canyon Director

Earlier this year, we got an interesting call from Dan Ferrara, a film producer for the nonprofit Tzu Chi USA foundation. He had been reading about current threats facing the Grand Canyon and Native peoples living in the region. He asked for the Grand Canyon Trust’s assistance in planning a visit to the area and for suggestions about people to interview.

Active on five continents and in over ninety countries, Tzu Chi USA’s mission includes education, disaster relief, and environmental protection. And they make pretty interesting films about people and climate change too.

On September 21, Tzu Chi USA will be screening three short films in New York City. One of those, Keep it Grand, highlights the people Dan spoke with during his time in Arizona and how climate change is impacting Native Americans.

Here’s the teaser:

Dan and his cameraman Nils Aucunte pounded the pavement, crisscrossing the Grand Canyon region, navigating winding dirt two-tracks from the Confluence Overlook to Navajo Generating Station, and even kayaking (cameras in tow) for an up-close look at the toll drought has taken on Lake Powell. Along the way they interviewed Renae Yellowhorse of Save the Confluence, the grassroots organization whose opposition to the proposed Escalade mega resort has been a deciding factor in the thus-far successful struggle to protect the sacred confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers from inappropriate development, artist and activist Chip Thomas, farmers and artisans, and a few conservationists too.

RSVP for the screening, which includes a honey tasting reception, workshop, and Q & A with the filmmakers.

And keep an eye out for the Keep It Grand series, which will be released online in the coming months. We are always amazed and pleased by the interesting partnerships and possibilities each day brings.

Thanks Dan and Tzu Chi for reaching out. 

Sign the petition to protect the Grand Canyon from a tourist tram ›