Old Grove Films, Beyond Toxics, and North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection present a screening of “Free to Grow,” with filmmaker Jesse Andrew Clark in attendance.
When: Thursday, June 4th, doors at 5:45pm, film at 6:00pm.
Where: Bay City Arts Center, 5680 A St., Bay City, Oregon
Admission is free
About the film: Local Emmy-winning filmmaker Jesse Andrew Clark’s half-hour documentary “Free to Grow” is a chilling portrait of three families who put everything on the line to keep themselves safe from pesticide exposure. Oregonians have taken up the fight against aerial herbicide spraying by the forestry industry for over fifty years — but has public safety around these substances improved? Clark will introduce his film and answer questions after the screening.
“The subjects I follow in the film convey the urgent need to overhaul one of the oldest industrial forestry practices,” Clark notes. “The film shows how folks living near working forests, as well as forest workers themselves, bear the brunt of health effects, and are often left with little or no recourse.”
After the film: Jennifer Eisele from Beyond Toxics will discuss practical ways that coastal residents can keep track of spraying in their communities and watersheds. This includes a first-of-its-kind map which plots pesticide applications in Oregon forests from 2014 to 2024. This mapping tool was recently featured on the University of Oregon’s website:
We will also provide resources to sign up for future forestry herbicide spray notifications through the Oregon Forestry Activity Electronic Reporting and Notification System (FERNS).
Beyond Toxics is an Oregon-based nonprofit, working toward cleaner water, air and environmental justice. Beyond Toxics supports legislation across Oregon that prioritizes health and wellness for communities affected by pesticides and pesticide drift.
About NCCWP: North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection wants no more logging and pesticide use in community drinking water sources regardless of who owns the land, and wants an end to pesticide applications near where people live, work, and recreate. Safe drinking water and clean air are part of the public trust that we all are entitled to have.
For more information go to our website www.healthywatershed.org or contact rockawaycitizen.water@gmail.com