‘Ding’ Darling to air free preview of PBS’ new The Swamp Everglades film
Editor’s note: Due to the government shutdown, the venue has changed for the event. It will now take place at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
In partnership with WGCU Public Media, the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge will host a free Monday, Jan. 7, sneak preview airing of The Swamp, a new national PBS documentary. The “Ding” Darling showing starts at 5 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The documentary later will debut as part of American Experience programming on WGCU HD at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 15.
Based in part on the book The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael Grunwald, the documentary tells the dramatic story of humanity’s attempts to conquer the Florida Everglades, one of nature’s most mysterious and unique ecosystems.
Explored through the lives of colorful and resolute characters – from hucksters to politicians to unlikely activists – The Swamp chronicles the repeated efforts to transform what was once identified as a vast and useless wasteland into an agricultural and urban paradise, ultimately leading to a passionate campaign to preserve America’s greatest wetland.
As Florida copes today with the disastrous aftermath of man’s abuse of the Everglades, The Swamp is a timely documentary of the perils of changing the course of nature for profit.
“The Swamp tells an epic tale of man’s never-ending attempt to control nature,” says American Experience executive producer Mark Samels. “The story of the repeated efforts to tame the Everglades – and the often deadly results of those attempts – is a particularly cautionary tale in these days of increasingly violent natural disasters.”
Following a 30-minute preview of the two-hour documentary, attendees will have the opportunity to hear comments from “Ding” Darling senior biologist Jeremy Conrad and Florida Gulf Coast University aquatic ecologist Serge Thomas, Ph.D., in a panel moderated by WGCU FM news director Julie Glenn.
“We are happy to partner with WGCU on a project that reinforces the importance of preservation and water quality in our part of Florida,” said DDWS executive director Birgie Miller. “Part of our mission is to support the conservation efforts at the Refuge including land acquisition on Sanibel Island, which will benefit overall water quality by stemming more development of the type that once threatened the Everglades.”
The Refuge Nature Store will also remain open for the after-hours event. Profits from the store support wildlife, education, and research at the refuge. Snacks and beverages will be available by donation. Seating for the free showing is limited to 100 people on a first-come, first-seated basis. Interested attendees are urged to arrive an hour early and can save one additional seat with personal items.
For more information, call 239-472-1100 ext. 4.