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Documentary Film Producers Host Screening at San Diego’s Water Conservation Garden

Special screening of WATERSHED: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West to kick-off
7-City Southwestern U.S. tour

July 16, 2012—(San Diego, CA):  San Diego’s Water Conservation Garden announced that it will host the premiere of the southwestern U.S. screening tour of a new documentary film, WATERSHED: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West, as it embarks upon a 7-city screening tour. The tour, led by the Redford Center, Save The Colorado, New Belgium Brewing, Patagonia, and Clif Bar includes event stops in Los Angeles, Tucson, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.  WATERSHED aims to engage the arid Southwestern U.S. in taking action to mitigate the issues plaguing the Colorado River--a major source of water for 7 U.S. States, including California—and highlights the importance of water conservation and river protection. 

Narrated by Robert Redford and Directed by award-winning filmmaker, Mark Decena of Kontent Films, WATERSHED exposes both the catastrophic threats to the already taxed Colorado River and features inspiring character vignettes of those embracing a new water ethic. The film and subsequent community driven screenings are made to engage, inform, and inspire Americans to conserve water and begin restoring the Colorado River so that it once again meets the sea.  Each tour stop will highlight “Calls 2 Action” so that Southwesterners can make a direct impact on the future of the river.

“If we see the Colorado River as just a river, we are overlooking a natural engine that powers both our economy and our environment,” said Robert Redford.  “We want this film to raise awareness to the idea that this river is the canary in the coalmine. If business, government and citizens come together and make some changes, the mighty Colorado can continue to serve us.”

The Water Conservation Garden was selected to launch the Southwestern screening tour of WATERSHED in San Diego because of its mission of water conservation education, with a focus on saving water in the landscape, where up to 60% of a household’s water is directed. 

The film screening at The Water Conservation Garden will be followed by a panel discussion, with featured panelist and WATERSHED Producer, James Redford of the Redford Center.  The panel will also include representatives from California-American Water, San Diego Coastkeeper, Sonoran Institute, and Sweetwater Authority.  KPBS’ Evening Edition host, Peggy Pico, will serve as the panel moderator.  Both The Garden and The Redford Center will suggest action items that attendees can implement locally that will have a positive influence on the Colorado River.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Redford Center to engage our local community in a dialogue about the importance of water conservation, and the role that the Colorado River plays as a source of imported water for our region,” said John Bolthouse, Executive Director of The Garden.  “The water-conserving landscape principles that we espouse through our 5-acre demonstration garden and educational programs can significantly reduce a household’s water use, which is what WATERSHED tries to address.”

Sweeping through seven U.S. and two Mexican states and over 20 major dams, the Colorado River runs dry before it reaches its natural end at the Gulf of California – 5 trillion gallons of water is drained out of the river each year. Unless action is taken, the river will continue its retreat due to increasing demand and climate change – a potentially catastrophic scenario for the 35 million Americans who rely on the river for their drinking water and the nearly quarter million Americans whose jobs depend on Colorado River recreation.

Tickets for the limited-engagement WATERSHED premiere screening are on sale via The Garden’s website, www.thegarden.org, and are expected to sell out.

The Water Conservation Garden is grateful for the support of the following sponsors of the WATERSHED southwest US screening premiere:  San Diego Gas &Electric, California-American Water, and Western River Expeditions.

About the Water Conservation Garden

Opened in 1999, the Garden is dedicated to promoting water conservation in the southern California landscape through excellent exhibits and programs that educate and inspire the public.  The Garden is supported by memberships, donations, grants, and water agency support.  For more information, please visit www.thegarden.org or call 619-660-0614x10.

About the Redford Center

Through hosting and producing outcome-based media and conferencing, the Redford Center believes that art, creativity and social action make for a potent weapon in the fight to create a healthier world for ourselves and the generations yet to come. Film projects serve as demonstrations of art in action.  Based in Sundance, Utah.

About the Save The Colorado River Campaign
The Save the Colorado River campaign – led by New Belgium Brewing with support from Patagonia, Clif Bar, Teva, and the Kenney Brothers Foundation – is a coalition of corporations and foundations that works to protect and restore the ecological health of the Colorado River by raising public awareness and by inspiring and supporting non-profit environmental organizations.

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ramos, Water Conservation Garden

619-985-8337 (cell)

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www.thegarden.org