A River Reborn / The Ottaway, A River Reconnected

Rivers are like arteries, bringing life to the region surrounding them, washing away waste, purifying the environment with their biotic and abiotic processes.  Just like in the body, natural communities thrive when the flow is swift and pure and healthy.  But just like a body, rivers are there to be used.  The native tribes say; think like a river, and you will bring health to her and all she touches.  Others say that rivers are tools to be used for efficient support of modern civilization, and should be maximized in such use.  Whose perspective is right?  Is there a way to do both?

The Ottaway is a case study of the issues that people everywhere are facing in regards to river health and the environmental impact of human activity.  It is told though the voices of the people who care about the river, rely on its functions, and want to share their perspectives on what impending change means to them.  Through their stories your students will hear the facts and experience the emotional impacts that helped community leaders make decisions on natural resource use such as logging, hydroelectric dams, fishing and boating.  Through viewing scientific research methods used to gather data, your students will understand how data is collected and analyzed to determine the health of a fishery – which is the marker for overall river health.

Full Documentary

RElated Content

Into Family Fishing in Your National Forests

In this Into the Outdoors episode, witness the wonders you could experience while exploring our public lands as you watch four family fishing adventures taking place in...

Searching for Sustainability (Sustainability Lands & Lives Documentary)

This 70-minute documentary explores the challenges and solutions we face in our collective search for sustainability. Full DocumentaryRElated Content[dipi_blog_slider...

Into Taking Aim With Shooting Sports

When you hear conservation, you may think research, improving habitat and protecting wildlife, but shooting sports also are a driving force behind funding. Archery,...

Into Boating Safety: Advanced Boating Technology

In this Into the Outdoors episode, we’re meeting up with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary to learn more about different boating technologies that could save your...

Clovis Kids Cook-off

Welcome to Clovis Kids Cook-off as part of our America’s Conservation & Hunting Heritage Series. As you’ll discover in this video, our hunting heritage offers you...

The Ottaway, A River Reborn / A River Reborn (Grand Traverse)

This page offers a chance for you to see the entire Emmy-winning film in HD. It also provides link to the classroom educational films and lesson activities related to...

Sturgeon Conservation

Did you know that sturgeon have been around since the age of dinosaurs? No kidding - That’s a 150 million years! Discover this and more by watching the four parts of...

Predator in Paradise

It’s hard to believe that an invasive species, a prehistoric throwback that’s been around for 340 million years could devastate the largest freshwater system and...

Getting Boating Safety Certified

Getting your boating safety certification is necessary for anyone who wants to be a safe and responsible boater. Getting your certification isn’t something that’s...

Ripples in the Forest

So what makes a forest ecosystem dynamic and sustainable? Discover the answers by watching the four parts of this science show and reading the information below. And to...

Thank you, Partners!