Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.— A premiere of the new documentary film Crown Jewels, directed by noted environmental activist Alex Haraus, will take place September 9 at Washington, D.C.’s historic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The new film, from an impact creator whose short films on TikTok have generated millions of petitions for environmental causes, investigates the critical importance of the mature and old-growth forests that act as buffers against climate change and bastions of biodiversity, and the threats facing them. Crown Jewels brings viewers to threatened forests in West Virginia, Wisconsin and Oregon, and follows those taking action to protect them.
The film’s release coincides with the U.S. Forest Service’s consideration of a proposed national policy that could better protect old-growth forests. The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has prepared a draft plan for a proposed amendment that would update more than 120 land management plans for national forests nationwide. The proposed amendment could help the agency better conserve and steward old-growth forests in response to rapidly changing climate conditions and other threats.
Yet public comment is needed to strengthen the proposed National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA). It currently lacks sufficient protections to safeguard mature and old-growth forests on federal lands from logging, leaving them vulnerable to commercial exploitation. Members of the public have until September 20 to weigh in and call for stronger protections for these ancient, threatened trees.
What: Screening of Crown Jewels documentary and panel discussion on protecting mature and old-growth forests on federal public lands. View trailer here.
When:
Monday, September 9
Screening: 7-9 p.m.
Panel Discussion to follow
Where:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St. NW
Washington, D.C., 20001
Panelists:
Alex Haraus, Director, Crown Jewels and Impact Creator
Tim Ingalsbee, Executive Director, FUSEE
Olivia Kasama, Indigenous Fire Practitioner, Hopi Tribal Member
Moderator: Victoria Wingell, Forests and Climate Campaigner, Oregon Wild
Event Highlights:
Screening: One of the initial showings of Crown Jewels, followed by a panel discussion featuring the film's director and expert advocates.
Panel Discussion: Engage in a Q&A session with panelists who will discuss the urgent need for enhanced protections for old-growth forests, including the current opportunity to influence the National Old Growth Amendment.
RSVP: Please confirm your attendance by September 8 to Ian Brickey (ian.brickey@sierraclub.org).
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.