‘DIRT! The Movie,' coming to Envirofest

Pike Conservation District will sponsor a free showing MILFORD — Who better to sponsor a movie called “Dirt” than the soil conservation folks. The Pike County Conservation District (PCCD) will in fact sponsor a free showing of “Dirt! The Movie” at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Black Bear Film Festival’s EnviroFest at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford. The film will be screened in the Grey Towers Letter Box. “Dirt!” narrated by Jaime Lee Curtis, tells the story of earth’s most valuable and under-appreciated source of fertility—from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. “‘Dirt!’ provides a great illustration of the importance of soil as a natural resource,” says Michele Ulmer of the PCCD. The film features experts from all over the world who bring to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. “The serious erosion problems during the Dust Bowl Period of the 1930s were the inspiration for the modern soil conservation movement,” adds Ulmer. “In 1937, President Roosevelt created the conservation district system by introducing Standard Soil Conservation Law legislation.” The Black Bear Film Festival EnviroFest is co-sponsored by the Grey Towers Heritage Association, a non-profit organization working to connect the community to Grey Towers and the Pinchot family legacy. In addition to “Dirt!” the Oct. 10 EnviroFest will include a diverse selection of free environmentally-focused films, dialogues and information booths, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in three venues on the grounds of Grey Towers: the Pool Terrace, the Letter Box and the Bait Box. A group of students from the Delaware Valley High School Leo Club will host a 10/10/10 celebration at EnviroFest to raise awareness about climate change. The students’ effort is part of 350.org’s, 10/10/10 Global Work Party, and one of more than 3,000 actions scheduled around the world. Public parking is free at Grey Towers and picnicking is encouraged. No reservations or tickets are needed for EnviroFest. There is no charge to attend. For more information visit www.BlackBearFilm.com or call 570-409-0909.