Eyes and Ears - Reading and Viewing on Biodiversity

VIDEOS
"El Dorado," a documentary by filmmaker Frank Green tells the story of the community disputes involving loggers, environmentalists, public officials, and others in the El Dorado National Forest in the Sierra Nevada range.

Green's cameras captured the story as it unfolded -- the bitter struggles, the closing of the Michigan-California Lumber Co. sawmill in Camino, its subsequent reopening under new ownership, and the activities of local people, including Craig Thomas and Karen Schambach of FAWN (Friends Aware of Wildlife Needs), tree faller Larry Lloyd, sawmill worker and union leader Tim Louk, Supervisor John Phipps of the El Dorado National Forest, and others on the Sierra Nevada communities where the events occurred.

The 56-minute documentary, first shown in Placerville June 28-29, features Sierra scenery, music by guitarist Robert Powell, and narration by Mary Steenburgen. To order, call The Video Project, 1-800-475-2638. Cost is $45 for individuals and non-profits, and $95 for institutions, plus tax and shipping.

"GIS: 'Geographic Information Systems, Improving Local Decision-making,'" commissioned by the California Biodiversity Council, describes how GIS assists local governments in land-use planning. No charge. Contact: Council Help Desk, 916-227-2725, or write to California Biodiversity Council, 1920 20th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Fax: 916-227-2672, e-mail: (joanne_cemo@fire.ca.gov).

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"Saving Biodiversity: A Status Report on State Laws, Policies, and Programs," evaluates the ability of state laws, policies, and programs to protect biodiversity and gives each state a "grade" based on 10 categories. California topped the list of only six states that received passing grades. Copies of the report are available from the Defenders of Wildlife, 202-682-9400, Ext.221, or on the World Wide Web at http://www.defenders.org.

"America By Rivers," a new book by river conservation writer and photographer Tim Palmer, explores 10 majestic rivers -- including the American River in California -- important to the country's biological and ecological health. Palmer describes the unique features of each river, environmental problems that affect them, and what is being done to protect and restore them. 272 pages, $26.95, Island Press, Box 7, Dept 2PR, Covelo, CA 95428. 1-800-828-1302.