Assateague Coastal Trust – Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Join the Assateague Coastal Trust on October 29th at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD and on November 6th at Seacrets, Morley Hall in Ocean City, MD as they host their 15th annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour Events. The audience can look forward to a story telling experience with a diverse lineup of inspiring films that celebrate the beauty of nature, compelling discussions afterward with environmental advocates, and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Whether there is a passion about outdoor adventures, conservation, or community engagement, this event always for the last 15 years promises something for everyone. Stories – stories – stories! 

WHO IS THE ASSATEAGUE COASTAL TRUST? 

Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) was first established in 1970 as The Committee to Preserve Assateague Island.  The catalyst for the creation of this all-volunteer, grassroots group was the introduction of legislation that established Assateague Island National Seashore, including a provision that would have allowed a significant portion of the island to be developed as a resort, destroying the unspoiled beauty of the island. Since 1970, Assateague Coastal Trust has been a passionate advocate for their diverse communities and ecosystems. They believe that every community has both a right to clean water and a voice to protect that right. 

WHAT DOES ASSATEAGUE COASTAL TRUST DO? 

The Assateague COASTKEEPER, is an on-the-water advocate who patrols and protects the Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays, standing up to polluters, and granting everyone’s right to clean water.  They regularly monitor the quality of their local waters and publish the data in MyCoast App, SwimGuide, and WaterReporter. Their Coast Kids program educates youth and their families through hands on outdoor experiences in how to care for our coastal bays, creating the next generation of environmental stewards. Finally, ACT engages the community about the environment through informative lectures, trash clean-ups, nature exploration, and other hands-on opportunities. 

HOW THE WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL HELPS  

Debbi Dean, Assateague Coastal Trust’s Community Engagement Director, says that “hosting a Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Tour event provides Assateague Coastal Trust a valuable opportunity for community engagement and awareness-building. It allows us to connect with the audience about shared values of environmental stewardship and outdoor appreciation that is somewhat applicable to our backyard in many ways. While this event is also utilized as a fundraiser, it does enhance our organization’s visibility and strengthen partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and conservation groups, to make a lasting impact on our community. We are equally excited to add a second location this year at Salisbury University to include a younger audience with environmental enthusiasm.” 

When asked what her favorite thing about putting on this event is, Dean said, “It’s difficult to pinpoint one favorite thing. That would be like asking who likes the icing and who likes the cake. There are so many variables about the event that make the ‘favorite list’. ACT enjoys the community of volunteers dedicated to giving their time to this event and then witnessing the joy and inspiration that these films spark in attendees. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a diverse group of people coming together, sharing their passion for the environment, and leaving motivated to make a difference right here in our community. Our audience varies, because of our location being a resort destination, we attract landowners, surfers, fishermen/women and watermen/women who completely rely on our waters to be clean for their income and economic viability. The energy and enthusiasm during the event create a unique sense of community and empowerment that makes all the planning worthwhile.”