Special Ocean Frontiers II film screening informs citizens for ocean planning input - October 14, 2014

October 14, 2014, NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – A special screening of the film, Ocean Frontiers II: A New England Story for Sustaining the Sea, is happening Tuesday, October 14, 2014, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at the Coastal Institute’s auditorium on the University of Rhode Island Narragansett Bay Campus, 215 South Ferry Rd, Narragansett, R.I. Ocean Frontiers II brings audiences face-to-face with those now embarking on the nation’s first multi-state ocean plan. The film prominently features Rhode Island and is an inspiring story of citizens coming together to promote healthier economies and healthier seas across New England. Film trailer: www.ocean-frontiers.org/trailer.

This film screening and discussion will inform citizens on collaborative ocean planning efforts in advance of the Northeast Regional Planning Body’s public meeting, which takes place at the Coastal Institute on October 15th (the evening following the film screening).

Ocean Frontiers II is the second of an award winning film series produced by Green Fire Productions. After the film Tricia Jedele of Conservation Law Foundation will lead an audience discussion. Jennifer McCann of the URI Coastal Resources Center and Rhode Island Sea Grant, who is featured in the film, will also be speaking. The event is free and open to the public, and is hosted by the URI Coastal Resources Center/RI Sea Grant, Conservation Law Foundation and Green Fire Productions.

Green Fire Productions Executive Director and producer of Ocean Frontiers II, Karen Meyer stated, “The people of New England impressed us with the passionate effort that has gone into ocean planning in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Your work is an ideal example to share with New England and the rest of the country as regional ocean planning gets underway.”

Ocean Frontiers II highlights the historic and emerging ocean uses of New England waters and introduces viewers to people working on the Northeast regional ocean planning initiative. A spotlight on Rhode Island reveals how collaborative planning reduces conflicts over ocean resources and puts us on a new path of ocean stewardship. Fishermen, coastal planners, Native American tribal leaders, environmental advocates, scientists, and wind energy executives are featured in the film.

In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, we see a modern wave of big ships, energy industries, and a changing climate, now testing the limits of an already crowded sea. But in a pioneering trial of far-sighted planning—pushed by blueprints for offshore wind energy—old residents and new are coming together to keep their ocean and livelihoods alive.

Ocean Frontiers II film trailer: www.ocean-frontiers.org/trailer