US Fish and Wildlife Service Grant: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Documentary

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the proposed agreement is to support the production of a documentary that portrays the 50 year history of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The objectives are to inform viewers about the history of the Refuge’s founding and the key individuals and measures that were undertaken to protect this vast ecosystem. The viewers will learn about the Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service by watching the participants recreate the original expedition by the Muries that led to the establishment of the Refuge. The participants will face some of the same challenges that the Muries faced as well as see whether these individuals with varied social and cultural backgrounds will return to mainstream civilization with a different appreciation for the Arctic and its wildlife.

The documentary will have a broad distribution to Refuge Friends groups that will host screenings, Public Television and to mainstream movie theatres across the country, and internationally, with the objective of spreading the messages of the Service, NWRS and of the 50-year history of this great land, set aside as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this agreement are to provide support and assistance to S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University for production of a film documentary from September 1 2008 to December 31, 2010 to inform viewers about the history of the Refuge’s founding and the key individuals and measures that were undertaken to protect this vast ecosystem. The viewers will learn about the Refuge and the US Fish and Wildlife Service by watching the participants face some of the same challenges that the Muries faced as well as see whether these individuals with varied social and cultural backgrounds will return to mainstream civilization with a different appreciation for the Arctic and its wildlife.

BACKGROUND

Fifty years ago, a group of naturalists, politicians and artists lived along the Sheenjek River in the Northern Alaskan wilderness for a month or so. This journey, called the Sheenjek Expedition, was led by biologist Olaus Murie and his wife, author Mardy Murie.

One of the participants, George Schaller, a young field biologist who went on to become a world-renowned naturalist, wrote a journal while living on the Sheenjek. Here’s one of his inputs.
“I am alone at a place without roads or people, not even trails except those
trodden by wild sheep and caribou, with nothing to violate the peace, with
mountains still unaffected by humankind. Here one can recapture the
rhythm of life and the feeling of belonging to the natural world.”
The journals, articles, slide shows, films, photographs and paintings that came out of the expedition were important catalysts to the creation of the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. The leaders of the Wilderness Movement used these writings and images to convince garden clubs, hunting groups, members of Congress and the Executive Branch of the importance of creating a place where mankind would leave the natural world alone.

The heroes of this narrative were the Muries, and the unanswered question was would they, and the others in the Wilderness Movement, succeed in getting political support for a refuge in Northern Alaska. However, the bigger question was — and is — would this country find the will to create a symbolic as well as a tangible way for mankind to learn to respect and be responsible for its fragile ecosystem.

REASON FOR SINGLE SOURCE:

(1) Continuation – The activity to be funded is necessary to the continuation of an activity presently being funded, and for which competition would have a significant adverse effect on the continuity or completion of the activity. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is funding a variety of projects that will reach out to a variety of publics to inform and educate others on the value of the Arctic Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System. One key component within the overall information campaign is college-age youth and using popular social mediums to deliver information. The S. I. Newhouse School of Communication at Syracuse University has established a reputation in developing quality film projects, and in utilizing the creative student and professor base to develop complimentary materials and to also provide valuable real-life training experiences. This project is consistent with the principles of National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 Vision for People of Refuges as Opportunities for Public Stewardship following recommendation P10: “Build a broader base of support by reaching out to a larger cross-section of the public.”

(2) Legislative intent – The language in the applicable authorizing legislation or legislative history clearly indicates Congress’ intent to restrict award to a particular recipient or purpose. This agreement is entered into under the authority of National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 Vision for People of Refuges as Opportunities for Public Stewardship following recommendation P10: “Build a broader base of support by reaching out to a larger cross-section of the public.”.

(3) Unique Qualifications – The applicant is uniquely qualified to perform the activity based upon a variety of demonstrable factors such as location, property ownership, voluntary support capacity, cost-sharing ability, if applicable, technical expertise, or other such unique qualifications. The S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University meets criteria which preclude competition for this cooperative agreement, including property ownership, technical expertise, and support capacity.