N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences to host winning films from Jackson Hole festival, Nov. 10-12

For immediate release ‐ October 26, 2016

Contact: Jon Pishney, 919.707.8083. Images available upon request

Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Showcase

RALEIGH, N.C. — From the infinitesimal to the infinite, science plays a profound role in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. There has never been a more dynamic time in scientific discovery and innovation and the need for communicating science to public audiences and policy-makers has never been more important. Help celebrate the world’s most effective science storytellers and stories when the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences showcases winning films from this year’s Jackson Hole Science Media Awards, November 10-12. All films are free.

Showcase Schedule

Thursday, November 10, 7-9:00 p.m.

“Racing Extinction” is a 2015 documentary about the ongoing Anthropogenic mass extinction of species and the efforts from scientists, activists and journalists to document it by Oscar-winning director Louie Psihoyos. In September the film received the Jackson Hole 2016 Science Media award in the Changing Planet category. Previously it received one Academy Award nomination, for best Original Song, and one Emmy nomination.

The film will be introduced by Dr. Stuart Pimm, Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Pimm is a world leader in the study of present day extinctions and what can be done to prevent them. His research covers the reasons why species become extinct, how fast they do so, the global patterns of habitat loss and species extinction and, importantly, the management consequences of this research. Pimm also wrote “The World According to Pimm: A Scientist Audits the Earth in 2001,” the highly acclaimed assessment of the human impact to the planet.

[Museum opens at 6:00 p.m.; seating available at 6:30 p.m. This film is recommended for ages 13 and above.]

Friday, November 11, 7-8:30 p.m.

“Red Wolf Revival”
Winner, Student/Emerging category
“Red Wolf Revival” is a short film about the last remaining wild population of red wolves. Centered on the historic recovery effort in eastern North Carolina, discover the multifaceted struggle to reintroduce one of the rarest animals on Earth in the face of cultural, economic and biological challenges in North Carolina.

Ron Sutherland, a conservation scientist with the Wildlands Network in Durham, will also be on hand for Q&A following the film. Sutherland received his Ph.D. in environmental science and policy from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and earned a Master’s Degree in conservation biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At Wildlands Network, Sutherland has led the development of new habitat connectivity models for the southeastern United States, and is coordinating efforts to map the entire Eastern Wildway. Ron has also initiated an extensive camera trapping project in the red wolf recovery area in North Carolina, and continues to be an enthusiastic public advocate for red wolf conservation. Between 2013-2015, Sutherland ran a successful and creative campaign to save 79,000-acre Hofmann Forest in eastern North Carolina from being sold to private buyers.

[Museum opens at 6:00 p.m.; seating available at 6:30 p.m.]

Saturday, November 12

10:30 a.m.
“David Attenborough’s Light on Earth”
Winner — Grand Helix Award
The spectacular and magical light produced by glowworms, fireflies and luminous plankton is known as bioluminescence — light made by living creatures. But those quite familiar glows and flashes are just a tiny, easily observed fragment of a previously unexplored, mysterious realm. [47 minutes]

12:45 p.m.
“Moth Mimicry: Using Ultrasound to Avoid Bats”
Winner — Short
This short film follows scientists as they uncover the ways in which moth species in Gorongosa National Park use ultrasound to avoid being eaten by bats. [10 minutes]

1:00 p.m.
“Sonic Sea”
Winner — Science of Life
“Sonic Sea” is a documentary about the impact of industrial and military ocean noise on whales and other marine life. It tells the story of a former US Navy officer who solved a tragic mystery and changed the way we understand our impact on the ocean. [56 minutes]

3:00 p.m.
“David Attenborough’s Conquest of the Skies 3D”
Winner — Immersive: Fulldome, 3D & Large Format
The power of flight is one of nature’s greatest achievements. From its humble beginnings, over one hundred billion creatures soar through the sky today, from tiny, nectar-drinking hummingbirds to armored airborne beetles, bizarre winged lizards and sonar-guided bats hunting in the dead of night. Join David Attenborough as he travels through time to unravel the astonishing, 300-million-year story of flying animals. [90 minutes]


The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (11 W. Jones St. and 121 W. Jones St.) in downtown Raleigh is an active research institution that engages visitors of every age and stage of learning in the wonders of science and the natural world, drawing them into the intriguing fields of study that are critical to the future of North Carolina. Hours: Mon.- Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., noon-5 p.m. Visit the Museum online at www.naturalsciences.org. Emlyn Koster, PhD, Museum Director; Susan Kluttz, Secretary, N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Pat McCrory, Governor.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development. NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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