Many things have been thought about nature – wild, beautiful, exploitable, expendable – poets, dreamers, and artists dedicating scores of art to the subject. In today’s world of technology, nature and all the concepts which have been thought about her, it is increasingly important to appreciate the beauty of dwindling wild reaches and work together in conservation. “Celebrating Natures Beauty: the American Landscape,” is a collection dedicated to preserving land from the Appalachian Mountains in the south to Lehman Caves in the arid deserts of the southwest. While documenting the American splendor of sweeping prairies, marshy wetlands, and ancient mountains the message of conservation, of responsibly managing resources and land, is abundantly clear.
Included Films:
Man Belongs to Earth
Man Belongs to Earth
Produced: 1974
Length: 22 Minutes
The waste of nature, pollution and the impact of our ecological footprint on the land is documented in, “Man Belongs to Earth.” It shows the importance of conservation and using Native American ideals to respect the land and use only what you must.
Vision of the Wild
Vision of the Wild
Produced: 1990
Length: 23 Minutes
The beauty of nature transcends the ages and means different things to the varied cultures that have enjoyed the bounty of her vistas. Conserving the land has been a problem faced by America since her inception. “Vision of the Wild,” documents what nature means to different people, including the Native Americans, the legislation that was passed to preserve the land, and the conservation efforts by people across the nation. It imparts the lesson that a person’s commitment to national parks should be to leave only footprints and take away only memories.
Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap
Produced: 1986
Length: 11 Minutes
Cumberland Mountain is a vital link in the Appalachian chain. The strong roots of the mountain have seen scores of people traverse its passageway searching for land, food, and opportunity. “Cumberland Gap,” documents the history of the lush, forested region from the time of the Native Americans and the European settlers who followed. It highlights the beautiful nature and awe inspiring vistas of the gap connecting Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Lehman Caves National Monument
Lehman Caves National Monument
Produced: 1971
Length: 12 Minutes
Millions of years ago an immense ocean curved it’s way through tightly packed limestone. When it receded and a vast desert formed in its place, the Lehman Caves were etched from the earth in a garden of stone. “Lehman Caves National Monument,” explains how the caves were formed, why are they so valuable for geological studies and shows off the wonder of a millennia of nature’s slow artistry.
House of the woods: A forest trilogy
House of the woods: A forest trilogy
Produced: 1983
Length: 21 Minutes
The grace of birds in flight, the power of horses running free through prairie plains, and the solemn beauty of wetlands sets the tempo of, “House of Woods: A Forest Trilogy.” Divided into three parts, the beauty of Equus, the wild horse, is explored in ‘The Run’ while the freedom of waterfowl is shown in ‘Flight,’ and the diverse ecosystem of southern wetlands resonates in ‘Peace.’ Environmentalist ideals and simple adoration for nature’s purest creatures, and settings, creates a beautiful backdrop to the visually striking images.
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Nature’s half acre
Produced: 1951
Length: 32 Minutes
Time lapsed photography and sweepingly vivid camera work brings life to scenery of vegetation and animal life in “Nature’s Half Acre.” The wonders of nature, of life in a small ecosystem, depict the struggles of creatures throughout the seasons, the ever changing growth of new life, survival, and enduring harsh winters. The buzz of life in a seemingly small patch of land creates a symphony of life not soon forgotten and is the ultimate – not purposefully – tribute to conservation.
