A virtual expedition– a celebration– and spoiler alert, the rivers were saved!
Join us Saturday, April 25th, for an evening with National Geographic naturalist and filmmaker Jeff Litton for a program of film, photography, and stories celebrating two remarkable rivers, the Colorado and the Bear, and the extraordinary grassroots efforts that helped protect them. This free program will be presented by the local Sierra Club at the historic Oddfellows Hall at 223 Broad Street in Nevada City starting at 6:30 pm.
Following the presentation, we’ll have a panel discussion with local organizations and river advocates to discuss future possibilities and a vision for Bear River in the coming years.s the Bear River, honors those whose ancestors have lived here for millennia, and opens doors of possibility for future generations.
Right here in our own backyard, the Bear River faced a serious threat in 2014 when the Nevada Irrigation District filed a petition to divert water away from downstream communities so it could be sold as far as Los Angeles. What began as a controversial proposal quickly ignited a firestorm across the region. People from across the political spectrum came together, united by a shared belief that the river and our downstream neighbors deserve better. The community effort grew into a powerful coalition of organizations, scientists, activists, dam watchdogs, and everyday citizens.
Years of persistence followed: research, hydrology reports, public meetings, films, articles, and relentless advocacy. In the end, the movement prevailed and the river was saved. The dam was blown up before it was ever built, proving what determined communities can accomplish when they stand together for something they love.
A generation earlier, a similar battle unfolded in one of the most famous landscapes on Earth. In the 1950s, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation proposed building two massive dams inside the Grand Canyon, flooding large stretches of the canyon beneath reservoirs.
The Sierra Club led a national campaign that rallied scientists, writers, and citizens across the country. Their efforts helped persuade Congress to abandon the dam projects and strengthen protections for the canyon within Grand Canyon National Park. It became one of the most important conservation victories in American history.
Though these two rivers lie hundreds of miles apart, their stories echo each other in powerful ways. Both landscapes are breathtaking in their beauty, and both reveal something deeper about the strength of people who refuse to give up on the places they love.
Filmmaker and National Geographic naturalist Jeff Litton will weave these stories together into a compelling narrative of resilience, community, and hope. Through film, photography, and firsthand experience, he will share footage from his six rafting expeditions through the Grand Canyon alongside years of exploration and advocacy along the Bear River.
This evening offers more than stunning imagery. It is a reminder that ordinary people, working together with determination and courage, can shape the future of the landscapes around them.
Come be inspired by two rivers, two victories, and the enduring power of people standing up for what’s right. Together let’s imagine a future that celebrate.