Wednesday, April 5, noon to 1 p.m., Western Institute of Lifelong Learning (WILL) presents its first spring of '23 Lunch and Learn. WILL invites the public to the free presentation at the ABC room of the Besse Forward Global Resource Center, W. 12th and Kentucky Streets.
Simon Sotelo III, community organizer and film producer for the Gila Field School, presents the work of the school that resulted from coordination between the creative media institute of New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the National Forest Service.
Sotelo will show a completed video as well as trailers produced by 13 students who explored the Gila Wilderness for 10 days in August, 2022.
Leia Barnett, of the Guardians of the Wilderness, will Join Sotelo through video link.
"We found that our film students brought fresh eyes, a new way to interpret the wilderness," Sotelo says. The students' short videos are forming a part of a fourth-grade curriculum.
Even though the videos and other interpretive materials will be for New Mexico , according to Sotelo, most of the elementary students-- like the filmmakers themselves--haven't experienced a wilderness. "Our NMSU students were chosen to relate to those who usually don't hike wilderness trails, meeting persons in the wilderness or nearby, to understand the cultural, economic and ecological contexts of territory untouched by modern influences."
Because of the success of the Gila school, judged by student responses and work, Sotelo noted that NMSU may expand the outreach to a wider range of film students and to wilderness areas other than the Gila. He foresees further partnerships with the Forest Service and conservation organizations.
WILL cooperates with the Silver City Museum, which sponsors its Community Conversations on selected Saturdays. The next program will occur April 15, 11 a.m., at the Silco Theater. Susan Berry, former museum director, will present "A Sundry Mosaic: Clubs, Associations and Societies in Silver City.
WILL, associated with WNMU, offers free programs as an extension of its community commitment to persons taking WILL courses, joining for their brain, staying for their heart and volunteering which often leads to a longer life. More information is available at its Internet site: will.community.