Pro Peninsula volunteer Rachel Tuck makes friends with a gray whale.

Screenings are March 23rd and March 25th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Ultra Star Cinema at Hazard Center, located in San Diego’s Mission Valley.

Treehuggers International is thrilled to be on board for the second year in a row as the media sponsor for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, presented locally in San Diego by Pro Peninsula.

A fund within the larger Ocean Foundation, Pro Peninsula was created in 2001 by Kama Dean and Chris Pesenti to strengthen efforts protecting the natural environment of Baja California, and in particular, reaching out to fishing communities along the length of the peninsula about the need to protect endangered sea turtle populations and safeguard the seasonal passage of gray whales along the Pacific coast.

While still largely wild, Baja California faces particular threats to its unique environments, and the need remains for strong environmental advocacy to promote social awareness and environmental participation, while promoting sustainable development alternatives. Working with local communities and a pool of local fishermen and citizens, Pro Peninsula continues to advance the cause of ocean conservation along the Baja coast, and whereas 10 years ago there were only two similar environmental organizations active in Baja, today there are near 30.

Stopping by Treehuggers International to talk about this year’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival is Giuliana Schroeder, the Communications and Marketing Manager for Pro Peninsula; and a long-time Pro Peninsula volunteer, naturalist, ocean enthusiast, and co-emcee of this year’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival, Rachel Tuck.

This year the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival moves to the Ultra Star Cinemas at Hazard Center in San Diego’s Mission Valley, located along the San Diego River just steps from the San Diego Trolley’s Hazard Center stop, and instead of one night of films, the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival has grown to two nights: March 23rd and March 25th. Screenings run from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, and are $15 per night, or both nights for $25.  VIP packages are also available in conjunction with Point Loma Outfitting, at $30 for one night or $50 for both nights.

(originally posted March 6th)

Julio Solas releases a marker off the Baja coast as part of sea turtle monitoring efforts.

More about this post at:

• Pro Peninsula Wild and Scenic Page
• About Pro Peninsula
• Point Loma Outfitting
• The Ocean Foundation
• Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
• Pro Peninsula E-Bulletin, February 2010 edition details current initiatives and festival schedule
• 35 San Diego Leaders Under 35, includes profile of Kama Dean (San Diego News Network; 1/14/10)
• Slow, Steady Wins Conservation Race (San Diego Union-Tribune; 1/19/08)

The Sea of Cortez from the Loreto coastline, along Baja California's eastern shore.

Treehuggers International once again extends thanks to Pro Peninsula for extending the media sponsorship invitation for the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival. A genuine honor for Treehuggers International to be associated with such a great set of films, echoing so many sentinents near and dear to the concept of Treehuggers International.

Our most recent conversation with Pro Peninsula Executive Director Kama Dean details the success of Pro Peninsula’s Adopt A Sea Turtle program, Pro Peninsula’s overall mission and outreach to Baja fishing communities, and some of the remote locations along the Baja coastline where Pro Peninsula operates.

More about this post at:

• Pro Peninsula
• Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
• Adopt A Sea Turtle
• Slow, Steady Wins Conservation Race (San Diego Union-Tribune; 1/19/08)