Sierra Club founding member David Brower said: “We must begin thinking like a river if we are to leave a legacy of beauty and life for future generations.” Recognizing and enhancing that legacy was one of the inspirations behind Nanaimo Filmmaker Paul Manly’s dream to create a documentary about the Nanaimo River Watershed entitled Voices of the River. Nanaimo area REALTORS® have now made a contribution that will help pass that legacy onto the region’s future generations. Local REALTORS® have donated $1,000 toward having Manly’s film duplicated and distributed to schools throughout School District 68.
Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) Directors Kathy Koch and Jennifer Merilees (both Nanaimo REALTORS®) made the presentation Thursday, March 14 at the VIREB offices in Nanaimo. According to Manly, the teachers in the District have been very supportive of the plan to get the film into the classroom. “They recognize the film crosses a number of different parts of the curriculum,” he said. “From history and First Nations studies, to science and geography, the Nanaimo River is an integral part of the region when looked at from different perspectives.”
Manly is hoping that with the donation his film can be reproduced and distributed in time for this year’s Earth Day celebrations on April 22. “We’ve been big supporters of the film since its premiere last September,” Merilees said. “Using monies from our REALTORS Care® Fund, we help ensure that local students learn about this important watershed and its impact on the area.”
To learn more about the film, visit Manly’s website: www.manlymedia.com.
