Area residents are invited to attend a screening of a documentary highlighting the diversity found in rivers and streams in Georgia and throughout southern Appalachia. “Hidden Rivers” was years in the making.
Dunkin Elkins is a research and teaching associate in the University of Georgia’s Odum School of Ecology. He says the film gives viewers a chance to some of the most biologically diverse and beautiful waterways in North America.
“The southeastern U.S. is a global hotspot for aquatic biodiversity,” Elkins said. “When it comes to fish, muscles, crayfish, aquatic insects, even things like salamanders, we have more in this little area in the southeast than anywhere else in the world that has cool or warm water.”
Elkins says most attendees will be surprised by the vast array of aquatic life showcased in the film.
“I think viewers will be amazed at the variety of shapes and colors,” Elkins said. “There are times of the year when the water is clear and fish are bright that it looks like a coral reef. In fact, it’s even denser than a coral reef.”
A public screening, with a catered reception and Q&A with the filmmaker, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 at Ciné.
The program begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception, followed by the hour-long screening at 7:30 p.m., then a Q&A session.
Tickets are $5 per person.
A Tuesday screening scheduled for an estimated 300 professionals in town for the Georgia Water Resources Conference.
