Rewilding a Mountain

The sagebrush sea is a landscape of stark beauty and captivating wildlife, yet rapid desertification and extractive industries threaten this vast basin. But at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Southeastern Oregon, a different story unfolds. New aspen explode alongside thriving creeks, migratory birds travel thousands of miles to nest in willow branches and even the endangered sage grouse seem to be recovering in the uplands. This film unravels an unsettling controversy that challenged the core identity of the West and follows a team of scientists who ask the question: what happened here?

At a moment when public lands are under attack, fresh water is becoming increasingly scarce and climate change demands severe action, Hart Mountain may serve as a lesson deeply needed, if we’re willing to listen.

  • Trip Jennings
    Director
    Spoil, Chuitna, Mission Critical - Orangutans: National Geographic Channel
  • William Ripple
    Producer
  • Sara Quinn
    Editors
    Chuitna, Bright Spots: Mesoamerican Reef
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Environmental, Documentary
  • Runtime:
    26 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    40,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital,1080p, Sony FS7
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Trip Jennings

Trip founded Balance Media and has worked
with National Geographic for over a decade. He was named Adventurer of the Year by Nat Geo after his first project with the organization, an expedition in Papua New Guinea. Since then his films have won dozens of awards around the world and aired on major networks on every continent. Trip focuses on issues that are at a tipping point. He works to educate the public, front line communities and decision makers so they can make informed decisions about issues that affect their lives. His passion for making the world more just and sustainable is fueled by outdoor experiences, running rivers and surfing waves in Oregon and far beyond.

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