Project Summary

Residents of Central Ohio unite to share experiences of the Olentangy River and to define common ground for action. Project participants will create a narrative film of the river by interviewing people from diverse perspectives. The film will serve as the basis for dialogue.

About me

I was born within a stone's throw of the Olentangy River, and I've always felt connected to the river. I still have vivid memories of playing in the flowing water at Highbanks Park. I've spent much of my adult life in Guatemala, where I documented human rights abuses of returned refugees and founded a middle school for Maya youth. In Guatemala, I became involved in opposing a hydroelectric dam that would have flooded several villages. That experience caused me to reflect on how closely our sense of community is tied to our waterways. Thus, when I returned to Columbus last year to be closer to my family, I was delighted to find work as the coordinator for Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW). Although I am applying for this grant as an individual, not as a representative of FLOW, my job has allowed me to build fantastic connections with people from all walks of life who have been touched by the river, and I believe that those connections will lead to others. Each person can inspire others to dialogue and action. So far I've sat down with three others who will play a key role in this project. Vince Mazeika introduced me to the River Isar movie and sparked the whole concept. Ty Pierce is a local videographer who has volunteered his time on a number of projects. And Susan Barrett is a local resident who has inspired people in her neighborhood to protect and care for their ravine. Each of these people in turn has connections to many others.