The Magazine of the American Landowner is an essential guide for investors, landowners, and those interested in buying or selling land. The award-winning quarterly is known for its annual survey of America's largest landowners, The Land Report 100.
Issue link: http://landreport.epubxp.com/i/98309
We Sell Farm & Ranch Real Estate...Differently! Experience the Difference of an Industry Leader New Website for R Website Reck Agri Properties for Sale Blog Real Estate Services About Us Reckagripedia Social Media "I was inspired by Montana, where the landscape still felt untouched," Weeks says. "I'd known about the river in vague ways but thought that a project like this could teach us about the different stages of a river that covers this much territory." From the headwaters at Younts Peak in the Teton Wilderness, the Yellowstone River runs through some of the most spectacular and remote sections of Yellowstone National Park. It travels through the pristine Thorofare section, dumps into Yellowstone Lake, and then winds through the scenic Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Black Canyon, before leaving the park in Gardiner, which is where the film begins. In the research phase, Weeks consulted with Michael Leach, an environmental educator who knows the Yellowstone well. "There is no more important river or watershed than the Yellowstone," Leach says. "I think it's the wildest, most pristine, intact river corridor we have left, and I think that makes it the most significant and important in the U.S." Many people know that Yellowstone was the country's first national park. It is still the most popular. Yet the Yellowstone River and its importance are relatively unknown, even to locals. "Initially I saw it as a cool hook for a film — a long river trip on the longest undammed river," Weeks says. "Then I learned about the environmental concerns there, and thought about what it all really means." What Weeks learned, with help from Mike Sprague of Trout Headwater Inc., is that the Yellowstone River can serve as a great example of rivers everywhere. "I realized that many of the concepts we were to look at through this film would apply to many different areas," Weeks says. "And that was very appealing." After discussing the project in depth, Sprague jumped on board as the marquee sponsor. "I thought it was a great idea," Sprague says. "We didn't make this to generate revenue; we thought it fit with many of the things our company cares about." Along with financial support, Sprague was able to offer his knowledge of water systems to the planning process. Weeks signed on more sponsors, carefully selected a small group of river runners to serve as boat guides and cast members, and away they went. The Yellowstone is a far cry from the waterway Lewis and Clark first explored in 1805. That became especially apparent last July when an ExxonMobil oil pipeline ruptured. Weeks and his team embarked a month later. This ecological disaster features prominently in the film as landowners explain how the spill has affected their lives and their livelihood. During these clips, cleanup crews keep a watchful eye on the boats and camera crews. Episodes such as the ExxonMobil spill are part of the dynamic that makes the Yellowstone, and other rivers, ever-evolving resources. "I think change is constant, and the Yellowstone will change," Sprague says. "It's up to us and to future generations to decide how it changes and how we conserve or protect this resource." Sprague's goal in backing the film is much the same as his mission with Trout Headwaters: to help landowners improve and enhance the health and well-being of their water systems. (See "The Driving Force of All Nature? Water!" Land Report Summer 2012.) Sprague feels it imperative that landowners and other vested parties work together to better our waters. "We all share the resource — that's the wonderful thing about water — so many people have spent time around it and depend on it, and that will only grow over time." Live Auction Broadcast Bid or View Online Live Video & Audio Stream Worldwide Exposure Currently Serving CO, NE & KS Marc Reck or Troy Vo Troy Vogel, Br ogel, Broker & Associate 970-522-7770 or 1-800-748-2589 www.reckagri.com www.reckagri.com 18 TheLandReport | WINTER 2012 LANDREPORT.COM