Students' contest videos explore Carson River

Winners of the Carson River Coalition Education Working Group's "Keep Streamsides Greener, Keep Water Cleaner" contest will be announced at the Carson River Film Festival, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Carson City Sheriff's Building, 911 E. Musser St.

"We're excited to show off the entries from this year's contest," said Sue Donaldson, coalition member and University of Nevada Cooperative Extension water quality specialist. "We have some fresh approaches to issues on the Carson River."

The one- to three-minute information videos focus on how the Carson River benefits people and the community as a whole. All entries were required to include an "action" message that prompts people to take steps to help protect the river. The contest is sponsored by the Carson River Coalition Education Working Group.

A panel of judges has reviewed the entries and will announce the winners at the festival, which is free and open to the public. Winners of the competition will receive cash and other prizes and have their work shown at the film festival.

Donaldson explained that riparian areas are sensitive ecosystems occurring along water courses or in water bodies. They have unique soil and plants, and work to store water in a way that helps reduce floods, stabilize streambanks from erosion, filter water for higher quality, provide habitat for birds, mammals and fish, and provide a place for recreation.

Students from schools within the Carson River watershed were invited to enter this year's competition, which is designed to spark creative messages about preserving, protecting and restoring the river and its sensitive shoreline.

The working group includes the Audubon Society, Carson Water Subconservancy District, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and River Wranglers.