LOS OLIVOS, Calif. — A local nonprofit is using film to draw residents closer to the natural world. The NatureTrack Film Festival opened at the Santa Ynez Valley Grange Hall, featuring a sneak peek of National Geographic’s Animal Oddballs and the California premiere of Frost Without Snow and Ice, a 13‑year portrait of a polar bear and the broader impacts of climate change.
Building Empathy Through Storytelling
Founder Sue Eisaguirre explained that watching a single animal over many years helps audiences develop personal empathy. “It creates empathy for that species, but also makes you realize it’s a bigger issue,” she said.
NatureTrack, a Santa Barbara County nonprofit, was created to make outdoor experiences more accessible, including for schoolchildren and people with mobility challenges. The festival extends that mission by using storytelling to spark curiosity about wildlife, conservation and the environment.
Local Reach Expands
After the opening night in Los Olivos, the festival brought additional screenings to the Alcázar Theatre in Carpinteria, extending its reach to another Santa Barbara County community.
Eisaguirre emphasized that fostering a love for nature encourages people to protect it. “When people have that intrinsic love of something, you want to protect it,” she said. “If they fall in love with nature and see how fun it is, see how amazing it is, and see ways that they can make a difference, then it’s good for everyone.”
Looking Ahead
Organizers hope audiences leave the theater with a fresh appreciation for the natural world and a desire to learn more about the environmental stories on screen. “I hope you leave thinking, ‘Wow, that was amazing. I can’t believe I just saw that,’” Eisaguirre added.
NatureTrack plans to continue offering nature and wildlife films to the community, with more screenings slated throughout the coming year.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
