Causes

There are a number of organizations and causes close to my heart.

Center for Environmental Filmmaking
I founded and directed this Center at the American University School of Communication. The mission of the Center is to train filmmakers to produce films and new media that effectively strengthen the global constituency for conservation. The 2018 annual report described roughly 20 programs at the Center, including weekly speakers, the Center Scholars program, the Mavis and Sidney John Palmer Scholarship, the Senior Scholars program, Classroom in the Wild, Eco-Comedy Video Competition, Ocean for Life (cosponsored with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the National Park Service Fellowship, EcoViews (cosponsored with Maryland Public Television), and the Student Short Film Festival.

MacGillivray Freeman Films Education Foundation
MFFED produces and funds IMAX films and companion materials. MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world's largest and most successful producer and distributor of IMAX films. I serve as president of MFFED and am on the Board.

BLUE Film Festival and Conference
This organization, led by Debbie Kinder, is devoted to ocean conservation. I serve on its Board and speak regularly at its events.

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital
EFF is devoted to conservation and led by Maryanne Culpepper. I serve on its Advisory Council and host six or so EFF events every year at American University.

International Wildlife Film Festival
I serve on the IWFF board, am a sponsor, and speak regularly at its annual festival in Missoula, MT.

Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
I used to serve on its Board, am a sponsor, and speak regularly at this biennial festival in Jackson Hole, WY.

Blue Vision Summit
The Center is a sponsor of this non-governmental organization dedicated to ocean conservation, and I speak at their meetings.

National Park Service
The Center has a thriving partnership with the National Park Service, and we are very proud of the NPS Fellowship program we created with them.

Maryland Public Television
The Center has a long and fruitful partnership with this major PBS Station.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Center has a flourishing partnership with NOAA.

Filmmakers for Conservation
This organization, which I helped co-found, has been a longtime partner of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University. I was a Board member for many years.

American Conservation Film Festival in Shepherdstown, WV
I speak regularly at this festival and gave the keynote address in November 2013.

RealScreen Summit
I speak annually at this summit in Washington, D.C., and write a regular “Best Practices” column for the bimonthly RealScreen magazine.