ECO-HACK!
Directed by Josh Izenberg, Brett Marty
Produced by Josh Izenberg, Brett Marty
United States | English | 17' | Documentary
Biologist Tim Shields has watched desert tortoise populations in the Mojave Desert plummet since the 1990s. The latest threat? Ballooning populations of ravens, thanks to increased human activity in the desert. Tired of "taking notes on a quiet catastrophe," Tim quits traditional observational biology in exchange for direct intervention. Building specialized drones, desert rovers, laser cannons, and fake exploding tortoise shells, Tim is waging a technological war on ravens in a last ditch effort to save the species, and prove that innovation, technology, and imagination may be the last hope for saving the planet.
If, like me, you feel helpless when you think about issues like climate change and the biodiversity crisis, you will appreciate this film about a dynamic duo using their creativity and a 3D printer to save tortoises from extinction. Tim Shields and Frank Guercio are inspiring role models, showing us that with a bit of ingenuity we can in fact turn the tide and protect the beauty of our world. — Kath Tolentino, Programmer
Playing with