During World War II, families of Japanese Americans were interred at the Amache concentration camp in eastern Colorado. Today the camp is the Amache National Historic Site, where exploration has uncovered a lone surviving pink rose plant in the former gardens. View the Denver Botanic Garden film “Amache Rose” at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership’s upcoming film festival. Tickets are available at https://www.pagosagreen.org/environmentalfilmfestival.
By Sally High | Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership
The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership’s (GGP) 2023 film fest is all about Colorado environment — and tomatoes.
The GGP’s Environmental Film Festival is April 14 and 15 at The Springs Resort.
Nine films about Colorado or by Colorado filmmakers will be shown this year.
The GGP began our Colorado Environmental Film Festival Caravans in 2013, and the 2023 film festival continues to benefit the GGP’s educational and operational expenses.
April 14 will be the upscale Premiere Gala in the Springs’ Phoenix Room and adjacent conference space. Guests will enjoy three films and conversation with Pagosa resident and environmental filmmaker Christi Bode Skeie. There will also be a crepe buffet that offers four choices of freshly made delights. With your $50 wristband to the Premiere Gala, you are welcome to see all nine films at one of April 15’s seatings.
Two April 15 film sessions are at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The two seatings ensure that GGP supporters can see all nine films, because seating is limited to 50 guests at a time. Wristbands for either the early or late seating on Saturday cost $15. The GGP will offer snacks at both sessions. Purchase tickets at http://www.pagosagreen.org/environmentalfilmfestival.
What was that about tomatoes?
The early planners of the GGP often talked about tomatoes. Pagosa Springs vegetable gardeners know what a challenge it is to get tomatoes to ripen in our high desert, short-season environment. The GGP set out to grow year-round using our ample geothermal heat, to teach folks how to extend the growing season, and to harvest ripe tomatoes — lots of ripe tomatoes.
An anonymous GGP supporter is sprouting tomato starts for us right now. Film fest guests can purchase healthy young tomato plants at the film festival. All proceeds go to the GGP.
To get a head start on the season, some growers place tomato starts in a sunny window, turning them every few days toward the sun. Some take them into the sunshine and bring them in at night. When the chance of frost is passed, tomato plants can go into the ground or into outside containers, but gardeners may still cover plants at night to protect them against cold air.
The GGP is starting even more proven variety tomatoes in the Education Dome. The Education Dome is open now Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
What’s the GGP planning this spring?
The GGP manages three dome greenhouses in Centennial Park. The Rotary Garden features xeric plantings that demonstrate how to conserve water in ornamental landscaping. The stacked sandstone beds are fully planted, so this year community volunteers will nurture the maturing plants.
The Audubon Native Plants Garden is expected to burst with new growth after so much snow this year. Weminuche Audubon volunteers groom the Native Plants Garden and educate folks on the Riverwalk about the importance of bird-friendly landscapes. Additional GGP landscaping projects will continue with several volunteer opportunities. Of course, the GGP is planning summer programming for youth in cooperation with other local nonprofits.
Support the GGP’s dynamic operations by purchasing your tickets to the 2023 Environmental Film Festival today. Visit https://www.pagosagreen.org and encourage your friends to join you. Remember, the GGP is “growing food and community with local energy.” See you soon on the Riverwalk.
