A Simple Question: The Story of STRAW

In 1992, after her fourth-graders had watched a film on endangered species, one of Laurette Rogers' students asked a simple question: “What can we do?” Rogers helped the class “adopt” one of the threatened species, the California freshwater shrimp, and their work evolved into STRAW (Students and Teachers Restoring a Watershed), which continues to operate today under the auspices of the Bay Institute in Novato, CA. Since the organization's inception, the effort has involved 700 teachers and 20,000 students, working in partnership with ranchers, scientists, and government agencies. As a result of their commitment, 20 miles of formerly barren stream bank have been planted with 31,000 trees and shrubs, while the bird census has expanded from five species to 28. And perhaps most important, the original “adoptees”—the shrimp—are now found in new stretches of the watershed. Filmmakers David Donnenfield and Kevin White interweave scenes filmed when the project initially began with interviews of both current students and the adults who were in that first class, including the 9-year-old who asked the original question. DVD extras include extended conversations with ecologists and authors. A well-crafted and inspiring example of young people developing both eco-awareness and leadership skills, this is recommended. Aud: I, J, H, C, P. (F. Gardner)