Institute hosts Stewart Udall documentary at Nicholas School

The Park Institute of America and the Duke Conservation Society will host a brand new documentary film on the amazing life and achievements of possibly the most impactful 20th century American conservationist, Stewart Udall. This 78-minute film features interviews with Park Institute Advisor and former National Park Service Director Robert Stanton, former U.S. Senator Tom Udall, The Honorable Deb Haaland, and other pioneers of American environmental and social justice. Attendees can stick around to discuss the role of storytelling in the current conservation discourse with an interview of the film’s award-winning producer/director, John de Graaf, facilitated by Udall Scholar and Duke Native American/Indigenous Student Alliance President, Quinn Smith.

Stewart Udall was arguably the most effective environmentalist in American history, especially remembered for his avid support of legislation mandating clean air and water, preservation of wilderness areas, restrictions on pesticides, reclamation of strip mining, and the establishment of Wild and Scenic Rivers and National Trails systems, while changing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to provide greater self-determination for Native tribes.

He fought tirelessly for the protection of our planet and its natural beauty. He was the first public official to speak out against global warming. He worked to end Jim Crow policies and personally recruited many of the first African American park rangers into the National Park Service. But a film on his life and accomplishments has never been made… until now.