It's a free movie night for those interested in wildlife, especially on the San Antonio River!
This evening is the San Antonio River Authority's Third Annual Environmental Film Fest in honor of National Rivers Month.
The river authority conducts efforts throughout the year to help residents and visitors learn about the importance of the ecosystem on the San Antonio River and the surrounding areas.
But this is a special event with SARA partnering with an international environment film festival to present several short films featuring national and international subject matter on nature, wildlife, conservation, environmental justice and adventure.
SARA spokeswoman Yviand Serbones said the agency's educational and research project in the past have helped improve the river environment. One result has been the increase of volunteers picking up trash when it makes its way from north of San Antonio all the way to Olmos Basin or even the Mission Reach. And she said, there's a lot of trash.
"We've seen empty Styrofoam cups, plastic bottles that could have been recycled, all the way up to large items like mattresses and sofas. We've seen tires," she said.
During 2015, the River Authority staff and volunteers collected more than 243,000 pounds of trash from the river, including 387 tires. This accounted for more than 4,000 staff hours of effort.
SARA also will premiere its Watershed Wise Awards that recognize people and organizations from Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties who have helped raise awareness of river protection and inspire actions for healthy creeks and rivers over the last year.
The film fest tonight is free - it starts at 6 p.m. at Santikos Northwest 14 on Interstate 10.
