⚠ Rated PG-13 — some content depicts wildlife in peril, hunting & pesticide impacts
On May 15th, something is being erased.
A wolf. A bumblebee. A bat. A sturgeon. Species that have survived ice ages and mass extinctions — disappearing on our watch, because of decisions being made right now in boardrooms, legislatures, and agencies that are supposed to protect them.
This Endangered Species Day, Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance isn’t holding a candlelight vigil.
We’re watching films. And then we’re talking about what we do next.
Endangered Species Day is observed every third Friday in May. Learn more at endangered.org — home of the Endangered Species Coalition.
Join us for an evening of award-winning short films that take you inside the world of species on the edge — and the industries threatening them. These are not feel-good nature films. They are honest, urgent, and occasionally uncomfortable. That’s the point.
🎬 The Films
Short Film
A Ghost in the Making
“A wonderful and poignant short film about our disappearing bumblebees… a must-see.”
The rusty patched bumblebee has lost nearly 90% of its historic range. This film asks what we lose when we stop paying attention to the smallest, most vital creatures among us.
Short Film • Lush Cosmetics & Inder Nirwan
Trophy
The personal journey of Charlie Russell — a hunting guide who learned to see grizzly bears differently. A beautiful, inspiring look at the culture of fear and status that pervades trophy hunting, and the people who push back.
Short Film
Wake Surfing: A Threat to Our Lakes
Wake surfing boats generate wakes 3 to 5 feet high on small lakes. The massive waves, propeller wash, and ballast tanks create devastating problems for shorebirds like the piping plover — already teetering on the edge of extinction.
Feature Film
Batsies
Passionate female wildlife biologists race against the clock to save bats from wind turbines — breaking barriers while they fight to protect one of our most overlooked species. Wind energy’s hidden cost, told honestly.
Feature Film
Unnatural Enemies: The War on Wolves
One man’s fight to protect wolves in Alberta. With wolves facing delisting from the Endangered Species Act in America, the fate of wolves in Alberta is an identical preview of what awaits wolf populations in the Great Lakes region. This is not just a Canadian story. It is our story.
Short Film • The Conservation Fund
Dinosaur Fish
A remarkable long-term effort to reintroduce the lake sturgeon to the Great Lakes region. The sturgeon has survived 136 million years. This film is a testament to what patient, committed conservation can accomplish — and a reminder of how much remains at stake.
Additional Short Films on Endangered Species
More films throughout the evening on endangered species, habitat destruction, and the decisions that determine whether wildlife survives.
After the Films: Live Panel Discussion
Stay for a live conversation with wildlife advocates, scientists, and community members from Wisconsin and beyond. Not a lecture — a real discussion about what these films mean and what people like you can do about it.
Audience questions welcome. Come ready to engage.
The Endangered Species Act is under the most serious assault it has faced since it was signed into law. The safety net is being shredded in real time.
Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance • Speak for Wildlife
Watching these films together won’t fix all of that. But it’s where this kind of fight always starts — with people who care enough to show up, learn the truth, and refuse to look away.
We’ll see you May 15th.
🎟️ How to Register
This event is completely free. Here’s how to sign up in 60 seconds:
Thursday, May 15 • 6:45–9:15 PM CT
Join Us for Endangered Species Day
Free. Online. Two hours that might change how you see the wild world around you.
Get Your Free Ticket →Full event info: SpeakForWildlife.org/film
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Leave a Reply