Green Leap Forward
This event is a conscious effort of the organizers to reach into and inform the local Chinese and pan-Asian communities about environmental issues, with an emphasis on Frogs. The goal is to make this event as an enabler and as a facilitator for like-minded individuals and organizations – to network and support each other’s efforts, and to involve the local communities into metro Vancouver’s environmental efforts.
中文 Aug_program_chi
English Program Aug_program
Featured Speaker: David Wong
Emcee of the Event: Michael Morgan (English)
Presenters:
City of Richmond
Richmond Cultural Centre
UrbanTreefrog Blog
Richmond Reptile Rescue, Adoption & Education Society
Cinevolution Media Arts Society
Co-presenter:
Canadian Alliance of Chinese Associations
Special Sponsor:
Institute for Industry – University Cooperation of Visual Media in Japan
The Urban Treefrog is a personal blog written by Mr. David Wong, a Vancouver born Architect and a life-long lover of frogs, who is a vocal community activist with a very long list of community and public service accomplishments. In 2009, David was instrumental in having the 1st Annual “ World’s Save The Frogs Day” legally recognized by the Mayor of Vancouver.
The Richmond Reptile Rescue, Adoption & Education Society (RRRAES) was founded in July 2003 by Ms. Val Ellis Lofvendahl. The RRRAES is dedicated to the rescue of unwanted reptiles and to herpetological education.
Donations in support of the Richmond Reptile Rescue, Adoption & Education Society will be gratefully accepted (Tax receipts available for donations over $25)
Program
7:10 – 7:30pm - Live music , video projection
Live music is performed by musician Bernie Arai.
Video projection is designed and played by David Kim.
7:30 pm – Opening Introduction (Chinese and English)
Ongoing: Exhibition of live Frogs and Reptiles
(limited showings: dependent upon volunteers overseeing, and resting of animals)
7:40 pm – Multimedia presentation on current mass extinction of Frogs, and why it hurts people by David Wong (45 minutes)
David Wong’s presentation will cover the following topics (30 min):
1, Frogs and Amphibians dying at a rate unprecedented since the age of the Dinosaurs
2, Frogs an indication of things to come for Humans? …Frog hermaphrodites = dying Human boys
3, How humans contributed to the demise of Frogs
4, Frogs offer many pharmaceuticals and valuable medicinal research.
5, What ordinary people like you and I, can do to help
6, How Professionals can collectively and consciously influence industry behaviour
Q + A (15 min)
8:20 pm – Richmond Reptile Rescue and Education, Ms Val Ellis Lofvendahl will share information on her work and of issues relating to the problems of introduced alien species. (15 minutes)
8:35 pm 10 minute intermission and/ or more Q + A
8:45 – 1030pm Outdoor Movie Screenings
8:45 pm The Mailbox Blues (8 minutes) (Filmmaker is attendance for Q & A)
Lovely black & white film by Richmond filmmaker Tani Hansen about a tree frog living in her mailbox.
8:55 pm Q+ A
9:00 pm How to Boil A Frog ( 5 minutes) (Filmmaker is attendance for Q & A)
This is a comedic feature documentary, by Vancouver filmmaker Jon Cooksey, about a dad trying to save civilization for his daughter. The film presents an overview of the Big Mess we’re in as well as a set of personal solutions that will actually make a difference, and make your life better now.
9:10 pm Blue Symphony (Documentary, 90 minutes, 2008, HD)
Director: Takahiro Mitsuyoshi
Cast: Maomi Yuuki (Narrator), Jacques Mayol
Producer: Institute for Industry-University Cooperation of Visual Media (http://www.iicv.jp/)
Language: Japanese & French with English subtitles
Award: Tokyo International Film Festival (2008)
The late Jacques Mayol is a legendary diver and nature lover.
In his latter years, Jacques spent most of his time in Japan and often visited Karatsu. This film explores his life-long fascination with the sea and his heartfelt relationship with nature and animals, especially his beloved dolphin. Through interviews with the people who shared a time with Jacques and the beautiful nature of Karatsu, this film reveals the true self of Jacques, who has been only described as a giant, and the beauty of Karatsu that had touched Jacques deeply.
Jacques Mayol was born in Shanghai in 1927.
He was the first man in the world to descent to 100 meters (330 feet) in 1976. He followed this with yet another record-breaking drop to 105 meters (346 feet) at the age of 56. He collaborated in the writing and production of many documentary films celebrating the joy of being with nature. His life was the subject of Luc Besson’s film “The Big Blue”.
On December 22, 2001, Jacques committed suicide in Italy, at the age of 74. His ashes were spread over the Tuscany coast
