The Shire of Kalamunda, as part of the ‘Bush Skills for the Hills’ program are presenting a series of FREE films, highlighting topical environmental issues, in a fun, engaging and inspiring way.

You are invited to the third movie of the series; ‘Taking Root: The vision of Wangari Maathai’ on Tuesday evening the 25^th of May 2010.

Taking Root weaves a compelling and dramatic narrative of one woman’s personal journey in the context of the turbulent political and environmental history of her country.

In 1977, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and began teaching women about the connection between environmental problems and their daily problems. Wangari Maathai, in 2004, became the first environmentalist and first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Maathai discovered the core of her life’s work when she turned her attention to the rural women with whom she had grown up in Kenya’s central highlands. Their daily lives had become intolerable: they were walking exhaustive distances for firewood, clean water was scarce, the soil was eroding, and their children were suffering from malnutrition. One hundred years of colonialism and neo-colonialism had devastated the forests they’d lived with for centuries. “Why not plant trees?” Maathai thought. Trees provide shade, prevent soil erosion, supply firewood, building materials, and produce nutritious fruit.

‘Taking Root’ illustrates the development of Wangari Maathai’s holistic worldview and model for sustainable development.

Please visit www.takingrootfilm.com for more information.

The movies are held at the Kalamunda Performing Art Centre (48 Canning Rd, Kalamunda), commencing at 7pm. Interactive displays and guests will be showcasing their initiatives before and after the film whilst you enjoy a light snack or beverage. Its a fantastic opportunity to hear about a truly inspiring, community run environmental initiative, breaking ground in making a real, effective difference to both the environment and communities.

RSVP to joanne.woodbridge@emrc.org.au or 9424 2216 or for more information please contact Katherine Howard – katherine.howard@kalamunda.wa.gov.au or 9257 9934