Positives

• This film provides a relevant example of government policies that have far-reaching impacts on local communities and the climate.
• Students will learn about the Tongass National Forest and the fight to protect the last large swath of temperate rainforest.

Additional Prerequisites

• Before viewing, it may be helpful to show students the location of the Tongass National Forest and Prince of Wales Island on a map.
• The narrator uses a swear word (holy s**t) at 13:20.
• Teachers may want to explain the terms clear-cut logging, old-growth forests, and temperate rainforests before watching the film.

Differentiation

• This film is 40 minutes long. If time is a constraint, consider showing students a clip from 28:47 to 31:18. This clip describes why cutting down old-growth trees is bad for the environment and why it's so important to protect the remaining old-growth forests on Earth.
• Economics or social studies classes could use this film to discuss how the government should regulate national forests and the logging industry.
• Biology or science classes could discuss land use, deforestation, and the environmental benefits of protecting unique ecosystems like temperate rainforests.
• Teachers can pair this film with this interactive map on global forests and land use or this article on the formation and destruction of rainforests.