Calming the Waters

A documentary film about reaching everyone
in the cause of environmental protection.
Even the skeptics.


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Jeffrey Mills • May 07, 2022

Prayer and Prairie

Presentations at Rothko, on the Neches River
and Mitigation banks on the Calcasieu

Setup for Jim's presentation at the Rothko Welcome Center

A Busy Week

It was a busy week of shooting. On April 30th, Jim made an Earth Church presentation at the Rothko Welcome Center, reading from, and signing copies of, his book of poetry.

Jim's reading at the Rothko event


Rothko Chapel welcome center

Jim reads poetry while floating down the Neches River

Ivory Bill Boat Tour

On the next day (May 1st) Jim set sail on the pontoon boat Ivory Bill. That day his  Earth Church presentation was given while moving through cypress trees on the Neches River, and attend by an audience eager to be enveloped by the spirituality of the Bayou.

Land under restoration to Savannah Pine Wetlands in contrast with the
commercial loblolly pine operation at right.

EIP Mitigation Bank

Finally, on May 3rd, we captured B-roll of an EIP mitigation bank in Calcasieu Parrish. This bank has returned a Savannah Pine Wetlands to a region that had formerly been used by commercial Loblolly pine monoculture stands destined for lumber. Savannah Pine Wetlands were the predominant environment in this Southern Louisiana area, and you will note the stark difference between the two: the Pine Savannah lush with prairie grasses and flowers. Thank you to our guide, Matt Conn from SEG Environmental.


Matt Conn



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    Jim's collaborator, Isabel Scurry-Chapman, speaks at Rothko Chapel event

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  • Longleaf Pine tree

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    Longleaf pine

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    Prairie flora

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    Prairie flora

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    Prairie flora

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    Neches River view

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