October 4, 2005 – Shirley Luna

University to host public viewing of PBS documentary

Stephen F. Austin State University will host a public viewing today of a PBS documentary, "The Fire Next Time," dealing with a group of Flathead Valley, Mont., citizens caught in a battle between the forces of economic development, environmental activism and anti-government extremism. Following the show, individuals representing local agencies, including Temple Inland, the Pineywoods Sierra Group and the U.S. Forest Service, will present their views during a panel discussion.

According to Dr. Theresa Coble, SFA assistant professor of forestry, the filmmakers contend that land-use issues, exacerbated by environmental conflict, global economic change and festering racial discords, are testing many communities and may have turned rural America into today's political front line. The show seeks to find out how the contentiousness in the Flathead Valley, Mont., could take such a bitter and destructive turn and, once taken, how a community can marshal the will to pull itself back.

"The premise of this event is that a thoughtful look at an 'extreme case' can provide insights to guide partnership and decision-making efforts in natural resource management in communities across the country," Coble said.

Coble said the public is invited to attend the event, which is free of charge and will begin at 7 p.m. in the Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building.

SFA's Environmental Communications and Interpretation class, taught by Coble, is hosting the viewing of the documentary, which was originally broadcast on PBS July 12. Luther Dover, an SFA environmental science student, will moderate the panel discussion and a question-and-answer session. The Texas Society of American Foresters also will participate in the discussion.

For more information, call the SFA Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at (936) 468-3301.