On Saturday, September 26 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Devil’s Canyon Brewery in San Carlos, join Peninsula Open Space Trust as they host the 4th annual Representation Matters Film Festival, featuring inspiring short films from SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour that celebrate diverse voices and experiences in the outdoors. Attendees can expect an inspiring and welcoming evening of short films that highlight diverse voices and experiences in the outdoors. Their in-person event also brings the community together with free pizza, local partner organizations, and opportunities to connect with others who care about nature. For those who can’t attend in person, they also offer a virtual screening option.
In 1972, San Mateo County voters passed Measure R, creating the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) to “acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.” Herb Grench, Midpen’s General Manager, proposed forming a private land trust five years later to work privately with landowners reluctant to deal with government agencies and to raise money to supplement public funding for land conservation. With that, Peninsula Open Space Trust, POST, was born in Menlo Park, California.
POST protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since their founding, POST has protected more than 90,000 acres of permanent open space, farms, and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties.
POST’s extensive experience collaborating with partners and leveraging funds allows them to acquire and restore land effectively. To do this work well, they rely on a range of dedicated partner organizations who they collaborate with on mutual objectives, proven methods for successful land protection, and having a stewardship team who cares for each property by promoting productive use of working lands, protecting natural resources, and creating opportunities for recreation
Their five focus areas allow POST to take a holistic approach to sustaining their local ecosystem and span the variety of open space usages in their community: Public Access, Redwoods, Wildlife Linkages, Farmlands, and Coyote Valley.
POST has set a goal to acquire 20,000 acres of redwoods for protection and are currently two-thirds of the way there. Informed by scientific studies that identify critical wildlife linkages and corridors, POST works with public and private partners to connect protected lands, restore vital habitats, and improve the permeability of the landscape, helping wildlife to live freely. They also work with farm owners and operators to conserve farmland and natural resources, protecting agricultural heritage and sustaining future generations.
Megan Nguyen, Community Events Manager at Peninsula Open Space Trust, says, “Hosting a Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour event helps POST connect people to nature through powerful films and stories. It gives us a creative way to bring people together, introduce new perspectives, and inspire a deeper sense of connection and belonging in the outdoors. Our favorite part is seeing people connect with stories and perspectives they may not always see represented in outdoor spaces. Representation Matters celebrates diverse voices of adventure and reminds us that the outdoors is for everyone. The films are inspiring, joyful, and sometimes incredibly moving. We’ve had audience members laugh, cheer, and even cry during the screenings! Seeing people leave feeling inspired and connected is what makes this event so special.”
