Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge Announces 2026 Winter Film Festival
2026-03-05 00:00 - 2026-03-19 23:59 UTC
Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge Announces 2026 Winter Film Festival

Three Thursday evenings in March dedicated to exploring wildlife, science, and conservation in the Great Lakes

The Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge will host their 2026 Winter Film Festival on three consecutive Thursday evenings in March at the Erickson Center Pine Performance Center. This year’s festival theme, Science, Stories & Wildlife of the Great Lakes, invites audiences to look more closely at the natural systems and conservation efforts shaping the region.

The festival opens on Thursday, March 5, with a live presentation, Owls of Whitefish Point, featuring wildlife photographers and field biologists Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley. Drawing on nearly two decades of owl banding experience, the presenters will share firsthand stories and research insights into snowy owl migration and long-term monitoring in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The presentation is a partnership between Friends of Whitefish Point and Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge.

On Thursday, March 12, audiences will enjoy All Too Clear, a visually stunning exploration of the Great Lakes beneath the surface. Using cutting-edge underwater drone technology, the film reveals how invasive quagga mussels are transforming freshwater ecosystems in the Great Lakes—and how scientists are racing to understand and respond to these changes. This will be one of the first screenings of this award winning Canadian-produced film in the US. Elliot Nelson, Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State Extension, will be available to answer questions after the film.

The festival concludes on Thursday, March 19, with the documentary Return of the Trumpeters, which chronicles the remarkable recovery of trumpeter swans following their near extinction. The 90-minute film, produced by Steve Devon, is a project of the Trumpeter Swan Society and includes spectacular footage of Seney’s swans. The film highlights the dedication, collaboration, and conservation strategies that helped restore this iconic species to Great Lakes wetlands. A Seney ranger will be on hand to answer questions after the film.

All events will be held at the Erickson Center’s Pine Performance Center, W9224 Saw-Wa-Quato, Curtis Michigan. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with programs beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Concessions will be available by donation.

Proceeds from the Winter Film Festival support the mission of the Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with the refuge through education, outreach, and conservation support.

For more information, email friends@friendsofseney.org
