New Jersey Conservation Foundation announced today that it is partnering with documentary filmmaker Jared Flesher, of “SOURLANDS” a film about the Sourland Mountains, to help secure financial support for The Creature Show, a new internet video series about New Jersey’s threatened and endangered animals.
“We’re pleased to partner with Jared on this exciting project,” said Michele S. Byers, Executive Director. “New Jersey has salamanders, bats, snakes, birds, turtles and many more species that are struggling due to habitat loss, invasive species, diseases and climate change. Jared believes that by telling their stories, more New Jerseyans will come to appreciate these unique and fascinating creatures and get involved in efforts to help them.”
The first episode of The Creature Show, focusing on New Jersey’s salamanders, was funded through a $10,000 Kickstarter campaign and had its web debut on July 15.
Realizing that grants and individual donations will be needed to fund future episodes, Flesher approached New Jersey Conservation Foundation to become a fiscal sponsor. Through the new partnership, New Jersey Conservation Foundation will accept and process funds to support The Creature Show. New Jersey Conservation Foundation will also help The Creature Show reach a larger audience.
“New Jersey Conservation is one of the state’s most prominent environmental organizations, and it’s exciting to partner with them,” said Flesher, a resident of East Amwell Township in Hunterdon County. “I think the missions of The Creature Show and New Jersey Conservation Foundation are closely aligned, which is to preserve biodiversity in New Jersey.”
To view the first Creature Show episode and learn more about the project, visit www.creatureshow.com. Upcoming Creature Show episodes will feature threatened and endangered bats; threatened and endangered snakes of the Pine Barrens, and bobcats.
Flesher’s previous documentaries include “The Farmer and the Horse,” “Sourlands” and “Field Biologist.” Also involved in filming The Creature Show is cinematographer Christian Schuller of Morristown.
New Jersey Conservation Foundation is a private nonprofit that preserves land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all. Since 1960, New Jersey Conservation has protected 125,000 acres of open space – from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens to the Delaware Bayshore, from farms to forests to urban and suburban parks. For more information about the Foundation’s programs and preserves, go to www.njconservation.org or call 1-888-LAND-SAVE (1-888-526-3728).
