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when you want Giant screen theateryou’re likely thinking of those immersive documentaries that take you into volcanoes, the depths of the ocean, mountaintops, or distant planets. Or those widescreen movies that immerse you in the backstage experience of iconic rock stars or Hollywood special effects.
But this year, Ohio is using the technology to tell a story of an environmental comeback closer to home.
“Ohio: Wild at Heart” features the state’s No. 1 park system, highlighting wildlife conservation efforts and the resilience of outdoor recreation. The $2.5 million project, paid for with information and education funds, took more than a year to film, drew crowds at science museums across the state and will make its way into classrooms next year.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz called it “a love letter to our mission of protecting natural resources and expanding exploration opportunities.”
Narrated by Ohio State football great Archie Griffin, the documentary paints a sweeping portrait of the state’s landscape—from the lighthouse-dotted shores of Lake Erie in the north to the towering limestone formations of the Hocking Hills in the foothills to the south.
Given the historical context, these efforts are of enormous significance. The 1969 Cuyahoga River fire in Cleveland sparked the modern environmental movement and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Just before the 50th anniversary of the fire six years ago, the fish in the river have once again been declared safe to eat.
Ohio: Wild at Heart features more environmental success stories. These include a former Black Hawk pilot’s successful efforts to relocate rare trumpeter swans to Ohio’s swamps and wildlife biologists’ plans to repopulate once-endangered bald eagles. Governor of Ohio, Republican Mike DeWineand his wife, Fran, showcase family-friendly nature trails lined with pages of children’s stories known as “Storybook Trails.”
natureMental health benefits are also highlighted.
“people “It feels like you have to go far away to experience nature,” said a naturalist on the screen. “We restore nature, and nature restores us,” said a volunteer.
People in the film praise a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, kayaking, bird watching, ice fishing and dog sledding, for being restorative, good for mental health, fighting loneliness and saving self-esteem.
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Video journalist Patrick Avtullah-Osagos contributed to this report.