For the Chippewa film, which I also edited, I wanted to demonstrate the scale of the operations being conducted as the USFS is a government organization, which was made possible by the Cameron Media’s work on the ground capturing the footage of seedling delivery and packing, as well as transportation to the planting site with the stunning aerial footage. It was also important to contextualize the relationships between the USFS and local Ojibwe Leech Lake band, the ancestral stewards of the forest, and we were able to arrange for an interview with their forest manager Keith Karnes to bookend the film. This was a challenging but fulfilling edit. Big thanks to both the USFS, Leech Lake Band, and Scott Kusmirek of Cameron Media.

The second video, edited by Everett Bumstead, has a somewhat different tone. Featuring just one interview with Josh LeDuc of the USFS, he explains a bit of the history of the forest and some challenges the trees have faced with a budworm infestation and a disease called Rhizosphera. I love this edit as it contrasts the Chippewa film with a more laid back, tranquil tone and culminates with an inspiring montage of the planting work on the site that leaves you with a feeling of elation and hope, driven by Josh’s easygoing demeanor.