Monkey Wrench Films Presents: Preserved
PRESERVED
The planet can heal. It starts with us.
Directed by Ben Clark
Contact: Henry Lystad / Monkey Wrench Films / henry@monkeywrenchfilms.com
Preserved unveils Vermejo—a 558,000-acre living laboratory where rarely seen wildlife behaviors unfold: bears stealing mountain lion kills, microscopic life thriving in seasonal potholes, and animals adapting to a rapidly changing world. In this feature-length documentary, scientists, ranchers, and conservationists reveal how the seemingly impossible has been achieved here, from North America's largest native trout restoration to the return of beaver, elk, and bison. Rich in discovery and layered with human history, Vermejo stands as the pinnacle of conservation in the U.S.—and a bellwether for what’s possible elsewhere.
In 1996, media mogul Ted Turner purchased this vast expanse in northern New Mexico and launched an ambitious conservation vision. Vermejo’s iconic Park Plateau has been home to Indigenous communities, homesteaders, and roaming herds of bison and elk. In the 19th century, mining stripped the land, leaving scars that would take generations to heal.
Shot over more than 130 days, Preserved takes viewers deep into this breathtaking landscape, following the passionate stewards working to restore this thriving ecosystem. In an era of wildfires, drought, and species collapse across the American Southwest, Vermejo is living proof that restoration is not only possible—it’s happening. And it’s a blueprint for what comes next.
Featuring insights from leading conservationist Kris Tompkins, wildlife ecologist Sophie Gilbert, beloved author Craig Childs, and Vermejo’s on-the-ground experts Gus Holm, Lance Bernal, and scene-stealer Roy Pillmore.
PRESERVED is more than a film—it’s a call to action. From farmers to hikers and hunters, we all have a role to play in ecosystem restoration. Our impact campaign will unearth sustainable practices that serve as a blueprint for healing our planet. We’ll use the film to mobilize key audiences seeking to reconnect with nature and deepen their role in preservation and stewardship. The campaign will also offer a range of enthusiasts opportunities to share local practices and take action—all while nurturing their favorite pastimes.
To inquire about hosting a screening, contact:
Henry Lystad / Monkey Wrench Films / henry@monkeywrenchfilms.com
“It was risky to step away from the world I had known—a world of action sports and mountain summits—to explore this one. But this is the positive story I needed—we all need to know—to secure a future we can believe in.”
—Ben Clark
“You can change the story, even one as complex as the one we're swimming in today.”
—Kris Tompkins, Co-Founder, Tompkins Conservation
Learn more at: preservedproductions.com
About the Preserved Productions Team
Ben Clark
Director Ben Clark is an adventure filmmaker and former Himalayan ski mountaineer. He directed The Snowman Trek, a documentary on Bhutanese and ultrarunners’ high-altitude collaboration, which screened in 400 theaters. The youngest person to lead a successful Everest expedition, Ben has filmed stories around the world highlighting endurance, climate, and exploration. He is a member of the Protect Our Winters Creative Alliance.
Mary Anne Potts
Executive Producer Mary Anne Potts began her career at National Geographic at 23, ultimately leading its Adventure brand from print to a major digital presence. She later helped launch a Gen Z-focused video media company and brought her content expertise to Indigo Agriculture, telling climate-forward stories about farming, science, and sustainability.Special Q & A after the movie with film maker Ben Clark
PRESERVED
The planet can heal. It starts with us.
Directed by Ben Clark
Preserved unveils Vermejo—a 558,000-acre living laboratory where rarely seen wildlife behaviors unfold: bears stealing mountain lion kills, microscopic life thriving in seasonal potholes, and animals adapting to a rapidly changing world. In this feature-length documentary, scientists, ranchers, and conservationists reveal how the seemingly impossible has been achieved here, from North America's largest native trout restoration to the return of beaver, elk, and bison. Rich in discovery and layered with human history, Vermejo stands as the pinnacle of conservation in the U.S.—and a bellwether for what’s possible elsewhere.
In 1996, media mogul Ted Turner purchased this vast expanse in northern New Mexico and launched an ambitious conservation vision. Vermejo’s iconic Park Plateau has been home to Indigenous communities, homesteaders, and roaming herds of bison and elk. In the 19th century, mining stripped the land, leaving scars that would take generations to heal.
Shot over more than 130 days, Preserved takes viewers deep into this breathtaking landscape, following the passionate stewards working to restore this thriving ecosystem. In an era of wildfires, drought, and species collapse across the American Southwest, Vermejo is living proof that restoration is not only possible—it’s happening. And it’s a blueprint for what comes next.
Featuring insights from leading conservationist Kris Tompkins, wildlife ecologist Sophie Gilbert, beloved author Craig Childs, and Vermejo’s on-the-ground experts Gus Holm, Lance Bernal, and scene-stealer Roy Pillmore.
7:00pm Show - Admission is 21 and Over Unless Accompanied By a Parent
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PRESERVED
The planet can heal. It starts with us.
Directed by Ben Clark
Contact: Henry Lystad / Monkey Wrench Films / henry@monkeywrenchfilms.com
Preserved unveils Vermejo—a 558,000-acre living laboratory where rarely seen wildlife behaviors unfold: bears stealing mountain lion kills, microscopic life thriving in seasonal potholes, and animals adapting to a rapidly changing world. In this feature-length documentary, scientists, ranchers, and conservationists reveal how the seemingly impossible has been achieved here, from North America's largest native trout restoration to the return of beaver, elk, and bison. Rich in discovery and layered with human history, Vermejo stands as the pinnacle of conservation in the U.S.—and a bellwether for what’s possible elsewhere.
In 1996, media mogul Ted Turner purchased this vast expanse in northern New Mexico and launched an ambitious conservation vision. Vermejo’s iconic Park Plateau has been home to Indigenous communities, homesteaders, and roaming herds of bison and elk. In the 19th century, mining stripped the land, leaving scars that would take generations to heal.
Shot over more than 130 days, Preserved takes viewers deep into this breathtaking landscape, following the passionate stewards working to restore this thriving ecosystem. In an era of wildfires, drought, and species collapse across the American Southwest, Vermejo is living proof that restoration is not only possible—it’s happening. And it’s a blueprint for what comes next.
Featuring insights from leading conservationist Kris Tompkins, wildlife ecologist Sophie Gilbert, beloved author Craig Childs, and Vermejo’s on-the-ground experts Gus Holm, Lance Bernal, and scene-stealer Roy Pillmore.
PRESERVED is more than a film—it’s a call to action. From farmers to hikers and hunters, we all have a role to play in ecosystem restoration. Our impact campaign will unearth sustainable practices that serve as a blueprint for healing our planet. We’ll use the film to mobilize key audiences seeking to reconnect with nature and deepen their role in preservation and stewardship. The campaign will also offer a range of enthusiasts opportunities to share local practices and take action—all while nurturing their favorite pastimes.
To inquire about hosting a screening, contact:
Henry Lystad / Monkey Wrench Films / henry@monkeywrenchfilms.com
“It was risky to step away from the world I had known—a world of action sports and mountain summits—to explore this one. But this is the positive story I needed—we all need to know—to secure a future we can believe in.”
—Ben Clark
“You can change the story, even one as complex as the one we're swimming in today.”
—Kris Tompkins, Co-Founder, Tompkins Conservation
Learn more at: preservedproductions.com
About the Preserved Productions Team
Ben Clark
Director Ben Clark is an adventure filmmaker and former Himalayan ski mountaineer. He directed The Snowman Trek, a documentary on Bhutanese and ultrarunners’ high-altitude collaboration, which screened in 400 theaters. The youngest person to lead a successful Everest expedition, Ben has filmed stories around the world highlighting endurance, climate, and exploration. He is a member of the Protect Our Winters Creative Alliance.
Mary Anne Potts
Executive Producer Mary Anne Potts began her career at National Geographic at 23, ultimately leading its Adventure brand from print to a major digital presence. She later helped launch a Gen Z-focused video media company and brought her content expertise to Indigo Agriculture, telling climate-forward stories about farming, science, and sustainability.