Poster announcing Cardinal Valley: A Restoration Story with premiere screening details (June 4, 2026, Route 66 Movie Theater, Webb City, Missouri); background shows a field of yellow wildflowers, a dirt road with a truck, and a riverbank with people exploring.
The movie poster for "Cardinal Valley: A Restoration Story." Photography by Aaron Phillips; design by Kira Gresoski. Tickets go on sale at Route 66 Movie Theater online April 30.

Tickets on sale now for local premiere of Webb City's habitat restoration documentary

 

Webb City residents will get the chance to see their very own town on the big screen on Thursday, June 4, 6:30 pm at Route 66 Movie Theater. The premiere screening of Cardinal Valley: A Restoration Story tells of nearly 1000 acres of Missouri land being restored and preserved as a park and natural habitat.

The documentary started with a conversation in Columbia, Missouri. Producer Meredith Ludwig was visiting with Dave Mosby and Scott Hamilton—both with U.S. Fish and Wildlife at the time—when she asked them to name the best habitat success story they’d worked on. Without hesitation, both pointed to Cardinal Valley, a scarred stretch of the Tri-State Mining District, now being restored through a municipal compost program. Amera Wild, who has been photographing the landscape and its wildlife for years, described the transformation, saying she watched it change, “from waste to wonder.”

Following the screening of the film, the audience will be invited to stay for a Q&A, story sharing and a reception across the street at Somewhere in Time Bookshop. Early in the day, John Nichols, Webb City Habitat Restoration Manager, will conduct a Prairie Walk. Check the website for more information as it develops. cardinalvalleyfilm.com

There are many organizations and people to thank for making this possible; Dawson Heritage Foundation, the City of Webb City, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Bluebird Composting, Vidwest Studios and so many friends.