Bob Foos
A new documentary about Webb City’s use of sludge-based compost to restore natural habitat was premiered before a local audience Thursday and is now being edited to hopefully be shown to a wider audience, most likely on PBS stations.
“Cardinal Valley: A Restoration Story” was shown at Route 66 Movie Theater. It was preceded by a guided walk through a part of Cardinal Valley Habitat that has been restored.
Producer Meredith Ludwig led a panel of those involved in the project, including the director, Aaron Phillips. Also answering audience questions were John Nichols, manager of the Cardinal Valley Habitat; Amera Wild, with the Friends of Cardinal Valley, and Scott Hamilton and Dave Mosby, representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
It was Hamilton and Mosby who had told Ludwig she should “see what’s happening in Webb City” with the success of the Cardinal Valley Habitat restoration.
Both the U.S. and Wildlife and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have provided funding and expertise to restore Cardinal Valley.
Ludwig’s documentary shows how sludge from the Center Creek 201 Wastewater Treatment Plant – mixed with wood chips and manure – can produce fertile compost.
The process is a financial success for Webb City because the zinc-laden sludge no longer needs to be taken to a landfill. Mixing it with the bio-solids reduces the amount of zinc content to an acceptable level.
Funding for the project was sparked in part by an initial donation from the city. Ludwig gained other donations and ultimately met her budget goal with financial help from the Dawson Heritage Foundation.
Following the screening Thursday, a reception was held at Somewhere in Time Bookshop.
Ludwig maintains the topic of the documentary is of interest at least in this region and likely statewide.
Reached Tuesday at Sweet Potato Studio in Central Missouri, Ludwig said she and Phillips are now busy tweaking the documentary before showing it to PBS.
