While a video about the transformation of land contaminated by mine waste to Cardinal Valley Habitat is in the editing stage, area residents are asked to share old photos of playing in the chats.
“We’ve heard some good stories about life before the chat piles were removed, and we are hoping Sentinel readers can help us with some snapshots from those days,” says producer Meredith Ludwig.
In the spring of last year, she and photographer Aaron Phillips started documenting the restoration work being done on what is now called Cardinal Valley.
Dave Mosby (since retired) and Scott Hamilton, of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, had suggested the area would be a great example of a city using its municipal compost to restore prairie.
Now, with five location shoots in the can, the team is deep into the edit. They plan to host the premiere screening next spring at the Route 66 Movie Theatre.
Producer Ludwig, says she thinks it is important for the movie’s audience to see what the area looked like before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began its clean-up.
Anyone who has photos of family or friends recreating in the chats is encouraged to share them by contacting the Sentinel by email at news@webbcity.net.
Ludwig has shown a teaser for the video to the Webb City Council and Webb City Area Chamber of Commerce and has received their support. The goal is for the completed video to be shown to a wide audience on TV.