SustainaFest

We’re thrilled to share that Back to Camp 41 is now featured on WaterBear 🎉

WaterBear is a free, impact-driven streaming platform dedicated to stories that inspire action for people and the planet, often described as the “Netflix for sustainability.” It connects audiences with powerful films and meaningful ways to get involved in environmental and social change, perfectly aligning with our mission at SustainaFest!

We’re honored to have Back to Camp 41 included alongside so many impactful stories. We hope you’ll take a moment to check it out, watch, and share with your community as we continue using storytelling to spark connection and action.

Watch Here:

WaterBear: Back to Camp 41 Back to Camp 41 follows a grieving family as they return the ashes of their loved one, known as the Godfather of biodiversity, back to the Amazon.

🌿 Make a difference this Giving Tuesday!

Your support helps SustainaFest tackle today’s sustainability challenges and empower communities around the world.

💚 Donate today at www.sustainafest.org

Have you watched Back to Camp 41 yet?

If not, we encourage you to take 20 minutes out of your day to experience this powerful short film celebrating the life and legacy of Thomas Lovejoy and his groundbreaking work in the Amazon rainforest.

This inspiring story highlights the profound difference one individual can make in advancing biodiversity and protecting our planet’s most vital ecosystems. We hope our film moves you to reflect...and to act.

Watch Back to Camp 41 now:

Back To Camp 41: Tom Lovejoy's Final Journey to the Amazon This is the story of world renowned scientist and Godfather of Biodiversity Dr. Thomas Lovejoy. This short film tells of the family's expedition back to Camp...

This past week, Team Sustainafest had the honor of completing the Climate Ride — an incredible multi-day cycling journey that brings together people who care deeply about sustainability, climate action, and community.

It was an unforgettable experience, full of challenge, camaraderie, and inspiration. We are so proud of our team for their dedication and perseverance, and we are truly grateful to our supporters who encouraged us every step of the way.

Together, we raised over $16,000 to support Sustainafest’s mission and the broader work of Climate Ride. This accomplishment would not have been possible without your generosity and belief in the power of collective action.

A heartfelt thank you to our teammates, our donors, and to Climate Ride for creating such a meaningful platform to combine passion, purpose, and impact.

We’re excited to carry this momentum forward as we continue working toward a more sustainable future.

We’re officially one week away from the Climate Ride Vermont Gravel Ride!

We’re truly honored to participate in this unique event, bringing together riders and advocates who share a commitment to advancing sustainability and climate solutions. The SustainaFest team is proud to ride for the planet, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important movement.

It’s not too late to support our team — every contribution helps us go further and deepens our collective impact: https://support.climateride.org/teams/6572

Thank you for standing with us as we gear up for this meaningful journey.

Team SustainaFest Team fundraising page for Team SustainaFest

We’re thrilled to share that Sustainafest will have multiple riders participating in this year’s Climate Ride, including our very own, George Chmael II!

For those who may not know, Climate Ride is a nonprofit organization that organizes charitable endurance events to raise awareness and funds for sustainability, active transportation, and environmental causes. Riders come together from across the country to cycle, hike, and run—all while supporting the planet.

Our team will be pedaling not just for the challenge, but to raise critical support for Sustainafest’s mission: inspiring communities and future generations to build a more sustainable world.

We can’t wait to share updates from the road and hope you’ll cheer on our riders!

You can support George's ride and Sustainafest by donating at the link below. Every mile—and every dollar—makes a difference.

https://support.climateride.org/participants/George-Chmael-2025/donate

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy, a dear friend, visionary, and guiding light in global conservation.

Tom’s groundbreaking work in biodiversity reshaped how we understand our relationship with nature, but it was his warmth, generosity, and hope that left the deepest mark on all who knew him.

In his honor, our award-winning short film Back to Camp 41 is now available to watch for free. The film captures Tom’s final journey to the Amazon rainforest, the place that inspired his lifelong commitment to protecting our planet.

Visit the link below to watch Back to Camp 41 on our YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH6GELvr5sg

As we remember Tom, we invite you to carry his vision forward by cherishing and protecting the natural world!

Back To Camp 41: Tom Lovejoy's Final Journey to the Amazon This is the story of world renowned scientist and Godfather of Biodiversity Dr. Thomas Lovejoy. This short film tells of the family's expedition back to Camp...

In case you missed it, this past Tuesday, we had the honor of collaborating with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to host a screening of our film Back to Camp 41, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion on Biodiversity in the Bay.

It was an evening filled with powerful storytelling, inspiring dialogue, and a shared commitment to protecting our natural world. We’re deeply grateful to our incredible panelists - Tony Hiss, Paula Ehrlich, Mike Slattery, and our very own George Chmael II, for their willingness to share their heartwarming stories, powerful insights, and unwavering passion. A special thank you to moderator Astrid Caldas and the Chesapeake Bay Trust for making this event possible.

As Betsy Lovejoy shared in the film about her father, Dr. Thomas Lovejoy: “He knew the importance of bringing people together.” That sentiment is at the heart of everything we do, and we are so thankful to everyone who was able to join us; you made this gathering meaningful, and your presence helped carry Dr. Lovejoy’s legacy forward.

If you couldn’t attend, stay tuned! We’ll be announcing a virtual screening of Back to Camp 41 and a panel discussion soon! We are thrilled to keep the momentum going and continue building this community of action and hope.

At a time when:

🌍 46,300 species are threatened with extinction,

🌊 Plastic in our oceans could outweigh fish in just 25 years,

🔥 Global CO2 emissions are 182x higher than in 1850,

🌡 3.6 billion people face high vulnerability to climate impacts...

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But hope is not naïve — it’s necessary.

At SustainaFest, we believe in turning facts into fuel for action. The environmental crisis demands more than awareness — it demands connection, creativity, and collective leadership.

We’re building a future powered by collaboration across disciplines: artists, scientists, activists, and innovators all working in concert to meet the challenge of our time.

The gap between what is and what could be has never been greater. But neither has our capacity to bridge it — if we act together.

Let’s lead with courage. Let’s create with urgency. Let’s choose optimism.

We have been so fortunate this year to have had Back to Camp 41 circle the globe to much acclaim, but we have one more piece of good news to announce! One of our longtime supporters has agreed to double all gifts up to $5,000 made before MIDNIGHT tonight. Please make a gift NOW to take advantage of this generous challenge by visiting our website here: https://www.sustainafest.org/ways-to-give

What a truly amazing year! Thanks in large part to your support and encouragement, 2024 saw SustainaFest make tremendous strides on its mission to empower global change through storytelling and collaboration.

We are proud to recognize that with screenings at 14 events, reaching over 45 communities across all seven continents, our film won awards, sparked meaningful dialogue, and resonated deeply with audiences. Each showing reinforced the profound legacy of Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, inspiring individuals to engage in the vital effort to protect our planet.

Visit our website to read about the exciting upcoming opportunities for Sustainafest and how together, we will create an even greater impact in 2025!

The countdown is on—just 3 days until Giving Tuesday! Your support will amplify stories of hope, innovation, and action for our planet. Visit our website at www.sustainafest.org to learn how you can get involved!

SustainaFest Empowering global change through storytelling and collaboration. Learn More Be Inspired. Take Action. We drive global progress by curating authentic, science-based narratives that inspire action toward a sustainable and equitable future for all. Through storytelling and strategic collaborations, we....