The third event in the "Fall Old Forest Film Series", which is co-sponsored by a group of Connecticut organizations as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026. The series features four New England Forests films.
The first event of the series, a screening of "The Lost Forests of New England", was held in September; the second was a presentation of "The Return of Old Growth Forests", held in October. Both presentations were well attended, attesting to the significant interest there is in preserving and promoting America's old forests.
"Old Growth Forests - Nature's Biotic Water Pump" will be screened as part 3 of the series.
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In last month's film, atmospheric physicist Anastassia Makarieva introduced us to the "Biotic Pump" theory (which she co-authored), which describes how old, native, natural forests effectively "pump" atmospheric fresh water inland from the sea to themselves (and us!); it also accounts for the little-known but vastly significant role that old forests play in stabilizing Earth's climate, moderating temperatures, storms, and droughts.
November's film will expand on the Biotic Pump topic, further describing how critically important old, natural forests are to us, and all terrestrial creatures. Historically, much of the global forests that have created the conditions we need for life have been treated as an unlimited resource to be exploited, resulting in hot, arid conditions in many parts of the world. While we do need to use this resource, we likewise need to respect that it is limited, and we must be much wiser in allowing as much of it as possible to grow to its maximum ecological potential, else suffer the consequences.
This film series, held at the Simsbury (CT) Public Library, is co-sponsored by Simsbury Grange; Real Art Ways; Simsbury Public Library; the Avon, Canton, Granby, Simsbury and Traprock Ridge Land Trusts; and North Woods Land Conservancy.
At 6pm on Thursday, November 19, 2026, there will be a brief reception at the library, followed by the one-hour film at 6:30, then a Q&A session with filmmaker Ray Asselin and Trinity College Professor Susan Masino.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Seating is limited to about 100, so registration is required, at the Simsbury Public Library website.
The library is located at 725 Hopmeadow St. in Simsbury, CT.
