News Release

River of Change - Missouri National Recreational River Premier Showing

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 26, 2018

Contact: Daniel Peterson, 605-665-0209 ext 23

River of Change – a new film of the Missouri National Recreational River will premiere on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the Dakota Theater located on Walnut Street in downtown Yankton, South Dakota.

“River of Change features the Missouri National Recreational River in all seasons with stunning views of its scenery, fish and wildlife, ecology, geology, history, and recreational values that made it eligible for designation in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1978,” said says Rick Clark, Missouri National Recreational River Superintendent. “Over the course of the last three years the National Park Service has worked to develop the park’s first ever visitor educational film.”

The film is intended to provide glimpses of the river in every season for first-time visitors to the Missouri National Recreational River. As a unit of the National Park Service, the 98 miles of the river is not only home to a variety of wildlife, but home to people that have lived along its edges. The film includes interviews from landowners, anglers, hunters, recreational boaters and the people who have been connected to this sacred river for thousands of years; the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, Santee Sioux Tribe, and the Yankton Sioux Tribe.

Missouri National Recreational River protects 98 miles of relatively natural, free-flowing river, from Fort Randall Dam at Pickstown, South Dakota to Ponca State Park, Nebraska; excludes Lewis and Clark Lake. The park also includes 20 miles of the lower Niobrara River and 8 miles of the lower Verdigre Creek, both of which are tributaries of the Missouri River. Established in 1978, the stretches of the river that Congress designated as Wild and Scenic flows fast and wide through shale and chalk bluffs where willows and cottonwoods, and bur oak trees flourish. Wildlife is abundant. Bald eagles, deer, turkey, piping plovers and least terns are among those often seen along this significant flyway for migratory birds.

River of Change was produced by Argentine Productions of Mt Lebanon, Pennsylvania, under contract with the National Park Service. The production features amazing aerial and scenic views of the river, up-close wildlife photography, and interviews of people that call the river their home and place to recreate. Argentine Productions also created five short videos for the MNRR’s website (www.nps.gov/mnrr) that will be made available after the November 10, 2018 premiere. River of Change will be available for viewing at the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, Niobrara and Ponca State Parks, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, and at the National Park Service headquarters building located in Yankton during regular business hours. 

Can’t make the premiere showing at the Dakota Theater? Additional showings of the film will be offered in Lynch Nebraska, Vermillion and Wagner South Dakota. The free events are sponsored by the Friends of the Missouri National Recreational River who will provide complimentary popcorn and refreshments (e.g. non-alcoholic beverages) at the Dakota and Wagner Theaters before each showing.
 

• Saturday, November 10: Two evening showings at the Dakota Theater in Yankton, SD, one beginning at 7:00 p.m., and one beginning at 8:00 p.m. Address: 328 Walnut Street.
• Saturday, November 17: Matinee showing at 2:00 p.m. at the Lynn Theater, Lynch, NE. Address: 135 4^th Street.
• Saturday, November 17: Matinee showing at 4:00 p.m. at the Wagner Theater, Wagner, SD Address: 218 Main Avenue South.
• Monday, November 19: One evening showing at the Coyote Twin Theater, Vermillion, SD Theater beginning at 7:00 p.m. Address: 10 E Main Street.

No tickets are required and seating will be on a first come, first serve basis. The film is approximately 20 minutes in length. At the November 10 premier in Yankton, SD following the showing of the film there will be an optional question and answer panel session, including the film’s producer, production manager and NPS staff.  

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which currently preserves about ¼ of 1 percent of river miles in the United States. Most of these rivers, like the Missouri National Recreational River, are managed in partnership with local landowners and communities. The film’s debut coincides with the 40^th anniversary of the Missouri National Recreational River being established.

For more information about the premiere showing at the Dakota Theater or additional show venues, please visit us online at nps.gov/mnrr, call us at 605-665-0209 or visit our Park Headquarters located at 508 E 2^nd Street in Yankton Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.