The National Wildlife Refuge System booth at the Far North Conservation Film Festival teams with activity, September 24, 2005. Photo by Heather Knudsen.

Children at the Far North Conservation Film Festival color with the Blue Goose, September 24, 2005. Photo by Shannon Nelson.

Jason "Farmer Jason" Ringenberg and the Blue Goose hit it off at the second annual Far North Conservation Film Festival, September 24, 2005. Photo by Shannon Nelson

Approximately 500 people in Fairbanks, Alaska celebrated National Wildlife Refuge Week by attending a diverse group of films about the conservation of wildlife and wild places around the world at the second annual Far North Conservation Film Festival. The Arctic, Kanuti, and Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuges and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Student Activities Office sponsored the event, which was held in Fairbanks at the University’s Salisbury Theater on Friday, September 23^rd and Saturday, September 24^th, 2005.

On Saturday, numerous local conservation groups including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service set up displays and information booths that featured a variety of children’s activities.  The Blue Goose flew in for the occasion and enjoyed visiting with people and making new friends.  An afternoon highlight was the family concert “A Day at the Farm with Farmer Jason” performed by Jason Ringenberg, an alternative-country music sensation from Nashville, Tennessee.  An engaging selection of children’s films followed Farmer Jason’s energetic performance, while Friday and Saturday evenings featured a diverse line-up of conservation films geared more toward an adult audience. With music, children’s activities, and films for all ages- the second annual Far North Conservation Film Festival was a big hit this year with kids and adults alike!  For more information visit the film festival website at: http://www.farnorthfilms.com.