Land, Sea & Sky: The Fight for Keystone Species

10% of the total donation raised will go to the organizations of the women featured in our film.

Land, Sea & Sky: The Fight for Keystone Species is a documentary by filmmaker Samantha Schutz aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need for endangered keystone species to be protected from extinction and the remarkable efforts made on this front by women across the globe.

Why This Matters

Our planet's ecosystems are not merely a random assortment of beings, but a carefully woven tapestry, where each participant plays a crucial role in the whole. However, some species have a disproportionately larger impact on the ecosystem than others – known as keystone species, a relatively new concept introduced by zoologist Robert T. Pain in 1969. In short, a keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem to the extent that without them, the ecosystem would dramatically change or cease to exist altogether.

Many of these keystone species are facing imminent extinction – an impending struggle that threatens irreversible damage to the interconnected web of life that we rely on today. Many of the dangers that are causing their extinction are at the hands of humans–and worst yet, often stem from misconceptions about the species. However, if humans are the problem, we are also the solution.

Enter the unsung heroines of our film—the women fighting tooth and nail to preserve these keystone species.

Their stories are not just tales of courage and determination, but a testament to the pivotal role women play in shaping the future of our planet. They have become a driving force behind the conservation efforts that anchor the health of our planet. Our documentary is not just a lens into the challenges of these keystone species and the women fighting to save them; it's an opportunity for you to become a part of the solution.

Check out our website at:

https://www.landseaskyproject.org

Samantha's Story:

"My story began when I woke up after my 50th birthday and decided to listen to that little voice inside myself," Sam reminisces, reflecting on the times when she would sit on her bed as a ten-year-old girl, surrounded by a sprawl of National Geographic magazines across her bedroom floor. “I made a promise to myself that I would finally take a scuba diving class and that's where my adventure began. Making that one decision set me on the path to making my documentary Land, Sea & Sky: The Fight for Keystone Species.”

After being inspired by the work of Petronel Nieuwoudt and the critical work she's doing to save endangered rhinos in South Africa, Sam began conducting her research into keystone species and the pivotal role that women play in conservation began to emerge. Sam discovered Cristina Zenato's conservation efforts in the Grand Bahamas fighting for the Caribbean Reef Shark. Sam also discovered the work of Iroro Tanshi who is fighting to protect the straw-colored fruit bat in Calabar, Nigeria. It became clear that these women were at the forefront of major conservation efforts – just by taking one action at a time – out of a genuine love for the species. They are truly making a difference and that’s why it’s so important to tell their stories.

We invite you to join us on our filmmaking journey and, more importantly, to discover how we can all contribute to supporting their efforts and participate in the fight.

To find out more about Samantha's work you can also check out her website at: www.samanthaschutz.com